INDIA ON YOUR OWN - 18

Departure from your own country.

Arrive Delhi. Transfer to hotel. Morning tour of Delhi visiting Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jama Masjid and drive past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Afternoon visit Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch ), Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre. Overnight Delhi.

Morning drive to Agra. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father. Overnight Agra.

Morning drive to Gwalior. Afternoon visit the Man Mandir, Gujari Mahal (today an archaeological museum), The Fort, Temples of Sas-Bahu, Teli Ka Mandir, Jai Vilas Palace, Tomb of Gaus Mohammad & the Mausoleum of Tansen. Overnight Gwalior.

Drive to Khajuraho. Afternoon city tour. The world famous Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, The Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishvanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple, Visha Temple of Shiva, which is the largest & most typical of temples. Visit the Eastern group of temples that consist of the Parasvanath Temple - the only Jain Temple surviving at Khajuraho and has excellent sculptures on the outer walls of the Sanctum, the Javeri Temple dedicated to Vishnu. The other temples in this group are those dedicated to Brahma, Yamuna and Adinath. Overnight Khajuraho.

Drive to Orchha. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time & a rich legacy to the ages. For, on this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly: the palaces and the temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th century retain much of their pristine glory. Jahangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris has a spectacular view of soaring temple spires & cenotaphs. Overnight Orchha.

Drive to Bhopal. Afternoon city tour. Visit the Upper & Lower Lakes, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Birla Museum, Kilol Park, Kamla Park, Moti Masjid, Sadar Manzil & Taj-ul-Masjid. Drive past Vidhan Sabha, Tagore Memorial & the National Archives. Overnight Bhopal

Excursion to Bhimbetka & Sanchi and drive back to Bhopal. In Bhimbetka about 700 rock shelters belonging to the neolithic age, have been discovered. Over 500 caves have paintings of pre-historic man. 68 kms from Bhopal, Sanchi has the distinction of having the finest specimens of almost all Buddhist architectural forms, Stupa, Chaitya, Temples and Monasteries dating from 3rd century BC. Visit the Stupas with circular domes and railings around them; Ashoka Pillar, Gupta temple built in the 4th century and the Great Bowl carved of one piece of stone. The museum displays number of sculptures found in the area. Overnight Bhopal.

Drive to Indore enroute visiting Ujjain. Ujjain is one of the holiest and oldest cities of India & was an important place, during the reign of Ashoka, in spreading Buddhism. Famous for its Jyotirlinga shrine at Onkareshwar, it is one of the seven sacred cities of India. Once in 12 years, the mammoth KUMBH MELA festival is held here. The ancient shrine of Mahakala is among its attraction. Overnight Indore.

Excursion to Mandu and back to Indore. Mandu - city of joy is famed for story of love of King Baz Bahadur, for his consort, Rani Rupmati. Originally the capital of the Hindu Parmar Kings in the 13th century it was later captured by the Sultans of Malwa. See the palaces, baths, pavilions, each an architectural gem in the Afghan style, mosques & tombs of great beauty. Over- night Indore.

Drive to Jalgaon. Overnight Jalgaon.

Drive to Aurangabad. Check-in at hotel. Afternoon tour of Ellora Caves. Ellora Caves (29 kms) encompasses 34 rock cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art dating from the 4th to 9th century A.D. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shiva's celestial abode - Kailash is the best example of rock cut architecture & an engineering marvel. Overnight Aurangabad

Full day visit of Ajanta Caves. Ajanta Caves are 106 kms from Aurangabad and date back to the 2nd century BC. The 30 rock hewn caves are adorned with Buddhist sculpture and the frescoes portray in epic form the religious and secular life through eight centuries. Overnight Aurangabad.

Transfer to airport for Bombay flight. Arrive and transfer to hotel in Bombay. Overnight Bombay.

Morning city tour. Visit Kamla Nehru Park, Hanging Gardens situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill offering a panoramic view of Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat, Gateway of India & drive through the Crawford Market, Marine Drive & Flora Fountain. Check out from the hotel at 12 hrs noon & later transfer to airport for return flight.

Departure.