India has some of the most famous world heritage sites of the world such as Elephanta, Karla, Bhaja, Bedsa, Ajanta & Ellora caves. Witness the rich heritage of ancient monuments representing different phases of development in art and architectural style. The rock cut architectural beauty seen in almost all the cave temples spread over entire Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh is a fine example of the majestic architectural glory of ancient India.

These Indian caves are not only famous Jain pilgrimage centers, they are also the hallmarks of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of India.

Day 1
ARRIVE MUMBAI

Arrive Mumbai by International flight. Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Mumbai.

Day 2
MUMBAI

AM: Excursion to Elephanta Caves. The Elephanta Island is the site of the magnificent Elephanta caves, containing beautiful carvings, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. These caves are located at a distance of 11-km from Mumbai and are now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island of Elephanta, being a commercial, military and religions centre for centuries has traces of early Buddhist culture.

The Elephanta caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings belonging to the period between 9th - 12th centuries. With the Brahminical resurgence during the reign of Gupta dynasty in 3rd century AD, these great caves dedicated to Lord Shiva exploded into existence at Elephanta. Legend and history suggest that the great warrior prince of Chalukya dynasty Pulkesin ll raised the shrine to celebrate his victory. Some historians also suggest that the Kalchuri King Krishnaraja built these caves in 6th century AD.

As the worship of the figure of Buddha began to be encouraged with rise of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, a shrine was introduced to house Buddha's image, replacing the cells at the centre of the back wall. The Monasteries of Ajanta lead us directly to Elephanta. It appears that the same families of craftsmen and sculptors who were working on the Kailasa temple of Ellora and adjoining Buddhist caves at Ellora were employed at Elephanta.

PM: City tour. Overnight in Mumbai.

Day 3
MUMBAI

AM: Visit the Kanheri Caves.

Buddhist caves at Kanheri are about 42-km away from Mumbai, situated on Salsette Island amidst wooded hills and valleys. These caves are an excellent work of architecture. According to the historians the caves were caved between 200 BC and 600 AD. Few sculptures excavated in these caves are amazing and beautiful. In these Buddhist caves or monasteries, which are Spartan and bare, monks practised their austerities around the second century AD. The complex contains 109 caves cut by hand on the flank of a hill; each fitted with a stone plinth that evidently served as a bed. One can also see a congregation hall supported by huge stone pillars that contains the 'Dagoba', a kind of Buddhist shrine. Kanheri dedicated to one of the world's great religions houses colossal Buddhas more than 20 feet tall, an 11-headed "Bodisattva" (Buddhist saint) and even a "Nagaraja", an ancient pre-Buddhist serpent king guarding the most famous Buddhist Chaitya hall.

PM: Free at leisure. Overnight in Mumbai.

Day 4
MUMBAI - PUNE

Leave Mumbai for Pune (163 kms) enroute visiting Karla, Bhaja & Bhedsa Caves.

Karla is the finest example of rock-cut architecture in Maharashtra, which is carved out of living rock by monks and artisans. Some of its 2000-year-old wooden beams are still intact. The Karla Cave is the largest Hinayana Buddhist chaitya (temple) in India built in the time of the Hinayana sect during the Satavahanas (also spelt as Satavahan) rule. A pillar topped by four back - to - back lions stands outside the cave and is reputed to be very old. At the entrance there is a temple, which was recently built, accompanied by a pillar from the Buddhist period. Carved temple screens, sculpted with railing ornaments and human couples, form the facade of the caves. The panels of the wooden doors and windows are finely decorated with intricate sculptures of couples embracing. One will also come across a 45-meter (148-foot) long Chaitya, possibly the finest of its kind in the country.

The Bhaja caves, on the southern flank of the Visapur fort, are among the earliest, dating from the second to the early 1st century BC, during the Hinayana phase of Buddhism. They are located 3-km from the main road that consists of Viharas and Chaityas, set in lush green surroundings. The last cave has some fine sculptures. It is very peaceful out here and there is a waterfall near the caves, which is considered ideal for a refreshing dip. Nearby are the Lohagad and Visapur Fort, which are worth a visit.
Bedsa caves are one of the most old in Maharashtra. These are 15 kms to the South of Kamshet railway station. Bedsa completes the Trio kept incomplete by Karla and Bhaja. There is a village named Bedsa near the caves. These are at the south of Raut wadi. Though a very good place to visit is not very often crowded. The beauty of these caves is best viewed in the mornings. These caves are 1000 years old. There is a strange story told by villagers about these caves that - The details about the caves and the entire history of the caves was painted and carved on the walls of the cave. But it so happened that a Senior British Officer was to visit the caves, hence a local officer painted the entire caves and the details were lost behind the paint. The truth of this story is not yet known but still it is an interesting story to listen.

On arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Pune.

Day 5
PUNE

Full day city tour of Pune visiting the Kelkar Museum, Osho Ashram & Shaniwar Wada.

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune houses an enormous number of over 20,000 collections of objects and artifacts collected from all over the world. Built in a Rajasthani-style, the museum has a vast collection of paintings, handicrafts, armour-suits, musical instruments and many other objects of art. The galleries give the onlooker a clear depiction of the life and culture of the Marathas.

Bajiroa first constructed Shaniwar Wada - the palace in the 1730. It was a 13-storey building. There is a story about why this place was chosen for the construction. It seems that the Thorale (Elder) Bajirao once saw a rabbit chasing a dog in this place. Taking inspiration from this Shaniwar Wada was built, a place, which would never see defeat. It used to be the head quarter of the Peshwas and it symbolizes Pune's culture. Looking at the construction one understands how the structure was built giving highest priority to security. The main entrance is known as 'Delhi Darwaza', others have names like Ganesh, Mastani, Jambhal, Khidki.

Evening: Attend Sound & Light Show at Shaniwar Wada. Overnight in Pune.

Day 6
PUNE - AURANGABAD

Leave Pune for Aurangabad (214 kms). On arrival check-in at the hotel.

Aurangabad is a historical city located in the west central part of Maharashtra State, on the banks of Kham River. Aurangabad is located 630m above sea level and is also the district headquarters of Aurangabad district. The Sahyadri (Western Ghat) Mountains dominate its physiography. This is the largest city in the Northern Maharashtra region extending over an area of 158.9-sq-kms.

PM: City tour of Aurangabad. Overnight in Aurangabad.

Day 7
AURANGABAD

AM: Excursion to Ellora Caves.

The Ellora caves, 34 in number, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill and are the finest specimens of cave - temple architecture. They house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain.

PM: Visit the Aurangabad Caves which are a travelers paradise that illustrate the tales from the "Jatakas", a large collection of stories about the previous incarnations of Lord Buddha. Overnight in Aurangabad.

Day 8
AURANGABAD - JALGAON

Leave Aurangabad for Jalgaon (156 kms) visiting the Ajanta Caves enroute.

Ajanta caves are located 166km away from Aurangabad district in the state of Maharashtra. Ajanta caves were carved out from between 2nd century BC to 6th century AD predating those at Ellora.. As Ellora developed and Buddhism gradually declined, the Ajanta caves were abandoned and eventually forgotten. But in 1819 a British hunting party stumbled upon them, and their remote beauty was soon unveiled. Their isolation contributed to their fine state of preservatioin in which some of their remarkable paintings remain to this day. Ajanta is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The 29 caves are cut into the steep face of a horseshoe-shaped rock gorge on the Waghore river. They are sequentially numbered from one end to the other. Five of the caves are chatyas while the other 24 are viharas.

On arrival at Jalgaon check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Jalgaon.

Day 9
JALGAON - DHAR

Leave Jalgaon for Dhar. On arrival check-in at the hotel.

Historically and culturally, Dhar District has occupied an important place throught its epoch-ancient, mediaeval and morden. Dhar, known as Dhar Nagari in ancient period and Piran Dhar in mediaeval period, has had the privilege of being the capital city, both in the ancient and in the early mediaeval periods.

PM: City tour of Dhar. Overnight in Dhar.

Day 10
DHAR
Full day excursion to Omkareshwar, Maheshwar & Mandu.

Omkareshwar, the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, 'Om', has drawn to it hundreds of generations of pilgrims. Here, at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, the devout gather to kneel before the Jyotirlinga (one of the twelve throughout India) at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata. And here, as in so many of Madhya Pradesh's sacred shrines, the works of nature complement those of man to provide a setting awe-inspiring in its magnificence.

Maheshwar was a glorious city at the dawn of Indian civilization when it was Mahishmati, capital of king Kartivarjun. This temple town on the banks of the river Narmada finds mention in the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Revived to its ancient position of importance by the Holkar queen Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. Maheshwar's temples and mighty fort-complex stand in quiet beauty, mirrored in the river below.

