Kashi Tour Package

Monday, May 12, 2025

KASHI TOUR 8 DAYS PACKAGE (BUDDHIST CIRCUIT)

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Varanasi

Arrival at Varanasi Airport/Railway Station check in to Hotel & Visit Buddhist Town Sarnath The hallowed spot where Lord Buddha Preached His First Sermon after Enlightenment in Deer Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a Modem Temple, The Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi Stupa & Dhamek Stupa are Outstanding, There are Newly Built 80 Feet Lord Buddha Statue is the Also a Alteration, There are also the remains of a Monastery & the Beautifully Polished Lion Capital of Ashoka, Overnight Stay in Varanasi.

Day 2 Varanasi-Bodhgaya

After Breakfast proceed to Bodhgaya is the place where Gautama Buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment. On arrival check into hotel and the rest of the day is free. You can leave for attending evening prayer at Mahabodhi temple. Later, return to the hotel and have a comfortable stay at night in Bodhgaya.

Day 3 Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna

After breakfast, depart for Patna enroute visit Rajgir & Nalanda. Rajgir was the capital of the Magadha kingdom and is a pilgrimage for Jains and Hindus as well. The Japanese Buddhists have built the massive Viswa Shanti Stupa on the Ratnagiri Hill which can be accessed by a chairlift. The Stupa has statues of Buddha at the four stages of his life – birth, enlightenment, teaching and death. From the hill top, the Jain shrines can also be viewed scattered across 26 distant hills. Griddhakuta, located on Ratnagiri Hill is another site where Buddha stopped by to preach .Nalanda is the ancient university town of Bihar, goes back to the days of Buddha and Mahavira in the Sixth Century B.C. The town was home to Nalanda Mahavihara, a monastic university of international repute. After Proceed to for check in hotel & Overnight stay at Patna.

Day 4 Patna- Vaishali – Kushinagar

After breakfast, take a local sightseeing tour of Patna. This would include Golghar (built as agranary), Gandhi Museum, Patna Museum, Har Mandir Takht, Qila House or Jalan Museum with some really rare relics like Napoleon’s bed and Marie Antoinette’s porcelain; and the ruins of Pataliputra. Back to hotel after Lunch proceed to kushinagar enroute visit vaishali place where Buddha announced the approaching of his Mahaparinirvana. After that continue drive to Kushinagar on arrival check in into hotel Overnight stay.

Day 5 Kushinagar – Lumbini

Morning proceeds to visit Mahaparinirvana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha. Later drive to Lumbini – the birth place of Lord Buddha (180 kms and 05 hrs drive). On arrival, transfer to hotel. . Later visit the birth place of Buddha-Mayadevi Temple. This place is a blessed one for its serenity and the natural beauty, purely coinciding to the perception of a place where the legend was born. Overnight stay at Lumbini hotel.

Day 6 Lumbini - Kapilavastu – Sravasti

Morning leave for Sravasti (225 kms and 5.30 hrs drive) enroute visiting Kapilavastu–the childhood home of Gautam Buddha & Visit Maha Parinirwana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha), Japan Temple. After that proceed to Overnight stay in Sravasti.

Day 7 Sravasti-Varanasi

Sravasti where the Buddha preached most of his sermons. Here he is said to have performed many miracles, and levitated. During the monsoon, Visit Sahet Mahetand Angulimal caves where Buddha used to stay at the Jetavana monastery on the outskirts of this town. Visit Jetvana and Ananda Bodhi Tree. Then drive to Varanasi, Overnight stay at Varanasi.

Day 8 Varanasi Departure

After Breakfast check out from Hotel & drop at Varanasi Airport/Railway Station for your destination with sweet memories….

………………… Tour End with Sweet Memories …………………

Friday, May 2, 2025

Prayagraj Tourism

Situated on the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, Allahabad is one of the holiest cities associated with Hinduism. Situated in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the city was went by the name of Prayag and is today one of the four sites where the is held every 12 years. The city’s original name Prayag (translated as place of offerings) owes its origin to the fact that it was located at the sangam or confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh

Allahabad is one of the four venues of the Kumbh Mela held besides Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik and also finds mention in the travelogues of the Chinese traveler Hsuan Tsang who described it as part of Harshavardhan’s empire. In 1575, the Mughal emperor Akbar visited Prayag and renamed the city Illahabad, which was later anglicized to Allahabad. Allahabad became the provincial capital city of the Mughal Empire ans was also invaded by the Marathas. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation of 1858 by which power was transferred from East India Company to British Crown was read out by Lord Canning in Allahabad. Allahabad became one of the hot spots of India’s freedom movement against the British rule and played an active role during the mutiny of 1857.

