Exotic Varanasi

Bodh Gaya is famous for the Mahabodhi Temple. It was here, under the Bodhi tree, that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.

It is now one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a lot of foreign countries, including Japan and China, have helped the Indian government build facilities for the Buddhist pilgrims. Throughout the year, pilgrims from India and abroad come to pay their respects in monasteries, temples, and remnants of the Bodhi Tree. Upon Arrival, Check-in at hotel. Overnight Stay at Bodhgaya Hotel.

Included Meals: Dinner

• Mahabodhi Temple : The Mahabodhi Temple serves as the main and most important attraction in Bodh Gaya. It was built in the 7th century, surrounding the Bodhi Tree that Buddha sat under while he attained enlightenment.
• Great Buddha Statue : This statue of Lord Buddha is the tallest in India and was installed by the XIV Dalai Lama in 1989. It is a meditating Buddha resting on a giant lotus, constructed using intricately carved sandstone and red granite.
• Bodhi Tree : The Bodhi Tree is the tree that Lord Buddha meditated under before he could attain enlightenment. The original Bodhi tree may have been destroyed by many kings, but its direct descendants flourish even today, standing tall at 80 feet.
• Sujata Kuti : Sujata Kuti is a stupa built in the honor of a tribal woman named Sujata, who saved Gautam Buddha’s life by offering him rice pudding after he had starved himself for years in the process of attaining Nirvana and renounced every luxury he had, including food. Sujata Kuti is thus considered religiously important in Buddhist culture.

After sightseeing, proceed for the Varanasi.

Varanasi, or Banaras (also known as Kashi, is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi`s prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed. Mark Twain, the English author and poet, who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of Banaras, once wrote: “Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” The origins of Varanasi, the home of Lord Shiva and Parvati, are unknown. The Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals. Upon Arrival, Check-in at hotel. Overnight Stay Varanasi hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

After your boat ride, visit the popular Kashi Vishwanath Temple + Annapurna Temple.

After temple visit, Return back to hotel for breakfast. After Breakfast, Check-out & Proceed for the Sarnath.

A quiet and spiritual town set amidst the otherwise densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is a city of historical marvel with numerous Buddhist stupas, museums, excavated ancient sites, and beautiful temples that prove to be a source of immense wonder and astonishment to tourists due to their mystical and serene setting. Sarnath, which is only 10 kilometres from Varanasi, is a popular pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, Jains, and Hindus alike. After Sarnath, proceed for the Ayodhya.

Ayodhya, located on the banks of river Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the seven sacred cities for Hindus. Ayodhya plays a critical role in the Hindu epic of Ramayana as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. This religious town is also the birthplace of four of Jainism’s 24 Tirthankaras (religious teachers), beckoning tourists with its serene ghats. Upon Arrival, Check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at Ayodhya Hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

• Ramjanma Bhoomi : Ramjanma Bhoomi is believed to have been the birthplace of the Hindu deity, Lord Ram. According to the Indian epic Ramayan, Ram, Lord Vishnu’s seventh manifestation, is said to have grown up along Ayodhya’s river Sarayu. It is a highly revered site for Hindu devotees.
• Hanuman Garhi : Located in Sai Nagar, Hanuman Garhi is a 10th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Hanuman. It is one of the most important temples in Ayodhya, as it is customary to visit Hanuman Garhi before visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It is believed that Lord Hanuman lived at the temple site, guarding Ayodhya.
• Kanak Bhawan : The Kanak Bhawan is established towards the north-eastern corner of the Ram Janmabhoomi in Tulsi Nagar. Constructed in 1891, this temple is also known as Sone-ka-Ghar. It is a holy site dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Rama and his wife, Goddess Sita.
• Sita Ki Rasoi : Sita Ki Rasoi is believed to be an ancient kitchen used by the goddess Sita herself. Built quite close to the Ram Janmabhoomi, this sacred site is now a temple housing some exhibit vessels.

After Sightseeing, proceed for the Prayagraj.

