TOUR PROGRAMME 2017 BAR ASSOCIATION NAGARKURNOOL
ESTIMATE FOR TOUR: NAGARKURNOOL TO HYDERABAD, HYDERABAD TO VARANASI,
VARANASI TO LUCKNOW, LUCKNOW TO NEW DELHI, AND NEW DELHI TO HYDERABAD
SCHEDULE (A)
|
Sl.No
|
From …..to…….
|
Class
|
Fare
|
|
1
|
Hyderabad to Varanasi
|
III AC
|
1750-00
|
|
2
|
VARANASI TO LUKNOW
|
III AC
|
450-00
|
|
3
|
LUCKNOW TO NEW DELHI
|
III AC
|
550-00
|
|
4
|
NEW DELHI TO HYDERABAD
|
III AC
|
1750-00
|
SCHEDULE (B) FODD,
SHELTER AND LOCAL TRANSPORTTATION ETC
|
SL.NO
|
PLACE
|
LODGING
|
FOOD
|
LOCAL TRAVEL
|
TOTAL
|
|
1
|
VARANASI
|
600
|
600
|
800
|
2000-00
|
|
2
|
LUCKNOW
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
1500-00
|
|
3
|
DELHI
|
600
|
500
|
600
|
1700-00
|
SCHEDULE (C)
MISCELLANIOUS EXPENDITURE
500-00 PER HEAD
( WATER BOTTELS, SNACKS, TEA ETC
DURING TRAIN JOURNEY)
1.
SCHEDULE (A) TRAIN
FARES 4,500-00
2.
SCHEDULE (B) SHELTER
ETC 5,200-00
3.
SCHEDULE ( C ) MISCELLANIOUS 500-00
TOTAL………………………………………………………………………………..
10,200-00
_______________________________________________
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
MEANS: LOCAL TRAVELLING SIGHT SEEING, (1) VARANASI TO AYODHYA, NAISHARANYA,
and FAIZABAD CITY. (2) LUCKNOW CITY AND
NEARBY PLACES
(3) DELHI CITY, AGRA, MATHURA ETC
Note****- THE AMOUNTS
ARE PURELY TENTAIVE MAY UP AND DOWN IN A SHORT MARGIN
Detail
Tour Programme
Day 01.
Morning arrival transfer from Lucknow station. Same day
excursion Naimisharanya.
Naimisharanya
Located at a distance of
around 94 kilometers from Lucknow, is the Naimisharanya Misrikh temple. It is a
major pilgrimage center and attracts devotees from all over India.
Naimisharanya Misrikh of Uttar Pradesh can be visited as a part of excursions
from Lucknow as it is located quite far from Lucknow. The Naimisharanya Misrikh
of U.P. is a center for spiritual discourse and people come here for attaining
mental peace. Read on about the famous Naimisharanya Misrikh of Uttar Pradesh.
According to ancient
legends, Gods chose this place on earth to establish Dharma. However, a demon
named Vrittrasur was proving to be a major hurdle in the way of Gods. Thus, the
Gods requested a highly powerful sage named Maharshi Dadhichi to give his bones
in order to create a weapon to kill the demon. Today, Naimisharanya Misrikh has
numerous pilgrim places to see around.
People say that anyone who
meditates hard enough over here and rids oneself of worldly desires will
definitely attain some amount of divine power and force. Every year, in the
Hindu month of Phalgun, a temple festival known as Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama is
held in the honor of the sage.
Day 02.
By surface from Lucknow – Ayodhya – Faizabad.
Ayodhya, the temple town,
with a sacred site around every street corner is best discovered at a leisurely
pace. The only way to get a true feel of the town is by wandering through it,
exploring the little alleyways and letting your mood decide which route you
want to take. It is not a tourist town and offers a welcome break from the
hotspots of India (unless, of course there is another ugly religious
controversy brewing). Among the innumerable holy places there are also a few
Buddhist and Jain shrines.
