Kumbh Mela Haridwar (pre-tour Amritsar) – April 14 - 24, 2016
The largest religious gathering on earth occurs four times every 12 years, when tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims come together to take a ceremonial dip in the sacred Ganges, Shipra or Godavari Rivers. Locations for the gathering hopscotch across the plains between Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik, cities where drops of the nectar of immortality were spilled from its kumbh (pitcher) during a battle between demi-gods and demons – Lonely Planet
ItineraryDay 1: Thur, 14 April – Arrive Delhi
You will be picked up from Indira Ghandi International Airport and taken to our hotel O/N Corus Hotel B Day 2: Fri, 15 April Delhi - Amritsar We will catch our morning train to Amritsar. NDLS/ASR Swarna Shatabdi ETD/ETA: 0720/1335 hrs Once we have arrived and checked into our hotel we will visit the fabulous Golden Temple and photograph there till sunset. O/N Hotel B, D Even visitors without a religious bone in their bodies cannot fail to be moved by Amritsar’s resplendent Golden Temple, spiritual centre of the Sikh faith and open to all. Built by Guru Arjan Dev in the late sixteenth century, the richly gilded Harmandir rises from the middle of an artificial rectangular lake, connected to the surrounding white-marble complex by a narrow causeway. Every Sikh tries to make at least one pilgrimage here during their lifetime to listen to the sublime music (shabad kirtan), readings from the Adi Granth and also to bathe in the purifying waters of the temple tank – the Amrit Sarovar or “Pool of Immortality-Giving Nectar”. The best time to visit is early morning, to catch the first rays of sunlight gleaming on the bulbous golden domes and reflecting in the waters of the Amrit Sarovar. Sunset and evenings are an excellent time to tune in to the beautiful music performed in the Harmandir. The helpful information office at the main entrance organizes guided tours, provides details on temple accommodation and has books and leaflets about the temple and Sikh faith. Day 3 –Sat, 16 April – Amritsar We will have an early start and be at the Golden Temple at dawn. After a couple of hours of photography we will return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast we will return to the Golden Temple for a couple of hours and then we can spend some time wandering through the bustling markets in Amritsar. O/N Hotel B, D In the afternoon, we’ll make the 1 hour drive to the Wagah Border for “Changing of the Guards” ceremony held by Pakistani Rangers and Indian BSF. This ceremony takes place every evening before sunset at the Wagah border, which as part of the Grand Trunk Road was the only road link between these two countries before the opening of the Aman Setu in Kashmir in 1999. The ceremony starts with a blustering parade by the soldiers from both the sides, and ends up in the perfectly coordinated lowering of the two nations' flags. It is called the beating retreat border ceremony on the international level. One infantryman stands at attention on each side of the gate. As the sun sets, the iron gates at the border are opened and the two flags are lowered simultaneously. The flags are folded and the ceremony ends with a retreat that involves a brusque handshake between soldiers from either side, followed by the closing of the gates again. The spectacle of the ceremony attracts many visitors from both sides of the border, as well as international tourists. Day 4 – Sun, 17 April – Amritsar - Delhi After a sunrise shoot at the Golden Temple we will catch our train back to Delhi where we will be transferred to our hotel. NDLS/ASR Swarna Shatabdi ETD/ETA: 1650/2305 Hrs O/N Corus Hotel B, Dinner on Train Day 5 – Mon, 18 April – Delhi - Haridwar We will catch our train to Haridwar. NZN/HRD Niza Muddin ETD/ETA: 1430/1930 Hrs Once we arrive we will check into our Swiss Tent Village which will be our home for the next 6 nights. O/N Lakshmi Kutir Luxury Swiss Tents B, L, D At Haridwar – the Gates (dwar) of God (Hari) – 214km northeast of Delhi, the River Ganges emerges from its final rapids past the Shivalik Hills to begin its long slow journey across northern India to the Bay of Bengal. Stretching for roughly 3km along a