GOLDEN TRIANGLE TOUR
|
|
Day 1: ARRIVE DELHI
Lotus Temple
Arrive Delhi, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to Hotel for overnight.
Overnight hotel in Delhi
Overnight hotel in Delhi
Day 2: IN DELHI
Humayun’s Tomb
After breakfast depart for full day city tour of Delhi visit Old Delhi. Begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi the Father of the nation was cremated in 1948. Thereafter you proceed to the magnificent Red Fort (closed on Mondays) built of red sandstone dating from the very peak of the Mughal power. Rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk. Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Feroz Shah Kotla, ruins of an old fort of the 14th century with the 13 metre high Ashoka Pillar of 3rd BC after lunch, Drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan (the Presidential Palace) and the Secretariat buildings - the centre of Government activity, down the impressive Rajpath (the main avenue), to the World War I memorial arch, India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum, the Qutub Minar, 72 metres high and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque. See Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncoroded Iron Pillar, which datesback to the 4th century AD.
Overnight hotel in Delhi
Overnight hotel in Delhi
Day 3: DELHI – AGRA Drive 202Km
Taj Mahal
After breakfast depart and drive to Agra on arrival transfer to hotel for overnight. In afternoon visit Agra Fort where Shah Jehan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. The most impressive part of the Fort are the Dewan-e-Am, Hall of Public Audience and the Dewan-e-Khas Hall of Private Audience where he received foreign dignitaries and Taj Mahal, (sunset) (closed to visitors on Fridays.) the most extravagant monument ever built for love. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan built her this memorial over which 20,000 men labored for 22 years to create a masterpiece in white marble inlaid with semi precious stones; the art is called pietra dura.
Overnight hotel in Agra
Overnight hotel in Agra
Day 4: AGRA – JAIPUR Drive 231 Km Fatehpur Sikri
After breakfast depart and drive to Jaipur en route visit Fateh Pur Sikri, an epic poem in red sandstone, it was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and deserted 14 years later due to lack of water. Legend has it that Akbar who was without a male heir, made a pilgrimage to this spot to visit the saint Sheikh Salim Chisti The saint predicted the birth of a male heir and in gratitude, after his son Jehangir was born, he built Fatehpur Sikri to commemorate the birth. The Diwan-e- Khas, Hall of Private Audiences has a unique interior design. The Diwan-e-Am or Hall of Public Audience is an open courtyard surrounded by cloisters and adjoining it is the Pachisi courtyard arranged like a gigantic game board, where the Emperor played chess using slave girls as pawns. And Rural village of Rajasthan Abhaneri, which is known for its beautiful baoris (step wells) and the famous Harshat Mata temple, Abhaneri is supposed to have been established by Raja Chand. Many believe that Raja Chand was in fact Raja Bhoja, a celebrated king who ruled over the Gurjar kingdom in the 9th century.
|
 The giant step well of Abhaneri
Abhaneri was earlier known as Abha Nagri or the city of brightness. Today, this ancient village is in ruins but yet attracts many tourists from all across the world. The Harshat Mata Temple dates to the 9th century and today only portions of this ancient shrine remain, like the sanctuary walls, terrace and sections of the columned mandapa (fore chamber). The sanctum, shorn of its superstructure, is enclosed in an ambulatory and is pancharatha (with five offsets) in structure. The walls have carved nichés in which are images of other deities. These images indicate that the temple was originally dedicated to Vishnu, the Creator of the Hindu trinity of Creator-Preserver- Destroyer. The architectural details of the terrace basement is more or less complete, showing friezes of geometric ornament and miniature nichés with sculptures of seated deities and amorous couples. The columns and walls are adorned with scenes of dance, music, sport and love. Some of the better panels have been shifted to the Archaeological Museum, Amber and the Central Museum, Jaipur. The sanctum now enshrines an image of the four-armed deity Harasiddhi, locally called Harshat Mata. Many images of Hindu deities have been found around the place which are being preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. A mela (fair) is held near the temple in the month of Chaitra (March-April) every year. Close by the Harshat Mata Temple is the step well Chand Baoli, belonging to the 11th century AD. The desert kingdom of Rajasthan has many such tanks which served as community centres, and constructing them was considered an act of great generosity and benevolence. These baolis or step wells were no ordinary structures; they were marvels of architecture. The Chand Baoli has beautifully carved panels inserted into the sides. The steps, in sets of 4 or 5, are in the shape of an inverted 'V'. The carved stone pillars, which are somewhat damaged now, were once strong enough for supporting pulleys to draw water. Several storied verandas surround this beautiful step well.Arrive Jaipur and check in at hotel evening at leisure.
|
Day 5: IN JAIPUR
Hawa Mahal (Palace Of Winds)
Morning after breakfast visit Amber Fort AMBER - Just 7 miles north of Jaipur is Amber with its a honey-colored fortress-palace in the Aravali Hills. Enjoy an elephant ride along the fortress ramparts. The somber exterior belies the richness of the royal apartments which open on to striking views of the gorge. Walk into the Sheesh Mahal and admire the amazing interior décor thought of over 200 years ago. The Hall of Victory presents a galaxy of decorative art panels of alabaster with fine inlay work After lunch visit Jai Singh’s Observatory built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who, besides being a prince was also soldier, astronomer and builder. This is an architectural feat, drive past the Hawa Mahal an elaborate building encrusted with delicate honeycomb screens and carved balconies from behind which the royal Zanana (females), could view the world outside, the City Palace now a museum exhibiting fine Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armory.Overnight hotel in Jaipur.
Day 6: JAIPUR – DELHI drive 265KM
Amber Fort
DEPARTURE
Morning after breakfast departs and drives to Delhi on arrival transfer to International airport for Homeward flight with sweet memories of Golden Triangle.
Morning after breakfast departs and drives to Delhi on arrival transfer to International airport for Homeward flight with sweet memories of Golden Triangle.
