~Fairs and Festivals Itinerary Details~
India is a country rich in history, culture, customs and traditions. The Indian's love for color and joyous celebrations is proved by the elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which he surrenders himself to the numerous fairs and festivals of the region. In addition to the festivals celebrated by the Hindus, Muslims and others, there are also the traditional fairs. There are animal fairs, there are religious fairs and there are fairs to mark the changing seasons. This itinerary has been specially designed so that guests can experience some of the major Fairs and Festivals of India.
2008 Itinerary:
October 20
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Delhi.
October 21
This is the day of the Diwali Festival which is one of the most important and popular festivals of India. A full day sightseeing of Delhi also gives you the opportunity to see and experience the festivities of Diwali.
Diwali: Diwali, or the Festival of Lights is held and celebrated every year in honour of Lord Rama's (one of the Indian Gods, the hero of the Ramayana and a reincarnate of Lord Vishnu) return to his capital Ayodhya after the exile of fourteen years. Thousands of years have passed by, and yet so ideal is the kingdom of Rama that it is remembered to this day. Consequently, to commemorate the return of Ram, Sita and Lakshman to Ayodhya people celebrate Diwali with the bursting of crackers and by lighting up their houses with earthen diyas (lamps) or other lamps in the grandest style, year after that year.
On the Diwali day prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed God and to Goddess Laxmi - the Goddess of wealth. It is believed that the Goddess of wealth will grace your home/business on this day.
It is worth taking a walk in the market areas - the shops are beautifully decorated and are crowded with people in lovely dresses and costumes.
At night the whole town is lit up with earthen oil lamps and candles; it reverberates with the sound of crackers, joy and happiness.
Delhi: The old city, built by Shah Jehan in the 17th century, stands today as an epitome of the whole history of Indo- Islamic architecture. New Delhi, designed and constructed by the Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker is a mixture of east and west. The public buildings in red sandstone are in the Moghul style. It has a circular Parliament House and an imposing Central Secretariat in two blocks which stand at the approaches to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the residence of the President of India. Delhi is today the political, economic and cultural capital of the World's largest democracy and has also become one of the greatest tourist centres of the world.
Sightseesing of Old Delhi: Visit Jama Mosque and drive through fabled Chandani Chowk, the main area of the old city, the Red Fort, built by the builder of the Taj Mahal - Shah Jehan, and famous for its delicately carved, inlaid and marbled Royal Chambers; Raj Ghat, where the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Gandhi Memorial Museum; Feroze Shah Kotla- ruins of the old fortress and also the Ashok Pillar.
Sightseesing of New Delhi: Visit Humayun's Tomb aptly called predecessor of the Taj Mahal. Drive past Safdarjung's Tomb, the Qutab Minar, 72 meters high and one of the perfect towers of the Persian World. Nearby, amidst the ruins of the Quwut - ul - Islam Mosque stands the Iron pillar which has stood the vagaries of the weather and not rusted over 1,500 years. An orientation drive through New Delhi includes the Embassy area, Government Buildings and Birla temple. Drive past Jantar- Mantar Astronomical observatory and through Connaught Place, New Delhi's main shopping centre. Overnight in Delhi.
October 22
After an early morning breakfast drive to Bharatpur (about 3 ˝ hour drive). Arrive Bharatpur and transfer to hotel. After lunch visit the world renowned bird sanctuary at Bharatpur:
Bharatpur is one of the best bird sanctuaries in India. The journey begins in the sanctuary as the mists roll away exposing the apparently endless expanse of silvery water covered in places by red waterfern; the awakening world seems to be full of birds of all sizes, species and colours. Darters, cormorants, ducks, geese, egrets, eagles, jacqanas and scores of other birds are everywhere, while the spectacular Sarus cranes greet the sun with their wild whooping calls. We shall scan the waters anxiously for Siberian crane and with any luck these elegant and sadly rare birds will have arrived to spend the winter here, although this cannot be guaranteed. There are many walks to follow around the "Bounds" and the habitat varies from the shallow lakes of the reserve to flooded forest and dry savannah. A day at Bharatpur cannot fail to be a memorable experience.