Babri Masjid and Ram
Janmabhumi
The contentious site is
south of the shrine known as Janam Sthana, the birthplace where Rama is said to
have spent most of his childhood. The compound is surrounded by high fences and
is heavily guarded though it still attracts huge crowds. All visitors and
worshippers are thoroughly searched before being allowed to enter the site
(even ballpoint pens are confiscated before you enter the site). The makeshift
Hindu temple that has been erected in place of the Babri Masjid (now a heap of
rubble) is basically a tent, with a background of shimmering pink and green
material. (Open daily 7 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 5 pm)
Kanak Bhavan
Also known as Sone-ka-Ghar
(house of gold), this 19th century temple is located in the center of Ayodhya
and is devoted to Rama and his wife Sita. Someone once said If you want to see
the real Ayodhya, go to Kanak Bhavan. It is a palatial temple where musicians
sit and perform in the black and white tiled courtyard. There are three pairs
of idols of Rama and Sita in the inner sanctum and a plaque on the outer wall
that claims there have been palaces on this site since the Trety Yug (The age
during which Lord Rama ruled, by some estimates, one and a half million years
ago). (Open daily 8.30 am to 12.15 pm and 4.30 pm to 9 pm)
Nageshwarnath Temple
Stands on the ghats (bank)
of the river, on the east side of town. It is said to be built by Khush, Lord
Rama's son. Legend has it that he almost destroyed the water-living Nagas
(semi-divine snake people) because he suspected them of stealing his amulet. Only
Lord Shiva's intervention saved the semi-divine snakes. Khush then established
this temple showing the Nagas worshipping Lord Shiva, his father's favourite
deity. Another version of this legend states that the lost amulet was found by
a Nag-kanya (young girl from the Naga tribe), who fell in love with him, and as
she was Lord Shiva's devotee he constructed this temple for her. (Open
daily 5 am to 11 am and 12 pm to 8 pm).
Treta ke Thakur
It is a temple that stands
at the place where Rama is said to have performed the Ashwamedha Yagna. The
Raja of Kulu is said to have built a new temple here about 300 years ago called
Kaleram ka Mandir, where the idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Bharat have
reportedly been carved out of a single block of black sandstone. These idols
are supposed to be from the original Rama temple, which once stood on the banks
of the River Sarayu.
Lakshmana Ghat
On the banks of the Sarayu
river, this is where Rama's brother Lakshman is said to have voluntarily given
up his life-an act called samadhi. Another version says that he gave up living
after he broke a vow.
Mani Parbat
A former Buddhist vihara
(cave with cells) that became a Hindu temple. It is dotted with little shrines
and if you stand on the topmost terrace you get a splendid view of Ayodhya, one
that includes a cluster of small white buildings at the base of the hill that
turns out to be a Muslim graveyard.
Hanumangarh
A steep climb (75 steps)
leads to the temple fort of Hanuman - monkey god and guardian of Ayodhya. Built
within the thick white walls of a fortress, it is one of Ayodhya's most
important temples and now a monastery as well. Embossed silver doorways lead to
several Hanuman shrines as well as one of Rama's wife - Sita. The temple is
supposed to mark the spot where Hanuman sat guard in a cave overlooking Rama's
birthplace which is why the idol's eyes convey a piercing, alert look that is
in keeping with the warrior prowess of Lord Hanuman. Many watchful rhesus
monkeys have made this temple their home, and are quite skilled at snatching
prasad (holy offerings) away from unwary devotees.
Day 03.
By surface from Faizabad to via Triveni sangam
(Allahabad).
Sangam literally means
confluence. The place has been named so because it is situated on the
confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and a mythical river named Saraswati. The actual
confluence is located around 7 Kilometers from the Civil Lines. The place is
considered to be one of the most sacred in Hindu religion and is the site for
Ardh-Kumbh and Kumbh Mela that takes every 6 and 12 years respectively.
Anand Bhawan
Anand Bhavan is the
ancestral home of Jawaharlal Nehru, the freedom fighter and the first
Prime-Minister of India. The place is also home to Indira Gandhi, the
"Iron Lady of India". The place has today been turned into a fine
museum. The importance of this place also increases because of the fact that
several momentous decisions and events, related to the freedom struggle took
place here. The main building houses a museum that displays the memorabilia of
the Nehru family.
Day 04.
By surface from Allahabad to Bodhgaya via Vindhyachal Temple
Vindhyachal Temple
Vindhyavasini Devi Temple
is situated in Vindhyachal, 8 km from Mirzapur, on the banks of the holy river
Ganges. It is one of the most revered Shaktipeeths of the presiding deity,
Vindhyavasini Devi. The temple is visited by large number of people daily. Big
congregations are held during Navratras in Chaitra (April) and Ashwin (October)
months. Kajali competitions are held in the month of Jyestha (June). The temple
is situated just 2 km from the Kali Khoh, an ancient cave temple dedicated to
Goddess Kali.
