Tantra Tour of India

Welcome to Delhi!

14:00 hours: We will be staying at the Royal Plaza Hotel, where check-In opens at 2pm. Should you are arriving earlier, an additional room night can be arranged for you at the Royal Plaza. Please let us know if you require additional nights soonest, ideally at the time of booking. We can also let you know of alternative hotels that may potentially be of interest to you however, these you would need to book yourself.

This first afternoon in Delhi is a relaxed welcome. An opportunity to decompress and acclimatise to India before we start the trip. You are welcome to walk around the local neighbourhood of Connaught Place and take in colonial architecture of this bustling shopping district but do beware of the touts! Alternatively, should wish for something quite you can visit the quirky Jantar Mantra (observatory) gardens just down the road or hop on a autorikshaw  and head to the relaxed Lodi Gardens. A quite green oasis where the rulers of the Lodi Dynasty are buried.

Situated in a strategic position on the west bank of the Yamuna River, between the Himalayas and the Aravalli Hills, Delhi is the gateway to the rich alluvial soils of the Ganges plain and has, according to Indian folklore, been occupied since 2500 BC. The original city, Indraprastha was the first of nine. Shahjahanabad or Old Delhi, the 07th city, was built when the Mughal Emperor moved his capital back to Delhi from Agra in 1638. Planned out in blocks with wide roads, residential areas and bazaars, Chandni Chowk, now thought to be Asia’s busiest street, was the main artery. Literally translated as ‘Silver Street’ this bustling market area of Old Delhi is good for hunting down new and antique gold and silver jewellery from craftsmen whose forefathers served the emperor. At the 1911 Delhi Durbar, King George V announced that the capital of India was to move from Calcutta to Delhi, creating New Delhi, the last of the nine cities of Delhi. 

Following a nice breakfast at the hotel (08:00 hours), in the morning we visit Old Delhi including a brief cycle rickshaw ride through narrow lanes. We depart the hotel  at 09:00 hours. We visit the Jama Masjid, built in 1650; one of the largest mosques in India. Drive past the Red Fort, also built by Shah Jahan and finally, visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. Special focus during the tour of Old Delhi is Khari Baoli, a street known for Asia’s largest wholesale spice market selling a fragrant variety of spices, nuts, herbs and food products, such as rice and tea.

12:30 hours: We break for lunch at around noon. 

14:00 hours: Following this we drive through Lutyens Delhi seeing the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Rajpath and India Gate. New Delhi was planned and built by the British in the 1920’s and is characterised by Sir Edwin Lutyens’ monumental architecture. Driving through the city, with its wide tree-lined avenues we discover the Diplomatic Enclave, the Central Secretariat and the President's House arriving at  Humayun’s tomb. Called the predecessor of the Taj Mahal because of its ornate Mughal style of architecture, later perfected in the Taj Mahal. 

16:00 hours: Late afternoon we visit  Kalkaji Temple which is amongst the oldest and the most revered ancient temples of India. The temple is dedicated to goddess Kalka or Kali, an incarnation of Durga. It is also called 'Jayanti Peetha' or 'Manokamna Siddha Peetha'. 'Manokamna' literally means desire, 'Siddha' means fulfillment, and 'Peetha' means shrine. So, it is believed to be the holy shrine where one gets the blessings of Maa Kalika Devi (Goddess or Mother Kalika) for the fulfillment of one's desires. 

17:30 hours: Whist returning to the hotel we visit Bhairon Temple. Also known as Sri Kilkari Bhairon temple, constructed by the Pandavas. In Hindu scriptures, Bhairon finds a special mention during the episode when Goddess Sati, the divine consort of Lord Shiva, immolated herself by her yogic fire when her father Daksha insulted Shiva out of sheer hatred. Consequently, Shiva resolved to destroy Daksha and his army by manifesting Bhairon out of his own body. Bhairon, the fierce warrior, ruthlessly went about executing the commands of Shiva and vanquished Daksha and his helpmates. The shrine is divided into two parts, the first being the Doodhiya Bhairon Temple (where milk is offered) and the second being the Kilkari Bhairon Temple (where alcohol is offered). 

Stay overnight at the Royal Plaza Hotel. 

06:00 hours: cold breakfast at the hotel. 

07:00 hours: we transfer to Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station 

08:10 hours: we take the Gatiman Express train we head down to Jahnsi arriving at 12:35 hours.

