CENTRAL INDIA HOLIDAY

"The time that my journey takes is long and the way of it long.
I came out on the chariot of the first gleam of light and pursued my voyage through the wildernesses of worlds leaving my track on many a star and planet.
It is the most distant course that comes nearest to thyself, and that training is the most intricate which leads to the utter simplicity of a tune.
The traveler has to knock at every alien door to come to his own,
And one has to wander to all the outer worlds to reach the inner most Shrine in the end".

Tagore

This exploratory tour will take you through the two very interesting states of Central India and bring you closer to the real life practiced here. This region is full of dense jungles, tribal people, ancient caves and Hindu temples, water falls and rivers, abundant wildlife & tigers in the Kipling area. Visits to some of the finest Buddhist and Islamic monuments adds to its already very rich and harmonious culture. Early morning and evening visits to the Hindu pilgrimage temple towns is something to behold and remember forever. The forts, palaces and medieval ruins will give you a total experience of a lifetime. Finally, in Mumbai- the financial hub of India your visit will include museum, beautiful Island caves of Elephanta & the grand gateway of India..

CHHATTISGARH - Full of Surprises Capital Raipur Area 135,237 sq km
Population 20,795,956 (census 2001)
Language Hindi and local dialects
Religion Hindu, Muslim & and tribal beliefs.

A most magical, unspoilt place of incredible scenic beauty. Stunning scenery, colourful local culture, wonderfully low population densities, exceptionally good roads, hills, plateaus, jungle, wildlife, waterfalls, ancient sites and temples, warm and welcoming people, palaces and diverse village and tribal communities. The name Chhattisgarh actually means '36 forts' which is the number of forts supposedly in the state but this is a matter up for discussion as 36 forts have not actually been identified. This indeed is a hidden land, full of surprises.

MADHYA PRADESH - Heart of India
Capital Bhopal
Area 308,000 sq. km
Population 60,253,000 (census 2001)
Language Hindi, Urdu and local Dialects
Religion Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and tribal beliefs.

Madhya Pradesh is called the 'heart of India', not only because of its location in the centre of the country, but also because, it has been home to the cultural heritage of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, forts and palaces are peppered all over the state - glorious reminders of emperors and kings, warriors and builders, poets and musicians, saints and philosophers. This state has a veritable haven for wildlife. In its lush forests, the tiger prowls and the spotted deer, the blue-bull and the gaur roam free. Kanha National Park is also called the Kipling jungle.

Duration 17 days.
Best time Mid October to March
Focus People & culture, monuments/temples, palaces, tribal life, local art & craft, river Indravati, Wildlife & Elephanta caves.

Destination: Delhi > Raipur > Jagdalpur > Kanker > Kawardha > Kanha national park > Jabalpur > Bhopal > Ujjain > Mandu > Indore > Mumbai.

Day 01 : Delhi. Arrive New Delhi international airport in the midnight, assistance on arrival with garland welcome and transfer to prebooked hotel.
Delhi- Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that drew the Mongols, Turks, persians, Afghans, Mughals and finally the British. All of whom Contributed to its glorious but turbulent history

Morning free, afternoon sightseeing of Delhi, visit Qutub Minar--The Minar built to proclaim the victory of Islam. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony, Humayun's Tomb-is a memorial by a grieving wife, it was built by his widow Haji Begum in 1565-66, nine years after his death, she spent one and a half million rupees on the building, Another marvel of architecture is the Red Fort or Lal Quila. It is laid out along the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon, surround by a wall of around 2.4 kilometres and is built of red snadstone. The Mughal King Shah Jahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi and the fort was completed in 1648. India Gate the 42 metres high, free-standing arch, designed by Lutyens, built in 1931, is dedicated to those 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I.
Evening return back to hotel for overnight.

Day 02 : Delhi-Raipur, Fly. After early breakfast transfer to domestic airport board flight to Raipur.
Raipur, capital and the biggest city of the state Chhattisgarh. It is the main business and industrial centre of the state.
Arrive Raipur airport, pick-up and straight drive to Jagdalpur about 325 kms/07 hrs. Enroute visit Kanker Palace for a light lunch. The family of the late Mahrajadhiraj Udai Pratap Deo have opened part of their private residence to visitors, maintaining an informal elegance amid many mementoes of their royal past. Kanker is well known for its ancient temple of Rajaswkal, Jagannath temple, Laxminarayan temple etc.

