DAY 01: Arrive – Lucknow – Namisharnaya – Lucknow

Arrive Lucknow. Pick up from airport and visit Naimisharanya  (72 kms one way) –It was at this place that for establishing Dharma on the earth, the Gods requested Maharshi Dadhichi to give his bones for preparing a weapon to kill the Demon Vrittrasur. Naimisharnaya was a centre of spiritual development. It was the place of penance of 88, 000 sages or Rishis. There are 30, 000 pilgrim centers here. It is said that a person performing penance here is sure to get ‘Siddhi’ (Divine Power). There are many places of pilgrimage (Tirth) in vicinity.  Return to Lucknow by evening and check into hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 02: LUCKNOW – AYODHAYA (FAIZABAD) 135 Kms

A..M. local sightseeing of Lucknow visit Bara Imambara and Chhota Imambara. Both are imposing monuments with great historical significance. Explore the city and the attractions it holds, Lucknow is an interesting place with great things to offer. The structures in the city showcase the fine blend of Indo-Islamic and colonial era. Visit some sites like: Dilkusha Garden, Shah Najaf, Ram Krishna Math, Moti Mahal, La Martiniere, Chattra Manzil,  By Afternoon proceed to Ayodhaya. Arrive and check into hotel.

DAY 03: Ayodhaya – Allahabad (167 Kms 4-5hrs)

Explore Ayodhaya.  AYODHAYA – six miles from Faizabad station Ayodhya is the birth place of Lord Rama. The most sacred place of Hindu pilgrimage at the banks of river Sarayu. Janmasthan, the place where Lord Rama was born is an important spot. There was a beautiful temple. Now a disputed site as Mughal King Babar destroyed this temple in 1520 A.D.  and built a mosque on the site.  Hanuman Garh (or Gadi) is another important place of worship. P.M. drive to Allahabad (5hrs) Arrive and check into hotel.  Allahabad is among the largest cities in Uttar Pradesh. Hindu mythology has it that for the Prakrishta Yaina, Lord Brahma, the creator God of the Trinity, chose a land on earth, on which the three rivers would flow in to a quiet confluence. Brahma also referred to it as `Tirth Raj’ or the `king of all pilgrimage centers’. Allahabad stands at the confluence of two of India’s holiest rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna.

DAY 04:  Allahabad – Varanasi (110 kms 2-3hrs)

after breakfast, visit Sangam, as the confluence is called. It is the focal point of three different rivers Yamuna, Ganga and Saraswati (mythological) and is revered to be one of the holiest places in India for Hindus. A visit here and a dip on the point of confluence is said to rid you of the karmic cycle of birth and rebirth along with flushing away your sins. You can easily identify and spot the two different rivers since the Yamuna is brownish in color and Ganga is greenish in color while the presence of Saraswati River can be only felt underwater.  Shankar Viman Mandapam – Located in the banks of the Triveni Sangam, it is the only Temple in the city which is built in south Indian style. The architecture of the temple reflects the Dravidian style and has four storeys showcasing the shrines of different gods and goddesses on each floor. Flowers and sweets are available outside the temple to serve as offerings to the deity inside the mandir. If you are on a temple touring of the city then this temple should not be missed out on since it is surrounded by a number of other temples.  Lalita Devi Mandir – This famous and prominent temple is considered as one of the Shakti Peeth temples in India. It is revered to be important because it is believed that Bhagwati Lalita Devi appeared in this very place after Sita’s fingers had fallen on the river bank of Yamuna. It is the focal point of thousands of devotees across the nation and is among one of the most ancient temples in the city. Although the whole temple is bustling with life throughout the day, one can still experience peace of mind and calmness while there. Allahabad Museum – This national level museum is the prime research center for archeologists, historians and other academicians. The collection present in the rock art gallery dates back to 14,000 to 2,000bc and is of the prehistoric era. Apart from the attractive displays the museum also utilizes the use of the solar power system becoming the very first museum in the country which is self-reliant in generating power. Every visitor must go to this place once and take a look at our roots. Khusro Bagh- Listed as the Indian Site of National Importance, the Bagh is a large walled garden and the burial complex for a number of Mughal prince and princesses. The tomb present inside the Bagh showcases exquisite Mughal architecture complete with detailed designing. This sandstone structure is a sight to behold for every traveler visiting there. Experience the Mughal era, like never before and take with you memories for a lifetime. Minto Park  Located along the bank of River Yamuna this is the site where, in 1858, Earl Canning read out the declaration of Queen Victoria’s proclamation. The result of this proclamation was the complete transfer of control of India from east India Company to the British Government. One should visit this park and see for themselves how far we have Come Post Independence.