We are heading to centra India, Madhya Pradesh to visit Orcha and onwards to Khajuraho 

We start by having a nice lunch at the Orcha Palace Hotel (13:30 hours)

14:30 hours: The sleepy town of Orchha beside the Betwa River, with its medieval palaces and temples, was once the capital of the Bundela rulers. Captured in stone and frozen in time the rich legacy of this medieval city still remains. The palaces and the temples built in the 16th and 17th centuries still retain much of their pristine perfection. Jahangir Mahal, the most impressive of the three palaces, was built for the Mughal Emperor, synthesizing Muslim, and Hindu architectural styles; this 3-storey palace is built around a large central courtyard. Within the Raj Mahal Palace there are beautiful religious and secular paintings. One series is devoted to scenes from the Ramayana. The Ram Raja Temple in the town centre is the only palace-turned-temple in the whole of India where Lord Ram is worshipped as a king. The imposing Chaturbhuj Temple dominates the town and the 15 Royal Chhattris beside the river house the tombs of the former rulers. In 1783, the Bundela kings moved to Tikamgarh and, subsequently, Orchha, (meaning ‘hidden city’), fell into decline and was shortly abandoned. 

Lakshmi Narayan Temple – Built with lime mortar and bricks, the temple has cannon slots on its roof. Its well-preserved frescos portray an amalgamation of Mughal and Bundelkhandi art and the carvings on the inside depict the life of Lord Krishna. The temple also has the famous post-mutiny paintings.

16:00 hours: Following this we head to Khajuraho (3 hours 30 minutes) where we stay overnight at the Lalit Hotel. 
 

An abundance of date palms (Khajura) in the area may have led to the name of the famous temple town and World Heritage site of Khajuraho. Discovered by British Army engineers in 1839, the complex had been lost for centuries. Out of the original 85 temples, the 20 that survive are amongst the best in India and were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD. The Chandelas followed a tantric cult and believed that gratification of earthly desire was a step towards spiritual liberation. The exquisite carvings and erotic sculptures on these magnificent temples reflect an opulent lifestyle free of any inhibitions. The most important temples are the Chaunsath Yogini Temple, the Mahadev Temple, and the Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple, with its lovely 11-headed image of Vishnu. The Kandaria Mahadev Temple, which is the largest, is dedicated to Shiva. 
Also visit Chaunsath Yogini temple, an open-air sanctuary in Khajuraho dating back to 885 A.D., offers a unique experience. Unlike other temples in the area, it's made of coarse granite and isn't aligned east-west but rather northeast. To find it, exit the western group compound, turn right, and follow the lane beside Shivsagar Tank.
The temple stands on a 5.4m high platform with sixty-seven cells, thirty-five of which remain. It's rectangular, unlike other yogini temples in India which are circular. Only three images, including Hinghalaja, Brahmani, and Maheshwari, remained when Major Alexander Cunningham visited in 1865, now housed in the site museum. 
During the Navratri festival, village women place earthen pots with sprouted millet around the central cell, though the sanctuary is now devoid of images.
 

08:00 hours: Breakfast at hotel 

09:00 hours: Departure for sightseeing

Stay overnight at the Lalit Hotel.

Breakfast: 07:00 hours. 

An early start we leave Khajuraho by 07:30 hours to travel from Khajuraho to Prayagraj by road (6 hours 30 minute drive). 

On arrival, we visit Lalita Devi Temple. Revered as the ‘queen of Prayag’, Lalita Devi occupies a special place amongst the many Gods and Goddesses blessing the holy land of Prayagraj. Her sacred habitat, the Lalita Devi Temple is located in the Meerapur colony, on the banks of River Yamuna. One of the 51 Shaktipeethas in the Indian subcontinent, this temple completes the trinity of Shaktipeeths in Prayagraj, along with Kalyani Devi and Alopi Devi. It is believed that Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, the three divine rivers of the Triveni Sangam wash her feet making her the supreme deity of the city.

Later transfer and check-in at WelcomHeritage Badi Kothi 

We then take a boat ride (around 1630 hours) to visit Sangam - the confluence of the three holiest Rivers in Hinduism. (Subject to water level)

Sightseeing tour of Prayagraj (Allahabad)

Allahabad Public Library also known as Thornhill Mayne Memorial is a public library situated at Alfred Park in Allahabad. Established in 1864, it is the biggest library in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The library has an approximate collection of 125,000 books, 40 types of magazines and 28 different newspapers in Hindi, English, Urdu and Bangla and contains 21 Arabic manuscripts. It also has a collection of old government publications, parliamentary papers, and blue books of the 19th century, old manuscripts and journals. 