The city has given India most number of Prime Ministers (seven) post Independence.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD)

There are several options for accommodation in Allahabad at a convenient distance from the railway station and bus depot. A room in a budget hotel should set you back by a minimum of Rs 1000. It is advisable to opt for an AC room as it is generally warm throughout the peak summer months.

One can also get deluxe rooms which offer transport services, and extra facilities like swimming pools and health clubs. Hotels in the city center organize trips around the city.

BEST PLACES TO EAT IN PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD)

Allahabad is a modern city, where finding good restaurants isn’t a problem. The Mughlai cuisine of Allahabad is very famous and you shouldn’t miss the Mughal themed restaurants here. There are various dishes and options to satisfy your taste buds. Loknath area of the city is a favorite spot for foodies, offering street-food and typical Allahabadi culture.

There are budget as well as mid-range restaurants available all over the city. Most restaurants do not offer liquor on their menu. Drinking alcohol in public is frowned upon, while drinking it in family restaurants is not allowed at all.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ALLAHABAD (Prayagraj)

The average minimum and maximum temperature of Allahabad is as given below. The best time to visit Allahabad is also specified.

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Dev Diwali In Varanasi 2025

Dev Diwali or Dev Deepawali is a Hindu festival observed in the Hindu month of ‘Kartik’, celebrated with great pomp and show in the Indian city of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh. Dev Diwali is the ‘Festival of Lights of the Gods’ and falls on the Kartik Purnima (full moon day), fifteen days after the celebrations of Diwali. It corresponds to the month of November-December in the Gregorian calendar.

This religious ceremony is started by chanting of the holy Vedic mantras by the priests, lighting diyas at the ghats and the sparkling of fire crackers, to welcome and please the Gods and Goddesses.

Dev Diwali 2025 is on November 5

On the occasion of Dev Diwali, all the ghats of River Ganga is lighted with thousands of diyas and crowded with pilgrims. This utsav is celebrated every year in the holy city of Varanasi. The festivities can also be witnessed in Gujarat and other northern states of India. In the Indian state of Maharashtra, Dev Diwali is observed on the first day of the month of ‘Margashirsh’. Dev Diwali is commemorated to honour the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon named ‘Tripurasur’. For this reason, this festival is also known as ‘Tripurotsav’. The festival of Dev Diwali coincides with Guru Nanak Jayanti and Jain light festival.

Rituals of Dev Diwali:

The main ritual of Dev Diwali is the lighting of diyas after seeing the moon. The steps of every ghats of River Ganga, right from southernmost Ravidas Ghat to Rajghat, are illuminated with millions of diyas lit in honour of Goddess Ganga and other presiding devas.

The devotees get up early on the day of Dev Diwali and perform the ‘Kartik snan’, that is a ritual of taking a dip in the holy Ganges). They perform ‘deepdan’ (offering oil lamps) in the honour of Goddess Ganga. Following this ‘Ganga aarti’ is performed by 24 Brahmin Priests along with 24 girls, with full devotion.

On this occasion of Dev Diwali, people decorate their houses with oil lamps. Colourful designs or rangoli are made on the front doors. In several houses in Varanasi, ‘Akhand Ramayana’ is organized along with offering bhogs.

In the evening, on the streets of Varanasi, huge processions of beautifully decorated deities are taken out with full enthusiasm. The night sky is lit up with the lights of the firecrackers. After the event, dance performances and cultural programmes by famous personalities of Varanasi also takes place.

Sawan 2025 in kashi (Varanasi)

Sawan 2025 in kashi

Hindus regard the month of 'Sawan', also known as 'Shravan month', as auspicious for worshipping Lord Shiva. Every Monday during this month, devotees observe 'Shravan Somwar' or 'Sawan Somwar', a fast. They also pray to Lord Shiva for his blessing. Many worshippers fast for sixteen Mondays, or 'Solah Somwar', beginning with the first Somwar of the Sawan month. While Mondays are reserved for Lord Shiva, all Tuesdays or Mangalwar in Sawan month are reserved for Goddess Parvati. Fasting on Tuesday during Sawan month is known as 'Mangal Gauri Vrat', according to Drik Panchang. Other auspicious days in Shravan month include Sawan Shivaratri and Hariyali Amavasya.

