Highlights: This tour takes you to the most popular destinations of Madhya Pradesh which popularly know as the heart of India.
Day 1 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 : Delhi to Indore (Train: Intercity Exp.) Full day combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi – visiting Qutab Minar one of the tallest tower of it’s time, Humayun Tomb one of the forerunner of the Taj Mahal, drive past India Gate and President House and other government buildings, Red Fort symbol of mighty Mughal empire, Jama Masjid one of the biggest mosque in India, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi Memorial). Evening transfer to airport to board overnight train. Overnight on board the train.
Day 3: Indore
Arrive Indore and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Indore. Sightseeing tour of Indore includes visit to Kanch Madhir - a shrine of Digamber Jains has its walls, roof and floor lavishly inlaid with mother-of pearl, glass and multi-coloured beads. Chhatri Bagh - the Chhatris are memorial tombs of the Holkar Kings. The largest and most impressive is the Chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar I Palace that is lavishly decorated with frescoes. The Lal Bagh Palace is now a museum and cultural centre with its dazzling treasure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 –Indore to Maheshwar (155 Km) Morning depart Indore for Maheshwar visiting Omkareshwar en route. Arrive Maheshwar and check in at hotel. Afternoon explore Maheshwar. Omkareshwar the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, 'Om', has drawn to it hundreds of generations of pilgrims. Here, at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, the devout gather to kneel before the Jyotirlinga (one of the twelve throughout India) at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata. And here, as in so many of Madhya Pradesh's sacred shrines, the works of Nature complement those of man to provide a setting awe-inspiring in its magnificence.
Maheshwar was a glorious city at the dawn of Indian civilization when it was Mahishmati, capital of king Kartivarjun. This temple town on the banks of the river Narmada finds mention in the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Revived to its ancient position of importance by the Holkar queen Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. Maheshwar's temples and mighty fort-complex stand in quiet beauty, mirrored in the river below. Today, Maheshwar is also known for its distinctive hand woven sarees called Maheshwari. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 –Maheshwar to Mandu or Dhar (60 Km)
After a leisurely morning depart Maheshwar for Mandu. Arrive Mandu and check in at hotel. Afternoon proceed on a sightseeing tour of Mandu. Mandu is a celebration in stone, of life and joy, of the love of the poet-prince Baz Bahadur for his beautiful consort, Rani Roopmati. The balladeers of Malwa still sing of the romance of these royal lovers, and high up on the crest of a hill, Roopmati's Pavilion still gazes down at Baz Bahadur's Palace, a magnificent expression of Afghan architecture. Under Mughal rule, Mandu was a pleasure resort, its lakes and palaces the scenes of splendid and extravagant festivities. And the glory of Mandu lives on, in legends
and songs, chronicled for posterity. Visit Roopmati’s Pavilion - on the lofty crest of the hill to the south beyond the place of Baz Bahadur stand the pavilions associated with the romantic name of Roopmati. The Pavilion was originally built as an army observation post. From its hill perch, this graceful structure with its two pavilions was a retreat of the lovely queen, from where she could see Baz Bahadur’s palace and the sacred river Narmada. Baz Bahadur Palace - 6th century palace situated on the slopes of a hill in the midst of picturesque natural scenery with a wide courtyard and encircled by halls and high terraces. Echo Point - the pinacle of telecommunication innovation in ancient India. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 – Mandu to Indore(98 Km)
