| Day 01 |
Arrive at Kolkata - By International carrier |
Today you will arrive third largest city of India - Kolkata. Meeting and greeting on arrival at Kolkata Airport and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.
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| Day 02 |
Kolkata / Kiul - By Overnight train (DEP 21.45 PM / ARR 05.44 AM) |
Morning enjoy the city tour of Kolkata. Afternoon visit local market etc. Evening transfer to Howrah Railway Station to board overnight train for Kiul. {Train has Air-conditioned bogies, a proper sleeping birth will be arranged with neat & clean bed rolls}
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| Day 03 |
Kiul - Visit Baijnath Temple (Vaidyanathan)
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Arrive early in the morning at Kiul Railway Station. Meeting on arrival and continue driving to Deogarh to visit Baijnath temple (Your first Jyotirling) .{The legend of Vaidyanathan goes something like this. The demon lord from the Ramayan, the devout Ravana meditated hard in order to invoke Lord Shiva, and requested him to come over to Sri Lanka, in order that his capital may become invincible. It is said that he attempted to lift the holy mountain, Lord Shiva's abode, Mount Kailash and take it with him to his capital; however Shiva crushed him with his finger, and Ravana prayed to him and sought his mercy, after which Shiva gave him one of the twelve Jyotirlingams with the condition that if it was placed on the ground it would take root immediately and hence Ravana had to carry it back on his trek to his capital. Varuna the God of water, entered Ravana's belly, and caused him to feel the need to relieve himself. Vishnu then came down in the form of a lad and volunteered to hold the Jyotirlingam as he relieved himself. But before Ravana could return, the young lad placed the jyotirlingam on the ground to which it became rooted. A disappointed Ravana offered severe penances to Shiva here, and cut off nine of his heads as a part of his repentance. Shiva revived him and joined the heads to the body, like a Vaidya or a physician, hence this Jyotirlingam goes by the name Vaidyanath. The same legend holds at Gokarnam in Karnataka} Since we do not have quality / good accommodation at Baijnath, will continue driving to Bodhgaya for overnight stay. Overnight at Bodhgaya.
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| Day 04 |
Bodhgaya / Varanasi - By Surface Apprx. 06 hrs
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| Morning visit Bodhgaya - it is a place with Lord Budhha attained enlightenment. Visit Bodhi tree, Mahabodhi Temple- which marks the spot where Buddha gained enlightenment and set out on his life of preaching, Monasteries, Magadh. Afternoon drive to Varanasi and check in at the hotel. Overnight at Varanasi. |
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| Day 05 |
At Varanasi |
Early morning sunrise boat cruise over holy river Ganges will take you to is famous bathing ghats (banks) where hundreds of pilgrims can be seen cleansing their souls by taking a holy dip. Also visit its burning ghats where bodies are cremated after performing the last rites according to ancient Hindu customs. Afternoon city tour of Varanasi-This sacred city over two thousand years old is the holiest city of the Hindus and a great center of learning and civilization. It has now more than 200 temples and shrines. Visit Bharat Mata temple, Durga temple, Banaras Hindu University etc. Drive past the bazaars, brocades & famous Banarasi silk sari shops. Also visit Temple of Lord Viswanath (Your Second Jyotirlinga) situated on the bank of Ganges is a highly revered place. some Muslim rulers had destroyed & desecrated it, and built a mosque next to it. The place has been renovated by later kings. Evening attend Ganga Aarti at Dasashwamedh Ghat. Overnight at Varanasi.
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| Day 06 |
: Varanasi / Delhi - By Afternoon flight
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Morning free at leisure and visit local market. Afternoon transfer to Airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival meet with our representative and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure and visit local market. Overnight at Delhi
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| Day 07 |
Delhi / Rishikesh/ Rudraprayag- By Surface apprx. 09 hrs
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This morning drive to Rudraparayag via Rishikesh On arrival at check-in at hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
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| Day 08 |
Rudraparayag / Gaurikund / Kedarnath - By surface / Trek
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Morning drive to Gaurikund and commence trek to Kedarnath (Apprx. 04-05 hrs). On arrival Check-in at Hotel. Evening Pooja Aarti at the temple of Kedarnath - the Northernmost of the Jyotirlingas (Your third Jyotirlinga), nestled in the snow clad Himalayas is an ancient shrine rich in legend and tradition. It is accessible only six months in a year. Overnight at Kedarnath.