Mandu - Perched along the Vindhya ranges at an altitude of 2,000 feet, Mandu, with its natural defenses, was originally the fort capital of the Parmar rulers of Malwa. Towards the end of the 13th century, it came under the sway of the Sultans of Malwa, the first of whom named it Shadiabad - 'city of joy'. And indeed the pervading spirit of Mandu was of gaiety, and its rulers built exquisite palaces like the Jahaz and Hindola Mahals, ornamental canals, baths and pavilions, as graceful and refined as those times of peace and plenty.

Overnight in Dhar.

Day 11
DHAR - UJJAIN - INDORE

Leave Mandu for Indore enroute visiting Ujjain. Visit the temples & Bhartrihari caves in Ujjain.

Bhartrihari- these caves are situated just above the bank of the Shipra River near the temple of Gadkalika. According to popular tradition, this is the spot where Bhartrihari, who is said to have been the stepbrother of Vikramaditya, lived and meditated after renouncing worldly life. He is believed to have been a great scholar and poet. His famous works, Shringarshatak, Vairagyashatak, and Nitishatak, are known for the exquisite use of the Sanskrit meter.

On arrival in Indore, check-in at the hotel.

Indore - Planned and built by Rani Ahilyabai, the brave Holkar queen, Indore lies to the extreme west of Madhya Pradesh on the banks of the rivers Saraswati and Khan, which unite at the centre of the city. The bustling and vibrant city derives its name from the 18th century Indreshwar temple. The history of Indore is inseparable from the history of the Holkar State. The founder of the House of Holkars was Malhar Rao Holkar, born in 1693 AD. His soldierly qualities brought him to the forefront under the Peshwa and he was rewarded with the gift of territories comprising the Indore region. His grandson, on whose death, without issue, his mother, Maharani Devi Ahilya Bai ascended the throne, succeeded Malhar Rao.

Overnight in Indore.

Day 12
INDORE - BHOPAL

AM: City tour of Indore. Later leave Indore for Bhopal by surface (186 kms). On arrival check-in at the hotel.

Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh combines scenic beauty, historicity and modern urban planning. It is situated on the site of an 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja.

Overnight in Bhopal.

Day 13
BHOPAL

AM: Excursion to Sanchi - Sanchi, is an unmatched repository of Buddhist art and architecture. Located on a secluded hill crowned by a group of stupas and gateways, it occupies a unique position in the history of Buddhism. Its stupas, chaityas, temples, monasteries and gateways are embellished by the most delicate carvings that depict various indicents in the Buddha’s life as well as some of his important teachings.

PM: Excursion to Bhojpur & Bhimbetka

Bhojpur - Founded by the legendary Parmar King of Dhar, Raja Bhoj (1010-1053), and named after him, Bhojpur, 28 km from Bhopal, is renowned for the remains of its magnificent Shiva temple and Cyclopean dam. The temple, which has earned the nomenclature of the Somnath of the east, is known as the Bhojeshwar Temple. The temple was never completed and the earthen ramp used to raise it to dome-level still stands. Had it been completed, it would have had very few rivals. As it is, even with the ravages of time, it remains one of the best examples of temple architecture of the 11th - 13th centuries.

Bhimbetka, surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhyan ranges, lies 46 kms south of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs there are over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age with vivid paintings depicting the life of the prehistoric cave dwellers. Executed mainly in red and white with an occasional use of green and yellow, the themes are from those bygone days depicting everyday events like hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant riders, animals fighting, honey collection, decoration of bodies, masks and household scenes. Animals such as bison, tiger, lion, wild boar, elephant, antelope, dog, crocodile etc., have been abundantly painted in some caves.

Overnight in Bhopal.

Day 14
BHOPAL - GWALIOR

AM: City tour of Bhopal. Transfer to railway station to board train to Gwalior. Leave Bhopal for Gwalior by Shatabdi Express. Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Gwalior.

Day 15
GWALIOR - AGRA

Gwalior - Steeped in the splendour of its past, the ancient capital of Gwalior has made a successful transition into a modern Indian city, vibrant and bustling. A multitude of reigning dynasties, of the great Rajput clans of the Pratiharas, Kacchwahas and Tomars have left indelible etchings of their rule in this city of palaces, temples and monuments. Gwalior's tradition as a royal capital continued until the formation of present day India, with the Scindias having their dynastic seat here. The magnificent mementoes of a glorious past have been preserved with care, giving Gwalior an appeal unique and timeless.

