| Tour Name |
Pushkar Fair - 2009 |
Tour Code
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IWC-A-009
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Number of Days
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10 Days/9 Nights
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Categories
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Luxury/Deluxe/Quality/Budget
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Destination Covered
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Delhi-Agra-FatehpurSikri-Jaipur-Pushkar-Udaipur
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ITINERARY: PUSHKAR FAIR ITINERARY 2009
Nov 18 (Sunday) : Arrive Delhi
On arrival at Delhi international airport, after collecting
your luggage, please proceed to the exit where you will
be met by A Touch of Class Tours representative and
transferred to the hotel. Sprawling on the banks of
the River Yamuna, Delhi, the capital of India, typifies
the soul of the country. The legacy of that past survives
in the many monuments left behind by the regents, each
a chronicle of the glory of its time and an imprint
of each ruler's character. Today, the city is a curious
blend of modern and traditional, skyscrapers, beautiful
gardens and wide tree-lined avenues perpetuates the
Mughal passion of landscaping and architectural excellence.
Nov 19, 2009 (Monday) : Delhi
This morning's
tour commences with a visit to Mahatma Gandhi's
Memorial at Raj Ghat; where the Father of the
Nation was cremated. Continue to Jama Masjid,
the largest mosque built from 1644-1658, during the
reign of Emperor Shahjahan. Enjoy a cycle rickshaw through
the famous Chandni Chowk Bazaars, once
the shopping arcade of Mughal royalty. . Your afternoon
tour commences with a visit to Humayun's Tomb
built in 1570, is significant since it was the first
garden tomb built in the Indian subcontinent. Drive
past the Houses of Parliament and Presidential
Palace, grandiose masterpieces of the British
Raj. Drive along Rajpath, New Delhi's broadest avenue
to see the India Gate dedicated to
the nation 10 years later by the then Viceroy, Lord
Irwin. Another memorial, Amar Jawan Jyoti was added
much later, after India's independence. Proceed to the
magnificent Qutab Minar, a 239 feet
sandstone tower of an Indo Islamic architecture wonder
of ancient India. This afternoon proceed to The Akshardham
Temple is a perfect blend of traditional stone
art and architecture with contemporary and modern technology.
The 100-acre complex of Swaminarayan Akshardham is where
ancient values and timeless spirituality are parallel
with the modern thoughts. The perfect combo of pink
sandstone and white marble gives a magnificent look
to the 141 feet high and 316 feet wide main monument.
With 234 ornately carved pillars and nine domes portraying
the lives of deities and avatars, the sanctum sanctorum
consists of the 11-feet high statue of Bhagwan Swami
Narayan made of five dhaatu (metal) and gold plated.
The complex also has brass statues of Lakshmi-Narayan,
Shiv-Parvati, Radha-Krishna and Sita-Ram. This evening
attend the Indian Dances and Music performance followed
by dinner.
Nov 20, 2009 (Tuesday) : Delhi / Agra (By Shatabdi
Express - 6:00 AM / 7:55 AM)
Early this morning, our representative will assist
you to the train station to board the Shatabdi Express
departing at 06:15 AM for Agra. On arrival at 07:55
AM, the group will be met by ours representative and
assist with the transfer to the hotel. To the lover
of art and the traveler seeking the wonders of India,
Agra is the sublime destination. Emperor Akbar, Jehangir
and Shah Jahan lavished on this fabled city their love
and riches, transforming it into one of the greatest
centers of art, culture, learning and commerce. This
afternoon, proceed on a tour of Agra's dominant structure,
the Agra Fort, constructed by Akbar
in 1565. The red sandstone fort was renovated and converted
into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. At sunset, capture
the breathtaking view of the Taj Mahal,
the only one of its kind in the world. It is a monumental
labor of love from a Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who
commissioned its construction as a mausoleum to his
beloved wife, Arjumand Bano Begum, also known as Mumtaz
Mahal, died during childbirth, leaving behind an inconsolable
husband.
Nov 21, 2009 (Wednesday) : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri
- Jaipur (Approx 6 hours drive)
After breakfast, travel overland to Fatehpur
Sikri, a deserted capital city, built by Emperor
Akbar in 1569 and abandoned 15 years later due to severe
water shortage. Within the city, you will tour the Diwan-I-Aam
or Hall of Public Audiences, located just inside the
gates, the north east end of the deserted city. There
is a large open courtyard surrounded by cloisters. It
is here that Emperor Akbar came before the people each
morning. It is believed that Akbar played chess, using
slave girls as the pieces. Diwan-I-Khaas
or the Hall of Private Audience is a two storeyed building.
The exterior of the hall is simple but the interior
is fascinating. A stone column stands in the centre
of the hall supporting a flat-topped throne. From the
four corners of the building, there are stone bridges
leading across the throne. Panch Mahal
or Five Storey Palace is a five storeyed building and
the architecture is Persian in style like a Buddhist
monastery. The palace was probably used by the ladies
of the court and originally had stone screens on the
sides and its dome is supported by four columns. Palace
of Jodha Bai is named after Jehangir's wife
Jodha Bai. This palace is a fine blend of Hindu columns
and Muslim Cupolas. Inside the palace is the Palace
of the Winds where the walls are entirely made
of stone lattice work. Birbal Palace
was the residence of Birbal, who was Akbar's favourite
courtier, famous for his wit and wisdom. Miriam's
House also known as the Golden House was Akbar's
Christian wife from Goa. Ankh Michauli
is where the emperor played hide and seek with the ladies
of the harem and was probably used for storing records.
