Overview
Puri Rath Yatra – the spectacular chariot festival
celebrated for 8 days is held at the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri. Thousands
of devotees flock to Puri during the occasion, as they believe that a glimpse of
Lord Jagannath in his chariot gives salvation. Images of Lord Jagannath - the
Lord of the Universe, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken out in
a procession in three immense chariots. The main chariot is 14 meters high and
10 meters square with 16 wheels.
Jagannath Rath Yatra is a festival that celebrates the annual visit of the God
to his birthplace. The Jagannath Temple at Puri, Orissa is the venue for all
celebrations. Several lakh people converge at Puri for this festival. An
atmosphere of almost hysterical devotion prevails on this day and in earlier
years; devotees were known to have thrown themselves under the wheels of the rath in the hope of obtaining instant salvation.
Cost includes:
• Double room on twin sharing basis on bed & breakfast basis.
• All transfers and sight seeing by air-conditioned Vehicle.
• Services of German / English Speaking local guides in each city for
sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• Boat Ride in Chilika Lake
• Service Tax.
Cost does not include:
• Any airport taxes.
• Any airfares.
• Any new tax imposed by the Government.
• Any entrances
• Any meals other than specified
• Any expenditure of personal nature such as tips, drinks, telephone charges,
laundry etc.
IMP:
• Incase of waitlisted booking we have to hold the alternate, for which we will
advise the supplement OR reduction accordingly.
• The above rates are based on presently prevailing taxes and entrances to the
monuments. If there is any change, prices will also change accordingly.
• Check in and check out time is 1200 Hrs noontime.
• In case of fluctuations in the Rate of Exchange, the above-mentioned prices
will change.
15th, June 2012:
Arrival Kolkata
Fly to Kolkata. On arrival in Kolkata you will be greeted
and escorted by Indo Asia Tour's staff to your hotel. On arrival, check in the
hotel. (Room will be available from 1200 Noon).
Overnight stay at hotel.
16th, June 2012: Kolkata
In the morning after breakfast visit the Famous Jain
Temples of Kolkata, The flower Market of Kolkata, The Howard Bridge, The
cantilevered bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu, is similar in size to the
Sydney Harbour Bridge but carries a flow of traffic which Sydney could never
dream of . It is the busiest bridge in the world. Later drive to the Kali ma
temple located near the banks of the River Ganges at Kali Ghat. According to
popular legend the Lord Shiva's consort sati killed herself by burning herself
as her parents humiliated Lord Shiva, Shiva reached too late and then he picked
up her charred body and began the 'tandav' the dance of cosmic destruction. To
prevent the destruction of the world Lord Vishnu chopped Sati's charred body
into 51 pieces that fell in different parts of the earth and a part fell on the
banks of the Ganges and thus the name Kali Ghat and consequently the name
Kolkata.
Also visit Victoria Memorial that is a huge white-marble structure and the most
enduring of remains of the British Raj in India. Built by Lord Curzon in memory
of the popular monarch, Queen Victoria, it is a wonderful example of the Western
style of architecture. It has been now converted in a museum that houses the
most impressive collection of memorabilia from the days of Raj. The manuscripts,
paintings and sculptures here are outstanding.
Overnight in the Hotel.
17th, June 2012: Kolkata - Bhubaneshwar
After breakfast transfer to the Airport to board the flight to Bhubaneshwar. On
arrival, transfer to the Hotel and check in. Bhubaneshwar, the ancient capital
of the Kalinga empire, and now the capital of Orissa, It's history goes back
over 2000 years. "Bhubaneshwar" means the "abode of God" or "master of the
universe" and it was also, once known as the 'Cathedral of the East', on account
of the large number of shrines. At one time, the Bindu Sagar tank was bordered
by over 7000 temples. Of these, 500 still survive, all built in the extravagant
Oriya style.
Later after some rest visit the Lingaraja Temple, a prime example of Indian
architecture, in its most mature and fully developed state. The great Lingaraja
soars above the city, and dominates the landscape.
Proceed to Parasurameswara Temple, built in 650 AD, is one of the few oldest
surviving temples in Bhubaneswar. Also visit Rajarani Temple, built in the 11th
century, famous for its ornate deul, or compass, decorated with some of the most
impressive Oriya temple architecture.