WHEN IS SAWAN MONTH BEGINNING?

After about 19 years, the month of Shravan dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva will be celebrated for two months this year, and the main reason for this is 'Malamas'. The month of Shravan or Sawan will begin on July 25, 2025, and end on August 23, 2025.

Malamas, formerly known as 'Adhikmas', is a three-year extra month that falls between the months of February and October.

Sawan Somvar Vrat 2025:

Solah Somvar Vrat:

Some devotees continue to fast on Monday even after Sawan. Beginning with the first Somwar (Monday), they fast for the next sixteen Mondays. The sixteen-day fasting period is known as Solah Somwar Vrat. The weekly Monday fast was observed for one day, and food was consumed only once in the evening. Sawan generally observes fasting during the months of July, August, and September.

SIGNIFICANCE OF SAWAN MONTH:

According to Hindu legend, Lord Shiva consumed the poison that arose from the ocean during the 'Samudra Manthan' and thus saved the world. As a result, his devotees observe the Sawan or Shravan month to pray to the Lord, who always protects and blesses his followers with good health and fortune.

Sawan is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, falling between July and August. Devotees observe fasts and pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for a peaceful and prosperous life on this special occasion. They also go on 'Kanwar Yatra', where they collect water from holy rivers and carry Kanwars on their shoulders to offer to Shivlingas at nearby temples. Every year, thousands of devout pilgrims make the journey. Furthermore, it is said that the holy water should not be kept on the floor or any other surface until it is offered to Lord Shiva.

Friday, April 18, 2025

Rathyatra Mela: A Grand Celebration in Varanasi

Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, is renowned for its vibrant festivals, each echoing the city’s deep-rooted cultural and religious heritage. Among these, the Rathyatra Mela holds a special place. Celebrated with grandeur, this festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath and symbolizes unity, devotion, and joy. It attracts thousands of devotees and tourists, offering a glimpse into Varanasi’s spiritual fervor.

Historical and Religious Significance of Rathyatra

The Rathyatra, or the "Chariot Festival," traces its origins to Puri, Odisha, where Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, is taken out in a grand procession on giant chariots. In Varanasi, the festival gained prominence through the efforts of the legendary saint Goswami Tulsidas, who infused local traditions into the celebration. It signifies Lord Jagannath’s annual journey to meet his devotees and bless the city.

The Grand Procession

The highlight of the Rathyatra Mela is the magnificent chariot procession, where beautifully adorned chariots carrying the deities are pulled by enthusiastic devotees.

Start and Route:
- The procession begins at the Jagannath Temple in Varanasi and meanders through the narrow, vibrant streets of the city.
- Devotees sing bhajans and chant the holy names, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Devotion in Motion:
- Devotees believe pulling the chariot earns divine blessings.
- The event showcases a sense of community, transcending barriers of caste, creed, and class.

Highlights of the Rathyatra Mela

1. Cultural Programs:

The mela features classical music and dance performances inspired by Lord Jagannath’s glory.
Ramayana and Mahabharata recitations are a crowd favorite.

2. Spiritual Activities:

Special rituals and prayers are performed at the Jagannath Temple.
Devotees offer prasad, flowers, and heartfelt prayers during the procession.

3. The Festive Bazaar:

The mela also includes a vibrant fair with stalls selling handicrafts, traditional clothes, and local delicacies like kachoris and jalebis.
Fun rides and games add to the festive charm, making it a family-friendly event.

The Unforgettable Experience

The Rathyatra Mela is not just a festival; it’s an immersive experience of spirituality and cultural grandeur. The sight of the beautifully decorated chariots, the sound of conch shells and drums, and the aroma of incense and flowers create a multisensory celebration that leaves a lasting impression.

Tips for Visitors

When to Visit: The festival usually occurs in June or July, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar.
Where to Go: The starting point is the Jagannath Temple in Varanasi, a must-visit during the festival.
What to Expect: Expect large crowds, vibrant energy, and an unforgettable spiritual experience.
Travel Suggestions: Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot and wear comfortable shoes for walking.

Conclusion

The Rathyatra Mela in Varanasi beautifully encapsulates the city’s devotion and cultural richness. It’s a celebration that transcends time, bringing together people from all walks of life in a spirit of love and unity. Witnessing this grand festival is a must for anyone visiting Varanasi during this time.