At the Diwan-I-Am (hall of public audience), a colonnaded
hall of red-sandstone with a throne alcove of inlaid
marble at the back, the Emperor heard public petitions.
At the Diwan-I-Khas (hall of private audience)where
marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal
ambience, the Emperor sat on his gem-studded Peacock
Throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly
kingdoms& enjoy a lavish buffet lunch in a 5*
hotel in Agra. After lunch drive to Jaipur enroute
visiting Fatehpur Sikri-a perfectly preserved red
sandstone “ghost town” which was the estranged
capital of mughal emperor Akbar, built in 1569 and
deserted when its water supply failed. Arrive Jaipur
& transfer to Hotel. Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 03 / Jaipur - Delhi ( By train )
After a leisurely breakfast , visit the majestic Amber
Fort, is one that cannot be easily described. Ride
up on Elephants to the former capital of the royals
set against the backdrop of the wooded hills. Later
visit the City Palace, Palace of Winds also known
as Hawa Mahal, this elaborate building, now little
more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate
screens and carved balconies from which the royal
ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views
of the outside world. Past, present and future merge
at Jai Singh's observatory, where time has been accurately
measured since the 17th century. Evening transfer
to railway station to board the luxurious air conditioned
train to Delhi, Dinner in the train. Arrive Delhi
& transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.
Day 04 / Delhi
After breakfast checkout from hotel and proceed for
sightseeing tour of New Delhi where ornate buildings
recall the days when India was the Jewel in the crown
of the British empire. Visit the 11th century Qutab
Minar, India Gate and the grand government buildings,
the President’s House , Red fort , Mahatama
Gandhi Memorial. Also visit Laxmi Narayan temple popularly
known as Birla Temple. Evening at liesure. Night stay
in Delhi.
Day 05 / Delhi - Haridwar
Morning pick up from hotel & transfer to the railway
station to board the super fast train Shatabadi Exp.
to Haridwar. Arrive Haridwar & transfer to hotel.
Afternoon visit various temples including Pareshwar
Mahadev Temple, Daksha Mahadev Temple and Mansa Devi
Temple. Evening visit Har-ki-Pauri (the footstep of
God)- one of the most sacred ghats in India. People
say that this ghat was built by Vikramaditya in memory
of his brother Bhartrihari. This ghat is also known
as Brahmakund. Later witness Aarti of the Holy River
Ganges. Aarti is the beautiful ceremony in which deeyas
(the oil lamps) are offered to God. Aarti can be done
to a deity in the temple or it can be done to a saint.
It is performed to God, in any manifestation, any
form, by any name. The essence of the aarti ceremony
is a time when we say "thank you," and we
offer the light of our thanks, the light of our love
and the light of our devotion. We realize that the
small deeya is nothing compared to the divine light
which shines on us all day. Night stay in Haridwar.
