Amazing Colors Of Incredible India

Arrive in Ahmedabad, the former capital of Gujarat. City is also known by its ancient name of Karnavati and also as Amdavad in colloquial Gujarati . Meeting assistance and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Welcome dinner and join the celebrations that may last until the early morning. HOTEL

CITY TOUR: Embark on a Heritage City Walk Tour. Not only will you discover the Walled city’s beautiful Indo-Islamic architecture, its tranquil Jain Temples and its colorful bird feeders, but you will also get immersed in the old city’s fascinating communities and ‘pols’. Next visit Calico Museum of textiles, one of the finest museums of the world. The museum exhibits an enormous collection of fabrics, which are collected from all over the country. After lunch, visit Sabarmati Ashram – the central point from where the struggle for India’s Independence was started. Till the year 1930, it was Colorful temple architecture, Gujarat tour the home of Mahatma Gandhi. Hathee Singh Temple – known for its fabulous architectural styling and designing that consists of intricate carvings. Dada Hari Vav – is an elaborately designed stepped well which is also one of the most complicated structures of the Ahmedabad city. Rest of the day is at leisure.

LOTHAL EXCURSION: Lothal, literally “Mound of the Dead”, is the most extensively excavated site of Harappan culture in India, and therefore allows the most insight into the story of the Indus Valley Civilization, Lothal was once a flourishing center of trade and industry, famous for its expertly constructed system of underground sanitary drainage, and an astonishing precision of standardized weights and measures. In the height of its prosperity, it not only survived but was strengthened by three floods, using the disaster as an opportunity to improve on the infrastructure. The fourth flood finally brought the settlement to the desperate and impoverished conditions that indicated the end of a powerful civilization. Roam the ruins to be transported to an era 4,500 years ago, and see in your mind’s eye the palace on high, and the artisans and crafts below, and the bustling dockyard that once reached out to the rest of the world. Return back to Ahmedabad where rest of your day is free.

Travel today to Dasada stopping en-route first at Sidhpur. Home to Bohra Muslims, an affluent Muslim community who have contributed significantly to the development of Sidhpur. Their old Havelis and mansions, some over 100 years old have a markedly European flavor and a walk through the ‘Bohra Vad’ is like a stroll through an England replete with the lamp lighters at dusk. So enamored were they by the style & existence of living in the 19th century Europe that as a sign of opulence and to gain respectability amongst the community they tried to create a slice of Europe in their hometown. The facades are rich in variety and aesthetic expression with intricate details in wood. Thus the living spaces of the Bohra community or the so-called ‘Bohra Havelis’ represent a nostalgic visual straight out of a Dickinson novel. Enjoy traditional Bohra feast for lunch at a local home. Continue to Patan famous for Patola silk textiles, one of the most difficult forms of weaving in the world. Rani Ki Vav, amongst the finest step wells in India, and one of the most famous legacies of the ancient capital city. The vavs of Gujarat are not merely sites for collecting water and socializing, but also simultaneously hold great spiritual significance. There are more than 800 elaborate sculptures among seven galleries. Continue to the Modhera Sun temple. Modhera temple tour The exclusively carved temple complex and the magnificently sculpted Kund are jewels in the art of masonry of the Solanki period apparently which was also known as the Golden Age of Gujarat. Continue overland to Dasada arriving in the evening. HOTEL

Early morning wild life safari in the Rann of Kutch. A fiat, salt-cracked vast barren desert, hissing sand storms and the majestic Ghudkhar roaming over mirage waters make the little Rann of Kutch a unique and one of the most fascinating wilderness of the world. Indian Wild Ass locally known as ‘Ghud Khar’ was once common in the North-western India. They are now found only in the Rann of Kutch and belong to Family Equide which includes Horses, Zebras and Donkeys. The bird population includes spoonbill, stork, crow, sparrow, osprey, and vultures to name a few. The most prominently seen animals include nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, porcupines, fox, wolf, jackal and wild ass.

Street fruit seller. Later visit some on the tribal villages such as Rabari, Koli and Banania who still maintain their rich heritage of lifestyle, embroidery, unique clothes, Jewelry, music and dances.

Travel west to Bhuj in the Kutch area of Gujarat. Bhuj connects you to a range of civilizations and important events in South Asian history through prehistoric archaeological finds, remnants of the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan), places associated with the Mahabharata and Alexander the Great’s march into India and tombs, palaces and other buildings from the rule of the Naga chiefs, the Jadeja Rajputs, the Gujarat Sultans and the British Raj. Upon arrival check in at the HOTEL.

