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. This Temple architecture, Gujaratevening attend the grand opening ceremony of Navratri festival, one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals of Gujarat. Entire state erupts into a nine-night dance festival which perhaps is the longest in the world. Each night in all villages and cities alike, people gather in open spaces to celebrate the festival. The folk dance form known as Ras garba and Dandiya are performed by people of all ages each night. 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 tourthe 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.

Navratri festival Dandiya and Garba folk dances with locals.DSC00894Interesting feature of Navratri is the “garba “, a circular dance performed by women around an earthenware pot called a “garbo “, filled with water. As the dancers whirl around the pot, a singer and a drummer provides the musical accompaniment. The dance usually starts slowly; it gets faster and faster as the music too gets more rapid. Another dance which is also a feature of Navratri is the ” dandia – ras ” or ‘ stick dance ‘, in which men and women join the dance circle, holding small polished sticks or Dandias together, adding to joyous atmosphere

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 centre 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. Option to visit the Navratri festival and participate in Dandiya and Garba dances with locals.

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 Dickenson 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.

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 Kachchh 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 Kachchh 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 sellerLater 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 REGENTA RESORT (Deluxe rooms). BL

Walk around Bhuj this morning to see the Hall of Mirrors at the Aina Mahal. Tribal village tourThe 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.

TOUR OF HANDICRAFTS VILLAGES

DSC01083Amidst 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 leatherwork, 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 handicraftHandicrafts 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 (Optional).

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. To Kolkata flower market tourworship Maa Durga, hundreds of thousands of pandals are set-up. Kolkata alone hosts more than two thousand pandals each year. Puja Parikrama (Pandal Hopping) remains the major attraction of the nights during the festival. Besides worshipping the Goddess, pandals are often set up to draw more and more people for their praise and admiration. Prizes too are won on the basis of the sheer decoration, design and grandeur of these pandals. Locals visit pandals in the city to seek divine blessings and relish the artistic beauty on the display.

During our stay in Kolkata, we are going to experience and learn many of the rituals of Durga puja: Mahalaya marks the journey of the Goddess Durga from her heavenly abode to the mortal world. Thousands of people offer their prayers on the banks of the Ganges or any holy river for their ancestors. On Mahashashthi, the Goddess finally arrives in the mortal world and she is welcomed amidst much fanfare. The beating of the ‘dhak’ brings out the essence of the Puja after a year-long wait. Her face is unveiled and that is the main ritual on this day.Kalaparambho, the ritual performed before the commencement of the Puja precedes Bodhon, the welcoming ritual performed to welcome the Devi back at home, the Amontron, the summoning of people in the vast pool of her blessings and Adibas.

Maha-ashtami brings in hundreds of devotees who pray for their well-being in front of the Goddess. They perform this by offering ‘anjalis’ to the Goddess. Kumari pujo or the worship of little girls as Goddesses is performed with much devotion. The vital ritual of the day is the Shandhi Pujo, usually performed after the day light fades, which connects Ashtami and Navami. Mahanavami is the concluding day of the puja, as it marks the end of the Shandhi Pujo. The bhog which is given to the goddess Durga is now distributed among the devotees, and this signifies imparting power, harmony and holy food. This holy food is known as Mahabhog. On Dashami the Goddess Durga is given a tearful farewell. The ‘Sindoor khela’, where married women play with vermilion and give sweets to the goddess for her safe journey is extremely popular among the Bengali married women. Bishorjon is the final ritual when the idols are immersed in holy rivers and she again goes back to her heavenly abode.

We will also learn about the rich textile and craft heritage, which includes beautiful silk weaving, conch shell carving, dhokra metal casting and terracotta pottery.

City tour & DURGA PUJA CELBRATIONS

Visit Kumartulli, known for its internationally renowned artisans who craft the most beautiful idols from straw and clay. How these images are crafted, the conditions in which the artisans live and work, where their material is sourced from, and which industries depend on these creations for their very survival will be observed in life-affirming action.

This afternoon tour the Secretariat, High Court, Legislative Assembly building, Victoria Memorial, Jain Temple and New Market. Mother Teresa’s work demonstrates true conviction is accompanied by action and love in action is service. Tour the ashram to see her work and meet with her followers.

KOLKATA- Heritage walk & DASHAMI CELBRATIONS

Tour Sovabazar, the ever-vital hub of traditional Bengali culture. ‘Sovabazar area contains a fascinatingly cosmopolitan blend of the seemingly incongruous architectural forms (from Islamic to Baroque, from Victorian to Bengali) which made up the old world dwellings of the city’s wealthier Bengalis. Tour is designed to give you authentic flavor of Bengali culture.

Today Goddess Durga’s victory over evil is celebrated as Vijayadashami in Bengal. This last day of Durga Puja sees the Visarjan (immersion) of the Goddess in lakes and rivers. Maa is bid farewell with a grand procession prior to which she indulges in Sindoor Khela in which married Bengali ladies put vermillion on Durga Maa’s & each other’s forehead and cheeks. It is mandatory for these women to be dressed in white saris with red borders. We will have opportunity to witness these celebrations as well as follow & photograph the many processions taking Goddess Durga idols for immersion. The importance of traditional drums and drummers comes into play when the “dhunuchi” dance is performed by devotees in front of the Goddess. With a smoking mixture of camphor, incense, timber and coconut husk, called “dhuno”, poured inside wide brimmed clay pots, called dhunuchi, the devotee rests the pot in his hands and sways to the beats of dhaks in front of the goddess. The dance becomes intense with the rising tempo of the dhaks.