Full day city tour of Gwalior. Transfer to railway station to board train to Agra. Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel.

Agra has a rich historical background, which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and around the city. Though the heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi in the 16th century.

The main tourist attraction of Agra is the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum built by Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Once described as a ‘tear on the face of eternity’, the Taj Mahal is an enduring monument to love .The Taj was started in 1631 AD, and took 22 years to be built. Today is is counted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Its luminescent while marble is intricately carved and is a breathtaking sight.
Agra fort is another tourist attraction of this historic city. The fort complex houses palaces, gardens and mosques within its large precincts. The Jami Masjid of Agra (Mosque) is an important tourist spot, as is Itmad-Ud-Daulah's tomb, both of which are near the fort. Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble & soapstone by artisans who are hereditary craft persons.

PM: City tour of Agra visiting the Taj Mahal. Overnight in Agra.

Day 16
AGRA - DELHI

AM: Excursion to Fatehpur Sikri.

40 kms from Agra, the city of Fatehpur Sikri served as the capital of the Mughal empire between 1570 and 1586. But as abruptly as it had been built, it was abandoned. A popular legend is attached to the city's conception. According to it, Emperor Akbar was without a male heir, and therefore, made a pilgrimage to seek the blessings of the powerful saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. His prayer was fulfilled, and soon, a son was born to him. In honour of the saint, Akbar named the prince Salim, and decided to found a new city to celebrate his birth. And thus, the magnificent Fatehpur Sikri, the new capital, came into being.

The city was intended to embody the noble ideals, and the humanitarian bent of this dynamic emperor. Although a Muslim, Akbar was famous for his incredible tolerance towards other religions, and he is said to have indulged in a great deal of study and discussion in this field, in his new capital. The finest monuments within this area are the Diwan - i - Am, Diwan - i - Khas, Panch Mahal, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti.

PM: City tour of Agra visiting the Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar over the years 1565 – 1573 with its maze of courtyards, mosques, and private chambers. Most of the buildings originally built by Akbar were destroyed and were replaced by his grandson Shah Jehan. The only surviving structure from Akbar’s period apart from the solid sand stone ramparts and the gateway is the Jehangir Mahal. It is the biggest private residence in the complex and its architecture indicates strong influences from Hindu overtones. Nearby are the various buildings, which were built by Shah Jehan, Including the Khas Mahal, The Jasmine Towers, the Octagonal Tower, the Sheesh Mahal, and the Hamam’s. Ironically it was within these apartments that Shah Jehan spent his last years when his son Aurangzeb imprisoned him.

Visit the Taj Mahal – the inimitable poem in white marble. Built over a period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. It is one of the seven modern wonders of the World.

Transfer to railway station to board train to Delhi. Leave Agra for Delhi by Shatabdi Express. Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel.

Delhi is the capital of India, and has be called the soul of the country. Since the early days many dynasties and rulers flourished on its regal soil. The legacy of that past survives in the many monuments left behind by the regents, each one a living testament of it’s glory. Today, the city is a curious blend of the modern and traditional, skyscrapers, beautiful gardens and wide tree-lined avenues perpetuate the Mughal passion of landscaping and architectural excellence. More important, however, Delhi blends within its folds the great cultural variety of India, an unceasing range of activity, a million ways of saying 'You are Welcome'.

Delhi is a city of mysterious eternity, where the eternal Jamuna bears witness to it’s glorious and tumultuous 5,000 year old history . A history which began with the creation of Indraprastha by the Pandavas, and the transformation of this barren land into an idyllic haven.

Delhi has always been intrinsically identified with power and imperial sway. Not only in ancient times or the mediaeval period, Delhi has been the center of activity at all times.

Overnight in Delhi.

Day 17
DELHI

Full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. Among some of the most interesting highlights of your city tour of Old and New Delhi are the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat in the old city area and the Government Buildings, a drive through the majestic Rajpath to the India Gate, the Laxmi Narayan Temple, the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutab Minar etc.

Evening : Witness the folk dance of India followed by dinner at Chor Bizarre – a specialty restaurant. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 18
DEPART DELHI

Day free till departure. Later transfer to International airport to board onward flight.

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Have a great trip! This itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and AirCruise.

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