Walk around Bhuj this morning to see the Hall of Mirrors at the Aina Mahal. Tribal village tour. The Mahal reflects a strong influence of European style of architecture, which sets it aside from the rest of the monuments in Gujarat. The white marble walls at the palace are covered with mirrors and gilded with ornaments; climb the bell tower of the Prag Mahal, take a stroll through the fruit and vegetable market, housed in an old British garrison; examine the 2000-year-old Kshatrapa inscriptions in the Kutch Museum; admire the sculptures of Ramayana characters at the Ramakund step well; Kutchi handicrafts, renowned the world over, are in abundance in Bhuj, from elaborately embroidered clothing and luxurious quilts to block-printing, heavy silver jewelry and woodcarving. Visit some of the handicrafts villages this afternoon. In the evening catch the sunset among the chhatris of the Kutchi royal family in a peaceful field outside the center of town. Among the tombs the one built for Rao Lakha is distinctly the largest and finest. Polygonal in shape it has balconies and an intricately carved roof.

This evening attend the grand opening ceremony of Navratri festival, one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals of Gujarat. We will visit a different venues for Navratri festival and participate in Dandiya and Garba dances with locals.

TOUR OF HANDICRAFTS VILLAGES

Amidst the Desert land of infinite dimensions, are suspended, quaint little villages. Here you will come across master craft people’ exposing their traditional art, turning out master pieces every day. Their ornaments, clothes, utensils, everything they use – will make you feel as if you have stepped into lifestyle museum leaving you spellbound. Khavda area has a well-blended population of Meghwals (Hindus) and Muslims hailing from Sindh, leading to interesting combinations of work styles and social traditions. You will find Hindus, more likely to be woodcarvers and Muslims more likely to do leather work, working side by side in the same village. Bhujodi is a major textile center of Kutch, with the vast majority of the 1200 inhabitants involved in textile handicraft. Handicrafts of Gujarat tour production. Here you can meet weavers, tie-dye artists and block printers, most of who belong to the Vankar community. Visit the Ashapura Crafts Park, set up by a corporate non-profit wing to help artisans display and sell their work. Next visit Shrujan a local non-profit set up to encourage tribal women to market their work and earn a better living from it. The campus is an excellent example of local architecture built with local environment in mind. Dhamadka, is a major center of the ajrakh block-printing technique. You will have opportunity to meet artisans and their families, see the work being done and buy crafts directly from the artisans themselves.

This evening offer last opportunity to view and participate in the Navratri celebrations in Gujarat. View , photograph and participate in the festivities with locals.

Kolkata. founded by the English in the late 1600s. Dominique Lapierre’s ‘City of Joy’, the city of Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta is more than 300 years old. Kolkata is the current capital of the state of West Bengal, and was also the first capital of the British in India. We arrive in Kolkata during the most festive period “Durga Puja” undoubtedly the biggest festival for Hindus in West Bengal. Get the first introduction of festival as we are driven from airport to the hotel.

Go pandal (temporary temples made of bamboo and cloth) hopping. HOTEL

Morning fly to Bangalore. Begin a brief tour of the garden city & lunch before continuing overland to Mysore. En route stop at Srirangapatnam where Tipu Sultan built his summer palace. Mysore was the capital of a princely state where there are palaces and festivals of yester years is celebrated. HOTEL/tg_program]

Tour the Maharaja’s palace, built between 1897 and 1907, the palace is a splendid structure in the Indo-Saracenic Style, among its many attractions are a magnificent gold throne displayed during the Dasara celebrations. Next visit the Jaganmohan Palace houses an excellent collection of ceramics, ivory, sandalwood, stone, antique furniture and ancient musical instruments, St. Philomena’s Church – this imposing Gothic structure with beautiful stained glass windows and lofty towers is a must see. Evening-attend rehearsal of Torch Light Parade at Bannimantap. Continue to Chamundi Hill, named after the goddess Chamundi, to see the 17th century statue of Nandi Shiva’s mount, 16 feet high, carved out of one rock. Your afternoon is free to explore the royal city on own.

 

This evening. we will visit the illuminated Mysore palace and participate in the folk dance show and other festivities. Details will be provided as they become available

Intricately woven with legends and mythology, the city of Mysuru is a confluence of history, art and culture. As per local mythical lore, it was once ruled by Mahishasura, a buffalo-headed demon (after whom the city of Mysuru is named). His oppressed subjects invoked the gods to rid them of his evil reign and Goddess Parvathi, in the form of Chamundeshwari vanquished him in a battle that lasted 9 days and nights. The tenth day is celebrated as Dasara, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, a tradition initiated by the Vijayanagar kings in the 9th century. During the festivities, the Mysuru Palace is adorned with bright lights and the streets are festooned with colorful streamers. A spectacular procession of decked up elephants carry the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari in the golden howdah to be worshiped by the royal family and masses alike, along with colorful tableaux, ecstatic dancing groups and music bands, horses and camels. Across the illuminated Mysuru Palace, the local Dasara annual carnival is held selling, exquisite handicrafts and local eatables and exciting rides.. Mysuru city is bedecked in its full glory, with decorated and caparisoned elephants, garlanded idols, folk dance performances, music carnival, food and film festivals, fireworks and much more. Farewell dinner at the Hotel terrace or rooftop overlooking the city light. .

Breakfast at Hotel and time free until your transfer back to Bengaluru where you will board your flight OR extend stay in India, Bhutan and Bangladesh.