October 23
After a leisurely breakfast drive to Agra (about an hours drive) visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute. Arrive Agra and transfer to hotel. After lunch sightseeing of Agra, including the majestic and famed Taj Mahal.
AGRA: 204 kms from Delhi, lying on the Yamuna River, Agra is famous the world over as the "City of the Taj".
The Taj Mahal: One of the wonders of the world, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal, this beautiful musoleum is pure white marble and an architectural marvel. Built in 1631-48 in Agra, seat of the Mughal Empire, the monument sums up many of the formal themes that have played through Islamic architecture. Its refined elegance is a conspicuous contrast both to the Hindu architecture of pre-Islamic India, with its thick walls, corbeled arches, and heavy lintels, and to the Indo-Islamic styles, in which Hindu elements are combined with an eclectic assortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish sources.
Agra Fort: Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of courtyards, mosques and private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. Moti Masjid, Jasmine Tower and Itmad-ud-Daulah reflect the skills of the ancient Indian architects and artists.
Sikandra: The tomb of Akbar the Great, built in red sandstone inlaid with marble is a striking sight.
Fatehpur Sikri: The deserted city of Emperor Akbar literally means "The City of Victory". The audience halls, palaces, and the mosques are still in a state of perfection as are the tomb of Shiekh Salim Chisti, Panchmahal and the Buland Darwaza.
October 24
A.M.: At leisure/optional visit to the Taj at sunrise.
P.M.: After an early lunch, drive to Bateshwar (about 1 hour and 15 minute drive) to see one of the largest cattle fairs in the world, held every year on the banks of the Yamuna River.
Bateshwar is a small town situated on the banks of Yamuna River and is famous for its cattle fair which is held every year during the month of Octoberober/Novemberember. The cattle fair is supposed to be the third largest in the world – the first being in Russia and the second in Sonepur, also in India.
The numerous ravines of the Yamuna River at Bateshwar are the fair grounds, each ravine holding a particular variety of cattle and other animals comprising of cows, bullocks, buffaloes, camels, horses, pigs and donkeys.
There are several temples in a line on a long and elevated platform. The biggest and the main temple is of Lord Battaknath. The Yamuna flows down the stairs of the platform from south to north at this site, and religiosity is attributed to this unnatural flow of the river. Spend the time visiting the cattle fair and the temples on the banks of the Yamuna River and observing the people who come from all over the country to trade and / or to buy cattle and other animals.
October 25
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur (about 4 hours) and transfer to hotel.
P.M.:Sightseeing of Jaipur: Jaipur, the rose-pink capital of Rajasthan, is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts. Enclosed by embattled walls, the city was built early in the eighteenth century. The Maharaja's palace stands in the centre of the city amidst lovely gardens. Houses with latticed windows line the streets, their rose-pink colour lending enchantment to the scene and almost magical at sunset. Jaipur is aptly called the "Pink City of India". It takes its name from the famous Maharana Sawai Jai Singh, who founded the city in 1728. A keen astronomer, he built an observatory which still exists and is equipped with quaint masonry instruments of remarkable size.
Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen skilled in the art of cutting precious stones and famed for its garnets and rubies. It is equally well known for brass inlay work, lacquer work and printings on muslin.
City Sightseeing: The City Palace which now houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings and an armory; the Jantar Mantar observatory- built in the 17th century by Jai Singh- with a sundial 90ft.high; the Museum sits amidst the Ram Niwas Palace Gardens founded in 1876 with a large collection of antiques; close by is the Palace of Winds, a landmark of Jaipur made of pink sandstone and of unique design.
October 26
A.M.: A visit to the Amber Fort and Elephant ride:
Amber Fort: 12 kms from Jaipur lies the city of Amber with an ancient imposing fort cum palace overlooking the lake at the entrance to a rocky mountain grove. Built in the 17th century, the palace is a distinguished specimen of Rajput architecture. The Jai Mandir (hall of victory) is so delicately ornamented with fine inlay work that it glows. The fort of Jaigarh, crowning the summit of a peak is of amazing beauty and grandeur. The highlight of the visit to the Amber Fort is the elephant ride from the base to the top of the fort.