We drive today to Bishnupur once the Kingdom of Malla dynasty for almost thousand years, Bishnupur is a seat of crafts and culture. Apart from the temples, terracotta pottery, artifacts it is famous for jewelry made in very traditional material. The potters here derive their inspiration from the glorious history of kings, soldiers and wars. Bishnupur is also known for its silk (tussar), particularly the Baluchari Saris. Woven on unusual punch-card looms, these sarees have episodes from the Mahabharata woven into the border and head covering. Bell metal ware, conch-shell jewelry are amongst the other popular handicrafts. After lunch continue to Shantiniketan meaning abode of peace. A small village habituated by Santhal Tribes once, changed later to a centre of education with an establishment of university – Vishwabharati that became famous all over the world. This evening’s dinner includes a presentation of Baul (Bengal Ballad Singer).

Tour of Shantiniketan, founded by the first non-European Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Thākur (popularly known as Tagore) in 1921. The school was a conscious repudiation of the system introduced in India by the British rulers and Rabindranath initially sought to realize the intrinsic values of the ancient education in India. The school and its curriculum, therefore, signified a departure from the way the British viewed education and teaching. Simplicity was a cardinal principle. Classes were held in open air in the shade of trees where man and nature entered into an immediate harmonious relationship. Teachers and students shared the single integral socio-cultural life. The curriculum had music, painting, dramatic performances and other per formative practices. Beyond the accepted limits of intellectual and academic pursuits, opportunities were created for invigorating and sustaining the manifold faculties of the human personality. Visva-Bharati was later declared to be a central university and an institution of national importance. Tour the University including the Uttarayana Complex and Kala Bhawan and Amar Kutir, a cooperative that produces leather goods, Kantha stitched Saris, bamboo crafts and batik. The cooperative established in 1978, is an organization built to promote the village arts and crafts.

Travel to Murshidabad, situated on the banks of the river Bhagirathi. Pre colonial history of Bengal is closely linked with the emergence, growth and decline of Murshidabad. It has governed all the proceedings of the 18th century eastern India and provided the platform from which the colonial interests had launched subsequently becoming an Imperial power in 1857. Murshidabad was the last capital of the independent state of Bengal. It was named after the Dewan of three states of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, Nawab Murshid Quli Khan. Visit the Hazar Duari (Palace of Thousand Doors). This three-storey palace was built in 1837 by Duncan McLeod for the Nawab Najim Humaun Jahand. Next visit Imambara situated in the palace grounds and Medina Mosque.

Explore Murshidabad and the nearby places of historical and architectural importance such as Nashipur Palace, Nimakharam Deuri, Khoshbag and Armenian Church at Saidabad. After lunch visit the Jain Settlement and the Terracotta temples of Bornogor. Our last stop is at Khagra, to see local handicrafts made of silk, ivory and bell metal.

Travel today to Chinsurah, once the Dutch colony, to visit the Octagonal Dutch Church, Residence of Dutch General which is now Mohsin College, Armenian Church, Chinsurah Court, Commissioners Bungalow and Circuit House.

Continue to Chandanagore, formerly a French Colony. Tour the Museum, Institute De Chandernagore, St. Joseph Convent, the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Hotel de Paris (Presently City Civil Court) and The Strand. After lunch we visit Serampur, former Danish Colony known as Fredericknagore. Most important evidence of Danish Settlement is Carey’s College built by Sir William Carey in 1819. Other interesting architectural sites that we will visit are College of Textile Technology, Roman Catholic Church, Danish Governor’s Palace (Presently City Civil Court). Drive back to Kolkata and connect with your international flight or extend your stay.

Breakfast at Hotel and time free until your international flight.

Travel this morning to Gotkhali through beautiful countryside’s and rural bazaars. Arrive at Gotkhali Jetty and board in to the motorized boat. After Briefing and interpretation by our local guide cum naturalist over Tea/Coffee/Welcome drink, cruise through Hogol, Gomor, Durgaduani and Gumdi rivers to the Sudhanyakhali watch tower through creeks and canals. Experience the Island Cruise and arrive at Bali Island and check in into Sunderban Jungle Camp. Evening enjoy the infotainment by the local villagers. Overnight at the Camp. Sunderbans is the most intriguing wilderness of the world. This delta forest is the home of Royal Bengal Tiger, Crocodiles, Kingfishers, Spotted/Chital Deer, Gigantic Dolphin, Wild Bear, Fishing Cat, Water Monitor, Marine Turtle, Red Hermit Crab, Egrets, Open Billed Stork, Heron, Tiger Prawn, Marine & estuarine Fish and many more. The total area of forest is 4264 sq. km. The whole delta forest is studded with mangroves. Honey collection, fisherman, woodcutters and other folks will be the added attraction to the tourists. Bonbibi Yatra, the well known folk theatre, which we may see in the evening.

SUNDARBAN EXPERIENCE: Full day game cruise to Netidhobani Watch Tower in the core area of the Tiger reserve. Hot and freshly cooked lunch will be served on board. Back to camp in the afternoon. Evening enjoy a local Cultural show known as `Dukhe Yatra’, a spectacular one hour show including folk songs and dances. This is a unique traditional rural theater which unfolds the interesting stories of the Tiger Lord, Forest Goddess & the honey collectors.

Embark on a village walk followed by an adventure cruise by manually oared country boat to Dobanki where you will have opportunity to take the Canopy Walk to the Tower. Transfer back to the camp for lunch followed by return trip to Kolkata International Airport for an overnight stay at Hotel near airport.

Breakfast at Hotel and time free until your flight to next destination or extend stay in Kolkata, India, Bhutan and Bangladesh.