Taj & Pushkar Fair
(Duration: 8 nights / 9 days )
Pushkar has world's only Temple of Lord Brahma. This ancient town is
also well known for the gala event, called Pushkar fair in the month of
Kartik. This fair attracts a large number of tourists from all over the
world. It is the most sacred place for Hindus. The fair-ground
reverberates with festivity, as row of make shift stalls display a
bewildering array of items, but the highlight of Pushkar fair is the
trading in camels. Camels are bought, sold, decked up and paraded on the
sand dunes, presenting a picturesque sight.
Trading cattle, camel races and dazzling displays of bangles,
brassware, clothes, camel saddles and halters are the major attractions
of this colorful event. Devotees come in millions to take a ritual dip
in the lake on the day of the Kartik Purnima and to worship at the
Brahmin temple.
At Pushkar, evenings are filled with music and dance. Come dusk and the
rich strains of hunting music are carried across the desert sand as the
merry making continues deep into the night. The profusion of colors run
riot in the desert sands, the glee and the contagious enthusiasm of the
village folk are unique experience for every visitor.
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Pushkar - Ajmer -
Delhi
Day 01: Delhi
Arrive at Delhi International airport.
On arrival in Delhi, the guest will be met by our representative and
transferred to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of
Mughal Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and
bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and board the
'rickshaw ride' for a unique experience from the Red Fort, through "Chandni
Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this
very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Later visit the Jama
Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan
who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to
Mahatma Gandhi.
This afternoon you will be taken to visit New Delhi - drive past the
stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens,
including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto
the beautiful Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the
world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutub
Minar.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi - Agra
Morning drive to Agra (203 km)
Upon arrival in Agra - check into the hotel.
Afternoon visit Red Fort and famous Taj Mahal.
Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of
the town. It was built by Akbar as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in
the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red
sandstone and a moat.
Taj Mahal -This most famous Mughal monument was constructed by Emperor
Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj".
It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for
love, for the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of
marriage, during the birth of her 14th child. The central structure has
four small domes surrounding the huge, central dome. Above the tombs of
Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are false tombs, a common practice in Indian
mausoleums. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday). Stay at pristine Taj Mahal
for sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in gentle late
afternoon light.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Agra - Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur (221 km), en route visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri the deserted, red sandstone city that was built by
Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the 16th century. Also visit
the Buland Darwaza the largest gateway in the world.
Thereafter continue drive to Jaipur and check into the hotel.
Afternoon at leisure to explore the city.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Jaipur
Morning tour of the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just
outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your
caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate,
making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed
in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now,
although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the life-style of
the Mughal ruling families.
Afternoon tour of the City - "The Pink City" is spectacularly
set within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined
fortresses. Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home
to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the
public. Many antiques and artifacts belonging to the ruling family are
housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the
Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar
Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a
stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Jaipur - Pushkar
Late morning drive to Pushkar (130 km)
Pushkar - is famous for its colourful annual fair during Kartik
Poornima (full moon) in the November each year. At this time, this
otherwise peaceful and gentle village on the banks of holy Pushkar take
is thrown into colourful confusion when the desert tribes and camel
caravans meet to trade cattle, camels, goat, sheep, clothes, jewellery
and spices. Upto 2,00,000 traders and 50,000 cattle pour into town,
along with numerous festooned camels and colourful pilgrims. After 10
hectic days of livestock dealing, camel racing and colourful
festivities, everybody goes for a big holy dip in the lake on the night
of the full moon (Kartik Purnima) and perform rituals in its waters to
the accompaniment of temple & folk music.
Upon arrival in Pushkar - check into the Royal Camp which captures the
luxurious nostalgia of a bygone age of the Maharaja's Safari and Shikar
camps, combined with innovative design demonstrating many of the skills
and crafts of Marwar. The camp consists of tents, each with verandah,
bedroom and bathroom. There is a large dining tent serving the best of
Rajasthani cuisine and a large open reception tent with seating areas.
The campfire is the focal point for the evening entertainment programme
with cocktails & rhythms of the Thar-music, dancing, magicians,
puppet shows, jugglers, flaming torches & camel parades.
Afternoon city tour of Pushkar - Pushkar boasts temples, though few are
as ancient as you might expect at such an important pilgrimage site,
since many were deserted by Aurangzeb and subsequently rebuilt. The most
famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the
world dedicated to this deity. It's marked by red spire, and over the
entrance gateway is the hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to
have personally chosen Pushkar as its site.
Overnight at Camp.
Day 07: Pushkar
Full day at the fair. Built as 'an explosion of fun, frolic, games and
laughter', the fair provides some wonderful photographic opportunities
and is a great chance to see Rajasthani women decked up in all their
traditional jewellery, dress and finery. Temple music wafts through the
night, as the fires die down and the Rajasthani melodies played on the
stringed ek-tara come to a close. On the night of the full moon, the
pilgrims bathe in the moonlight, then send marigold and rose petals
floating across the lake on green plate-like leaves. It is worth getting
up early to see the camels and tribes rousing themselves in the pink of
the dawn desert light.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Pushkar - Ajmer - Delhi
Morning drive to Ajmer (15 Km)
Upon arrival in Ajmer, proceed straight for city tour - Ajmer, located
135 km southwest is the most sacred of all Muslim places of pilgrimage
in India. Ajmer is a green oasis on the shore of Ana Sagar Lake, hemmed
in by barren hills. Historically, Ajmer has always had great strategic
importance. It was founded in 7th century by Ajaipal Chauhan. He named
it Ajaimeru the 'invincible hill', because here he raised Taragarh,
India's first hill fort. The city's Muslim history began when Prithviraj
Chauhan lost Ajmer to Sultan Muhammad Ghori in 1193 A.D. The
Persian saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti who came with Muhammad Ghori from
Persia in 1192 settled here. Thus the place where he was buried is today
known as the Dargah Sharif. Construction of the shrine was completed by
Humayun and the gates were added by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Later Shah
Jahan constructed a mosque of white marble, it has 11 arches and a
Persian inscription running the full length of the building. Beyond the
Dargah is the Adhai din ka Jhonpra an ancient Sanskrit college, which
was converted into mosque in 1198 and remains one of the finest
monuments of medieval India.
Afternoon transfer to railway station for train to Delhi.
Leave: Ajmer at 1550 hrs by Shatabdi Express
Arrive: Delhi Cantt. at 2220 hrs
On arrival in Delhi, the guests will be met by our representative and
proceed to International airport for flight back to home.
Day 09: Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi
The travel package explores pushkar camel fair
along with the Taj Mahal - The monument of love.
