Day 1 - Arrive Varanasi

Arrive Varanasi. Meet and assist on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Picturesquely situated on the crescent shaped left bank of the holy Ganga, Varanasi, one of the ancient sites of learning in India, is said to be a compound of the names of two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north and south of the city respectively. Varanasi is probably one of the most ancient living cities in India. From time immemorial it has been a great religious center for Hindus and one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage, being visited by millions of people every year.

CITY/ TEMPLE TOUR OF VARANASI

Visit Kashi Vishvnath Temple - It is also known as the Golden Temple, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. This is the holiest spot in the city, Bharat Mata Temple - A unique temple dedicated to Mother India. It houses a relief map of India, carved out of marble, instead of the customary gods and goddesses. Mahatma Gandhi, opened this unique temple, which was gifted, by the nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and Shri Durga Prasad. Tulsi Manas Temple - In the modern marble sikhara-style, Tulsi Manas Temple was built in 1964 by a philanthropist family of Varanasi and is devoted to Lord Rama. An exquisite structure of white marble, it has the verses and scenes of Ram Charit Manas engraved on its walls.

Evening witness live Aarti Ceremony onbank of River Ganges

Later in the evening witness Aarti ceremony - The Aarti Ceremony can be defined to be a Hindu ritual in which light or fire, which is lit with the help of wicks, soaked in ghee or clarified butter is offered as a means of worship to the deities. Almost all the Hindu rituals of worship involve the ceremony of Aarti. Perhaps the earliest mention of the Ceremony of Aarti in India can be found in Rig Veda, which is considered to be the earliest scripture of Hinduism. According to the Rig Veda, the use of Aarti can be said to be derived from the Vedic concepts of elaborate sacrificial fires or Homa. The word Aarti can be itself said to be derived from a conjunction of the two words of "Aa", meaning "towards", and "Rati", which in turn means "the highest love for God" in Sanskrit. Thus, the word Aarti in actuality means the "highest love for God.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Day 2 Varanasi

MORNING BOAT RIDE IN GANGES

Early morning transfer to the Ghats for boat ride on the river Ganges. At dawn-the ghats are abuzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals. A boat ride from the Dasaswamedh ghat along the ghats gives you vantage views of these activities. Later Take holy dip in Ganges with walking in Kashi vishwanath lanes.

SARNATH TOUR

After breakfast, proceed for a visit of Sarnath, which bears testimony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon expounding the principals of Buddhism. Visit the art collection at the Archaeological museum (closed on Fridays).

Later Shopping tour of Varanasi.

Day 3 - Varanasi - Ayodhya

230 Kms/ Approx 4.5 Hrs Drivee
Breakfast at the hotel.
Post breakfast start your drive to Ayodhya birth place of Lord Rama by 0800 Hrs.

AYODHYA

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama and is believed to be one of the seven most sacred places in India. Situated on the banks of Saryu, some 135 km east of Lucknow, Ayodhya was called Saket in ancient times. Ayodhya finds mention in several legends and stories including the epic Ramayana.

India ' s biggest festival, Diwali, can be traced back to Ayodhya when the entire city glittered with clay lamps to welcome the victorious Rama who returned home after slaying Ravana.

The Atharva Veda has described Ayodhya as a ' city built by Gods and being prosperous like paradise itself #. Hindusim isn t the only religion that prospered here; Jainism, Buddhism and Islam did too and their influences can be seen around the town. Ayodhya is also the birthplace of five Jain Tirthankars including Adinath. Later proceed for sightseeing of Ayodhya

Hanuman Garhi

Hanuman Garhi is a 10-century temple dedicated to the Hindu God, Hanuman. It is one of the most important temples in Ayodhya as it is customary to visit Hanuman Garhi before visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It is believed that Lord Hanuman lived at the temple site guarding Ayodhya.

Ram Janm Bhumi

Translating to Ram's Birthplace, the Ram Janmabhoomi is believed to have been the birthplace of the Hindu deity, Lord Ram. According to the Indian epic Ramayan, Ram, Lord Vishnu's seventh manifestation, is said to have grown up along Ayodhya's river Sarayu. The Ram Janmabhoomi is a highly revered site for Hindu devotees.

