India is known around the world
for it’s fabulous architectural work. The
rock-cut caves of Elephanta,
The beautiful building of Vidhan Sabha of Bangalore,
The Char Minar of Hyderabad, the rock hewn temples
of Mahabalipuram, Jama Masjid
in Delhi and moreover the unforgettable and unmatched
Taj Mahal by Mughal’s are few of
the most popular buildings and are some of the
unique example of great architecture in India.
Come, explore this to know the history of this
beautiful part of the world……..
Day 1: Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai. Meeting and transfer to hotel.
(Check-in time 12 noon). Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Mumbai
Morning excursion to Elephanta caves
by motor launch. It contains a fine cluster of
6th-8th century rock-cut caves. The sculptures
are beautifully executed and the most outstanding
of these is the Maheshmurthy or Trimurthy, a five
metre high three- headed bust hewn from a single
rock, representing the three aspects of Shiva,
viz the creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer.
Afternoon city tour visiting the Gateway of India-built
during the period 1924-1927 to commemorate the
visit to India of King George V, of England in
1911. The Gateway is a popular promenade along
with sea. Visit the prince of Wales Museum - the
Victorian domed structure contains a fine collection
of miniature paintings. Its three sections are
on Art, Archaeology and Natural history. The museum’s
style of architecture is Indo-Saracenic. Visit
the 8- meter Rajabai Clock tower - the gothic
style Mumbai University clock tower built in the
last century. The Victoria terminus is considered
the most beautiful edifice in the city. This sprawling
structure blends both Gothic and Indian architectural
styles. Drive past Nariman point to Malabar Hill
which is a winding stretch of road along the sea
with tall buildings on one side. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 3: Mumbai -
Hyderabad
In time transfer to airport to board flight for
Hyderabad. Meeting and transfer to hotel. Afternoon
city tour visiting Char Minar-built in 1591, a
charming rectangular building with four slender
minarets, housing a small mosque. Visit Osmania
university founded in 1918 - the main building
is blend of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture,
the Salar Jung Museum displays the private collections
of Nawab Salar Jung III, an instance of a unique
one man enterprise in the sphere of art collection.
the Birla Temple, is a beautiful white temple
dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 4: Hyderabad
- Chennai
In time transfer to airport to board flight for
Chennai. Meeting and transfer to hotel. Afternoon
city tour visiting the fort of St. George, built
by the East India Company in 1640 A.D., St. Mary’s
church within the fort is believed to be the oldest
Anglican church in the East. Visit the High court
buildings put up in 1861 are of interest for their
Indo-Sarcenic architecture. The Kepaleeshwara
Temple is at Mylapare, 4.8 kms from the city centre.
This is an ancient Shiva temple built in the Dravidian
style. visit the San Thome Cathedral and Marina
Beach. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Chennai
Full day excursion to Mahabalipuram (famous for
the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an
interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples
which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture.
The sculptures are more than 1200 year sold. There
are five chariots cut tour of rock in individual
pieces and carved out intricately. See the world’s
largest and finest stone Bas-relief 27 metres
long and 09 meters wide depicting Arjuna’s
penance) and Kanchipuram (Kanchipuram known as
the golden city of a thousand temples speaks of
the gorgeous dravidian heritage. These temples
provide an opportunity to study the temple architecture
in South India) Return to Chennai for overnight
stay at hotel.
Day 6: Chennai
- Bangalore
In time transfer to airport to board flight for
Bangalore. Meeting and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon city tour visiting Cuban Park, which
is a huge tree-studded lawn spread over 300 acres
with a number of public buildings gracing its
boundaries. Located at one end of the park is
the magnificent Vidhan Sabha built after independence,
stands out by its imposing architecture in the
Neo-Dravidian style. visit Lal Bagh, laid some
200 years back, the gardens are spread over 240
acres and have 1000 varieties of trees and plants.
A Glass House built on the lines of the Crystal
Palace of London, is the venue of flower shows
. It has a huge Nandi Bull carved out of a single
grey granite. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Mysore
Full day excursion to Belure and Halebid temples.