Morning visit some more sites in Mandu. Afternoon drive to Indore. Arrive Indore and check in at hotel. In Mandu architectures are dedicated to pursuit pleasure on a large scale, one of such form is the Jahaz, Lal built by Mahmud Khilji, was a departure from the previously stolid and somber style at Mandu. The most striking thing about this monument is its location between two water bodies, the Kaphur Talao and the Munja Talao, which gives the building the appearance of floating on water, hence its name, literally the ‘ship palace’. Architecturally, the building consists of a series of compartments and corridors over the Munja Talao, with terraces, kiosks and numerous open-air baths conforming to the lifestyle at Mandu, which was slowly sliding into decadence. The Jahaz Mahal proved an inspiration for later Khilji sultans to dot the landscape with their own pleasure pavilions and summer retreats. Hoshang Shah’s Tomb: retains the masculinity and majesty of the Afgan ruler and is one of the finest example of Afgan architecture. It has a beautiful dome, marble lattice work, porticos, courts and towers. Jami Mashid: built on the lines of the great mosque of Damascus this grand mosque stands on a high ground with a porch protruding in the center. Its construction was started by Hoshang and completed by Mahmud Khalji in 1454 A.D. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 – Indor to Sanchi or Bhopal(226 Km)
Morning depart Indore by surface for Sanchi. Arrive Sanchi and check in at hotel. Afternoon visit Sanchi Stupa. Sanchi: seat of Buddhist learning and pilgrimage from 11th Century B.C to 3rd Century B.C. Buddhist art and architecture found sublime expression here. Sanchi abounds in stupas, temples, pillars and four magnificent gateways, profusely carved with images depicting the great events in the life of Gautama Buddha. His life is explained through symbols as was the tradition in the early years of Buddhism. The lotus represents Buddha’s birth, the tree his enlightenment, the wheel his first sermon and the Stupa his nirvana or salvation.
The footprints and throne denote Buddha's presence. The Ashoka Pillar, a column built in 3rd Century B.C lies close to the southern gateway. Its brilliant polish is unblemished despite exposure to the elements over many centuries.
Day 8 – Sanchi Morning depart on a day return excursion to Udaigiri Caves. Also, visit the ancient city of Vidisha on return. Udaigiri Caves: are cut into a sandstone hill and feature 20 Gupta cave shrines. Two are Jain and the rest are Hindu. Buddhist monks also inhabited these caves in 2 BC. Cave 1, the Rani Gumpha or "Queen's Cave", is tucked away around the corner. The best sculpture is found on the pillars, arches and to the rear of the courtyard on the lower level. On the back wall of the upper story, a long frieze shows rampaging elephants, panicking monkeys, sword fights and the abduction of women. Caves 3 and 4 are double-storied caves that contain
sculptures of a lion holding its prey, elephants with snakes wrapped around them and pillars topped with peculiar winged animals. Cave 5 has an impressive image of Vishnu as his boar incarnation with a frieze of gods above. Cave 20 has detailed Jain carvings and Cave 9 contains pillars in its hall.
Vidisha: Situated in the fork of the Betwa and Bes rivers, Vidisha occupies an important place amongst the ancient cities in India. In the 6th and 5th centuries BC, it rose to become an important trade centre and a bustling city under the Sungas, Nagas, Satvahanas and Guptas. The Emperor Ashoka was governor of Vidisha, and it finds mention in Kalidasa's immortal Meghdoot. Deserted for three centuries after the 6th century, it was renamed Bhilsa by the Muslims who built the now ruined Bija Mandal, a mosque constructed from the remains of Hindu temples. It later passed on to the Malwa Sultans, the Mughals, and the Scindias. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 – Sanchi to Orcha (Train: Shatabdi Express)
Morning depart Sanchi for Bhimbetka to visit pre historic cave paintings. Later drive to Bhopal visit Tribal Museum. Afternoon depart Bhophal by train for Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi and drive a short distance to Orcha. Bhimbetka: Located in the northern fringe of the Vindhyan ranges at Bhimbetka lies over 600 Neolithic age rock shelters where one can witness vivid panoramic detail, paintings describing life of the pre-historic cave-dwellers providing an invaluable chronicle in the history of man. Murals depicts activities of every day life such as hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant riders, animals fighting, honey collection, decoration of bodies, disguises,
masking and household scenes, Popular religious and ritual symbols etc. Animal figures appearing in some such as bison, tiger, lion, wild boar, elephant, antelope, dog, lizards, crocodile, etc. in some caves also contributes in providing information in natural history. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 : Orcha to Khajuraho (150 Km) Morning visit important sites in Orcha. Afternoon drive Khjauraho. Arrive Khjauraho and check in at hotel. Orchha: Founded in the 16th century by the Bandera Rajput chieftain Rudra Pratap, Orchhas grandeur has been captured in stone, the palaces and temples retain much of their pristine perfection. Jehangir Mahal 17th century palace built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo to commemorate the visit the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, has delicate chhatris (canopies) and lattice work reflecting extraordinary excellence. Raj Mahal another 17th century palace built by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. The plain exteriors, crowned by
