Commemorate your spiritual journey to India’s most admired places of worship, the historic Varanasi and the holy land of Ayodhya. Experience the rich tapestry of eternal devotion by exploring Historic temples, sacred landmarks and heritage places of worship.
Trip details:
Arrive in Varanasi by the afternoon and you will be transferred to your hotel room. After settling in, our most awaited journey to the land of spirituality begins!
Day1 Itinerary
4 PM: Our exploration starts with a visit to Lolark Kund, one of Kashi’s significant religious and historical sites, followed by Tulsi Das Mandir at Tulsi Ghat, where the legendary poet Tulsi Das lived and composed the epic Ramcharitmanas. The temple still holds the original manuscripts of these sacred texts and are well preserved.
Lolark Kund: This ancient water body, dating back to the Mahabharata era, is one of the 12 Aditya Kunds of Kashi. According to legend, the wheel of the Sun God's chariot fell here, forming the kund. The water is believed to have magical healing powers, making it a sacred site. Beyond its spiritual significance, Lolark Kund reflects India's ancient engineering marvels.
Tulsi Das Mandir: we will visit the temple where Tulsi Das is said to have carved an intricate statue of Lord Hanuman as a tribute to his devotion. This unique artwork is still available for darshan today.
5 PM: After offering our prayers, we will then take a traditional Bajra boat ride along the Ganges. Witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti, where all the priests offer prayers and light lamps on the riverbanks. The sight of the illuminated ghats and temples as you cruise along the river is simply astonishing. The boat ride will conclude at Assi Ghat around 7:45 PM.
8 PM: Following the boat ride, we will visit the Sankat Mochan Temple for the Aarti. Also, established by Tulsi Das in the 16th century, this temple holds special significance as the place where the poet had a divine vision of Lord Hanuman. The evening Aarti is filled with chants of the Hanuman Chalisa, the rhythms of the Damru, and clapping devotees, creates a spiritually uplifting atmosphere.
Aarti Timings: 8 PM to 8:30 PM.
9 PM: We will wind up our day after taking the blessings of Lord Hanuman and return back to the hotel for dinner and relaxation.
Our day will begin rather early, be sure to take ample rest and stay hydrated always.
Day 2 Itinerary is as follows:
8:30 AM: After having a delicious breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and depart for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM: The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is the spiritual heart of Varanasi. This sacred temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as a symbol of spiritual liberation. After offering our prayers here, we will be visiting the Annapurna Mata Temple as well, which is located within the same complex.
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM: Enjoy leisure time exploring local shops to purchase souvenirs or visit the famous Blue Lassi Shop for a refreshing break.
Lunch Recommendation: Try the authentic taste at Angoori Restaurant, which has vegetarian as well as vegan friendly options, before heading back to the hotel for an afternoon break.
4 PM: After a nutritious meal, we will head to the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), a cultural and educational landmark founded in 1916. BHU’s sprawling green campus is home to the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, which displays a rich collection of Indian art, and the New Vishwanath Temple (also known as the Birla Temple), symbolizing spiritual unity.
We will leave by 5:30 PM for the evening Aarti
6 PM: We will arrive at the Kedarnath Mandir for the evening Aarti. The Kashi Khand of the Skanda Purana refers to Kashi being divided into three sacred zones, with Kedareshwar as one of the most honored. The temple's ancient Shiv Ling is believed to have survived the Islamic invasions, and is considered older than the Vishwanath Lingam.
Dinner suggestion: Relish on a traditional Indian dinner at Kesariya Thaal, known for its elaborate bronze thali featuring 21 authentic Indian dishes.
After finishing the dinner, we will return back to the hotel room to rest and prepare ourselves for the next day.
The next day begins at dawn. Wake up for a day full of devotion.
Day 3 itinerary:
5 AM: Day commences early with a visit to Assi Ghat for the serene Subah-e-Banaras Aarti, a mesmerizing morning ritual to welcome the day with blessings.
6 AM: After the Aarti, we will embark on a Bajra boat ride, accompanied by live Bansuri music, and watch the sunrise shed its rays, over the Ganges. As we drift along the river, pass by significant ghats like Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, and Harishchandra Ghat, witnessing the morning rituals and the vibrant energy of the awakening city. Our ride concludes around 7:30 AM.
8 AM: we head to the infamous Chachi's or a similar local spot for breakfast and try out the Kachoris and Jalebis.
9:15 AM: Go back to the hotel room, for a quick nap, before checking out and following up with the activities.
11:30 AM: After checking-out, we begin our journey to Ayodhya which would be approximately 219 km (roughly 5-hour drive).
We will reach Ayodhya by evening, and if time permits, we will visit Mangeshkar Chowk, a recently inaugurated intersection dedicated to Lata Mangeshkar, on the way and spend some time here, listening to her melodious songs before heading back to the hotel for dinner and rest after a long day of travelling.
Unlike any regular morning, you can actually feel the enlightenment.
Day 4 Itinerary
8 AM: We will resume our journey by exploring Ram Kot, which is famous as “the heart of Ayodhya”, believed to be the site of Lord Rama’s ancient fort. After that, we will visit the Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, the historic Dashrath Mahal, and the Kanak Bhawan, and the two royal residences which were rebuilt about 200 years ago.
If time allows, we will visit the Hanumangarhi Mandir, though please note it can be crowded, so we’ll assess the situation upon arrival, and take a call.
Conclude the first half of the tour by 12 PM, and settle down for a lunch break.
4 PM: Head to the Nageshwar Nath Mandir, one of Ayodhya’s oldest temples, believed to house the ancient lingam of Lord Shiva. The temple was built by Luv, the son of Lord Rama. After visiting the temple, we will relax and calm on the banks of the serene Saryu River.
Suraj Kund Light Show: In the evening, we will enjoy a cherished sound and light show at SurajKund, showcasing the history of Ayodhya and the significance of this sacred pond.
We will call the day off at 9 PM and return to your hotel for dinner and spend the last night of our trip in the holy land.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out and visit Guptar Ghat, the sacred spot where Lord Ram is believed to have taken Jal Samadhi and ascended to Vaikuntha. Spend some time by the Saryu River before heading to the airport for the return journey.
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