Imagine a Phalanx of Gods and Goddesses descending upon one place, in elaborately decorated gurs or Palanquins for a brief period every year and what you get is a town that is charged with an electrifying atmosphere. Come Shivratri hundreds of local deities invited from all over the Mandi district, start arriving in Mandi town admist much fanfare. It’s religious fervor at its best.
However, during Mahashivratri, even the gods must follow certain rules in Mandi. The Main deity, also known as the Protector of Mandi, is Madho Rao (Lord Vishnu) and it is to him that every arriving deity must first pay obeisance. Next is a meeting with the Raja of Mandi, followed by a visit to the ancient Bhootnath (Lord Shiva) temple. Only then can the visiting deities proceed to their designated places.
The Fair atually begins the day after Mahashivratri and goes on for six days. The mornings are devoted to all things religious ritualistic while the evenings are dedicated to a Plethora of Cultural programme conducted at the Seri Manch.
Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of March- March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi (By Flight)
On arrival in Delhi, you will be Greeted and Escorted by our Tour Executive to your Hotel (Rooms will be available 1200 Noon). In its 3000 years of existence; seven cities have risen where the present capital of India stands. Here you’ll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary. Where government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars exist beside a modern metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 02 Delhi
After breakfast, enjoy the sightseeing of Delhi. We start the tour with the majestic Red Fort (Closed on Monday) – the 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge 33m high boundary wall. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens.
Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656 at a cost of one million Rupees has perfect proportions. India’s largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer. The interior of the prayer hall is divided into aisles by arches. The walls and floors are of marble inlay panels. Also visit the Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna is Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words “Hey Ram”. An eternal flame burns 24 hours.
Drive through Lutyens Delhi and see India Gate – Built of Bharatpur-stone, commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Photo stop at Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official residence of the President of India.
Later in the afternoon explore New Delhi. Visit the Humayun’s Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The elements in its design – a squat building, lighted by high arched entrances, topped by bulbous dome and surrounded by the char bagh (garden divided into quadrants), water channels and fountains.
Later visit the Qutub Minar – the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The Minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. The tower has 379 steps to the top.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 03 Delhi-Chandigarh (By Train)/Chandigarh – Nalagarh (150 Km/ 3 hrs)
After early breakfast transfer to the railway station and connect train to Chandigarh.
On arrival check in at the hotel
Arrive railway station and further drive to Nalagarh (50 Kms)
Nalagarh is a gateway to Himachal Pradesh in North India. The Fort that was built in 1421 during the reign of Raja Bikram Chand is located on a hillock at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas affording a panoramic view of the Shivalik hills beyond the Sirsa river. Nalagarh was ruled by the Chandela Rajputs who originated from Chanderi in the Bundelkhand region of central India.
Arrive and check in at the Hotel. Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 04 Nalagarh – Mandi (By Road) (150 Kms. / 5 hrs. appx.)
After breakfast drive to Mandi, arrive there and transfer to the Hotel.
Built along the Beas River is the historic town of Mandi, the gateway to the Kullu valley. Mandi is renowned for its 81 old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving, it is often called the ‘Varanasi of the Hills’. Evening at leisure.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 05 Mandi
Full day to visit Maha Shivratri celebrations in Mandi town.
Evening visit Shiva temple (Bhutnath/ Trilokinath) to see the Maha shivratri celebrations.
Bhutnath Temple: The temple, located in the heart of the town was buit by Raja Ajber Sen in 1527 AD. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and was built at the time when State Capital was shifted from Bhiuli to present place. There is tradition of Raj Madhav Rao, the deity who ruled the Mandi state, visiting the temple and offer prayers before starting the procession of Shivratri Fair along with all the visiting hill deities.
TrilokNath Temple: Sultan Devi, queen of Raja Ajber Sen in 1520 AD, built The temple of Triloknath. Temple houses the three-faced image of Lord Shiva and is located in Purani Mandi across Victoria Bridge on Mandi Pathankot National Highway. Trilokinath temple is one of the oldest temples in the town with typical architecture and sculptural artistry Idols of Narda and Sharda and many Hindu gods are also worshipped along with the main deity Trilokinath.
Day 06 Mandi
Full day to explore the Rewalsar town. Rewalsar which is holy place for Tibetans who call it as Tso Pema. Rawalsar is sacred to adherents of three major religions ? Hinduism, Budhism and Sikhism.
Visit the famous Hindu temple and a Gurdwara, This Gurudwara was built in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi. Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 07 Mandi – Taragarh (By Road) (120 Kms. / 3.5 hrs. appx.)
After breakfast drive to Taragarh enroute visiting Bir monastery & Vaidyanath Shiva temple at Baijnath.
On arrival check in at hotel.
Situated at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level, Taragarh lies on a 15 acres are of tea plantations at the foothills of Dhauladhar Mountains and offers picturesque views of the snow capped peaks.
