Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Ayodhya are four prominent cities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, known for their rich cultural, historical, and religious significance.
A tour that covers these cities offers a comprehensive experience of the region’s heritage and spirituality.
Arrive at Varanasi railway station/airport and then transfer to hotel. Then proceed to visit KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE – one of the 12 Jyotirlinga, VISHALAKSHI TEMPLE, ANNAPURNA DEVI TEMPLE, KAAL BHAIRAV TEMPLE, DURGA TEMPLE and SANKAT MOCHAN HANUMAN TEMPLE
The appearance of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham temple has changed because of the newly built KASHI VISHWANATH CORRIDOR. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor in Varanasi adjoins the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Ghats of the river Ganga. The project is aimed at ensuring the movement of pilgrims and devotees between the Ghats and the temple. Earlier, they had to pass through crowded streets to reach the temple. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, built-in 21 months for 700 crores. Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor is built in 50 thousand square meters.
EVENING BOAT RIDE: We go for an evening BOAT RIDE (direct payment basis) by the sunset and witness the activities by the river side in the evening, watch the cremation at MANIKARNIKA GHAT and finally stop at DASHASHWAMEDH GHAT to enjoy the GANGA AARTI ceremony from your private boat. Overnight stay at Varanasi
30 minutes prior to dawn, you will be taken on a boat excursion (direct payment basis) on the holy river Ganges where you will see the bathing Ghats and cremation site. As you watch people taking holy dips in Ganges and executing the worshipping rituals on the Ghats, you will feel the spirituality of the locals and it might lead you to the deeper insight into your existence in this universe. After this return back to your Hotel
After breakfast, you will be taken for an excursion to RAMNAGAR FORT – The palace of Maharaja of Benares is situated at other side of the river. The palace is still the residence of the royal family of Varanasi’s. Ramnagar is famous as the birthplace of Mr. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second prime minister of India. The Ramlila (a yearly dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Lord Ram) organized in Ramnagar is a world famous event for its unique and traditional concept and style.
Later you will be driven to SARNATH. Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples. The attractions at Sarnath are the BUDDHA TEMPLES, THE DHAMEKHA STUPA, CHAUKHANDI STUP, RUINS OF MONASTRIES INCLUDING MULAGANDHA KUTI, REMAINS OF ASHOKAN PILLAR, 80 FEET TALL BUDDHA IDOL and the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM.
After sunset, you can watch the LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW (on direct payment basis) at DHAMEK STUPA. As soon as the sun sets down the ancients Dhamek Stupa light up to the visuals of Buddha’s life. The entire complex gets alive through the voice of legendry Amitabh Bachchan. Sarnath light and sound show start at 6:30 PM and lasts for about 30 minutes.
Later visit VARANASI SILK MARKET in the heart of the city which is actually famous for Banarasi Weaving style. Later return back to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel
Today after breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to PRAYAGRAJ – a beautiful city situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Upon arrival we visit ANAND BHAVAN – the former residence of Nehru family which has now been transformed into a museum showcasing various artefacts and articles of the era of Independence movement in India. ALLAHABAD FORT– It was built by Emperor Akbar in 1583. The fort stands on the banks of the Yamuna near the confluence with the river Ganges. It is the largest fort built by Akbar. LAYING HANUMAN TEMPLE – The shrine is an underground pit which houses an enormous image of Lord Hanuman in a lying position. CHANDRASHEKHAR AZAD PARK, the biggest park in Prayagraj, Chandra Shekhar Azad, a revolutionary freedom fighter was engaged in a fierce gun fight with the British in this park. Aged 24, Azad died here on 27 February 1931. In the evening we enjoy boat ride (on direct payment basis) in TRIVENI SANGAM. (Subject to weather condition) Overnight stay at Prayagraj hotel
After early breakfast, depart for CHITRAKOOT, a holy place associated with LORD RAM. Ram, Sita and Laxman spent eleven years of exile in the forest of Chitrakoot in Tretayuga. Chitrakoot has been a favourite destination of hermits. The river Mandakini flows through Chitrakoot. Several ghats and temples are located on its banks.
Among the famous religious sites to be visited in Chitrakoot are RAM GHAT, HANUMAN DHARA (a temple of Lord Hanuman in a wooded hill),
KAMADGIRI (a holy mountain that is circumambulated by the pilgrims and is associated with Lord Brahma’s havan here), GUPT GODAVARI CAVE, SPHATIK SHILA and ATRI-ANUSUYA ASHRAMA. After exploring Chitrakoot, return to Prayagraj to have overnight stay.
Today we proceed to AYODHYA – a popular pilgrim centre. This town is closely associated with Lord Rama; upon arrival visit HANUMAN GARHI – a 10th century temple of lord Hanuman. DASHRATH MAHAL – the original residence of King Dashrath- the ruler of Ayodhya and father to Lord Sri Ram. RAM JANMABHUMI – the birthplace of Lord Ram, KANAK BHAVAN – It is believed that this Bhawan was gifted to Devi Sita by Kaikei immediately after her marriage to Lord Ram.
In the evening we stroll around RAM KI PAIDI for amazing photography, TRETA KE THAKUR – where Lord Ram conducted Ashwadmedha Yagya, Further we witness a beautiful evening AARTI AT SARYU GHAT. Later back to hotel and overnight stay
*ADD ON TOUR: If you wish, you can visit SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE AT CHHAPAIYA (40 KM from Ayodhya) – birth place of Lord Swaminarayan (1781-1830) and the main attraction of this place is the shrine of Swaminarayan. The saint was born here on 2nd April 1781, named as Sahjanand. Swami passed his early childhood in Chhapaiya.
Today early in the morning transfer to Lucknow, arrival and proceed to hotel. Today we explore this land of Nawabs. We visit RUMI DARWAJA – an example of Awadhi architecture, CLOCK TOWER – India’s largest clock tower, CHOTA IMAMBARA – one of the most beautiful and attractive buildings in the old city, BADA IMAMBARA – known for its incredible maze, known as Bhul Bhulaiya locally, British residency- a significant part of the Seige of Lucknow (1857), the ruins of which can still be seen at the site. Further we pass by JAMA MASJID – an important religious centre in Lucknow and CHATTAR MANZIL – also known as Umbrella Palace. It still retains its old world charm and now houses the office of the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI).
In the evening we Visit AMBEDKAR PARK – a public park and a memorial, further we drive through the MARINE DRIVE of Lucknow. Overnight stay at hotel in Lucknow
Today after breakfast, check out from the hotel and drop at Lucknow airport/railway station for Onward Journey