chhatris, give way to interiors with exquisite murals, boldly colourful on a variety of religious themes. Rai Parveen Mahal palace built for Rai Praveen a beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani and poetess and musician, whose beauty has even impressed Emperor Akbar. Chhatris (Cenotaphs) There are 14 Chhatris or Memorials to the rulers of Orchha, grouped along the Kanchan Ghat of the river Betwa. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 – Khajuraho
Morning proceed on a full day tour of Khajuraho. Khajuraho temples were constructed between 950 and 1050 A.D. during the reign of Chandel Empire. Derives its name from the palm tree (Khajur) found in abundance in the area. Temples are considered the "high point" of Indian architectural genius in the Medieval period. Exquisitely carved sculptures on the temple walls depicts scenes of daily life to erotic carvings parting lessons of art of love making. Originally there were 85 temples, of which only 22 exists today. Temples here are divided into two groups western and eastern.
Some of the famous temples in eastern groups are Parsavanatha Temple - largest in the group of three Jain temples this temple was installed in 1860. The sculptures on the northern wall depict everyday activity, in awesome detail. Within the temple, a throne faces the bull emblem of first tirthankara, Adinath. Ghantai Temple – another Jain temple depicting the 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother, and a multi-armed Jain goddess perched on a winged Garuda. Adinatha Temple - the last of the Jain temples in the serise is dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinatha, and is gorgeously adorned with sculptures of yakshis among others. Three Hindu temples in this group are the Brahma Temple, which has a four-faced lingam. The Vamana temple which is embellished with images of ravishing apsaras at their alluring best and Javari Temple, with its ornate gateway and lavish carvings.
Some of the famous temples western group and certainly the best amongst the existing ones are Kandariya Mahadeo - largest and most typical Khajuraho temple dedicated to Lord Shiva soars 31 m high. The sanctum enshrines a lingam, while the main shrine is ornately carved and depicts various gods, goddesses, heavenly maidens in elaborate detail that leave the visitor spellbound. Chaunsat Yogini - the oldest surviving temple in the group (900 A.D.), this is the sole granite temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. Vishwanath Temple - which enshrines a three-headed image of Lord Brahma. The exteriors are profusely carved, and facing the shrine is a Nandi Temple with a massive, 6 ft high Nandi bull. Lakshamana Temple - the lintel over the entrance of this temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, shows the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort. The sanctum is adorned with a three-headed idol of Vishnu's incarnations, Narasimha and Varaha. The latter, the boar incarnation also appears as a nine-feet high statue at the Varaha Temple. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Khajuraho to Agra(150 Km) Morning at leisure or explore more temples in Khajuraho. Late morning or early noon transfer Jhansi (178 Km) railway station to board the train for Agra. Arrive Agra and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. Day 13 - AGRA to DELHI and DEPART (200 Km)
Morning sightseeing tour of Agra visiting Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. Agra Fort - Foundation led by emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, four of the mighty Mughal rulers controlled their vast empire from here. Wander around the palaces built by successive emperors famous amongst which are Jahangiri Mahal, Khass Mahal,
Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid etc. that represents the excellence of Mughal architecture. Fort also serves as a vantage point to view Taj Mahal and it is believed that emperor spent his last days in exile watching the Taj Mahal from here. Taj Mahal (World Heritage Site) - This most beautiful monument of love was built during 1630 by grieving emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaj Mahal is flawless to its conception and execution. It is aptly said that Taj Mahal is not a monument that can be described in words – one has to see it to experience it (Taj Mahal remain closed to visitors on Friday). Afternoon drive to Delhi. Arrive IGI Airport Delhi in time to connect international flight for onward destination.
