Durga Puja, Bengal’s favorite festival, is observed not only as the triumph of good over evil also as the married daughter’s vacation to her paternal home. And what better way than a visit to Kolkata for a glimpse of the festive cheer that encompasses both traditional and cosmopolitan fervor.
Durga Puja is one of the most famous festivals celebrated in West Bengal and particularly in Kolkata, in honour of Goddess Durga during the period of Navaratri. It is celebrated for 10 days, however starting from the sixth day until the ninth day, the Pandals with grand idols of Goddess Durga are open for visitors. The tenth day, also known as Dashami marks the Visarjan (immersion in water) of the idol with grand celebrations and processions.
According to the Hindu Mythology, Goddess Durga emerged from the collective energy of all Gods as an embodiment of Shakti or divine feminine power, to destroy demon Mahishasura; who was blessed to not be defeated by any man or god. The name Durga in Sanskrit means ‘the impenetrable’; she exists in a state of self-sufficiency and in ultimate power. This powerful form of Mother Goddess is highly revered in Kolkata which is why her return is celebrated with much grandeur and ceremonies.
If you are in Kolkata during Durga Pooja, these are the popular features of the grand celebrations, you shouldn’t miss out on. The preparations for the festival are as fascinating as the festival itself. A week prior to the festival, the city gears up and can be seen wearing a look of eagerness and excitement as it prepares itself to welcome the Goddess home.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi (By Flight)
On arrival in Delhi, you will be Greeted and Escorted by our Tour Executive to your Hotel. On arrival at hotel check in. (Room will be available from 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 at the Hotel.
Day 02 Delhi – Jaipur (By Road) (250 Kms. / 4H 50M appx.)
After breakfast enjoy a full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. Visit the Red Fort (IMP: Red fort remains 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.
Later, transfer to Jaipur.
On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 03 Jaipur
After breakfast, full day city tour of Jaipur.
Visit Amer Fort with elephant ride upto the fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Observatory, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Laxmi Narayan Temple.
Evening, transfer for dinner with live folk dance and cultural music.
Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 04 Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra (By Road) (205 Kms. / 5H 30M appx.)
After breakfast, drive to Agra. On the way, visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Later, continue to Agra. On arrival, visit Taj Mahal and Red Fort. Overnight in Agra.
Day 05 Agra – Gwalior – Orchha (By Road) (240 Kms. / 5H appx)
After breakfast, drive to Orchha.
On the way, visit Gwalior fort in Gwalior City.
Later, continue to Orchha. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Orchha.
Day 06 Orchha – Khajuraho – Panna (By Road) (220 Kms. / 4H 50M appx)
After breakfast, city tour of Orchha.
Later drive to Khajuraho.
On arrival, city tour of Khajuraho.
Evening, transfer to Panna. Overnight in Panna.
On the way visit Orchha. The Orchha is a highly picturesque, set on an island on a bend in the Betwa River. You see the beautiful old fort palace raised on a rocky promontory above the wooded countryside. Orchha was founded in the early 16th century by Rajput chieftain, Radra Pratap and remained the capital of powerful Rajput Kingdom from 1583 till 1783.
Visit the Raj Mahal with its Hall of Private Audience and Public Audience and royal chambers with beautiful painted murals on the walls and ceilings of religious and secular themes. The Rai Parveen Mahal named after the musician courtesan (1592-1604).
The Jahangir Mahal (7th century) palace built to commemorate the Emperor’s visit. Later continue your drive to Khajuraho.
Temple town of Khajuraho is much different from any other temple city of India. It is not about religion and worshipping and deities. The temples of Khajuraho are instead famous for the eroticism etched on its walls in the form of sculptures. An amalgamation of science and art of architecture, these 10th-11th century temples have a very interesting legend behind them that connects them to the origin of Chandela dynasty.
In the morning visit Eastern Group of temples mainly dedicated to the Jain teachers – tirthankaras – The Parsvanatha Temple, the Adinatha Temple and the Santinatha Temple. The temples are ornately carved on the outside with beautiful figures of Hindu gods, goddesses. Also visit the Western Group of temples, which consist of a group of artistic temples built in sandstone. The sculptures of Hindu deities, dancers and musicians appear to be so natural as if they would come alive any time.
Day 07 Panna – Allahabad (By Road) (250 Kms. / 5H 20M appx.)
Early morning, visit Panna National Park by Jeep / Canter safari.
Later, come back to the hotel for shower and breakfast.
Proceed to Allahabad.
On arrival, visit Sagam River and Allahabad Fort.
Overnight in Allahabad.
Day 08 Allahabad – Varanasi (By Road) (120 Kms. / 2H 30M appx)
After breakfast, drive to Varanasi.
On arrival, visit Sarnath, Bharat Mata Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Transfer to the hotel.
Evening, watch prayer ceremony on Holy River Ganges.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Sarnath, one of Buddhism’s major centers in India. It was here that Buddha gave his first Sermon after attaining Nirvana. In the complex is the Dhamekh Stupa (5th 6th AD) or Dharma Chakra, the most imposing monument at Sarnath built to commemorate the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon to the five disciples.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Varanasi, or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi`s Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed. Mark Twain, the English author and literature, who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of Benaras, once wrote: “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. According to the ‘Vamana Purana’, the Varuna and the Assi rivers originated from the body of the primordial Person at the beginning of time itself. The tract of land lying between them is believed to be ‘Varanasi’, the holiest of all pilgrimages. On arrival at Varanasi, transfer to the hotel and check in. Later in the evening enjoy the Aarti ceremony at the river Ganges.
Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple – The temple is located in the premises of the Banaras Hindu University and is about thirty minutes walking from the gates of the university. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya planned the temple, built by the Birlas. Unlike many other temples in Varanasi, this temple is open to all irrespective of caste or creed.
Bharat Mata Temple – This temple of Bharat Mata (Mother India), inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, lies about 3 kilometres west of Godaulia, outside the old city. Here, instead of gods and goddesses, one finds a huge relief map in marble of the whole of Indian subcontinent and Tibetan plateau. The map is said to be perfectly to scale both vertically and horizontally with mountains, rivers and the holy tirthas (pilgrimage centres) all clearly visible.
Benares Hindu University – One of the oldest educational centres in India, the Banaras Hindu University was built in 1917. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya as a centre for the study of Indian art, culture, music and Sanskrit founded the university. The university campus is spread over five square kilometres and houses the Bharat Kala Bhavan. The Bhavan has a fine collection of miniature paintings, sculptures from first to fifteenth centuries, old photographs of Varanasi and brocade textiles.
Day 09 Varanasi – Kolkata
Early morning boat ride at holy river Ganges during sun rise.
Later, come back to the hotel for shower and breakafast.
Early morning boat rides on the river Ganges and sees the sunrise. The boat ride passes along some of the 100 ghats, with numerous palaces built by Hindu kings. Experience the early morning rituals of the Hindus being performed on the ghats. Thousands of people take a bath believing they will be free from the circle of rebirth. It is interesting to see the pilgrims offering sweets, flowers and holy water to the Sun God.
Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Kolkata.
Meet and assist on arrival and proceed for city tour.
Visit the Famous Jain Temples 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.
Day 10 Kolkata
Today enjoy the Durga Puja Festival.
The day of Durga’s victory is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami (East and South India), Dashain (Nepal) or Dussehra (North India) – these words literally mean “the tenth” (day), vijaya means “of-victory”. In Kashmir she is worshipped as shaarika (the main temple is in Hari Parbat in Srinagar).
Vijaya Dashami also known as Dasara, Dashahara, Navaratri, Durgotdsav… is one of the very important & fascinating festivals of India, which is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashwin (usually in September or October) from the Shukla Paksha Pratipada (the next of the New moon day of Bhadrapada) to the Dashami or the tenth day of Ashwin.
Word DASARA is derived from Sanskrit words “Dasha” & “hara” meaning removing the ten (10). This is the most auspicious festival in the Dakshinaayana or in the Southern hemisphere motion of the Sun. In Sanskrit, ‘Vijaya’ means Victory and ‘Dashami’ means 10th day. ‘Thus Vijaya Dashami’ means victory on the 10th day.
Dasara is also known as Navaratri, as in the first nine days the Divine Mother Goddess Durga is worshipped and invoked in different manifestations of her Shakti. The 10th day is in honor of Durga Devi. The basic purpose behind this festival is to worship feminine principle of the Universe in the form of the divine mother to remind the teachings of the Taitareeya Upanishad, “Matru Devo Bhava.” Essence of the navaratri celebration at social level is to remind & respect all the women, who are the guardians of the family, culture, and national integrity, to take lead in times of crisis to guide the humanity towards the path of social justice, righteousness, equality, love, and divinity.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 11 Kolkata
After breakfast enjoy the walking tour of the city and enjoy the Durga Puja Festival. Durga Puja is the biggest festival in Bengal. This is also known as Dussehra and Navaratri in other parts of India. Durga is the Goddess of divine power against all evils. The story goes that Mahisasur, the Buffalo Demon, through years of praying, received blessing from Lord Brahma, that no power can kill him which means he is invincible. But once gaining this power he started ravaging the whole world and killing people. And finally he wanted to uproot the Gods too. The Gods, in dismay, combined their powers to create a beautiful maiden, and each placed his or her most potent weapon in one of her ten hands riding a lion. Her return in each year in the Bengali month of Aswin (September-October) commemorates Rama’s invocation of the goddess Durga before he went into battle with Ravana. The traditional image of the Bengali Durga follows the iconographic injunctions of the Shastras. It is similar to the Durga of Aihole and of Mahabalipuram (seventh century). The tableau of Durga with her four children – Kartik, Ganesh, Saraswati and Lakshmi, representing respectively the Protector, the Initiator of the puja, Knowledge and the Provider – signifies the complete manifestation of the goddess.
Bengalis all over the world during these days of Durga Puja rejoice to their heart’s content reconnecting with friends and relatives. Durga Puja is an occasion when the familiar sound of Dhak, Dhunuchi nachh,the mild fragrance of Shiuli, gives a familiar tug to every Bengali heart.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 12 Depart Kolkata (By Flight)
On time to the International Airport to board the flight to for onwards journey.
| City | Night (s) | 5* Standard | 5* Deluxe |
| Delhi | 01 | Radisson Blu Dwarka | Le Meridian |
| Jaipur | 02 | Radisson Blu CC | The Lalit |
| Agra | 01 | Radisson Blu | Holday Inn |
| Orchha | 01 | Orchha Palace | Orchha Palace |
| Panna | 01 | Shanvi Landmark Resort Panna | Shanvi Landmark Resort Panna |
| Allahabad | 01 | The Legend | Kanha Shyam |
| Varanasi | 01 | Ramada | Radisson |
| Kolkata | 03 | Hyatt Regency | ITC Royal Bengal |
– Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at airport / hotels by our office representative.
– Daily breakfast and dinners at the hotels.
– 11 Nights hotel accommodation as per the program.
– Jeep / Canter safari in Panna National Park.
– Boat ride in Varanasi.
– Entrance fee to monuments as per itinerary.
– Train from Delhi to Jhansi in AC Chair Car.
– 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.