All Saints Cathedral, located on the M.G Road is one of the famous cathedrals in Allahabad. Constructed in the 19th century, the entire cathedral is built in Gothic style. The church was designed by one of the eminent architect, Sir William Emerson. He was the one who also designed the Victoria Memorial/Kolkata. 

The erstwhile ancestral home of the Nehru family, today Anand Bhawan has been turned into a fine museum. Here, many momentous decisions and events related to the freedom struggle took place. The main building houses a museum that displays the memorabilia of the Nehru family. 

Khusro Bagh is a large garden in which tombs of Khusro, son of emperor Jahagir and Sultan Begum are located. The three sandstone mausoleums within this walled garden, present an exquisite example of Mughal architecture The design of its main entrance, the surrounding gardens, and the three-tier tomb of Sultan Begum has been attributed to Aqa Reza, Jahangir’s principal court artist. 

12:30 hours: Return for lunch at the hotel. 

08:00 hours Breakfast at hotel

09:00 hour depart sightseeing 

Transfer by road to Varanasi (approximately 03 hours’ drive).

Check-in at Palace on Ganges Hotel

Sunrise boat ride & private puja (religious ceremony) on the ghats (steps leading to the water). We depart at 0600 hours.

Very early in the morning you will take a boat ride along the bathing ghats on the Holy River Ganges. At sunrise the Hindu faithful flock to the river to cleanse themselves of their sins. You see the cremation ghats and the Deswameedha ghats. To die in Varanasi is to end the Hindu cycle of re-birth, thereby making it a popular place to end one's life. Thus we take you to see the most profound ritual of passage on the Manikarnika Ghat. You will be introduced to the history and mythology associated with this Ghat. Also understand the rites being performed and see the inner workings of this unique place. Perform an exclusive puja on the Ghats of Ganges by performing Yajna (a ritual of offerings accompanied by chanting of Vedic mantras) The ancient Rishis or sages had broadly categorized wisdom into three streams of knowledge, namely, Ayurveda (involved with the gross physical body), Yoga (exercises for the subtle body or spirit) and Tantra (involved with mental and metaphysical abilities). 

Mantras or chants help him visualize and evoke the divine power, giving it form and potency. Mantras also help the follower harness the true power of cosmic vibrations. Daily Mantroccharana (chanting of Mantras) helps the aspirant create a strong identification with deity, so that the form becomes his "Ishta-Devata" or "prime meditational deity". 

Mudras - Tantriks believe that Mudras or gestures further enhance his attempts at attaining control over himself and over the mystical forces of nature as well. Mandalas and Yantras, which are various diagrammatic representations of the forces of the universe, are believed to further aid the seeker and help him achieve spiritual and magical powers.

 0900 hours: Breakfast at the hotel

1100 hours: Sightseeing tour of Varanasi including a visit to Benaras Hindu University and Aghori Ashram 

One of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi has a uniquely spiritual atmosphere and is one of the holiest places in India. Temples of note include the Bharat Mata Temple and the Durga Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple. Emperor Aurangzeb's Mosque, the Well of Knowledge and Vishwanath Temple, known as the “Golden Temple” are also worth visiting. 

Aghori is a Shaivite Hindu sect – mostly composed of ascetic sadhus – believed to have split off from the tantric Kapalika order (which dates from 1000) in India in the 14th century. The Aghori are known for their extreme and outlandish violations of typical Indian and other social mores, as well as their unorthodox, taboo rituals which have caused many mainstream Hindus to condemn them as non-Hindu. 

1400 hours: “Benarasi Thali” lunch at Shree Shivay Restaurant.

Sarnath – 8km from Varanasi is the holy Buddhist city of Sarnath. Lord Buddha gave his first sermon here after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya. The huge Dhamek Stupa marks the spot where Buddha first preached. The Sarnath Museum has a small but extremely impressive collection of Buddhist artefacts including the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Overnight at the hotel - Palace on Ganges 

A day of travel: 

0900 hours: Breakfast at the hotel 

1000 hours: Transfer to Varanasi Airport to board IndiGo Airlines flight
Flight 6E 6362 for Varanasi – Delhi (1305 / 1440) 
On arrival, further connect with IndiGo Airlines flight
Flight 6E 2582 for Delhi – Dehradun (1755 / 1855) 

On arrival, transfer by road to Rishikesh (approximately 45 minutes’ drive) and check-in at The Neeraj Ganga Heritage Palace.  

