Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi / Varanasi (6E 6613 – 0905 / 1020 Hrs) (Sarnath is closed on Fridays)
Varanasi
The city got its name from the two Rivers - Varuna and Assi - which meets here and happens to be the tributaries of the River Ganges. However, mention of Ganga is incomplete without the mention of the Spirituality of Varanasi where we witness the performance of rituals that define the very essence of a devout Hindu's life. These rituals have been performed and retained over centuries. Water is offered to the rising Sun, a dip in the Ganges for self-purification is undertaken, food to the departed souls are offered, head shaving, the sacred thread ceremony happens on the banks of Mother Ganges. The city also reflects the ultimate culmination of man's material existence. When the journey of life is achieved, the final and the most auspicious send-off to the other world happens from the Manikarnika Ghats (banks).
performance of Ganges Aarti
We enjoy a special evening cruise on the Ganges. See the Hindu devotees performing the "Puja" with lighted lamps. The view is very mesmerizing and the ambiance is spectacular in the backdrop of the beating of cymbals and bells as well as the incessant chantings.
Buddhist city of Sarnath
It is here that the Buddha preached his first sermons after attaining enlightenment.
Our representative will meet and greet you at your hotel/address in Delhi and would introduce your tour to you.
Welcome to our tour, or as we say ‘atithi Devo bhava’ (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!
Early morning, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi.
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to your Hotel.
After rest & relaxation, we will visit several temples and the Hindu University at Benares.
Afternoon, we take a short trip to the Buddhist city of Sarnath.
Evening, we visit the ghats to witness the performance of Ganges Aarti.
Overnight at Hotel Rivatas by Ideal (Deluxe Room)
Day 2 : Varanasi / Delhi (UK 674 – 1520 / 1655 Hrs)
Varanasi
The city got its name from the two Rivers - Varuna and Assi - which meets here and happens to be the tributaries of the River Ganges. However, mention of Ganga is incomplete without the mention of the Spirituality of Varanasi where we witness the performance of rituals that define the very essence of a devout Hindu's life. These rituals have been performed and retained over centuries. Water is offered to the rising Sun, a dip in the Ganges for self-purification is undertaken, food to the departed souls are offered, head shaving, the sacred thread ceremony happens on the banks of Mother Ganges. The city also reflects the ultimate culmination of man's material existence. When the journey of life is achieved, the final and the most auspicious send-off to the other world happens from the Manikarnika Ghats (banks).
sacred Ganges for a boat ride
Every morning at dawn hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganges. The great river banks are lined with an endless chain of stone steps—the Ghats—that stretch from one end of the city to the other. These Ghats form an impressive part of the religious landscape of the city. Proceeding downstream at a leisurely pace, you would be pointed out the significant temples and buildings as well as the changing architectural style. Life and death go hand in hand in Varanasi. While young people seek prosperity and protection from harmful influences, the older generation comes to Varanasi to cleanse their souls in the forgiving waters in preparation for their ultimate dissolution. Believing that anyone who dies in the river of life in Varanasi gains freedom from the cycle of birth and death, the City of Light has become a haven for the sick and aged waiting out their final days. The smoke that billows from the crematoriums on the edge of the river gives testimony to their final release from life’s earthly confines. We would dock our boat at Manikarnika (Cremation) Ghat. On any given day, anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred corpses are cremated here; the Ghat is assiduous with activity as the cremated bodies threw up smoke and fire.
set off on foot to explore the inner city
Through a twisted maze of narrow alleys, home to numerous shrines and pilgrim shops, we walk back a few centuries. Life here has stood still for years. The homes, the shops and even the cattle have not changed over the centuries. It is a brilliant nostalgic experience of timelessness!
Widows Ashram
We will have a different view of life at Widows Ashram, and how it can be so unfair to some. Since Varanasi is a religious city many Widow Ashrams are constructed by people who want to make charity, NGOs and government to give shelter to dying, helpless and old widows. Reason of such a big number of Widow Ashrams is also that widows are abandoned in Varanasi to die as it is believed that one who dies in Varanasi gets salvation. What will surprise you after meeting these widows is that they are not all from poor families. Some of them are from good middle class families who have been sent to Varanasi because of social beliefs related to the death of a women’s husband. The widows here have been rehabilitated, and are offered training in various crafts and skills. Hence, they have a feeling of worth and all is not lost.
Matri Bhawan
Matri Bhawan is the place where people arrive to die. People often take the “last train to Varanasi”. When people are old, sick or about to die, they arrive on their last leg on a train to Varanasi. Here, there are volunteers and NGOs who collect them at the station, and , bring them to places as Matri Bhawan. Matri means “Mother” and, Bhawan means “Home”. The old arrive at their Mother’s Home awaiting acceptance to paradise. This should be a unique aspect to your India tour.
At dawn, we visit the sacred Ganges for a boat ride.
Following the boat ride, we set off on foot to explore the inner city of Varanasi.
Then, we will visit Widows Ashram and Matri Bhawan.
Later, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Delhi.
Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Delhi and we will drop you at your address/hotel in Delhi.
