(Puri Rath Yatra Festival)-21 June 2012
Duration: 08 Nights/09 Days
Duration : (08 Nights - 09 Days)
Destination : KOLKATA (2 Nights) - BHUBANESHWAR ( 1 Nights) - KONARK - PURI( 2 Nights) - GOPALPUR ON SEA ( 2 Nights) - KOLKATA ( 1 Night)
About Rath Yatra festival at Puri:
Rath Yatra is the name of the massive Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath
celebrated annually with much passion and religious fervor. Many Hindu
pilgrims to Puri believe that a single glimpse of the Lord during this great
festival offers salvation. The festival observes a huge procession of
decorated idols of the Deities, seated on separate three different chariots
with the Lord adorning the most massive one. The chariot bearing the Lord is
pulled by devotees rather than the horses. The ropes of this chariot are
considered to be the Threads of salvation. This date of Puri Rath Yatri is
21 June 2012.
17 JUNE'12: SUN: DAY 1 / ARRIVAL KOLKATA
Traditional welcome upon arrival by International Flight at Kolkata and
transfer to hotel. This city is the gateway of eastern India. During British
period - this city grew to be the capital of the British Empire with grand
palaces, buildings, grand hostelries and shops that traded in some of the
finest goods of the world. It is a bustling city today. Calcutta is also a
city of glaring contrasts: a curious blend of the old and the new, partly
feudal, partly born out of growing urbanization, partly un-definable. It is
a medley of the east and the west, a graft of a European city imposed on the
Asian scape that gives Calcutta its bewildering charm, confusion and
excitement. Being just about 300 years old, Calcutta hardly has many great
historical monuments. Perhaps, the oldest remembered is the site where the
Kalighat Temple now stands. Today Calcutta is one of the largest city in
India with a population over 10 million and boasts of India's first ever
Metro rail system. It is a city that shocks on first impression but
eventually the visitor fells in love with it. Overnight at hotel in Kolkata.
18 JUNE'12: MON: DAY 2 / KOLKATA
Post breakfast take a full day city tour of Kolkata. Start with the
colourful and vibrant flower market where flowers are traded every morning.
Visit Belur Math, which is the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission. This
mission preached unity of all religions and represents a Church, mosque and
temple. Later on proceed to Dakshineshwar Kali Temple. It is one of the most
well known temples dedicated to Kali. PM continue the sightseeing with the
Victoria Memorial; Calcutta's most imposing and monumental dream in marble
opened by the Prince of Wales in 1921 and often called the "Taj" of the
British Raj . Also visit St. Paul's Cathedral and Mother Teresa home.
Overnight at Hotel in Kolkata.
19 JUNE'12: TUE: DAY 3 / KOLKATA - BHUBANESHWAR (FLIGHT)
Morning transfer to Kolkata airport to board flight to Bhubaneshwar. On
arrival check in Hotel. Later sightseeing of Bhubaneshwar starting with the
temples. The finest temples are the Lingaraj temple, Raj Rani temple,
Mukteshwar temple, Parsurameshwar and Brahmeshwar temple. These temples are
some of the best specimens of the Orissan temple architecture. (Non-Hindus
are not allowed inside Ling raja temple). PM visit Udaygiri & Kandagiri
caves. Overnight at Hotel in Bhubaneshwar.
20 JUNE'12: WED: DAY 4 / BHUBANESHWAR - PIPILI - KONARK - PURI (103 Kms / 2
Hrs)
Morning post breakfast drive to Puri en route visiting Pipli & famous Konark
sun temple. Pipli is known for its famous appliqué craft. Stop at Konark to
see the beautiful Sun Temple built in 13th-century in honour of the sun god.
It contains exquisite carvings, the life-size lions and elephants, colossal
figures of warriors on horses, scenes of battle and the chase - all carved
with great imagination and skill. It also testifies to the high standards of
ancient Indian Art and engineering acumen. Later proceed to Puri. Puri has
the distinction of having world's biggest Vishnu Temple - Known as Jagannath
Temple (entrance only for Hindus). It was built in the twelfth century A.D.
It is also one of the four holiest Hindu Pilgrimage places in India. On
arrival check in and overnight at Hotel in Puri.
21 JUNE'12: THUR: DAY 5 / PURI (Rath Yatra Festival)
Post breakfast full day to experience the famous event of Ratha Yatra in
Puri. Take your place to view the holy procession of the chariots adorned
with the Deities. Though celebrated in July, the construction of these
chariots for the Rath Yatra starts as early as April. Local People decorate
their houses and shops with flowers, lights and rangolis for the festival.
Traditional desserts and sweets are especially prepared for the occasion. It
is also customary among locals to refrain from non- vegetarian food during
these days. Falling in the Monsoon season, the festivals also offers another
reason for merry making to the people who take part in the celebrations as a
symbol of thanking the God for showering a bountiful harvest upon them. The
three chariots are pulled by the devotees for over a distance of nearly five
kilometres from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Bari temple. Overnight
at Hotel in Puri.
22 JUNE'12: FRI: DAY 6 / PURI - GOPALPUR ON SEA (200 Kms / 5.5 Hrs)
Morning post breakfast drive to Gopalpur on Sea. Stop en route at one of the
villages along the Chilka Lake to enjoy the spectacular views. Arrive at
Gopalpur on Sea and check in Hotel. Gopalpur on sea is a serene beautiful
sea side village having long golden beach. Overnight at Hotel in Gopal pur
on sea.
23 JUNE'12: SAT: DAY 7 / GOPALPUR ON SEA
Morning post breakfast free time at Gopalpur on Sea.
The full day at leisure in this peaceful place which is far less populated
than Puri. The options remain to laze around the beach , take walks and do
some water sports activity. There is a lighthouse offering fine views of the
sea where one can climb up (open 4 to 5 PM) . Overnight at Hotel / resort in
Gopal Pur on Sea.
24 JUNE'12: SUN: DAY 8 / GOPALPUR ON SEA - BHUBANESHWAR - KOLKATA (170 kms/
4 hrs) + Flight
Post breakfast drive to Bhubaneshwar. PM arrive Bhubaneshwar and free time
to explore this capital city of Orissa.
Later proceed to the Domestic Airport to board flight to Kolkatta. Arrival
Kolkata and transfer to Hotel for Check in. Overnight at Hotel in Kolkata.
25 JUNE'12: MON: DAY 9 / KOLKATA. International departure.
Morning post breakfast free time in Kolkata. Later check out at 1200 noon
and in time transafer to the International Airport to board flight for
onward destination.
