Pushkar

Duration - 8 Days / 7 Nights
Places to See - Delhi - Ajmer - Pushkar - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Delhi

Pushkar is a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 kms. to the North-West of Ajmer. The charm of this sleepy, lakeside settlement so captivated the great Indian poet, Kalidas, that it found a place in his classic, Abhigyan Sakuntalam. The Great Hindu epics of Mahabharat and Ramayana make references to this religious place regarded to be Adi Tiratha. Evidence points to its having existed during the fourth century B.C. lake in the inhospitable surroundings of a desert is no less than a miracle. The legend about the Creator God, Bramha describes the creation of this lake. When the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma's children, he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower.

Vajra Nabha died with the impact, and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where a lake sprung into being. Brahma is supposed to have performed sacrifice at this lake on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartik month), hallowing the place. Sacred to Brahma, Pushkar boasts of its temple dedicated to him, which is the only one of its kind in the world. A dip in the waters of Pushkar and worship at his temple ensure salvation. So thousands flock to Pushkar to observe the ritual on kartik Purnima, or on any of the four days preceding it.

Temples:

JAGAT PITA SHRI BRAHMA MANDIR, SAVITRI TEMPLE, VARAH TEMPLE, MAHADEVA TEMPLE, RAMAVAIKUNTH TEMPLE,


DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to prebooked hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Delhi : India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’ past.

DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India - Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658 ; witness the Red Fort; Visit Humayun's Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture ; Visit Qutab Minar, witness the India Gate, President House. The city tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir).

DAY 03 : DELHI - AJMER - PUSHKAR
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board Shatabdi Express for Ajmer at 0610 hrs. Arrive Ajmer at 1245 hrs. & visit Ajmer - an oasis wrapped in the green hills. The city was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D. and continued to be a major centre of the Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. When Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri. Since then, Ajmer became home to many dynasties. Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Hindus as well as Muslims. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims. After the visit, drive to Pushkar. On arrival check-in at prebooked hotel.

DAY 04 : PUSHKAR - JAIPUR
Aftet breakfast, visit Pushkar - the abode of Lord Brahma, lying to its west with a temple and a picturesque lake. The Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the month of Kartik (Oct./Nov.), devotes throng in large numbers here to take a dip in the sacred lake. Afternoon, leave for Jaipur - The city owes its names, foundation and its careful planning to the great warrior - astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. In 1727, with Mughal power on the wane, Jai Singh decided to move down from his hillside fortress at nearby Amber to a new site on the plains. He laid out the city, with its surrounding walls and six rectangular blocks, according to the principles of town planning set down in Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. On arrival in Jaipur, checkin at prebooked hotel.

DAY 05 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Afternoon, free for individual activities. Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur.Visit the City Palace which has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and weapons; Jantar Mantar - the observatory built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal.

DAY 06 : JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
After breakfast, leave for Agra. Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory.
Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra in the evening and checkin at prebooked hotel.

DAY 07 : AGRA - DELHI
After breakfast, city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653. Afternoon, leave for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and check in at prebooked hotel.

DAY 08 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board your flight back home/ onward destination.





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