The Journey North

February, March and October

This is a list of the places and suggested activities to be reviewed and confirmed with the group.

Places Visited:

Delhi
Vrindavan
Agra
Haridwar
Rishikesh
Lucknow
Varanasi
Delhi - Depart

Delhi	Day 01

View from Jama Masjid Old Delhi
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India's capital is an exciting, busy, and sometimes chaotic city and one of the most interesting. With historical sites from different eras, museums and galleries, shops and endless bazaars, there is more to see and do than we can possibly fit in during our short time here. For those arriving early there is an opportunity to make more discoveries - the ruins of Qutb Minar and Purana Qila, the crafts museum, Indira Gandhi Museum, Birla House (the site of Gandhi's assassination) and the centre of Imperial British India at Rajpath are all recommended.

Practical Information:

- Arrival Delhi from International Airport

- Meeting assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel (check-in by noon)

- Welcome and group meeting.

Itinerary:

Here we will join the crowds to walk in the bazaars of the old city, immersing ourselves in the noise and smells of the crowded narrow streets and alleys, where different areas specialize in festival paraphernalia, silk, copper, brass and spices.

Encounter the paradoxical blend of East and West (old and New Delhi) visit commercial areas (Conaught place), different Bazaars, shopping for suitable clothing if needed.

Try Exotic delicious Indian food (excellent restaurants)
Opportunity to assist to art, music, dance performances or exhibitions
Handicraft Fair (States Emporiums)

Morning depart Delhi for Agra en-route visiting Vrindavan.Evening reach Agra.

Vrindavan	02

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The cultural region called Braj and the birthplace and playground of young cowherd KRISHNA, who spent his playful and love-soaked boyhood here.

Among the constellation of Hindu deities, Krishna is the truest expression of God, The faithful believe Krishna assumed human form in Vrindavan thousands of years ago and lived a single life as a man. For countless generations since, the town and the miles of low hill countryside surrounding it have been considered sacred.
Reminders of the Hindu faith are everywhere. There are countless temples, pilgrims marching through narrow streets following holy men in saffron robes, devotional music and singing in praise of Lord Krishna and His consort Radha.
Simply being in Vrindavan is a form of worship for the faithful. "The more you live in the sacred places associated with Krishna, the more you enter that sense of existing in the eternal presence of Krishna," Part of Krishna's popularity, Hindu scholars say, is that he is both the embodiment of power and force and a personal friend. Pilgrims come to Vrindavan to feel that intimacy with the divine.
"Here, common people are spiritual minded”, "These people consider this is to be one of the most important jobs in life."

Practical Information:

visiting en-route from Delhi to Agra

Itinerary:

Morning depart Delhi for Agra en-route visiting Vrindavan- the playground of lord Krishna, we will visit the famous ISCON-temple.
Krishna’s life centred around these two cities, now mushrooming with innumerable temples and continuous stream of devotees.

Evening reach Agra

Agra	03

Red Fort
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Mughals’ former capital, located at the heart of India in the rich alluvial plains between the great Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
Among the legacies the Mughals bestowed, one emerged as India’s most enduring icon — the Taj Mahal. This monument to perfection sits by the river Yamuna’s banks a short walk away from the red sandstone Agra Fort added to by three Mughal emperors.

Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim Emperor in the memory of his dear wife and queen. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream”.

Taj Mahal View
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Sikandra Gate
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Practical Information:

Arrival evening en-route from Vrindavan.
Transfer to the hotel.

Itinerary:

Depending on weather conditions,we visit the Taj Mahal either in the early morning or at sunset time.We will also visit the Agra fort,containing the private and public audience halls and other various palaces,from where we have another magnificent view of the Taj Mahal.

Morning transfer to Train station to connect train to Haridwar .

Haridwar	Day 04-05

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"Gate to Heaven": Gateway to the higher range of the Himalayas.

