Varanasi

Upon arrival at Varanasi airport, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Varanasi, formerly known as Benares, is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus and is considered one of the seven holiest cities in India. It is regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva, believed to have the power to cleanse one’s sins. In the evening, you will visit the renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the ghats along the Ganges River. Please note that you’ll need to walk through the local market (a 500-800 meter stretch) and descend a few steps to reach the ghats. There, you will witness the mesmerising evening Ganga Aarti, a traditional ceremony where priests perform “Agni Pooja” (worship of fire) in honour of Lord Shiva, the River Ganga, Surya (the Sun), Agni (fire), and the universe. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Early morning, start your tour with a serene boat ride on the River Ganges, offering a peaceful view of the ghats as the city awakens. Return to the hotel for your breakfast. Afterwards, go on a temple tour in Varanasi. Visit key temples including, Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, the New Vishwanath Temple, Hanuman Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple. Following the temple visits, return to your hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, proceed to the outskirts of Varanasi to visit Sarnath, the sacred site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon in Deer Park. Sarnath is home to impressive historical landmarks, including the remains of an ancient monastery, the polished Lion Capital of Ashoka, and the modern Buddhist temple. You will also visit the Main Shrine, Ashoka’s Pillar, and the Sarnath Museum. Sarnath was established as a centre of Buddhist worship by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. After your visit to Sarnath, return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

After breakfast, travel to Bodhgaya, a city where Lord Buddha became Buddha under the Bodhi tree in Bihar. It is around a 6 hour-drive. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. You could visit the Bodhi temple, 80-Foot giant Buddha, and many other Buddhist monasteries. Overnight at your hotel in Bodhgaya.

Early in the morning, around 5:30 am, travel to Gaya where you could visit Vishnupad Temple and you could perform the pind daanam at Falgu River for your ancestors and visit other important places of Gaya and arrive at your hotel to check out from and go back to Varanasi. Evening is free at leisure and overnight at your hotel in Varanasi.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, leave for Ayodhya, a journey of about 4 to 5 hours. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Ayodhya is one of the holiest cities in Hinduism and holds immense significance as the birthplace of Lord Rama, the hero of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to the epic, Lord Rama, an incarnation of God on Earth, endured 14 years of exile, triumphed over evil, and returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita to be crowned king. This triumphant return is celebrated as Diwali, one of the most important Hindu festivals. Lord Rama’s reign, known as Ram Rajya, is revered as the ideal model of governance, symbolising peace, joy, and spiritual harmony. In the afternoon, embark on a walking tour of Ayodhya, exploring key sites including, Ram Janam Bhoomi (the birthplace of Lord Rama), Nageshwarnath Temple, Dashrath Ji ka Mahal, Ramkot, and Kanak Bhawan. Afterward, return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Ayodhya.

Start your day with breakfast before visiting Hanuman Garhi, located in the heart of Ayodhya. The temple is accessible via 76 steps and holds significant religious importance. Legend has it that Lord Hanuman lived here in a cave, guarding the Janambhoomi (birthplace) of Lord Rama at Ramkot. The main temple houses a statue of Maa Anjani, with Bal Hanuman seated on her lap. Devotees believe that visiting this shrine fulfils their wishes. After your visit, begin the drive to Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), arriving after 3-4 hours. Upon reaching, check in at your hotel. Prayagraj is one of the oldest cities in India and holds immense religious significance in Hinduism. Originally named Prayag, meaning “place of sacrifice,” it is believed to be the spot where Brahma performed the first sacrifice after creating the world. The city is one of the four locations for the Kumbh Mela, a massive Hindu pilgrimage. It is also home to the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati rivers. In the afternoon, embark on a sightseeing tour of Prayagraj, including:
• A boat ride at Triveni Sangam, where pilgrims gather to bathe in the confluence of the holy rivers
• A visit to the Hanuman Temple
• Anand Bhawan, the ancestral home of the Nehru family
• Alopi Devi Temple, a revered shrine in the city
Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Prayagraj.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to either Prayagraj Airport or Varanasi Airport.