RICHMOND TRAVELS INC.
MAKING THE MOST OF INDIA
I - MOUNT ABU
Escape the desert heat of Rajasthan or Ahmedabad to
Mount Abu for lungfulls of fresh cool air. Mount Abu is 185km from Udaipur and
222km from Ahmedabad, situated on a 1200m high plateau. Mount Abu has much to
offer - it is very fashionable with Indian honeymooners - there is even
'Honeymoon Point' for romantic sunset views. As a religious center Mount Abu has
great Hindu significance, especially for Jains, as the two main temples are the
finest examples of Jain architecture and art.
Day 1 Fly to
Ahmedabad and drive to MT Abu. Check in Hotel.
Day 2 Today, you will
have the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful Jain temples in India -
the Dilwara Jain Temples. One of these the Vimal Vasahi Temple built of Makrana
marble is entered through 48 carved pillars, past a procession of carved
elephants. Another, the Tejpal Temple has a huge almost transparent marble lotus
suspended from the dome.
Day 3 This morning, you will visit Nakki
Lake, said to have been dug the Gods with their fingernails. The rest of the day
is free to take relaxing strolls around the public gardens and hillsides.
Day 4 To Ahmedabad Airport for the flight to Bombay.
J - THE CHARIOTS OF FIRE
PURI BHUBANESFFWAR, KONARK 1-4 DAYS
Far to the east on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, where the mass
Temple of the Sun stands lonely sentinel, Orissa is a splendor land of bright
green, paddy fields and shady coconuts groves, of leafy footpaths threading from
village to village, of tribal communities and deeply religious festivals,
pastoral rhythms and sacred rites, fine wildlife parks and @e upon mile of sandy
beaches and soaring temples, yet for all this, there are remarkably few
visitors. Bhubaneshwar, capital of Orissa, can be easily reached by air from
Delhi, Bombay, Hyderabad and other cities. The nearest major city is Calcutta.
Day 1 Puri Arrive Bhubaneshwar by air and proceed by road to
Puri, home of the Hindu deity Jagganath "Lord of the Universe". Check into the
hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 Bhubaneshwar Early morning
visit to the beach to experience a glorious sunrise over the Bay of Bengal.
After breakfast, visit Puri Temple complex. After lunch depart by road for the
mighty Temple of the Sun at Konark and finally on to Bhubaneshwar.
Day 3 Bhubaneshwar
Bhubaneshwar had no less than 7000 Hindu Temples until the Moghul invasions of
the 16th century. Over 500 still remain, dominated by the 11th century Lingaraj
Temple, and your morning sightseeing tour will concentrate on these. Your
afternoon will be taken up by visiting the rock cut cave complex of Udaygiri and
Khandagiri dating back to 2nd century B. C.
Day 4 Today will start
with a visit to Nandan Kanan Biological park, outside the city. The main
interests include endangered species like White Tiger and Gorilla. This visit is
subject to adjustment with your flight timings out of Bhubaneshwar. In the
afternoon depart Bhubaneshwar.
K - -JEWELS OF HYDERABAD
Famed for the diamonds from its
legendary mines at Golconda, Hyderabad has lost little of its sparkle over the
years. The diamonds (amongst which was the fabulous Koh-i-Noor, part of which
was cut and set in the Crown jewels now in the Tower of London) have long gone,
but the immense wealth they generated for the Sultans and later Nizams of the
city created in turn the magnificent Moghul and Muslim architecture (16th-18th
centuries) for which the city is so renowned. This option is best accommodated
from Bombay. However Hyderabad has direct air connections with Delhi, Madras,
and Bangalore.
Day 1 Take the morning flight from Bombay to
Hyderabad, arriving about lunch time. Check into you hotel and spend the
afternoon sightseeing. The Charminar designed to mark the city's center as a
ceremonial gateway is now its symbol. Immediately to the SW is the impressive
Mecca Masjid (built 1614-92) and slightly further afield, the fascinating Salar
Jung Museum.
Day 2 A full day's excursion visiting the Golconda Fort
(a virtually impregnable stronghold), the nearby Qutub Shahi tombs set amidst
splendid gardens, the British Residency and the old British cantonment of
Secunderabad.
Day 3 Most of the day is free for you explore on your
own. The area around the Charminar is a great attraction, being a warren of
narrow lanes and a bustling bazaar, ideal for shopping. In the early evening you
board the flight to Bombay.
L -THE GRANDEUR OF TIRUPATI
Tirupati, in Andhra Pradesh, is about
132krn north of Madras, situated on the peak of Tirumala Hill, in the
Seshachalam range, surrounds by mango, tamarind and sandal trees. Tirupati is a
very sacred Hindu pilgrimage center and one of the few where non-Hindus are
permitted to enter. Tirupati itself is a colorful cluster of painted houses and
temples at the foot of the hill. The temple itself is reached by 20km of steep
and winding roads by bus, although the devout climb up on foot.
Day
1 Depart from Madras by road, and check into Hotel. After settling in, you
depart on the road to the temple complex and the shrine of Lord Venkateswara.
Day 2 Drive back to Madras.
M - PILGRIMAGE TO PUTTAPARTHI
Satya Sai Baba is believed to be
the reincarnation of the Sai Baba, and has a huge and devout following all parts
of the world. Satya Sai Baba gives 'Darshan' or blessing, to pilgrims early each
morning. The ashram there has other activities of interest.
Day
1 Depart by road from Bangalore to Puttaparthi. Check into hotel.
Day
2 Early morning, attend the daily 'Darshan' of Satya Sai Baba. After this,
the rest of the day can be spent in Ashram activities. These activities take the
form of classes and demonstrations. There is also an evening 'Darhan'.
Day 3 After the morning 'Darshan', you can partake of the Ashram
activities, and also visit the hospital where heart surgeons from all over the
world perform lifesaving operations free of charge. In the afternoon, you return
by road to Bangalore.
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