Overnight in the Hotel.
18th, June 2012: Bhubaneshwar
After breakfast drive for the excursion to the caves of Udayagiri (hill of
sunrise) and Kandagiri (broken hill). The twin hills of Kumargiri and Kumarigiri
known as Khandagiri and Udaygiri
contain varieties of rock cut caves, built mainly for the jain monks around 1st
2nd century B.C. The thirteen years lithic record of King Kharavela engraved in
Hatigumpha (elephant cave) is a magnificent specimen of Pali records so far
found in India.
19th, June 2012: Bhubaneshwar - Puri
After breakfast drive to Puri.
Enroute visit Konark, one of the most vivid architectural treasures of Hindu
India and a World Heritage site. The Sun temple is the last phase of the temple
architecture of the Kalinga dynasty (13 Century). Dedicated to the Sun God
"Surya",
the temple is in the form of a chariot. It has 12 wheels, which denote the 12
months in a year and 7 horses denote the 7 days in a week.
Later visit the Pipli Village. Pipli in Orissa is known for its applique work.
Applique work forms a major part of the handicrafts of Orissa. The applique work
is a piece of art that is done by cutting beautiful pattern on a piece of cloth.
Beautiful patterns depicting flowers, animals, etc are made, which are then
stitched beautifully on another piece of cloth. In Pipli, one can across rows of
shops flaunting the applique work. The applique work in Pipli includes bed
covers, letter cases, cushion covers, wall hangings, pillow covers, bed sheets,
hand bags, canopies, garden umbrellas, etc.
On arrival in Puri check in at the hotel
Overnight in the Hotel.
20th, June 2012: Puri
After breakfast drive for the excursion to Chilika Lake.
Spread over an area of 1,100-sq-km, the glorious stretch of the Chilika is
Asia's largest brackish water lake. Home to thousands of colourful birds
throughout the year, it is particularly noisy with the din of the raucous influx
of migratory birds that descend on it from as far off as Siberia in winter.
Later derive back to Puri and visit important temples like Gundicha, Lokanath,
Sunaragauranga, Daria Mahabir and Tota Gopinatt. There are also a number of holy
tanks like Narendra, Markandeya, Sweta Ganga and Indradyumna. There are many
Monasteries locally known as Mathas also of touristic interest.
Overnight in the Hotel.
21st, June 2012: Puri
After breakfast visit Jagannath Temple, an attraction for
the Hindus. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the temple. From the terrace of a
Library opposite the temple, you can have a view of the inner temple.
Also witness the famous festival of Puri Rath Yatra - it is a chariot festival
in which images of Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and his brother Balbhadra
are taken out in procession in 03 chariots. The main chariot is 14 mts high, 10
mts wide with 16 wheels. The ropes of the chariots are pulled by million of
devotees.
Overnight in the Hotel.
22nd, June 2012: Puri
Day is free to explore the beaches.
Overnight in the Hotel.
23rd, June 2012: Puri - Bhubaneshwar - Kolkata
After breakfast drive to Bhubaneshwar Airport to board the
flight to Kolkata.
On arrival transfer to the Hotel
Overnight in the Hotel.
24th, June 2012: Kolkata Departure
On time transfer to the Airport to board the flight for
onward journey.
End of Services
TOUR LODGING INFO:
09 Nights Hotels.
| Places |
Nights |
Hotels |
| Kolkata |
02 Nights |
Peerless
Inn |
|
Bhubaneshwar |
02 Nights |
Hindusthan
International |
| Puri |
04 Nights |
Toshali
Sands |
| Kolkata |
01 Night |
Peerless
Inn |
Tour Prices
| Category |
Currency |
Price |
| Per Person on twin sharing basis |
USD |
1178 |
| Single
room supplement |
USD |
656 |
|
Supplement for Entrances in the monument |
USD |
41 |
|
Supplement for airfare between Kolkata/Bhubaneshwar/ Kolkata in economy Class |
USD |
272 |
Regarding Airfare:
• Kindly note that the above airfares are the CURRENT fares of the Airlines for
the given sectors & is subject to change at the time of booking.
