Travel to India: Varanasi & Kajuraho Extension (Northern India)

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Varanasi & Kajuraho Extension (Northern India)

			DAYS: 6 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $630 per person HIGHLIGHTS: Erotic Temples of Kajuraho Varanasi Holy City Buddhist Sarnath Ganges River ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Commonly known as the "City of Learning," also called Benares and referred to as Kashi (the luminous) in the Rigveda, Varanasi is perhaps the world's most renowned holy city. Located on the banks of the river Ganges (Ganga), Varanasi is one of the world's top pilgrimage destinations, as important to Hindus as Mecca is to Muslims. Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on earth, dating back thousands of years and contemporaneous with the early Mesopotamian civilization of Sumer. For Hindus, the Ganga has great religious importance; the Ganga is a Goddess. If one's cremated ashes are mixed in its waters or in those of a tributary river, they will mingle with the divine and your soul will be sped faster toward Nirvana - every Hindu's most feverent wish. Each year, millions of Hindu pilgrims come here to bathe in cleansing worship, or to die and have their ashes strewn into the Ganga's soothing waters. Tulsidas wrote his Ramcharitmanas here and, in the Deer Park at Sarnath, Buddha gave his first ever sermon after reaching Bodhisattva, thus making Varanasi one of the world's most important Buddhist pilgrimage desinations, too. We visit Sarnth and Varanasi, and explore the Temples of Khajuraho, some of the most beautiful examples of the 8th century Hindu renaissance in architecture, art and culture under the Chandel Empire.

DAY 1 :  KHAJURAHO
This morning (which corresponds to day 11 of the Tigers & Palaces itinerary) we transfer from our Delhi hotel to the domestic airport where we board a flight for Khajuraho. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel, then embark on a guided tour of the famous erotic temples. Constructed during the Chandel Empire (circa 950-1050 ACE), these temples are considered the height of the architectural genius of India's medieval period. The temples are a classified world heritage site. The erotic scenes which have made these temples renowned in the modern era are a relatively small part of the carvings, although a sensuous eroticism prevails throughout all the sculptures of this period. Originally there were 85 temples, of which 22 survive today. The murals depict the life and times of the Chandelas, and celebrate the erotic state of being. Legend records that Hemavati, the beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest, was seduced by the moon god while bathing in the Rati. A man-child was born, half mortal, half god, named Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed mother sought refuge in the dense forest where she was both mother and guru to her young son. The boy grew up to found the great Chandela Dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had a dream-visitation from his mother, who implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight Hotel Radisson Kajuraho or similar [B]

DAY 2 :  VARANASI
After breakfast we transfer to the airport and fly to Varanasi. On arrival we are met and transfer to our hotel. Varanasi (Benares) has been the centre of Hinduism since the dawn of history, a contemporary with Babylon and Thebes and one, if not the oldest continuously inhabited city on earth. Often referred to by Hindus as "Kashi" (city of Light), Varanasi attracts over a million pilgrims each year; many of whom come to spend their last years in Kashi to ensure their ashes mingle with the Goddess when they die. This acceptance of death can be confusing to a Westerner. But we must remember Hinduism offeres its adherents rather more than other religions; Hindus enjoy many lifetimes of which this is but one, which fundamentally alters their approach to living their current lives. This afternoon we embark on a guided half day tour of the city. We visit Ramnagar Fort - residence of the Maharaja of Varanasi, where we also view the museum. We also visit the Golden Temple and, if time allows, the Durga and Tulsi Temples. Return to hotel late afternoon. Overnight Hotel Radisson Varanasi or similar. [B]

DAY 3 :  VARANASI
Today we wake early and transfer to the ghats to take a Dawn Boat Trip on the Ganges. We watch the sun rise and view the morning Puja (prayer) at the various ghats. On our return, we take breakfast at the hotel. Records of Varanasi date back over 3000 years, and there is little one can say to adequately describe a city where every Hindu wants to die; the closest city to heaven. It has been said that one is most alive when close to death, and Varanasi is one of the most exciting and lively places in the world. Today we visit Sarnath, site of Buddhas first sermon at Bodhgaya, and today the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world. Located 10km north-east of Varanasi, Sarnath was at its peak when the Chinese traveler Fahsien visited in the 5th century ACE. The city was then known as Deer Park, after the Buddha's famous first sermon The Sermon in the Deer Park. Deer still come very close and can be fed by buying a few packets of seed. The afternoon is free to explore the city or relax in our hotel. Overnight Hotel Radisson Varanasi or similar [B].

DAY 4 :  DELHI
After breakfast we transfer to airport for our flight to Delhi. On arrival we are met and transferred to our Delhi hotel. Overnight Park Hotel or similar. [B]

DAY 5 :  DEPART
Transfer to airport. Services end. [B]

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