P.M.: At leisure for relaxing and/or shopping.
October 27
After breakfast drive to Bajore (about three hours drive north of Jaipur). On arriving in Bajore, commence a short camel safari in the semi desert area of Shekhawati. After riding for about an hour you stop for a hot lunch prepared and served by our camp staff. After lunch and a short rest, continue your camel safari passing quaint little villages and hamlets and riding over vast sand dunes till you reach your deluxe tented camp after about three hours - in time for a high tea. The tents provided by us are large stand-in tents with proper beds and furniture. There is a large portable wagon with built in shower and toilet.
By the time you clean up the sun is setting and it is time for drinks, music, entertainment and a barbecue dinner. Dancers and musicians will have been called all the way from Jaipur to perform for you. Overnight in tented camp.
October 28
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Dundlod (about two hours drive) in the heart of the Shekhawati region. Arrive Dundlod and transfer to Dundlod Fort Hotel which is a charming and a very interesting property.
Dunlod: The Dundlod Fort in the heart of the Shekhawati was built in 1750. This majestic fort surrounded by a moat, a mixture of Mogul and Rajputana architecture. The majestic Diwan Khana (the Audience Hall) is furnished with Louis XIV furniture. This old building has been beautifully maintained and now has all modern comforts. It has a huge banquet hall and each bedroom is different with its own charm. The fort is located on the edge of a small village of the same name.
After lunch visit the frescoed havelies (mansions) of Shekhawati: Shekhawati is a region of which Dundlod is a part. This region is Rajasthan's open air art gallery. No other region in India or perhaps, even the world, has such a large concentration of high quality frescoes as Shekhawati. In the beginning this semi-arid region had only its blank monochromatic palette to offer. No school of painting thrived until history and circumstances took up this colorless page and made it blossom with art for almost two centuries - from 1750 to 1930. The various Havelies are covered with frescoes depicting the whole gamut of social and religious life; here history is painted with humour.
Overnight in Dundlod Fort.
October 29
After a leisurely breakfast drive to Danta (about three hours drive). The drive to Danta passes through the town of Sikar and the drive after Sikar is a very scenic one, along the Aravali hills. Arrive Danta in time for lunch, which will be hosted by the erstwhile ruling family in their Fort. The village of Danta is fairly large and is dominated by two fortresses on top of a hill. One of the fortresses is now a hotel, the Dera Danta Kila (kila means fort). Built in 1702, the Kila is a delightful mixture of Mogul and Rajput and still the private residence of the “Thakur” of Danta village.
After lunch and a short walk in the village, we proceed to Kuchaman by Jeep driving on dirt tracks through the wilder parts of the area. Kuchaman is about 40 kms from Danta and the drive is across a spectacular landscape of sand dunes, hills and farmland - you pass several villages and see some ancient forts before you reach Kuchaman.
The Kuchaman Fort was established as a "chowki" [garrison] by the Gurjar Pratiharas sometime between 450 to 750 A.D to control the ancient trade route from Central Asia.
As you proceed on a winding and undulating mountain road toward the massive portals of this magnificent fort you travel back in time, only to be swallowed into this ancient world of strange mysteries, of secret chants and mantras, classical music and ragas, and of fine arts and murals. The Kuchaman Fort, beckons and welcomes you as it rises proudly into the clear skies, at the top of a 1,000 feet high sheer rock cliff.
At the Kuchaman Fort you discover tales of courage and valour woven into the very fabric of its formidable ramparts, with their 32 bastions that house cannon points, their thousands of muzzle loader ports from which pellets were once showered upon attacking armies, and their strategic 10 gates, each with its own soulful story. At the Kuchaman Fort, you discover the adventure of hunting, battle fields and using secret passages and escape tunnels, along which many a life was saved and lost.
This historic Fort is now a hotel and it is here that you spend the night.
October 30
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Pushkar (about 3 hour drive). The drive to Pushkar is through a scenic valley dotted with ancient forts and temples. As you get closer, you see hundreds of camels and cattle being herded to Pushkar - because this is the time of the annual fair. Arrive in Pushkar and transfer to the Pushkar Resort, which is a lovely hotel resembling an oasis in the desert complete with a swimming pool and where you spend two nights.