narrow strip of land between the craggy wooded hills to the west and the river to the east, Haridwar is especially revered by Hindus, for whom the Har-ki-Pauri ghat (literally the “Footstep of God”) marks the exact spot where the river leaves the mountains. As a road and rail junction, Haridwar links the Gangetic plains with the mountains of Uttarakhand and their holy pilgrimage (yatra) network. Along with Nasik, Ujjain and Allahabad, Haridwar is one of the four holy tirthas or “crossings” that serve as the focus of the massive Kumbh Mela festival. Every twelve years (next due in 2022), millions of pilgrims come to bathe at a preordained moment in the turbulent waters of the channelled river around Har-ki-Pairi. Day 6 - 8 – Tue, 19 April - Thur 21 April – Haridwar We will spend the next three days visiting the ghats and local temples while thoroughly immersing ourselves in the culture of this sacred place – all in preparation for the auspicious bathing day, Chaitra Purnima Snan O/N Lakshmi Kutir Luxury Swiss Tents B, L, D Har Ki Pauri Ghat It is one of the most popular ghats in Haridwar. This sacred ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya in the memory of his brother Bhartrihari. It is also known as Brahmakund and it is believed to be the place where divine nectar fell from the pitcher. It is the site for famous kumbh mela which is celebrated in 12 years. The golden reflection of floral diyas in the river Ganges is the most enchanting sight in the twilight during the Ganga aarti ceremony at the ghat. Mansa Devi Temple. This temple a top the Bilwa Parvat is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi. From here we have a panoramic view of Haridwar, the Ganges, and the countryside from this place. Literally meaning the Goddess who fulfills desires (Mansa), is a popular tourist destination, especially because of the cable cars, which offer a picturesque view of the entire city. The main temple houses two idols of the Goddess, one with three mouths and five arms, while the other one has eight arms. Day 9 – Fri, 22 April – Haridwar Chaitra Purnima Snan: Royal Bath for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects O/N Lakshmi Kutir Luxury Swiss Tents B, L, D Day 10 – Sat, 23 April – Haridwar We will spend our final day in Haridwar exploring some of the holy sites in Haridwar including: Gaurishanker Mahadev temple is one more religious place in Haridwar. Positioned near to the Chandi Devi temple, this temple is recognized to represent Lord Shiva. Gaurishankar Temple is a part of the various religious festivities held throughout the year. Any religious individual offering prayers with all his devotion gets his wishes fulfilled in this temple. O/N Lakshmi Kutir Luxury Swiss Tents B, L, D Gau Ghat One among the many sacred sights of Haridwar is Gau Ghat. The Gau Ghat is also known to offer solace to those who have lost their near and dear ones. Offering of rose petals and coconuts ensure peace to the souls of ancestors. A fact not known to many is that the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi were immersed in this Ghat. Vishnu Ghat Named after Lord Vishnu is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu bathed. Bathing in this ghat, or taking a dip in the holy river, is known to wash away all your sins. A visit to the religious land of Haridwar without taking a dip in the holy river leaves a sense of loss. Day 11 – Sun, 24 April – Haridwar - Delhi Catch our train back to Delhi. HRD/NZN Niza Muddin ETD/ETA: 1520/1932 Hrs Transfer to Indira Ghandi International Airport for flights back home |
ExperiencesVisit the Golden Temple, the holiest site for the Sikh religion
Watch the “Changing of the Guards” ceremony held by Pakistani Rangers and Indian BSF in the India/Pakistani border Get to ride on an Indian train Mingle with thousands of pilgrims as they flock to the waters of the Ganges for the Holy Dip Be present for Chaitra Purnima Snan: Royal Bath for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects, one of the auspicious bathing days on the full moon DetailsDates
Apr 14 - 24, 2016 Photo Leader Jeremy Woodhouse Open for Registration Trip Fee $TBA Three meals per day Single supplement: $TBA Registration Form Deposit $1,000.00 Group Size 10 |