Day 08 Taragarh – Dharamshala (By Road) (51 Kms. / 2 hrs. appx.)
After breakfast visit to Tashijong Monastery.
Later drive to Dharamsala enroute visiting Tea gardens in Palampur & Chamunda Devi temple. On arrival check in at hotel.
Dharamshala has monasteries representing all the three important sects of Buddhism. The right place indeed to get introduced to one of the most popular religions of the world.
Evening at leisure
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 09 Dharamshala
Morning visit the monasteries and later visit the Tibetan Norbulingka Institute where Tibetans learn to paint the Thangkas, stitch garments and craft articles of wood. The museum close by is equally interesting. Thereafter visit to the Tibetan astro institute, with its college, the library and the unique museum. The Tibetan government in exile is spread all over here.
Afternoon visit HH The Dalali Lama temple and make a Kora walk around His Holiness residence. Evening free to explore Mcleodganj town on own.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 10 Dharamshala – Amritsar (By Road) (200 Kms. / 6 hrs. appx.)
After breakfast drive to Amritsar. On arrival check in at hotel.
Evening visit Wagah border for Flag ceremony.You can also have the optional to visit Golden temple at night to view Palaki Sahib ceremony.
Wagah Border: Located at a distance of 28 kilometers from Amritsar, Wagah, an army outpost on Indo-Pak border – between Amritsar and Lahore, is an elaborate complex of buildings, roads and barriers on both sides. At the entrance of this outpost, there is a sightseeing gate with an inscription “Swarna Jayanti”. From this place, a panoramic view of the landscape is seen. There are electrified fences with 66,000 volts of electric current.
This place is famous for its “Beating the Retreat” ceremony performed by the soldiers in evening. Soldiers from India and Pakistan perform a flag march. The flags of both the countries are brought down. Then the gates between India and Pakistan are opened. Soldiers perform some drills and then the complex is illuminated. The whole ceremony takes about half an hour. En route Wagah, the tourists chance upon seeing some of the most fertile lands of Amritsar.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 11 Amritsar – Delhi (By Train)
After breakfast visit the following:
Golden Temple: Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple, is named after Hari (God) i.e. the temple of God. The Harmandir Sahib is the holiest shrine in Sikhism and is a major pilgrimage destination for Sikhs from all over the world. Construction of the Golden Temple began in 1574 on land donated by the Mughal emperor Akbar and was completed in 1601, but restoration and embellishment continued over the years.
The most famous and sacred part of the Golden Temple complex is the Hari Mandir (Divine Temple) or Darbar.
Sahib (Court of the Lord), which is the beautiful golden structure at the center of a large body of water. The water that surrounds the Hari Mandir is a sacred pool known as the Amrit Sarovar, “Pool of Nectar.” Another major highlight of the Golden Temple complex is the Guru-ka-Langar, a dining hall where around 35,000 people a day are fed for free by temple volunteers.
Jallianwala Bagh (Garden): This place is noted for its most notorious massacre under British rule. The incident took place on April 13, 1919, when thousands of people had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh to voice their feelings against the repressive policies of the British Government. This ground surrounded by high walls on all sides has only a narrow alley for access.
General Dyer (Lieutenant Governor of the province at that time) personally led the troops to the sight and ordered his men to open fire without any warning. It resulted in the death of 379 and injured more than 1200. Till date, the bullet holes can be seen on the walls and adjoining buildings. A section of wall with bullet marks still visible is preserved along with the memorial well, in which some people jumped to escape.
Today this ground has been changed to a park and it has a pleasant garden. At the east end of the garden there is a large memorial, which commemorates the sacrifices of hundreds of men, women and children who were victims of ruthless firing of the British forces.
Later evening transfer to the railway station to board the train to Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and transfer to the Hotel.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 12 Depart Delhi (By Flight)
In time transfer to the airport to board the flight back home.
| City | Night (s) | 5* Standard |
| Delhi | 02 | Radisson Blu Dwarka |
| Nalagarh | 01 | Nalagarh Fort |
| Mandi | 03 | Valley View |
| Taragarh | 01 | Taragarh Palace |
| Dharmashala | 02 | Eagles Nest |
| Amritsar | 01 | Radisson Blu |
| Delhi | 01 | Radisson Blu Dwarka |
– Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at airport / hotels by our office representative.
– 11 Nights hotel accommodation as per the program.
– Daily breakfast and dinners.
– Delhi – Chandigarh AC train ticket in chair class.
– Amritsar – Delhi AC train ticket in chair class.
– Entrance fee to monuments as per itinerary.
– All transfers, sightseeing and excursions as per itinerary by private AC vehicle.
– Local English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Chinese / Russian Speaking Guide.
– Transport, Parking, Gasoline & Toll ways.
– All taxes.
– Tips
– International Air Fare
– Visa Fees
– Travel Insurance
– Personal expenses and drinks.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.