Pushkar Excitement, gaiety and a keen sense of competition fill the air as the long journey to Pushkar begins. Spirited columns of people with camels, horses, bullock-carts, cars and jeeps head for Pushkar soon after Diwali. The origin of Pushkar is lost in myth. It is believed that Brahma, the creator, was in search of a place to perform a Vedic yagna (sacrifice). As he pondered, a lotus fell from his hands and water gushed from the spot. Today, the faithful bathe in the holy waters of the Pushkar lake on Kartik Poornima (full moon in November). On its banks, a mammoth 200,000 people and some 50,000 cattle become a part of the annual Pushkar fair.
The fair offers a matchless opportunity to trade in cattle and leather goods. Womenfolk shop for bangles, clothes, utensils and sundry household items. Sports involving the camel, the friend of the desert folk of Rajasthan, are a legion. Equally diverting are the gaily dressed rural folk.
October 31
In Pushkar.
November 1
After breakfast drive to Kumbhalgarh visiting the Ranakpur Jain Temples enroute (about six hour drive). Ranakpur is situated in a peaceful valley of the Aravali range of hills which are supposed to be older than the great Himalayas. Ranakpur is mainly associated with its huge but beautiful 14/15th century Jain Temples, constructed of white marble. The Ranakpur temple complex is the biggest in India having 29 halls and 1,444 pillars, each of which are intricately carved. The temples are no less than the Taj Mahal in beauty and splendor.
After visiting the Ranakpur temples, drive up to Kumbhalgarh (at about 3,500 feet) in the Aravali hills. Arrive Kumbhalgarh and transfer to the Aodhi Hotel which is charming hotel built in the Aravali hills close to the Kumbhalgarh Fort.
Kumbalgarh, also known as the "Eye of Mewar" lies atop the Aravali range at an altitude of 3,500 feet. The seat of the world's oldest dynasty, it holds the distinction of being unconquered. Rearing its frame bravely through time and bearing the honour and pride of the Rajputs, the Kumbalgarh Fort was built in the 15th century by a Rajput ruler, Maharana Kumba of Mewar. The fort has structurally been an unassailable destination - guarded by several iron gates and walls that were impossible to scale. The fort is famous for its parapets having a parameter of 36 kms around the fort and wide enough to hold eight horses. It is like a mini Great Wall of China. Within the fort are more than 350 temples spread over the entire area. The scenic surroundings are spellbinding.
November 2
After breakfast drive to Udaipur (about two and a half hours drive). Arrive Udaipur and transfer to hotel Shiv Niwas Palace, followed by sightseeing of Udaipur.
Udaipur - Set amidst the verdant Aravali hills of southern Rajasthan, Udaipur is a serene and beautiful city, one of the most romantic spots in India. In dramatic contrast to the battle-scarred, desert-bound, fortress towns of the state, it presents an enchanting picture of white marble palaces, placid blue lakes, and a girdle of green hills that keep the wilderness at bay.
Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, was founded by Maharana Udai Singh after he was overcome by the misfortunes that his old capital of Chittaurgarh had to face. Repeatedly sacked by the Mughal armies, the Chittaurgarh Fort (120 kms from Udaipur) saw some very fierce battles. In 1567, the army of Emperor Akbar sacked the Fort and forced Maharana Udai Singh to seek refuge in the surrounding Aravali hills. Udai Singh then, on the advice of a holy man, set about building the new city of Udaipur.
The City Palace is a work of art and has many carved balconies, arches and decorated pillars. Located inside are the Surai Gokhada or the Sun balcony, Badal Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (Mahal means Palace), Bheem Vilas and the Peacock Courtyard. The Zenana Mahal, Fateh Prakash, Durbar hall and the City Palace Museum are other places of interest.
Close to the City Palace is the Jagdish temple dedicated to Lord Jaganath. It has imposing sculpted figures and heavily ornamented interiors.
At a short distance is the Sahelion-ki-Bari or the Garden of Maidens which has four pools and delicately carved kiosks and elephants in white marble.
November 3
A.M.: Transfer to airport in time for flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to International Airport in time for your departing flight.