Rishikesh (‘Hair of Sages’) is a holy town, nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a religious centre with many ashrams and is also a centre for yoga and white water rafting on the Ganges. The evening Aarti prayer ceremony at Triveni Ghat on the banks of this, the holiest of rivers, is a mesmerising experience. It is also interesting to visit Sivananda Ashram, where discourses are in English and cover Hindu religious texts. The Beatles visited Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at his Ashram in Rishikesh during the early 1960’s. 

0700 hours: Yoga session at a private venue (approximately 01 hour session) 
The venue for yoga will be either close to the cafeteria or at the Ghats.

0900 hours: Breakfast at the hotel 

1000 hours: Sightseeing tour of Rishikesh including a visit to Kunjapuri Temple

Kunjapuri temple is one of the must visit places of Tehri district not just because of its story related to gods and goddesses but also for the panoramic view of Garhwal Himalayan peaks like Swarga Rohini, Gangotri, Banderpunch and Chaukhamba to the north and Rishikesh, Haridwar and Doon Valley to the south it provides to the visitors. The temple Kunjapuri is situated on the top of the hill Kunjapuri 1,676m. high, 7 km away from Narendra Nagar and around 15 km from Rishikesh.

Evening witness Aarti ceremony at Parmarth Niketan (Aarti timings to be confirmed locally).
The Ganga Aarti at Rishikesh is an unforgettably spiritual experience. Performed each evening at sundown at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram, on the banks of the holy river Ganga, it is an event to gladden the heart, feed the soul and create harmony with the elements. Fire, Water, Earth, Air combine in perfect synergy during this ritual and leave you with a feeling of having witnessed perfection.
 

The Ganges River, on its journey to the Bay of Bengal finally leaves the mountains in Haridwar, located at the foot of the Shiwalik Hills it is one of the 7 holy cities of Hinduism. Haridwar, which means Vishnu’s Gate, is located on the west bank of the Ganges and attracts a constant stream of pilgrims and ash covered sadhus, who come to bathe in the river and cleanse themselves of any sin. Hari-ki-Pauri ghat is where Vishnu left his footprint, and every evening the highly charged and spectacularly spiritual evening Aarti ceremony takes place here.

0700 hours: Yoga session at a private venue (approximately 01 hour session) 

0900 hours: Breakfast at the hotel 

1300 hours: Excursion to Haridwar (approximately 01 hour and 30 minutes’ drive each way)

On arrival, visit Haridwar Temples

The Daksh Mahadev Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and is named after King Daksh Prajapati, the father of Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva's wife. Legend has it that during a holy yajna hosted by King Daksh at this site, Goddess Sati, feeling insulted as Lord Shiva was not invited, immolated herself in the yajna. In retaliation, Lord Shiva's followers killed King Daksh, but Shiva later revived him with the head of a male goat. The repentant king was forgiven by Lord Shiva, who declared that he would reside in Kankhal during the month of Saavan (June-August). The Sati Kund on the banks of the Ganga River is also deemed sacred and is mentioned in the Mahabharata.

Evening witness Aarti ceremony at Har-ki-Pauri (prayer ceremony) (Aarti timings to be confirmed locally).The ceremony (approximately of 01 hour duration), starting with sacred chants and a ‘Yagna’ or fire ceremony, during which a mixture of sacred herbs and ghee (clarified butter) are poured into the fire in order to dispel negative energies, is concluded with the Aarti, during which the river is worshipped as the source of life on the physical plane, and as a symbol of the eternal life circle on the metaphysical plane.

Overnight at the Neeraj Ganga Heritage Palace 
 

0900 hours: Breakfast at the hotel 

1000 hours: Transfer by road to Delhi (approximately 06 hours’ drive). Lunch suggested en-route 

On arrival, check-in at Lemon Tree Premier Hotel, Aerocity

Evening at leisure (Vehicle and driver not included)

Our last morning of the tour. An opportunity to have a lazy breakfast and exchange notes on how the trip was. 

0900 hours: Breakfast at the hotel 

Note: Hotel check out is at 1200 hours

In time, transfer to Delhi International Airport Terminal 3 to board flight for onward destination