Holy town situated at the foot of the Himalayas, full of Ashraams, temples and pilgrims places, bathed by the sacred river Ganges (Descended Goddess come to earth in the form of a river to release man of his sins, so she purifies all whom bathe in her) pilgrimage place, host to the Khumba Mela (gathering happening every 12 years, where more then 30 million people congregate here from all over India during auspicious dates for liberation and take a devotional dip in the holy waters of the Ganga).

Practical Information:

Evening Arrival Train Utkal Express (10:50-20:30)from Agra.
Meeting assistance at the train station transfer to the hotel.

Itinerary:

We will visit the sacred Aarti Ceremony at Harki Puri (holy auspicious spot where Vishnu the God of preservation left a foot print on stone). This is an offering to the four elements, performed everyday at sunset all over India. This is especially beautiful here; with a fire and flower offering to the river creating a carpet of color, fragrance and emotion that softens the Heart.

Visit Ananda Mai Ashram, NimKaroli Baba Ashram (big Hanuman statue), temple of Goraknath, walk and visit to the ghats and Markets.
Morning Drive from Haridwar to Rishikesh (1 hour max)

Rishikesh: "Land of the Rishis"	Day 06 to 08

Laxmanjhula
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Situated at the Himalayan foothills, this enchanting, ancient Holy place is a beautiful nature sanctuary. (You can still find wild elephants and tigers and panthers here).
This is a very holy pilgrimage place. Many Sadhus (holy men that renounces the world dedicating his life to the Attainment of God, mendicant, highly respected in India) are found here.

This is a privileged place for bathing in the holy river Ganga that runs clear on white sand beaches. Innumerable Temples and Ashrams (institution or community created around a saint or holy men) are established here. This is also a center for Yoga schools and Meditation practices in India.

Practical Information:

-Arrive from Haridwar in the morning,explore and late afternoon drive transfer to the hotel.

Itinerary:

We will take beautiful walks on the banks of Ganga and bathe in the river. We will visit Sage Vashista's cave (guru of Lord Rama), which has a wonderful meditative atmosphere and the Samadhi (Tomb) of Shivananda (perhaps his Ashram and some yoga class as well),also the
Samadhi of Tal Bala Baba.

Visit Neelkanth Mahadev temple, place where Lord Siva it is said drunk the poison of the world, in the evening we will visit the Aarti in Ram-Jhula and see the Brahmin tradition of India on display.
Visit the Vashist-cave (more then 3000 years old,home to sage Vashisht,Guru of Lord Ram and other Kings of India,this has been the resting abode of different sages).
We will visit Devaprayag (smaller village situated at the confluence of the Alakananda and Bhagirathi rivers,deeper into the Himalayas)
You can also get Ayurvedic consultations, palm readings, Vedic Astral Charts done plus visit inexpensive and well assorted Spiritual book and Music stores that are available here.

-Late afternoon depart Rishikesh drive to Haridwar transfer to the train station in Haridwar to connect with onward overnight train ,Doon Express ( 20:35 hrs-07:35 hrs) to Lucknow.

Lucknow: ”Laxman Puri”	Day 09 - 11

Bara Imambara
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This is the Capital City of Uttar Pradesh, past cultural Capital of the Mogul Empire.
Visit to the city of Lucknow - city of Gardens. Where the remains of the Nawabi (Mogul) Empire, mosques, buildings, and palaces can be viewed.

It was the 18th century capital of Nawab Wazirs and a center of culture and tradition. Visit the great Imambara, built in the 18th century. The absence of beams and pillars in the huge main hall is an architectural achievement.
Here we can purchase beautiful traditional Chikan (hand embroidery) goods at the local market.
Place of the last residence of HWL Poonja (Papaji) .

Practical Information:

- Arrive Lucknow (07:35 hrs)meeting assistance at the train station and transfer to Hotel

Itinerary:

Here we will have the opportunity to stop, rest and assimilate India’s first impressions.

