While the actual beginnings of Yoga are sketchy, basis the transcriptions available, it can be traced back to 5000 years when the beginnings were developed in the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India. The first mention of the word yoga is found in the oldest sacred texts, the Rig Veda. Yoga was slowly refined and developed by the Brahmans and Rishis who documented their practices and beliefs in the Upanishads, a huge work containing over 200 scriptures. The most renowned of the Yogic scriptures is the Bhagavad-Gîtâ, composed around 500 B.C.E. The Upanishads took the idea of ritual sacrifice from the Vedas and internalized it, teaching the sacrifice of the ego through self-knowledge, action (karma yoga) and wisdom (jnana yoga).

Welcome to the birthplace of Yoga! You will get an opportunity to practice Yoga at some of the serene sites in India.

Travel Route

Delhi  – Varanasi –Khajuraho – Orchha – Agra – Jaipur

The trip can end in Delhi or from Jaipur you can take an extensive Rajasthan trip ,  a beach extension in Goa

• Visit a NGO for women welfare run by women.
• Boat ride and Prayer ceremony on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi.
• Session of Yoga and meditation overlooking the Ganges in Varanasi.
• Witness the weaving of Benarasi Sarees, Famous in traditional Indian weddings and an Indian woman’s most prized possession in Varanasi
• Enjoy  Yoga  sessions in  Lawns of the Erotic Kamastura temple,
• Cooking the traditional way in Orchha.
• Taj Mahal , World Heritage site
• Visit to Mother Teresa’s Home in Agra volunteering activity
  Meet a Sound Therapist
• Walk through the colourful bazaar in Jaipur and get an opportunity to get an Indian attire stitched

Day 01- Delhi – Varanasi by flight

After Breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight to Varanasi.

Arrive Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city where millions of Hindu travels for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn or to die. It is the holiest of the seven sacred cities. Some Hindus believe that death at Varanasi brings salvation. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Varanasi is also known as the favourite city of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva as it has been mentioned in the Rigveda that this city in older times was known as Kashi or „Shiv ki Nagri“.

Evening witness the Aarti ceremony on the Ghats of Ganges. River Ganga is considered as the most sacred and holy river of India. It is life, purity, and a goddess to the people of India. The river is Ganga Ma, „Mother Ganges.“ It is the story of how she poured herself down from heaven upon the ashes of King Sarga’s sons. Her waters would raise them up again to dwell in peace in heaven. Anyone who touches these purifying waters even today said to be cleansed of all sins.
Every morning thousands of Hindus, whether pilgrims or residents, make their way into the holy water of the Ganges. All of them face the rising sun with folded hands mumering prayers.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 02- Varanasi – Khajuraho by flight  

Early morning session of Yoga and meditation.  After breakfast depart for the Varanasi airport to board the flight to Khajuraho.

Khajuraho, a quiet village in Madhya Pradesh which is fast metamorphosing into a tourist town. The place has been drawing a number of foreign tourists to it since the last two decades. The village of Khajuraho became famous amongst the international tourist circuit after its sculptures were discovered in 1838. Some believe them to be physical embodiments of the greatest thesis on love- The Kama Sutra. The name Khajuraho is derived from the Khajur (Date Palm) trees that line the borders of the village.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 03- Khajuraho – Orchha by road  (183 kms/ 5 hrs Approx)

After Breakfast visit the famous 11th century temples of Khajuraho. The temples were built during the Chandela period, Around the temples are bands of intricately carved stone work detailing Indian life and style a millennium ago. There are also various acts from the famous Kamasutra depicted on these monolithic temples.

Later drive to Orchha (Meaning Hidden place) the picturesque city of Orchha situated on the banks of the River Betwa, was founded in 16th century A.D. by Rudra Pratap Singh who was one of the Rajput rulers belonging to the Bundela Dynasty. It’s one of the most scenic places in Madhya Pradesh. The river water of Betwa forms one of the main sources of water for the wildlife living within.