70 km. (one and a half hour
drive) from Varanasi, Vindhyachal is a renowned religious city dedicated to
Goddess Vindhyavasini. Mythologically goddess Vindhyavasini is believed to be
the instant bestower of bendiction. There are several temples of other deities
in the vicinity, the most famous ones being Ashtabhuja Devi Temple and kalikhoh
Temple, which constitute the Trikona Parikrama (circumambulation). The
Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, the Ashtabhuja temple, dedicated to Goddess
Mahasaraswati (on a hollock, 3 km from Vindhyavasini temple) and the Kali khoh
temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali (2 km from Vindhyavasini temple) form the
Trikon Parikrama.
Mahabodhi Temple: The
temple stands in the east to the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural effect is
superb. Its basement is 48 square feet and it rises in the form of a slender
Pyramid till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total
height of the temple is 170 ft. and on the top of the temple are Chatras which
symbolize sovereignty of religion. Four towers on its corners rise gracefully
giving the holy structure a poise balance. This sacred edifice is like a grand
banner unfurled by time to proclaim to the world the pious efforts of the
Buddha to solve the knots of human miseries, to ascend above worldly problems
and to attain transcendental peace through wisdom, good conduct and disciplined
life.
Inside the temple, in the main
sanctum, there is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting posture touching
the earth by his right hand. In this posture the Buddha accomplished the
supreme enlightenment. The statue is of black stone but it has been guilder by
the devotees. The entire courtyard of the temple is studded with large number
of votive stupas. These stupas are of all sizes built during the past 2500
years ago. Most of them are extremely elegant in structural beauty. The ancient
railings, which surround the temple, are of the first century BC and are among
the very interesting monuments of the century.
Bodhi Tree:
The present Bodhi Tree is
probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had
attained enlightenment. Vajrasana, the seat of stability, is a stone platform
on which the Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation gazing east, under
the Bodhi tree.
Day 05.
By Surface Bodhgaya – Gaya – Varanasi
Vishnupad Temple
Vishnupad Temple is sacred
among Hindus and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The city has developed around the
temple. According to believers and religious texts, the footprints inside the
temple are those of Lord Vishnu. The temple is built in Shikhara style and was
reconstructed in the year 1787, by Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore.
The temple complex is quite
big and houses many images of different Gods and Goddesses. There are many
other shrines in and around the temple. Another important temple is of Lord
Nrisimha, the god which according to Hindu mythology was a man-lion incarnation
of Lord Vishnu. The temple and statue is intricately carved and designed and is
a major tourist attraction at Gaya.
Akshayabat
Though not exactly in Gaya,
Akhsayabat is situated at Bodh Gaya which is 12 kilometers away from Gaya. The
Akshayabat tree is the same tree under which Gautam Sidhartha meditated in
search of eternal truth. Akshayabat is situated inside the temple complex and
is a major tourist attraction.
Evening AARTI at Ghat
Aarti starts just after
sunset, as darkness begins to spread all over. People start arriving at the
ghats as early as5:00pm. We would also reach there before time and have occupy
our places as the crowd increases with the time. Dasaswamedh ghat becomes a hub
of activity, with people sitting and waiting for the aarti, buying flowers and
other things from nearby shops or performing pooja. Hold your cameras in your
hand because you will get some very unique and breathtaking pictures here. A
bunch of young men choreographing to the chanting, holding the lamps. As the
aarti begins, men take their positions at the platform and begin swinging the
lamp to the tune of chanting. Big lamps look beautiful after darkness sets in.
The choreography is excellent and worth seeing. We would come back to our hotel
and take dinner. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 06.
AM River tour
Also known as the Golden
Temple, it is dedicated to Lord shiva, the presiding deity of the city.