Visit Papaji’s Satsang House (the best Organic Food is served here). We will share the privilege of visiting and sitting in the house and bedroom of the spiritual Master HWL Poonja (Papaji dead 1997).

We will see some of the videos with the teachings of Ultimate Knowledge (essence of Advaita Vedanta) transmitted in all ancient Indian scriptures and traditions made understandable to the Western ear.

Yoga practice and Meditation is optional.
We will visit and contemplate at an organic Farm, witness Aarti, and participate at devotional singing evenings. Here it will be possible to purchase high quality Organic Ayurvedic supplements.

We will also visit the Hanuman Temple.

Evening Depart Lucknow in time transfer to train station to connect train (Varuna Express 18:00hrs-23:30 hrs) to Varanasi.

Varanasi: ”Kashi”	Day 12 - 14

Nagababa
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This is Shiva’s city, the most ancient city in the world over 7000 years old. Situated on the banks of the river Ganges. It is said in the Holy Scriptures that, whoever dies here, gains eternal rest and liberation from the endless cycle of birth death and rebirth. This is indeed a very Holy city for the Hindus who travel in pilgrimage to this place from all over India, at least once in their lifetime.
City of Saint Kavir.

Practical Information:

- Arrive Varanasi at 23:30hrs meeting assistant at the Train Station.
-Transfer to the hotel

Itinerary:

We will have the oportunity to visit this Ancient City during the Maha Shivaratri .The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva and it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati.
On this festival people worship 'Shiva - the Destroyer'. This night marks the night when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav'. The perpetual dance of creation and disolution of all manifestation.Very auspicious time for all devotees of Shiva.

During this days we will be able to listen to some of the finest musiciants of the most ancient form of Indian classical Music ,during the Dhrupad music Festival .

The sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, along the ghats is an unforgettable timeless amusing view on the authentic life and practice of India. Offerings, rites, prayer, meditation, morning wash and Yoga practice can be seen. We will share moments of peace and serenity where contemplation blends heart, mind and spirit on this ancient ageless site.

We will:
Visit Temples and Samadhis (Kavir)
Visit burning ghats
Visit the picturesque Bazaar, with small narrow roads.

Visit Silk Factories (renown Varanasi Silk)

Visit to Sarnath, 10-Kms away from Varanasi this is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon, and initiated his first followers, expounding the principles of Buddhism. You find here the oldest Stupa to Lord Buddha in India the remains of which date back to as far as the3rd-Century BC when Emperor Ashoka founded various institutions, stupas, monasteries and pillar Edicts.

Visit the art collection at the Archaeological Museum. Also visit the Mahabodhi'Buddha temple and walk around the Deer Park.

Later see the Monastery ruins area, Dhameka Stupa. Visit the various Buddhist temples build here from different Buddhists countries of the world.

Depart Varanasi-Delhi by flight 9w 724(14:40hrs-16:00hrs).

Delhi - Depart	Day 15 - 16

Practical Information:

On arrival in Delhi 16:00 meeting assistant at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Itinerary:

There will be free time for shopping or any cultural activities available in Delhi.

Farewell gathering celebration.

Please,scheduled departure from Delhi, for 7 of March night or 8 of March early morning,Thank you.

In time transfer to airport to connect with onward International Flight.

> View The Journey South
> View The Routes and Slideshow

During the whole journey it is our pleasure to offer, Yoga practice, (to keep fit and supple), Pranayama breathing exercises (to keep calm and relax), reading of relevant materials (to understand the history of some place, the teachings of anyone and more), story telling (fun way to familiarize with a place), teaching and practice of devotional Indian music and chants (to keep us happy).

OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI

LET THERE BE PEACE AND LOVE AMONG ALL BEINGS OF THE UNIVERSE

The Journey North

Delhi

Vrindavan

Agra

Haridwar

Rishikesh: "Land of the Rishis"

Lucknow: ”Laxman Puri”

Varanasi: ”Kashi”

Delhi - Depart