Amritsar
is amongst the most ancient and fascinating city in India
and an important seat of Sikh history and culture. The
city has various historical and religious sites, the most
famous of them being the Golden Temple which was founded
by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ramdas and completed
by his successor Guru Arjan Dev.
DAY
: 1
Arrive
Amritsar
Welcome to your "Amritsar"
Tour! On arrival at the Amritsar airport or railway
station (on your own), you will be transferred to
your hotel. In the afternoon visit the 16th century
Durgiana Temple dedicated to the goddess Durga.
Thereafter proceed to visit The Golden Temple, the
lower half of the temple is decorated with marble
while the entire upper half is inlaid with copper
and is gold plated. The Golden temple, is a living
symbol of the spiritual and historical tradition
of the Sikhs.
DAY
: 2
AMRITSAR
- DELHI
This morning is free to explore nearby
shrines of Tarn Taran, Mohammed Jan and Goindwal
in the Punjab countryside or visit the local markets.
Bid farewell to the holy city as your "Amritsar"
tour comes to an end as you are transferred to Amritsar
airport or railway station. (B)
We value and welcome any
suggestions you may wish to share with us.
Everyday
of the year, a mass of the humanity surges up steep pathways
that cut across the hillside for mile after mile. Popular
belief holds that anybody who walks the Himalayan trail
to her abode to ask for boon rarely goes back disappointed.
There are many who journey here year after year to pay
obeisance regardless of their faith or belief, creed or
class, caste or religion, for Mata Vaishnodevi transcends
all such barriers.
DAY
: 1
Arrive
jammu * drive to katra (56 kms/ 1 hour drive) *
Vaishnodevi Darshan
Welcome to your "Vaishnodevi"
tour! On arrival at the Jammu airport or railway
station (on your own), you will be transferred to
your hotel in Katra. This afternoon you will begin
your 13 km trek to visit the temple of Vaishnodevi.
Then return back to your hotel late in the night.
DAY
: 2
Depart
Katra
Bid farewell to Katra as your "Vaishnodevi"
tour comes to an end and you are transferred to
Jammu airport or railway station.
Or why not extend your holiday and take our 6 night
Kashmir - Paradise on Earth package.
We value and welcome any
suggestions that you may wish to share with us.
Those who may find it physically difficult
to trek or are short of time, a quick return trip
to Vaishnodevi temple can also be arranged by helicopter.
Priority darshan can also be arranged which is applicable
only with a return helicopter trip. Please contact
our sales personnel who would be pleased to assist
you.
The
town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred
pilgrimage spots in India. The name 'Tirupati' means the
"Lord of Lakshmi". The hill near the temple
is called 'Tirumala' or the "sacred hill". The
temple here is said to be the busiest in the world, eclipsing
even Rome, Jerusalem and Mecca with the number of pilgrims
visiting it annually.
DAY
: 1
Arrive
at Chennai * drive to Tirupati (170 Kms / approx
4 hour drive)
Welcome to your "Tirupati"
tour! On arrival at Chennai airport or railway station
(on your own), you will be transferred to Tirupati.
You are requested to get the token* for Sudarsanam
by paying appropriate amount from the nearest counter.
Drive to Tirumala Hills for the darshan of Lord
Venkatesha in time as per the token. The temple
at Tirumala is believed to have existed since ancient
times. The Vimana or Cupola over the sanctum sanctorum
is gold plated and is known as 'The Ananda Nilayam'.
The idol of the deity, the full figure of Lord Venkateswara
has the attributes of both Vishnu and Shiva, preserving
and destroying aspects of the Hindu Trinity. The
elaborate rituals and mode of worship in temple
were prescribed by the saint Ramanujacharya and
are being followed even today. Anointing the idol
with camphor, and the offering of their hair by
pilgrims are the most important customs in vogue
at this temple.
Later drive to Tirupati for an overnight stay.