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| Day 09 |
Kedarnath / Gaurikund / Rishikesh |
| After morning Pooja trek drown to Gaurikund. After refreshing bath at Gaurikund hot springs we will drive to Rishikesh and check in at hotel. Overnight at Rishikesh |
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| Day 10 |
Rishikesh / Delhi |
Morning drive back to Delhi and check-in at the Hotel. Afternoon free at leisure or tour of Delhi. Overnight at the hotel.
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| Day 11 |
Delhi / Indore By Morning flight |
Early this morning to airport for your flight to Indore. On arrival meet with our representative and transfer to hotel. After a short break drive to Onkareshewar (Your fourth Jyotirlinga). The Temple of Lord Omkareshwar is situated on the banks of River Narmada, in between Indore & Khandwa. It is also a rare archaeological site. The temple is situated on an island, which is encircled by the Narmada River Temple. Enjoy your boat ride on river Narmada. Evening drive back to Indore. Overnight.
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| Day 12 |
Indore / Ujjain / Indore : By surface apprx. 01 hr |
Morning after breakfast spend full day excursion to Ujjain, visit The temple of Mahakaleshwar (Your fifth Jyotirlinga). The theertam opposite the Mahakaleshwarar temple is known as Koditheertham & it is said that the colour of the waters of this theertham keeps changing. The Moola lingam is very small & is located underground. The lingam in the top level is called Ongareshwarar. The Kali Devi who gave darshan to Vikramaditya is known by the name Harasiddhi Matha. There once lived a brahmin in Avanti, who had four sons, who were great devotees of Lord Siva. Dushanan, a demon was giving trouble, disturbing all good & religious activities. The brahmins from all over the land gathered with the four sons & performed pooja to Lord Siva. The spot where they had taken mud to make the Lingam, had become a huge pond. When Dushanan came to disturb their pooja, Lord Siva rose from this pond as Mahakaleshwarar & destoryed Dushanan. On the request of the brahmins, Lord Siva gave darshan to devotees at this sthalam, one of the Jyotir Linga sthalams. Evening drive back to Indore and overnight.
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| Day 13 |
Indore / Ahmedabad / Rajkot : By Morning flight & Surface |
Early morning transfer to the airport to board flight for Ahmedabad. On arrival meet with our representative and straight drive to Rajkot (Apprx. 05 hrs). Overnight at Rajkot.
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| Day 14 |
Rajkot / Dwarka : By surface apprx. 05 hrs |
| This morning drive to another shrine at Dwarka. On arrival check-in at hotel. Later in the afternoon visit Nageshwar temple (Your sixth Jyotirlinga), Overnight at Dwarka. |
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| Day 15 |
Dwarka /Somnath : By Surface Apprx. 5 hours |
Morning drive to Somnath and check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Somnath temple. (Your seventh Jyotirlinga), {Chandra Devan worshipped Siva at this spot to rid himself of the curse of Daksha. Chandra Devan is considered to have built this temple & hence the name Somanathar to the Lord. Chandran fell in love with Rohini, one of the daughters of Dakshan. But Dakshan wanted to give all his daughters in marraige to one able & loving person, who would treat all his daughters equally. Chandran got married to all, but his love for Rohini was too great & the other daughters complained to their father. Dakshan cursed Chandran to dwindle in power & beauty. When Chandran begged forgiveness, Dakshan said that only prayers to Lord Siva, could free him of the curse. Chandran came to Somanath & prayed to Lord Siva, doing penance for about 4,000 years. Lord Siva appeared & said that he could not fully absolve him of the curse. Instead, he would wane in 15 days, but would grow again. This is the story said for the waxing & waning of the moon, producing new moon & full moon.} Overnight at Somnath.
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| Day 16 |
Somnath / Diu / Mumbai : By Surface & Flight |
Attend morning aarti and leave for Diu airport for to connect your flight to Mumbai. On arrival meet with our representative and transfer to hotel. Overnight.