In Belure visit the Chennakesawa temple built
900 years ago, is an exquisite specimen of Hoysala
art. In Halebid visit the 12th century Hoysaleswar
and Kedareswara temples which rank among the masterpieces
of Hindu Art. Also visit on your way back to Mysore
‘Saravanbelagola’ - a 17 metre high
statue of Lord Gomateshwara. Hewn out of single
rock, this gentle colossus a top a hill can be
seen from distance. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Mysore -
Bangalore - Ahmedabad
Depart by coach for Bangalore. On arrival transfer
to airport to board flight for Ahmedabad. In Ahemedabad,
meeting and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the
day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Ahemadabad
Morning city tour visiting Teen Darwaza, a triple
gateway 37 feet high built by Sultan Ahmed, the
Jumma Masjid, the Hathi Singh temple, a richly
marble temple surrounded by 52 smaller temples,
Rani Sipri Mosque, Sahking Minarets and the Step
wells of Dada Hari, an example of remarkable style
of monument that is a specialty of Gujrat. Visit
the institute of Indology and Rabindranath Tagore
theatre (both by architect B.V. Doshi), the Mill
Owner’s Club by Le Corbusier, the Gandhi
Memorial Museum on the Sabarmati river (by C.M.
Correa) and the institute of Management - a large
new residential business college by the American
architecture, Louis Kahn. Afternoon at leisure.
Evening transfer to the airport to board flight
for Delhi. Meeting and transfer to hotel. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 10: Ahemadabad
- Delhi
Morning visit old Delhi to see the Jama Masjid
and red Fort built by Shahjehan between 1639-1648
symbolizing the Mughal Glory. Visit the Raj Ghat
and Shanti Vana - the cremation sites of Mahatma
Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Drive past
Chandni Chowk- the busy shopping centre of the
walled city. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 11: Delhi
Morning city tour of New Delhi visiting Qutub
Minar, built in 12th century, Humayun’s
tomb, built in mid 16th century by Haji Begum-this
edifice was a trend setter of the time in its
layouts as all later Mughal monuments including
the Taj Mahal followed its design. drive past
President’s House, Parliament House and
other Secretariat Buildings laid out by Lutyens
in 1911. The Diplomatic Enclave where all the
embassies are situated including those of special
architectural interest such as American and the
Swiss. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at
the hotel.
Day 12: Delhi -
Chandigarh
Morning transfer to New Delhi railway station
to board the Shatabdi Express train for Chandigarh.
Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon city
tour of Chandigarh, Designed and built by the
famous French architect Le Corbusier. Visit the
Secretariat - an imposing building with a large
tank, roof and garden. High Court - designed and
constructed by the principles of the modern architecture
- economy of space and beautiful presentation.
Assemble chambers, a wonder of architectural innovation.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Chandigarh
- Delhi
Afternoon transfer to railway station to board
the Shatabdi Express train Delhi. Meeting and
transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Delhi -
Jaipur
Depart for Jaipur by surface. Arrive and check-in
at hotel. Afternoon city tour visiting the Maharaja’s
city Palace and the Observatory. Drive past Hawa
Mahal, the Palace of winds and rose-pink residential
and business areas of Jaipur. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber fort , the ancient
capital of state until 1728. visit Jag Mandir
or the hall of victory flittering with mirrors,
Jai Mahal and temple Kali. Ascend the Fort on
elephant back. Afternoon at leisure for shopping.
Jaipur is a major gems and jewellery centre where
one can find some of the finest Jewellery besides
woolen carpets & cotton rugs, Hand- block
printed Sanganeri 7 Bagru cotton fabrics. Thereafter,
proceed by surface for Samode. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 16: Jaipur
- Agra
Morning depart by surface for Agra. En route visit
Fatehpur Sikri, built by emperor Akbar. It is
a perfectly preserved city built between 1570-1586.
Continue to Agra and Check-in at Hotel. Rest of
the Day at Leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 17: Agra
Morning visit the world’s greatest love
tribute : the Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah
Jahan for his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj
Mahal is like a silent Rhapsody that you will
carry in your heart. Also visit Agra Fort - an
impressive cluster of Palaces, fortresses and
Mosque on the banks of river Yamuna across the
Taj Mahal. Later visit Sikandra- the tomb of Emperor
Akbar, the structure is a combination of Hindu
and Muslim architecture styles, the building with
three storey minarets is built of Red Sandstone
inlaid with white Marble polygonal patterns. Time
at leisure till departure transfer to railway
station to board the Shatabdi Express train for
Delhi.
Day 18: Agra -
Delhi
Morning depart for Delhi by surface. Arrive delhi
and check in at the hotel. Rest of the day free
for leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 19: Leave Delhi
In time transfer to International airport to board
flight for onward destination.
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