Day 03 : Jagdalpur-Kanger valley national park-Jagdalpur.
After breakfast explore to the rich forests of the Kanger Valley National park, enchanting Tirathgarh waterfall and the extraordinary stalactite and stalagmite caves.
Afternoon visit a "haat" (weekly tribal market) and enjoy a slice of local life. Evening explore the town and visit Museum and Hill Myna bird centre . Jagdalpur is the capital and is a small town but fun to explore on foot. The Bastar Palace is at one end of the main street and can be walked around from the outside. The main entrance is painted white with rusty red and you enter the main gate and pass a mandir. The palace is a few yards on and is painted white with pale blue. It is 70 years old and part of it is now a medical college.

Day 04 : Jagdalpur to Barsur to Chitrakote to Jagdalpur, total drive about 170 kms.
Drive to Chitrakote via Barsur and visit Chitrakote Falls, Niagara--like horseshoe waterfall created by Bastar's Indravati River. Later return back to hotel for overnight.

Chitrakote Falls - Situated 1 hour from Jagdalpur, these falls are on the Indravati River, are the widest in India and are truly spectacular during and after the monsoon. 96ft high. It is also worth bearing in mind that there is good water until November and it slowly diminishes until January and from February onwards there is virtually no water. However, it's still a great sight.

Day 05 : Jagdalpur-Raipur. drive about 300 kms/07 hrs.
Today, drive to the biggest city of the state-Raipur. Enroute visit Kondagaon local crafts centre "Saathi" (wood craft). O/n Hotel.

Saathi Centre (wood craft)- Situated at Kondagaon, a small village 1 hour south of Kanker and just off the road to Jagdalpur. Developed by two inspired and caring people, the aim of this village community is to revive the traditional handicrafts of Bastar and to generate income for the local artists, both male and female. It is also working in the field of integrated rural development through environment management systems, natural resource managements, empowerment and awareness for women, and general education. The result of their efforts is varied and hugely successful and boasts: a terracotta production centre.

Day 06 : Raipur-Sirpur-Rajim-Raipur. Full day excursion of about 07 hrs.
Visit at Sirpur-- Buddha Vihar, Swastik Vihar, Laxman temple and Museum AND at Rajim visit 06th century Buddha statue & Kuleshwar Mahadev temple, Someshwar Mahadev temple and temple of Kaal-Bhairav. Later return back to Raipur for overnight.

Sirpur - This interesting site lies east of Raipur, the main temple, "the Laxman Temple" is one of the finest brick temples in the country and has a pretty garden setting and is extremely peaceful. Believed to have been built in the 7th century, it is in good condition and has interesting carvings. Down the road is the Gandheshwar Temple which is on the banks of the Mahanadi. A collection of remains that will appeal to archaeologists. Also nearby are the ruins at Buddha Vihar.

Rajim - Situated on the banks of the River Mahadi, this was once an important urban centre for the Mahakoshal region. It has a fine group of temples and the main temple (Rajivalochana Temple) is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Day 07 : Raipur-Kawardha.
Morning after breakfast drive about 03 hrs to Kawardha, visit Bhoremdeo temple complex and experience the gentleness of Baiga and Gond tribal villages . Located in the north-west of Chhattisgarh under the slopes of the Maikal Hills, is the ancestral home and private residence of Maharaja Vishwaraj Singh and family. O/n Kawardha Palace.

The Baiga, found mainly in the Maikal Hills north of the Chattisgarh Plain, are still "Lords of the Animals", and although Hindi-speaking, live a shy traditional life largely away from modern influence. They are considered to possess magical powers and the ability to communicate closely with Nature, their Mother, and with wild beasts.

There are Gond sub-groups in neighbouring Maharashtra, Andhra, Madhya pradesh and South Orissa too; an eclectic assortment of often remote hill tribes, some possibly related to the Bastar tribes, others, like the Orissa Bondo, of quite different, more distant and little understood origin..

Day 08 : Kawardha to Kanha National park.

After breakfast drive to Kanha N.P. about 05 hrs, arrive and transfer to jungle resort. Afternoon game viewing in the park. O/n Jungle Resort.
Hidden deep inside the pristine forests the Kanha Tiger Reserve lies before you waiting to be explored and to be absorbed. The remarkable ecosystem of this jewel of Indian Wildlife research & conservation includes 4 principle types of vegetation : moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest, valley meadow & plateau meadow, about 15 major mammalian species & 15 rare ones, 40 Bird Species & a variety of snakes & other Indian parks with more spectacular scenery - Corbett, Periyar, Ranthambore & Similipal come to mind --there is no better place in India and probably in the entire world, to see the Tiger than in Kanha. The reserve has a core area of 940 square kilometers surrounded by a buffer zone of 1005 square kilometers.

