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Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 in Allahabad ⇐ Tours Around India ⇐ Tour Iteneraries ⇐ India

Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 in Allahabad

Duration : 16 Nights/17 Days

About Maha Kumbh Mela:

Allahabad or City of God in Persian, also known as Prayag is a city in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Allahabad is one of the fastest growing cities in India at present. It is located 238 kilometers south of state capital Lucknow. The ancient name of the city is Prayag and is believed to be the spot where Brahma offered his first sacrifice after creating the world. It is one of four sites of the mass Hindu pilgrimage Kumbh Mela. It has a position of importance in Hindu scriptures for it is situated at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna, and the ancient Saraswati River. The Purna Kumbh Mela will be going to held on Allahabad which occurs after every 12th years. Auspicious Bathing date in 2013 is from 27th January to 25th February . The last Purna Kumbh Mela was also held on Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2001. It is estimated that about 60 million people took a bath in the river Ganges on the occasion. 10th February 2013 –the mouni Amavasya snan is the main auspicious bathing date. This is "New Moon of the Saints." For the holy men and women this is a main bathing day where they participated in gilded and naked processions. It is also a day when new members to various holy monastic orders receive their first initiation.

The Prayag (Allahabad) Kumbh Mela is the largest and holiest of all melas and is believed to be the most auspicious. On important bathing dates, lakhs of pilgrims take bath on the banks of the holy Sangam. The Purna (complete) Kumbh or Maha Kumbh, the biggest and the most auspicious fair, which falls once every 12 years, is always held in Allahabad. Ardha Kumbh Mela is held every 6th year and the MaghMela is the annual version of the Kumbh. The main bathing days are known as 'Shahi Snans' or 'Royal. Bathing Days'. The most recent Kumbh Mela was in 2001 in Allahabad and millions of pilgrims took a holy dip in Sangam on the auspicious the Mauni Amavasya on the 24th January 2001. The main bathing days for the Kumbh Mela are: Makar Sankranti, Paush Purnima, Mauni Amavasya, Basant, Panchmi, Maghi Poornima and Maha Shivratri.

06 Feb 2013: Day 01: Delhi

Today upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, traditional welcome and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. Overnight at hotel.

07 Feb 2013: Day 02: Delhi

Proceed for sightseeing tour visiting India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and holy temples including Chattarpur, Yogamaya and the amazing, new Akshardham Temple complex. Overnight at hotel.

08 Feb 2013: Day 03: Delhi-Haridwar (By Train Dehradun Shatabadi Dep: 0650 hrs/Arr: 1125 hrs)

Today board train to Haridwar. On arrival at Haridwar, transfer to hotel. Check-in at hotel. Later proceed for half day city tour visiting Mansa devi Temple by Udan Khatola, Har – ki – Pauri. Late evening visit the Ghats for Arti, dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Overnight at hotel.

09 Feb 2013: Day 04: Haridwar-Rishikesh (35 kms/1 hr drive)

Morning drive to Rishikesh. Optional-Free to Visit Vaishisht Cave; a thousand year old auspicious cave an ideal place for meditation or free to do white river Rafting down the Ganges. Later, explore evening worship ritual at Triveni Ghat. Overnight at hotel.

10 Feb 2013: Day 05: Rishikesh

Morning drive to Rishikesh. On arrival check-in to the Hotel. Rishikesh, the 'place of sages' is a celebrated spiritual town on the bank of Ganga and is surrounded by Shivalik range of the Himalayas on three sides. Later visit proceed for sightseeing tour visiting – Laxman Jhulla, Ram Jhulla, Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir Shankaracharya Temple, Swarg and Gita Bhawan Ashram, Sivananda Ashram, Parmath Ashram, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi€s former Ashram. Overnight at hotel.

11 Feb 2013: Day 06: Rishikesh-Haridwar (35 kms/1 hr)-Delhi (By train: Dehradun Shatabadi Dep: 1813 hrs/Arr: 2245 hrs)

Today drive to Haridwar railway station to board train to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi, check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

12 Feb 2013: Day 07: Delhi-Varanasi (By Flight)

Today transfer to airport to board flight to Varanasi. On arrival at Varanasi, transfer to hotel. In the evening view Aarti on the Ghats of River Ganges. Overnight at hotel.

13 Feb 2013: Day 08: Varanasi

Morning enjoy boat cruise on River Ganges. Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Varanasi. Also visit Sarnath. Overnight at hotel.

14 Feb 2013: Day 09: Varanasi-Allahabad (125 kms/2.5 hrs drive)

Today after breakfast, drive to Allahabad. On arrival at Allahabad, transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. Overnight at hotel.

15 Feb 2013: Day 10: Allahabad –(Basant Panchami Snan)

Today is the occasion of Basant Panchami.. This is the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month and is the beginning of spring in North India. Traditionally people wear yellow on this day. It is day when people prayed to the Gods for a good bumper harvest. Rest of the day free to view holy saints and bathing events at Maha Kumbh Mela. Overnight at hotel.

16 Feb 2013: Day 11: Allahabad

Today free to view holy saints and bathing events at Maha Kumbh Mela. Overnight at hotel.

17 Feb 2013: Day 12 : Allahabad(Rath Saptami Snan)-Agra (By Train ALD MTJ Exp Dep: 2330 hrs/Arr: 0535 hrs)

On the occasion of Rath Saptami Snan, take holy dip in River Ganges. Ratha Saptami ie Surya Jayanti is festival of Sun-God ie Surya Narayan,the God of health and the Lord is worshipped for better health and wellbeing of human. Rest of the day free to view holy saints and bathing events at Maha Kumbh Mela. In time transfer to railway station to board train to Agra. Overnight in train.

18 Feb 2013: Day 13: Agra

Today upon arrival at railway station at 0535 hrs, transfer to hotel. Check-in at hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing tour world famous Taj Mahal- (closed on Fridays) built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in the memory of his beautiful wife Mumtaj. Also visit Agra Fort-built by Mughal emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory in war. After sightseeing, return to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

19 Feb 2013: Day 14 : Agra-Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (235 kms/5 hrs)

Today after breakfast, drive to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri constructed by Akbar in 1569 to honor Sufi saint Salim Chisti. Continue drive to Jaipur- the vibrant capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as ‘The Pink City’ for the colour of the buildings in its wonderful old city. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

20 Feb 2013: Day 15: Jaipur

Morning after breakfast visit Amer Fort & enjoy ride on a caparisoned elephant up to the Amer Fort established in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh of the Kachwaha dynasty. Afternoon visit the City Palace,& Astronomical observatory, built by Maharaja Jai Singh the founder of Jaipur & pass through Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Overnight at hotel.