Evening is at leisure.

Overnight at  Hotel.

Day 04- Orchha – Jhansi – Agra by train

Enjoy an early morning session of yoga and meditation on the banks of River Betwa, The graceful river is also known by the name of Vetravati. It originates from the mountains of North India and gushes through the plains to enter Madhya Pradesh.River Betwa are an integral part of the medieval city of Orchha.

After breakfast visit to the famous palace complexes. The palace was built to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. The strong lines of the palace are counterbalanced by delicate chhatris and trellis work, which on the whole convey an effect of extraordinary richness. The palace has been designed to match the height of the trees in the surroundings, complete with beautifully landscaped gardens of Anand Mahal, featuring octagonal flower beds and elaborate water supply system. Lord Rama is not considered as God like in the other parts of the country. They worship him as a great king.

Later drive to Jhansi railway station to board the train to Agra, once the capital of Mughal emperor sits on a large bend in the holy Yamuna River. The fort and the Taj, 2km apart, both overlook the river on different parts of the bend.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 05- In Agra

Enjoy an early morning session of yoga and meditation. After breakfast the magnificent Agra fort – one of the most important and strongly built strongholds of the Mughals, with richly decorated buildings of Mughal style of art and architecture. It was constructed by the third Mughal emperor Akbar with red sandstone, 4000 builders daily worked on it and it took 8 years  to be completed(1565-1573).

Later visit The Taj Mahal, a white marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as „the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage“ which involved 22, 000 artisans called from all over the central Asia and Iran, and some 22 years later when a monument with a unique blend of Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural styles came into its own, it was a sight to behold! The grandeur of the structure then created was such that even decades after its creation, it is still regarded as one of the most arresting and attention-grabbing manmade monuments of the world. Not just Taj, even structures alongside it add to the architectural beauty and artistic wonder of the place. The entire Taj complex consists of five major constituents, namely Darwaza (main gateway), Bageecha (gardens), Masjid (mosque), Naqqar Khana (rest house) and Rauza (main mausoleum). The original door of this massive sandstone gateway was made out of solid silver. With a vertical symmetry, the main gateway of Taj Mahal stands bordered with Arabic calligraphy of verses from the Quran, made up of black stone.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 06- Agra – Jaipur by road (236 kms / 6 hrs Approx)

Drive to Jaipur popularly known as the pink city because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city. The pink color was used during the visit of the Prince of Wales. The city is best explored on foot and the adventurous visitor willing to go into the inner lanes can discover a whole new world not visible to the tourist-in-a-hurry. This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition. The imperial city, replete with amazing legends of romance and heroism.

En- route visit the abandoned town of Fatehpur Sikiri, is a fascinating ghost city built in the 16th century; but was soon deserted because the water system could not support any residents. It remained untouched for over 400 years now and its palaces are a remainder of the extravagance of the Mughals Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and has designs, derived from the Persian & Hindu architecture.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 07-In Jaipur

The day is yours to drift through the Pink City and experience the majesty of sandstone buildings that date back centuries. Witness the lavish interior of the powerful Amer Fort. Within the walls you find the palace of the Rajput Maharajas that dates back to the 15th century. The first impression of the exterior walls is pure strength but when you step inside you discover the lavish adornments that bring elegance and beauty to the interior.

As you continue through the fort and along the immaculate décor, including the Mirror Palace that was built to make a candle flame twinkle like endless starlight, you will return to the pink walls of City Palace to find a richer sense of the past.

In the evening you will delight in a traditional home-cooked meal with a local family where the essential flavors and aromas of Jaipur will be savored.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 08-Leave Jaipur

NOTE
·  Road distance and driving time are indicative and dependent on road / traffic conditions. Additional time may be added for tea breaks, toilet stops, en-route sightseeing etc.
·  Air and train schedule and operation days are subject to change.
·  The duration for each session of Yoga would be for an Hour approx.