Sheikh Salim Chisti Dargah is the tomb
of Sheikh Salim Chisti, originally built of red sandstone
but was later rebuilt in white marble by Jehangir. Continue
with your drive to Jaipur. On arrival, you will be transferred
to the hotel. Jaipur owes its name, foundations and
careful planning to the great warrior, astronomer, Maharaja
Sawai Jai Singh II. Vidhyadhar Bhattarcharya designed
the city, using the principles of town planning, as
laid down in the Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise
on architecture.
Nov 22, 2009 (Thursday) : Jaipur
Your tour
commences with a visit to, tour Amber Fort,
approaching the gates of the fort on gaily decorated
elephant, failing which a Jeep will be provided.
This fort/palace was begun by Raja Man Singh and used
as a stronghold by the Rajput, till Sawai Jai Singh
II relocated to the newly created Jaipur. Continue to
the palace and its many intricate chambers and hallways.
Proceed to the Maharaja's City Palace,
once a formal residence of the royal family, built in
a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Followed,
by a tour of the Jantar Mantar, which
is the largest of Jai Singh's remarkable observatories.
Its complex instruments, whose setting and shapes are
scientifically designed, represent the high points of
medieval Indian astronomy. End the day's tour at the
Palace of the Winds, built in 1799
by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, is another important
landmark. It is an integral part of the City Palace,
an extension of the Zenana (women's chambers) located
away from the main complex.
Note: We will arrange to visit a local family home to learn about their religion, culture, and joint family system. Evening tea and some light snacks will also be served.
Nov 23, 2009 (Friday) : Jaipur – Pushkar (Approx
3 hours drive)
After breakfast you will drive to the sleepy little
township of Pushkar. Arrive and check in Tents / Hotel.
Pushkar comes alive with a riot of colors and a frenzied
burst of activity.
The occasion: PUSHKAR FAIR. Very
few, if at all any, fairs in the world can match the
liveliness of Pushkar. Most people associate the Pushkar
Fair with the world's largest camel fair. It is an occasion
for villagers from far and near to gather together and
enjoy a welcome break from their harsh life of the arid
desert. It is an occasion for Hindu pilgrims to converge
for a holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake to "wash
away the sins of a lifetime" and pay obeisance
at the ONLY Brahma temple in the world. A staggering
number of camels travel their way across the golden
sands of Rajasthan to collect at Pushkar for the week-long
fair devoted to them. Numerous cows and sheep also come
to the animal fair. The contrast to the dull desert
landscape is the riot of colours - the large gaudy turbans
of the native males arriving here to trade their animals
or set up the stalls to cater to the booming captive
market, and the loud hues of the pleated ghagaras (ankle-length
skirts) of the women bangled by the armful, bejeweled
from head to toe- adding charm and zest to the massive
affair. The large variety of intricate silver ornaments
- hairpins and chains, nose rings and neckbands, waistbands,
anklets, toe rings and the ivory bangles worn from wrist
to shoulder - would send any woman on a buying spree.
As the tempo of business goes down, the men folk turn
to merriment, for the day of the camel sports is at
hand. Camel races are the first event. Usually a lumbering
beast of burden, the camel all decorated in finery,
imagines itself to be an ostrich, and rushes through
the race like one.
Kartik Purnima, the day of ritual oblation , is also
the closing day of the world's most colourful festivals.
Bathing begins at dawn. There is quite a scramble for
getting a place on the bathing ghats. The famed waters
of the Pushkar Lake wash away the sins of a lifetime.
The mystical water is also believed to cure skin diseases,
making Pushkar the Lourdes of the east. After bathing,
the devotees line up in long colourful queues to take
their turn to worship the Creator, Brahma.
Nov 24, 2009 (Saturday) : Pushkar - Enjoy the
Pushkar Fair on your own.
Nov 25, 2009 (Sunday) : Pushkar - Udaipur (Approx
6 hours drive)
After breakfast you will be driven to Udaipur. Arrive
and check in to the hotel. Late afternoon, enjoy a boat
ride on the Lake Pichola, around the famous
Lake Palace. During boat ride, also visit another island
palace – the Jagmandir.
Nov 26, 2009 (Monday) : Udaipur / Delhi (By Overnight Train Mewar Express,
departing at 6:35 PM)
Morning, half day city tour
of Udaipur includes the City Palace, Sahaliyon-ki-Bari
(Garden where women of the royal household would meet)
and the Jagdish Temple, built in 1651
AD by Maharana Jagat Singh, this Indo-Aryan temple is
the most beautiful temple of Udaipur. This evening you
will be transferred to railway station to board overnight
train to Delhi
Nov 27 , 2009 (Tuesday) : Arrive Delhi at 6:15 AM
and Depart Delhi
On arrival at New Delhi railway station, you will be
met by our representative and our chauffer driven vehicle
at disposal till drop at international airport to board
home bound flight. NO HOTEL in Delhi.
India Welcomes offers online Pushkar Festival tour
packages. For details please fill up the form provided
below.
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