Varanasi is Said to be the point at which the first jyotirlinga, the fiery
pillar of light by which shiva manifested has supremacy over others gods, broke
through the Earth’s crust and flared towards the heavens. More than the Gaths
and even the Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in the temple remains the
devotional focus of Varanasi. Standing on the western bank of India's holiest
river Ganges, Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of the world and the
cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city that there stands in
its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the
Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. Here gravitate the teeming
millions of India to seek benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of
this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from the bondages of maya and the
inexorable entanglements of the world. A simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a
soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of
knowledge and bhakti. Vishweshwara
Jyotirlinga has a very
special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India. Tradition
has it that the merits earned by the darshan of other jyotirlinga scattered in
various parts of India accrue to devotee by a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath
Temple. Deeply and intimately implanted in the Hindu mind, the Kashi Vishwanath
Temple has been a living embodinent of our timeless cultural traditions and
highest spiritual values. The Temple has been visited by all great saints- Adi
Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami Tulsidas,
Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Gurunanak and several other spiritual
personalities. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple attracts visitors not only from
India but abroad as well and thereby symbolises man's desire to live in peace and
harmony with one another. Vishwanath being a supreme repository of this
spiritual truth thus strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood and fellow
feeling at the national as well as global levels. On January 28, 1983 the
Temple was taken over by the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh and it's management ever
since stands entrusted to a Trust with Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh. Former Kashi
Naresh, as president and an Executive Committee with Divisional Commissioner as
Chairman. The Temple in the present shape was built way back in 1780 by Late
Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. In the year 1785 a Naubatkhana was built
up in front of the Temple by the then Collector Mohd. Ibrahim Khan at the
instance of Governor General Warren Hastings. In 1839, Two domes of the Temple
were covered by gold donated by Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Third
dome but was remained uncovered, Ministry of cultures & Religious affairs
of U.P. Govt. took keen interest for gold plating of third dome of
Temple.
Bharat Mata Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir or
Bharat Mata Temple is one of its kinds in Varanasi. Contrary to what most of
the tourists believe, this temple is not dedicated to any God, Goddess or
certain deity for that matter. It is dedicated to the human manifestation of
India popularly called Mother India or Bharat Mata in Hindi. The temple was
inaugurated by non other than Mahatma Gandhi, The father of the Indian Nation.
Banaras Hindu University
BHU was built in the year
1916-1917 under the special act of parliament passed in the year 1915 named BHU
act. The act was passed by the interim parliament that worked under the
imperial British government. Mahamna Pundit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Annie
Besant did the conceptualization and implementation of this university. Raja of
Kashi donated 1350 acres of land for the construction of the sprawling campus.
Durga Mandir
Goddess Durga is a
significant manifestation of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. In fact she is
said to be Shakti, or the manifestation of Parvati that signifies the female
element of Power and harmony in nature. This is precisely because a Bengali
Maharani built this temple in the 18th century.
Kashi Vishwanath Mandir
The Vishwanath temple is
synonymous to Varanasi. Vishwanath Temple is the most sacred and the most
famous temple in Varanasi. In fact, Vishwanath Temple is extremely popular in
other parts of India too. A considerable chunk of foreign visitors in India come
to Varanasi every year to get a glimpse of the Vishwanath Temple even though
the followers of Semitic religions are not allowed to enter the sanctum of the
temple.
Sankat Mochan Mandir
Sankat Mochan Mandir do not
have much historical significance but is a good place to visit at least once. Nobody
knows who established this temple. It was actually very small in its early
phase. In the due course various 'Mahants' collected funds to upgrade the
structure and today it boasts off a large complex.
Tulsi Manas Mandir
Tulsi Manas Temple has a
very historical as well as cultural importance for not only Varanasi but also
for the whole of India. This is because Ramayana was composed at this very
place. Goswami Tulsi Das was the man who composed Ramayana in Hindi in the form
of "Ram Charit Manas
Sarnath,
10 km from Varanasi, where
the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, contains the most
impressive remains, as well as a modem temple. The Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and
Dharnek stupas are outstanding. There are also the remains of a monastery, and
the beautifully polished Lion Capital of Ashoka. Sarnath contains a rich
library and at the Mula gandha Kutir Vihara there are excellent frescoes by
Kosetsu Nosu. The Sarnath Museum, not far from the site, contains some of the
finest specimens of Buddhist sculpture. At all centers of Buddhist worship, the
Vaisakha (April-May) full moon is observed as the anniversary of three
important events - the Buddha's birth, Enlightenment and death, while the Asadh
(July - August) full moon is observed as the anniversary of his first sermon.
Sarnath is one of the four most important Bhuddhist pilgrimage centres of
India. Bhudda, the great sage , after attaining enlightenment (Bhudda-hood) at
Bodh Gaya came to Sarnath and delivered his first sermon to five disciples
(i.e. Kaundinya, Bashpa, Bhadrika, ahanaman and Ashvajit) for redeeming
humanity. It is this place where foundation of a new order of monks (Sangha)
and a new order of religious doctrine (Dhamma) was laid. Sarnath is also sacred
to the Jains because they look upon it as the site of asceticism and death of
Shreyamshanath, the 11th Trithanka
Later transfer from hotel
to Varanasi airport / station .