Prayag or Prayagraj had been the ancient name of the city of Allahabad. Pra means “first” and Yag means “devotion”. Prayag also signifies the coming together of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. After the Mughal invasion, Emperor Akbar, impressed by the location named the city Ilahabas which meant “Abode of God”. Emperor Shah Jahan, his grandson, renamed the city to Allahabad. Upon arrival, Check-in at hotel. Overnight Stay at Prayagraj Hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Chitrakoot, a small town situated in the north Vindhyan range, is located over the districts of Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh and Satna in Madhya Pradesh. It holds great importance according to Hindu mythology and the epic Ramayana. Legends have it that Chitrakoot was the place where Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana stayed for eleven and half of their fourteen years of exile making it a reverred site among pilgrims.

• Ram Ghat : Ram Ghat is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chitrakoot. The serene ghat lining the Mandakini River is where Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman appeared in front of the famous poet Tulsidas, who used to sit on the riverside and write Ram Charitra Manas.
• Bharat Milap Temple : Bharat Milap Temple is thought to be the location of the meeting of four brothers during Lord Rama’s exile. Bharat Milaap Temple is an important temple in Chitrakoot.
• Janki Kund : Janki Kund is situated along the banks of the Mandakini River, and it is believed that this is where goddess Sita used to bathe during the period of exile.
• Kamadgiri is a forested hill with multiple Hindu temples on all sides that is considered the heart of Chitrakoot. The name is derived from Kamadnath Ji, another name for Lord Rama, and it meant “fulfiller of all wishes.

” After Sightseeing, proceed for the Prayagraj. Overnight Stay at Prayagraj hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

• Triveni Sangam is the junction point of three rivers : the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati (which is a mythical river, supposed to have dried up millennia ago). Both the Ganga and the Yamuna are extremely revered rivers in Indian mythology, and hence the confluence point of these rivers has attained extremely high religious importance.
• Anand Bhawan is the former residence of the Nehru family, which has now been transformed into a museum showcasing various artefacts and articles from the era of the Indian Independence Movement.
• Khusro Bagh was built by King Jahangir for his son Khusro. The tombstone of the prince lies in this garden, along with that of his mother, Shah Begum.
• Bade Hanuman Mandir is located in the Sangam area of Allahabad. This temple is unique in that it was built underground and has a leaning posture that is 20 feet long and 8 feet wide.

After sightseeing, proceed for the Varanasi. Upon Arrival, Check-in at hotel.

Later in the evening, proceed for the Ganga Aarti at Ghat.

Every evening, Ganga Aarti is carried out in three holy cities of India. They are Haridwar, Rishikesh and Varanasi. All three of them have different vibes and energies. It is said that you should be a part of all three Aartis once in your lifetime. The Aarti is always carried out facing the River Ganga. A lot of lamps are lit during the Aarti. They are usually circled out by priests. It is always done clockwise. The Aarti is always accompanied by different songs sung while praising the Ganga. It is believed that the lamps acquire the power of the deity.Overnight Stay at Varanasi Hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

• Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is situated by the River Assi and was built in the 1900s by the freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. It is dedicated to Lord Rama and Hanuman.
• Tulsi Manas Mandir is dedicated to Lord Rama and named after the saint poet Tulsi Das. It displays the Shikhara style of architecture and exhibits various inscriptions from the Ram Charit Manas on the walls of the temple.
• Bharat Mata Mandir is a unique shrine dedicated to our country, Mother India. The temple has no deities, only a relief map of the country carved in marble. The temple was the brainchild of Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta, a freedom fighter. It was built in 1936 and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, and has ever since been the only one in the world dedicated to a country.
• Durga temple : Located near the Durga Ghat on the bank of the River Ganga, Durga Temple was built in the 18th century. It houses an imposing idol of Goddess Durga and is one of the main temples in Varanasi.

After temple tour, proceed to the railway station/airport to board the flight/train for the onward Destination.

Included Meals: Breakfast.