Kanak Bhawan

The Kanak Bhawan is established towards the northeastern corner of the Ram Janmabhoomi in Tulsi Nagar. Constructed in 1891, this temple is also known as Sone-ka-Ghar. It is a holy site dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Rama and his wife, Goddess Sita. Later Drive back to Varanasi

Day 4 Ayodhya - Allahabad/ Prayagraj

(By Surface) - 180 Kms/ Approx. 4.5 Hrs Drive Breakfast at the hotel.

• Later start your drive to Allahabad by 0800 Hrs
• Upon arrival at Allahabad proceed to your hotel for check-in.

Allahabad, now officially known as Prayagraj, is a city located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Reminiscent of all that is spiritual and sacred in Hinduism, Allahabad is famous for Triveni Sangam or the meeting point of three rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. The place also Very famous as a place where the largest gathering of the world happen name as KUMBH MELA ( One of the biggest festival for Hindu devotee).

Transfer to Hotel.Later proceed for city tour of Prayagraj/ Allahabad visiting

Anand Bhawan

Anand Bhawan is the former residence of Nehru family which has now been transformed into a museum showcasing various artefacts and articles of the era of Independence movement in India. The double-storey mansion was personally designed by Motilal Nehru.

Later Visit Some of the Temples of Allahabad Like Hanuman Temple &Alopi Devi Temple.

Evening experience Sangam (confluence of Holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna &Saraswati) and is of great importance for Hinduism. People take a dip here at Sangam and believe that they wash off their sins here after taking a Holy Dip.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5 Allahabad/ Prayagraj - Gaya

(By Surface) - 180 Kms/ Approx. 4.5 Hrs Drive
Breakfast at the hotel.
Later start your drive for Gaya by 0800 Hrs.

GAYA

Historically, Gaya was the part of the ancient Magadh Empire. The city is located on the bank of Falgu River and is considered among one of the most sacred cities for Hindus. Three hills Mangala-Gauri, Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila and Brahmayoni surround it from three sides and make at a safe and beautiful site. Gaya is an ancient place and has great heritage and history.

Nomenclature of Gaya is based on the myth of demon Gayasur who Lord Vishnu had killed in a dual. The place is so sacred for Hindus that even Lord Ram had performed Pindadanam here for his ancestors. Legend says that Lord Ram had come to Gaya to pay homage to his ancestors and Sita had accompanied him on his way.

Upon Arrival in Gaya & Transfer to Hotel . Later Start sightseen of Gaya .

VISHNUPAD TEMPLE
The shrine of Lord Vishnu encloses his 40 cm long footprint. According to stories and legends, a demon named Gayasur attained the blessing of granting people with salvation just with a glance. This seemed incorrect to the divine because salvation can only be achieved by walking on the right path and performing good karmas. So to obstruct immoral people from attaining salvation so easily, Lord Vishnu had put his feet on Gayasur's chest and subdued him below the surface of earth, which caused these footprints engraved on the solid rock base.

FALGU RIVER

Flowing on the east side of Gaya, the Falgu River carries water only during the monsoon season. At other time the river bed is externally dry. However if you scratch some mud you will find water. Being cursed by Sita Devi, this river runs as under Water River below the bed. Normall this River is famous for hindu people to come across the country for PindDaan of their ancestor. Mangla Gauri Temple.

This Temple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti or Sati. She is worshipped in the form of Goddess Mangla Gauri, the deity of benevolence. It is one of the " Shaktipeeths " constructed on the top of Manglagauri Hill, according to beliefs, the breasts of the mother goddess fell at this place after her body was shredded by the ' sudarshana chakra ' of Lord Vishnu. Here Goddess Sati or Mangla or Shakti is worshipped in the form of the breast symbol, which signifies nourishment. The temple complex consists of small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and the images of Goddess Sati as Mahishasura Mardini, Durga and Dakshina Kali. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6 - Gaya - Patna

Departure (130 Kms/ Approx. 03 Hrs Drive)
Breakfast at the hotel.
In time transfer to Patna Airport/ Railway Station as per departure plans.