Holiday Itinerary: Religious Art & RitualTour: Buddhist, Jain and Hindu

 

From Unmanifest to Manifest : Rock Temples and Islamic Culture of the Deccan Plateau

 

PROGRAM:

 

The tour organized in the Deccan Plateau in the state of Maharashtra. The region not only has a strong Hindu flavor that permeates the rural regions but also hamlets of indigenized Islamic culture that is reflected in rituals, crafts, language and architecture.

 

Day 1: Arrival in Mumbai:

 

Starting Point – Hotel Oberoi: Orientation Program

 

Day 1 Drive through:

 

Corporate District

 

Nariman Point, Ballard Estate , Get off and walk: Art District , Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Hotel, Kala Ghoda, Prince of Wales, National Gallery of Modern Art, Jehangir Art Gallery, Street Galleries , Drive through: Civic Hub, University, High Court, Oval Maidan ,. The Promenade : Marine Drive – Queens necklace and Chowpatty Sea Face

 

Get off and view from top:

 

Dhobighaat: A unique gem in the urban concrete jungle of Bombay is the Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghats, traditional; washer men’s heritage.

 

Day 2:

 

Visit to the Rock Temples of Elephanta Caves with an art historian, return to relish fresh sea food and Konkani Culture

 

Day3:

 

Fly to Aurangabad:

 

Tour of the City of Aurangabad :

 

Showcasing the Black Taj Mahal, a Sufi monastery, a visit to view Himroo textile weavers and a lecture at dinner time on the Buddhist Ajanta Caves.

 

Day4:

 

Tour of the World Heritage Site Ajanta Caves:

 

The route to the caves is a special nature walk that surrounds the caves and sets the mood to imbibe the mood in which the caves are set. The walk is conducted by a local person who communicates the knowledge on various herbs and tress used by locals as medicines. The narrative of the tour decodes in details various political historical, artistic and philosophical aspects and ends with a special lecture on the archetype sculpture of the dying Buddha.

 

Day 5:

 

The tour begins with a visit to the ancient Grineshwar Shiva Temple. The audience experiences the live culture of Shiva worship. This will be followed by a detailed visit to the World Heritage Monument - Ellora caves. The choice in this site will be to view three major temples- Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temple. Special performance of dance of Shiva, as well as Buddhist chants will be included in the narratives. Return to the hotel to catch the flight back to Delhi.

 

Day 6:

 

Arrival in Delhi: A Delhi heritage walk followed by a welcome dinner

 

Day 7:

 

Fly to Varanasi:

 

Varanasi is not only one of the oldest living cities of the world but a fascinating one. Having covered the city as part of her doctoral studies Dr. Navina Jafa will unravel some unique features of the town in your orientation program and if you choose you can hire her services to accompany you. Besides this the tour will decode life and culture along the river ganga including interactions with funeral specialists.

 

Day 8:

 

Drive to Sarnath to visit first the school of Buddhist studies followed by a visit to the Sarnath museum that houses one of the most spectacular Buddhist art pieces. Return to the city of Varanasi to view the river front worship of the River Ganges. A narrative on the symbolism of river worship will be performed

 

Day 9:

 

Early morning drive to river front. We will access Varanasi on the boat.The stops will include a visit to the cremation ground, a medieval Maratha, Nepali Temple a visit to a musician's house visited by Beatles and much more.

 

Return to the hotel for late breakfast and then go to visit the temple of India with a special lecture on Nation in Imagination. This will be followed by a peek into the textile industry and some shopping.

 

Day 10:

 

Khajuraho Exhibit titled: Beyond the Erotics: Khajuraho:

 

The tour will showcase the Hindu and Jain temples of Khajuraho. The objective of the tour will be to decode the iconography of the temples, and to explain the art of Hindu Temple and Indian Sculptures that display not only the magnificent sculptural art, but also the science of the temple architecture, and tantric yoga and art.

 

Day 11:

 

morning tour to Jain temples and then return to Delhi

 

Day 12:

 

Return Home option of going to visit Taj for a day.

 

Link to Invisible-Visible India:

 

 

 

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