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| Day 17 |
Mumbai / Nasik : By Surface apprx. 04 hrs |
Morning attend the city sightseeing of Mumbai. Afternoon drive to Nasik. Overnight at hotel.
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| Day 18 |
Nasik / Aurangabad : By Surface apprx. 06 hrs |
This morning visit your eight Jyotirlinga, i.e. Trayambakeshwar The temple is in the Indo Aryan style. The temple structure with excellent adornments of idols and sculptures, is surrounded by a massive stone wall. There is a huge bull in front of the temple & another marble Nandi is seen on the inside. The sculptural adornments continues even to the garbagriha with human, animals and yakshas carved . From the Jyotir Lingam at the centre of the garbagriha, trickles the Ganges continuously throughout the year. Sometimes, it is said flames issue forth as also a rumbling sound. Later in the afternoon drive to Aurangabad. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight.
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| Day 19 |
At Aurangabad |
This morning after breakfast full day excursion to Ajanta Caves - Lying deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side, above the Waghora river, are the awesome Ajanta group of caves, captivating tourists from all over. It was only in the 19th century, when a group of British officers on a tiger hunt discovered this artistry of yore. The caves at Ajanta depict the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD. {Ajanta caves remain close on Monday's} Overnight at Aurangabad
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| Day 20 |
At Aurangabad |
This day you will get a chance to visit another interesting sight i.e. Ellora Caves- 34 in number, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill, 30 kms from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave - temple architecture, they house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. {Ellora remain close on Tuesday's} Later in the afternoon visit Grishneshwar (Your ninth Jyotirlinga) is an ancient pilgrimage site revered as the abode of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Overnight at hotel.
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| Day 21 |
Aurangabad / Pune - By Surface apprx. 05 hrs |
This morning drive to Pune. On arrival Check-in at hotel. Later in the afternoon visit temple of Lord Bhimashankar (Your tenth Jyotirlinga) is situated in a Forest Reserve about 3 hours drive from Pune. The place is hilly with beautiful greenery all around. Overnight at Pune.
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| Day 22 |
Pune / Hyderabad : By Afternoon flight |
This morning you are free at leisure. Afternoon transfer to airport for your flight to Hyderabad. On arrival meet with our representative and transfer to hotel. Evening explore this unique city on your own. Overnight
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| Day 23 |
Full day visit Mallikarjuna |
Today you will viist The temple of Lord Mallikarjuna (Your eleventh Jyotirlinga) is situated in the town of Srisailam on the banks of River Patalganga Krishna (Apprx. 03 hrs drive from Hyderabad). Srisailam mountain is looked upon reverentially as the Kailash of South. The temple sculptures narrate in stone, epics from thre great Hindu epics-Ramayana and Mahabharata. Overnight at Hyderabad.
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| Day 24 |
Hyderabad / Kottayam - By Train Dep. 12.00 hrs |
Morning free at leisure. Afternoon transfer to railway station to board you train for Kottayam. Overnight at train. {Train has Air-conditioned bogies, a proper sleeping birth will be arranged with neat & clean bed rolls}
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| Day 25 |
Kottayam / Madurai |
This afternoon (ARR 15.05) arrive Kottayam, meet with your driver/car and straight drive to Madurai. On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure or attend closing ceremony at Meenakshi temple. Overnight at Madurai.
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| Day 26 |
Visit Rameshwaram |
Full day excursion to Rameshwaram (Your twelfth Jyotirlinga), The consecration of the temple of Lord Rameshwar was done by none other than Lord Rama himself, and thus this name. It is situated in a large island surrounded by sea in the southern side of India. It is approached from Madurai - Apprx. 03 hrs. Evening return to Madurai for overnight.
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| Day 27 |
Madurai / Chennai By Afternoon flight |
This morning sightseeing tour of Madurai, known as Athens of the East, it is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vigai. The city believed to be more than 2500 yeras old. The city got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's locs when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Madurai where the people wake up at the chant of hymns is proud of magnificent 'The Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple. Afternoon transfer to airport for your flight to Chennai. On arrival meet with our representative and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Chennai.
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| Day 28 |
Chennai / Home : By International carrier |
| Full day free at Chennai or explore local sights on your own. Late in the evening (according to your international flight) transfer to airport for your flight to home. |
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