By late afternoon we leave for Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi by evening and check into the hotel.  In the Rigveda, the city of Varanasi is called Kasi or Kashi, “The Luminous one.”

Varanasi is the cradle of human civilisation where shoots of education, literature and culture were born. You can have a panoramic view of Hindu rituals here as it preserves its sacred character from age old times. The famous Indian poets and religious reformers like Kabir and Tulsi Das spent a large part of their lives here. The city of Varanasi is especially famous for its “ghats”, banks covered with stone steps that allow Hindu devotees to go down to the river to offer pujas and ablutions. Bathing in the Ganges is a very important ritual for Hindus, more particularly for specific castes on specific ghats. The most well-known Ghat is Manikarnika, where non-stop cremations happen. The most important temple of the city is the “Kashi Vishvanatha” or the “Golden Temple”. Non-Hindus are forbidden to enter this temple. The renowned Banaras Hindu University, founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1916 attracts students from all over India. The city is also famous for its embroidered silk saris with zardosi and brocade work, for glass beads, woodwork and most of all banarasi sweets and the famous banarasi“paan” (betel)!

DAY 05: Varanasi

Early morning, boat ride on the river Ganges, to view the activities revolving around the holy river. Life on the banks of the Ganga begins before dawn when thousands of pilgrims, men, women and children, come down to the river and wait for the rising sun. As the sun rises, the river lifts its misty curtain gradually, to reveal the magnificent buildings creating a solemn atmosphere unmatched by any other city in the world.  Soon after the sunrise, the city’s great amphitheatre bursts into activity. In the charged holistic atmosphere of the morning, venerable Brahmins (known as Pandas) recite passages from sacred texts; priests dispense holy ashes to pilgrims to mark their foreheads in veneration of the gods. The city comes alive with boatmen, shrill-voiced Flower sellers, sweetmeat and other knick-knack vendors, sacred bulls and cows roaming around.  Witness all these activities during the boat ride and Return to hotel for breakfast.   After breakfast, start the city tour covering Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple which is located on the Assi ghat and was established by Saint Tulsiram in the 1500s.The present temple structure was constructed by the freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1900s. It is devoted to Lord Rama and Hanuman. Next, visit Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath). The Golden Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and built by Ahalya Bai of Indore in 1780. Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore provided 800 kg of gold plating on the tower. The temple situated on the western Bank of the holy river Ganga, the holiest of Shiva temples, followed by visit to Kal Bhairav Temple which is one of the ancient temples of Lord Shiva that can be found in Varanasi. This temple has a strong link with the history and culture of the city. Kal Bhairav Temple is the fiercest form of Lord Shiva. The deity is portrayed as a man wearing garlands made with human skull. It is said that the death itself is afraid of this form of Lord Shiva. Mrityunjay Mahadev Mandir – This temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva and situated on the way from Daranagar to Kalbhairav temple. There is an ancient well which has much religious importance and it is believed that its water is cure to several diseases. The temple opens early in the morning at 4.00 am and closes late night at 12.00 pm. Arti timings are at 5.30 am, 6.30 pm and 11.30 pm.

After Lunch break visit BHU and Durga temple, which is also known as Monkey temple (because of the presence of huge number of monkeys), situated in the Durga Kund, Varanasi. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. It was built in the 18th century. Durga temple was constructed by a Bengali Maharani in the north Indian Style with multi tiered shikhara. An attractive pond known as the Durga Kund is made on the right side of the temple which really increases the beauty of the temple. The pond has stone stairs on all sides and watch pillars at each corner of the pond.

Return to hotel and relax.  In the evening, experience the Hindu ritual “Aarti”. Aarti refers to the songs sung in praise of the deity, combined with the offering of the lamps. Hindus in India worship the river Ganges as goddess. Every evening in Varanasi, aarti is performed at the Dashashwamedh ghat. We can reach the ghat thru intricate labyrinths and watch it by the Ghat or from the waterfront sitting in a boat. The atmosphere is majestic, resonant with the sound of bells, drums, cymbals etc. It is beautiful to watch the precise choreography involving rituals performed by several priests. Return to hotel and overnight in Varanasi. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 06: Varanasi – Departure