Day 09 : Kanha National Park. Morning & afternoon Jungle safari. O/n Jungle Resort.

Day 10 : Kanha-Jabalpur drive.
Morning after a jungle safari drive to Jabalpur about 170 kms/04 hrs. Afternoon visit Madan Mahal Fort (1116) built by the Gond rular Madan Shah on a hill just to the west of the city, has superb views and an excursion about 22 kms west of Jabalpur to Marble Rock O/n Hotel.

Day 11 : Jabalpur-Bhopal, drive about 294 kms/08 hrs.
Evening free for rest. O/n Hotel.
Bhopal : The capital city of Madhya Pradesh, combines, scenic beauty, historicity and modern urban planning. It is situated on the site of an 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja.

Bhopal today presents a multi - faceted profile ; the old city with its teeming marketplaces and file old mosques and palace, still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers , among them the succession of powerful begums who ruled Bhopal from 1819 to 1926.

Day 12 : Bhopal-Sanchi--Udaygiri-Bhopal, excursions.
Morning sightseeing to Bhopal, visit Taj-ul-Masjid , built in 1878, one of the largest mosque in India, but it was left unfinished for over a century, Jama Masjid built in 1837 with its minarets topped by gold spikes and Moti Masjid, built in 1860. Afternoon an excursion to Sanchi-northeast of Bhopal about 47 kms and visit the Gateways, the basic model consists of two pillars joined by three architraves (cross beams), sculpted as if they actually passed through the upright posts. The Esat Gate shows the young prince Siddhrtha Gautama, leaving his father's palace and setting off on his journey towards enlightenment, and the dream his mother land before Gautama's birth. The West Gate portrays the seven incarnations of the Buddha. The North Gate, crowned by a wheel of Law. The South Gate reveals the birth of Gautama in a series of dramatically rich carvings. The Gupta Temple, built in fifth century is one of the early structural temples of India and Archaeological museum. Also, visit Cave 1, Cave 5 & Cave 19 at Udaygiri. Later return back to Bhopal for overnight. O/n Hotel.

Day 13 : Bhopal-Ujjain, drive. Morning after breakfast drive about 188 kms/ 05 hrs to Ujjain-one of the best known cities of ancient India and one of Hinduism's seven sacred cities. Visit Mahakaleshwar Temple, built in 18th century, dedicated to lord Shiva, Bina-Niv-Ki-Masjid, originally a Jain temple was converted to a Mosque, by the first independent Sultan of Malwa and Kalidas Palace, about 08 kms North of Ujjain, built in 15th century stands on an island on the Shipra River. . O/n Hotel.

Day 14 : Ujjain-Mandu, drive.
Morning after breakfast drive about 154 kms/05 hrs to Mandu. Architecturally, Mandu represents the best in a provinicial Islamic style, restrained and lacking in elaborate extranal ornamentation. Visit Delhi Gate (1405-7), the main entrance to the city, Hathi Pol (Elephant Gate), is the main entrance to the royal enclosure, Hoshang Shah's Tomb, Sagar Talao (Lake) and Rewa Kund. O/n Hotel.

Day 15 : Mandu-Indore-Mumbai.
Drive to Indore about 98 kms/ 03 hrs. A rapidly growing and rather characterless city, Indore is on the banks of the river Sarasvati and Khan, arrive and visit The Rajwada (Old Palace), with its seven storeyed gateway, faces the main square, Lal Bagh (The Nehru centre), southwest of town, Chhattri Bagh, on the banks of the river Khan and Kanch mandir. Late afternoon straight transfer to airport to board flight CD-7134 to Mumbai at 18.35 hrs. Arrive Mumbai at 19.40 hrs pick-up and transfer to hotel for overnight. O/n Hotel.

Day 16 : Mumbai - with the Gateway of India is renowned as the glamorous metropolis enriched with multifarious futuristic lifestyle. Amidst the traditional Maharashtrian milieu survives the unique blend of western and Indian fantasies., After breakfast sightseeing an excursion to Eelphanta Caves by small ship about 10 kms away from Mumbai. The caves excavated in the volcanic lava high up the slope of the hill saw Hindu craftsmen over 1000 years ago, express their view of spiritual truths in massive carvings of extraordinary grace.

Afternoon visit Gateway of India (1927), designed by George Wittet to commemorate the visit of George V and queen Mary in 1911. Prince of Wales museum, this was designed by George Wittet to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales to India in 1905..

Late evening transfer to international airport board flight to home country.

Day 17 : Mumbai -Home country, fly back.