DAY
: 2
Visit
Govindraja Temple * Drive back to Chennai (170 Kms
/ approx 4 hour
Today you visit the Govindraja Temple
in Tirupati and pay your regards. Bid farewell to
the land of Lord Venkatesha as you drive to Chennai
in time and transfer to airport / railway station
for your onward journey.
* Sudarsanam Token System
The Sudarsanam token system was introduced by Tirumala
Tirupati Devasthanam (T.T.D.) to minimise the waiting
time for Sarvadarsanam, Special Darshan and other
paid darshan/sevas. Some of its features:
The tokens are available free of cost
at the First Choultry (opposite the Tirupati Railway
Station), Second Choultry (behind the Railway Station),
Alipiri Bus Stand, Tirupati, Vaikuntam Queue Complex,
Pilgrim Amenities Centre (Near CRO) and near the
Rambagicha Guest House in Tirumala.
The time of darshan is indicated on the tokens.
Pilgrims can enter the Vaikuntam Queue Complex at
Tirumala at the time indicated on the tokens
They can have darshan within two hours of entering
the Queue Complex.
As this system saves on waiting time, it provides
pilgrims with enough time to visit temples in the
vicinity like Sri Govindarajaswami Temple and Kapila
Teertham at Tirupati, etc.
To help TTD keep a track of the number of pilgrims
and ensure their smooth flow, one token is issued
per head. Collective tokens for groups are not issued.
Located
in the foothills of the Himalayas. Haridwar is an ancient
pilgrimage site for the Hindus and has been held in reverence
for centuries. Several temples and ashrams dot this town
and a visit to Haridwar is like stepping into a totally
different world. An hours drive from here is Rishikesh,
a pilgrim centre and gateway to the Himalayan shrines
of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. It's
from here that river Ganga leaves behind her mountain
home and enters the vast plains of Northern India. This
is also the spiritual birthplace of yoga, meditation &
ayurveda and is also well known for Mahesh Yogi's Ashram.
Welcome to your "Haridwar and
Rishikesh" tour! On arrival at the Delhi airport
or railway station (on your own), you will be transferred
to your hotel in Haridwar. The rest of the day at
leisure to explore this pilgrim city. In the evening
witness the aarti at Har-ki-Pauri.
After breakfast drive to Rishikesh
and visit the various temples, ashrams and Laxman
Jhoola. In the evening, you can have an opportunity
to witness the spectacular aarti at Har-ki-Pauri
once again. (B)
Amritsar
is amongst the most ancient and fascinating city in India
and an important seat of Sikh history and culture. The
city has various historical and religious sites, the most
famous of them being the Golden Temple which was founded
by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ramdas and completed
by his successor Guru Arjan Dev. 
Everyday
of the year, a mass of the humanity surges up steep pathways
that cut across the hillside for mile after mile. Popular
belief holds that anybody who walks the Himalayan trail
to her abode to ask for boon rarely goes back disappointed.
There are many who journey here year after year to pay
obeisance regardless of their faith or belief, creed or
class, caste or religion, for Mata Vaishnodevi transcends
all such barriers.
The
town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred
pilgrimage spots in India. The name 'Tirupati' means the
"Lord of Lakshmi". The hill near the temple
is called 'Tirumala' or the "sacred hill". The
temple here is said to be the busiest in the world, eclipsing
even Rome, Jerusalem and Mecca with the number of pilgrims
visiting it annually.
Located
in the foothills of the Himalayas. Haridwar is an ancient
pilgrimage site for the Hindus and has been held in reverence
for centuries. Several temples and ashrams dot this town
and a visit to Haridwar is like stepping into a totally
different world. An hours drive from here is Rishikesh,
a pilgrim centre and gateway to the Himalayan shrines
of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. It's
from here that river Ganga leaves behind her mountain
home and enters the vast plains of Northern India. This
is also the spiritual birthplace of yoga, meditation &
ayurveda and is also well known for Mahesh Yogi's Ashram.