HOLI – THE FESTIVAL OF COLOURS
Holi also called as the festival of colors is the most popular festival worldwide. Like most of the festivals on this planet, the essence of Holi also is the victory of good over evil connected with Indian mythology.
It is a festival filled with joy, love and colours. It also signifies the advent of Spring and end of winters. This festival is celebrated with lot of fun where people of all age groups meet each other, spray colours both wet and dry and wish each other “Happy Holi”
There can be no other festival which has so much love and fun embedded in it. Come and visit this beautiful festival of colours in the place where it was originated i.e. India.
19 Mar. ARRIVE DELHI
Arrival Delhi. Transfer to Hotel (Check-in: 1400 hrs).
Check-in & Overnight at the hotel.
20 Mar. DELHI
Post breakfast city tour of Old Delhi including Red Fort (Drive Past), The Jama Masjid, India`s largest mosque, Rajghat – memorial of Mahatma Gandhi & a Rickshaw ride past through the silver street in Chandani Chowk. Afternoon sightseeing of New Delhi to include, Qutab Minar, Drive past India gate and Government buildings.
Overnight on board in the Train.
21 Mar. DELHI – VARANASI BY FLIGHT AI406-1030/1155 HRS.
Early morning transfer to the Airport to board the flight for Varanasi. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
Evening witness Aarti ceremony at River Ganges. Overnight at the Hotel.
22 Mar. VARANASI
This morning an early start for a dawn boat ride on the Ganges River. Ritual is a very important aspect of Hinduism and there is no better place to observe it than at the Ganges. You will view the thread ceremony, head shaving and food being offered to the departing souls. A walk through narrow twisting lanes will give you a chance to witness the various rituals of the pilgrims and followed by city tour including Bharat Mata Temple, Shanta Durga Temple and Banaras Hindu University.
Drive back to hotel for breakfast.
Later excursion to Sarnath (9 kms). This is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment. Evening free for leisure activities. Overnight at the Hotel.
23 Mar. VARANASI – KHAJURAHO BY SURFACE 299 KMS / 04 HRS.
Breakfast at the Hotel. After breakfast drive to Khajuraho.
Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Evening free for leisure activities.
24 Mar. KHAJURAHO – ORCHHA – JHANSI BY SURFACE (180 KMS / 04 HRS.)
JHANSI – AGRA BY TRAIN 12001 – 1842/2115 HRS.
After breakfast sightseeing in Khajuraho visiting world famous temples known for their intricate sculptures and erotic carvings that are one of the outstanding achievements of Indian art.
Later drive to Orchha. Visit Orchha including Jehangiri Mahal, the Raj Mahal and the Laxmi Narayan temple. In time transfer to Jhansi Railway station to board the Train to Agra. Overnight at hotel.
25 Mar. AGRA {HOLI CELEBRATION}
Breakfast at Hotel.
At Sunrise Visit Taj Mahal undoubtedly one of the most romantic buildings of the world. Renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty, it counts among man’s proudest creations to commemorate his love (Friday Closed).
Later drive back to Hotel for Breakfast.
Post breakfast experience the festival of colors, Holi, arguably one of the most popular festivals of India. Spring-time is synonymous with festivity and the best reflection of that is the festival of Holi. Resplendent with vibrant energy, Holi is not just a splash of colours but a myriad of experiences.
India’s most vivid, joyous festival; Holi celebrates the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring and a time to play with colours. It’s an occasion that brings in unadulterated joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance and of course, lots of bright colours. For many it is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.
People celebrate Holi by splashing water and smearing each other with colours, which is also known as ‘Gulal’. They spray people with coloured powders while dancing and singing. Wearing white for Holi has become something of an unwritten rule; people usually wear white on Holi just so that have all the different shades of Holi colours stand out on their clothes. While enjoying the festivities you are bound to hear people saying Holi hai (It is Holi)!
There are always some things to keep in mind while celebrating the festival:
- Make sure that your face is well creamed/oiled before and after the play.
- Apply a thick coating of nail paint on your nails so that they remain protected and don’t get coloured!
- Oil your hair well, so that colour doesn’t stick on your hair and can be washed off easily later.
- Most import of all – have fun and enjoy the spirit of Holi.
Below items are including in Holy Celebration-:
- A pair of kurta – Pyjama
- Playing with herbal colors & pichkaris (water gun)
- Cultural event
- Lunch
- Bottle of beer
Evening visit Agra Fort. The fort is really a city within a city, which embraces the Moti Masjid, the Diwan-I-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences, the Diwan-I-Khas or the Hall of Private Audiences, the Octagonal Tower and many more monuments”.
Overnight at hotel.
26 Mar. AGRA / FATEHPUR SIKRI / JAIPUR BY SURFACE (250 KM/ 06 HRS)
Breakfast at the Hotel. Later leave for Jaipur by surface enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty built by Akbar.
Upon arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
27 Mar. JAIPUR
Morning: visit of Amber Fort riding on elephant back. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. En-route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal – the Palace of Winds.
Afternoon: – city tour of Jaipur which begins with a visit to the Maharaja’s City Palace. Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. Overnight at the Hotel.
28 Mar. JAIPUR – DELHI BY SURFACE (260 KM / 06 HRS.)
LEAVE DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free for leisure activities. Later drive to Delhi.
Upon arrival transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onward destination.
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