Jewels of the East

Highlights

• Kolkata
• Temples of Orissa State
• Stunning scenery
• Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism
• Rural experiences and culture
• Bay of Bengal
  

Day 1 - Arrive Kolkata
An A&K personal welcome into India's eastern capital with a private transfer to the hotel. Perhaps no other city can so overwhelm a visitor as Kolkata does: crowded and alive, it is a city with a rich intellectual and cultural heritage and inhabited by people who with pride, call themselves Kolkatans The city is over 300 years old and had a fairy tale beginning owing its existence to the British merchant Job Charnock. During the British Raj, Calcutta was known as the Jewel of the East, and was the capital of the country till 1911. Today it is still the most important city in the East, the nerve centre of trade and industry, a city bustling with a population of around 10 million, named by Dominique Lapierre as the "City of Joy".
Taj Bengal (Luxury Room)

Day 2 - Kolkata
This morning enjoy a half day city sightseeing tour of Kolkata.

Drive past Dalhousie Square where you see the Writers Building (State Secretariat), Raj Bhawan (Governor House), General Post Office Building, the High Court, Town Hall and St. John's Church.

The programme also includes a visit to Mother Teresa's home. Popularly known as The Missionaries of Charity, the caretakers of this world-renowned institution work incessantly to improve the lives of the poor and homeless. Also worth visiting is the home for the aged.

Visit also the Victoria Memorial, a splendid example of British architecture. The building was constructed in memory of Queen Victoria and was inaugurated by the Prince of Wales in 1921. The Memorial is based on the architecture of the Taj and is built entirely of marble.

Remainder of the day is at leisure (B).
Taj Bengal (Luxury Room)

Day 3 - Kolkata - Bhubaneswar
Early this morning you will fly* south-west to Bhubaneswar, capital of Orissa. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

The eastern state of Orissa is known for its wealth of temple architecture and some stunning scenery. Today, Orissa has one of the highest concentrations of tribes in India inhabiting remote and often inaccessible tracts of forest. This remoteness has helped to preserve the unique tribal culture, social patterns and religious customs.

After lunch you will visit Udayagiri and Kahndagiri Caves which are 6km from Bhubaneswar. The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri date from the 2nd century, the time of the Buddhist and Jain occupation of the region. The Jain caves are some of the earliest in India - all of them excavated 100 years B.C. Designed for the spartan life of the monks, the caves were built exclusively to provide shelter and contain no concessions to comfort. The Buddhist caves, in contrast, were monasteries with beautiful carvings of religious and royal scenes (B).
Trident Bhubaneswar (Deluxe Room)

Day 4 - Bhubaneswar
Full day visit to the Bhubaneswar Temples.

Start at the Lingaraj Temple. A Shiva temple built in the 11th century, it is also the biggest in Bhubaneswar. Visit the Mukteswara Temple built in the 10th century and known for its richly sculpted stone archway. With the tales from the Panchatantra carved on it, the temple is a magnificent example of Orissan architecture. The Rajarani temple set in picturesque surroundings is noted for its intricate carvings of floral, animal and human figures. It is built in the 11th century and has no deity. Parasurameswara temple, a small but richly decorated shrine of Shiva built in the 7th century, is one of the best preserved. It has sculptures featuring amorous couples, animals and floral motifs.

Later on visit Yogini Temple. A reflection of strong tantric traditions prevalent in the Indian sub-continent since 7th century A.D, nine Yogini temples have so far been discovered in the country of which only four have survived. Orissa has two of these: one at Hirapur and the other at Ranipur Jharial.

Passing through narrow village lanes, arrive at the huge tank with a small but beautiful 9th century temple at its centre. Queen Hira Devi of the Bhouma dynasty who ruled the region during those times built this unusual temple. It has a circular enclosure without any roof over the sanctum sanctorum, in keeping with the tantric traditions of temple architecture. The queen was an ardent follower of the tantric cult and had rehabilitated several practitioners of tantra. It was regularly patronised by the royal administration but when the cult lost its followers with the passage of time, the temple was abandoned for centuries till noted researcher Kedarnath Mohapatra discovered it some decades ago. Though smallest of all the Yogini temples, Hirapur has several unique features: it is the only temple that has sculptures of female figures on its walls built with sandstone. Each figure stands on a severed human head holding a knife in one hand and a skull cup in the other. Another special feature is its entrance guarded with skeletal figures wearing garlands of skulls and snake anklets. But most memorable are the delicately carved figures of the Yoginis, each heavily ornamented and with a distinct hairstyle. Mahamaya is the presiding deity of the temple here. Another local attraction is the bell metal crafts at the village. Later visit the Orissa Tribal Museum (B).
Trident Bhubaneswar (Deluxe Room)

Day 5 - Bhubaneswar - Puri
This morning visit the Dhauli Ashokan rock edicts on the banks of the Daya river. They are a testatment to the 3rd century BC Kalinga War. The great wave of Buddhism, that overwhelmed the world, started here when Ashoka, horrified at the aftermath of war, discarded the world of vanity and materialism in favour of spiritual salvation and knowledge of self. Thus was born the greatest patron Buddhism has ever known. Dhauli is renowned for its Ashokan edicts, inscribed on a rock and crowned by a relief depicting an elephant.

The significance of Dhauli for Buddhists all over the world, led to the establishment of a shanti stupa, or peace pagoda, and a monastery. Dhauli also houses small rock cut caves, medieval Hindu temples, and a renovated hilltop Shiva temple, known as Dhavalesvara. Such a rich ancient heritage, coupled with an idyllic landscape make this an unforgettable site.

Later you will drive to Puri visiting Pipli, an appliqué village, en route. Along the way you'll notice colourful handicrafts including large canopies, umbrellas, wall hangings and bags. Appliqué in Orissa is an old temple art. Arrive in Puri by lunch.

This afternoon visit Raghurajpur Craft Village. The folk painting style of pattachitra is practiced by the skilled traditional artists in this region. This evening enjoy a Gotipua folk dance performance in front of the village temple (B).
Hotel Mayfair Beach Resort (Cottage)

Day 6 - Puri
After breakfast you will visit Jagannath Temple. Puri is the holiest place in Orissa and one of the biggest pilgrimage centres in India. It was once a flourishing port and is known for its cult of Lord Jagannath, said to originate in times when the inhabitants worshipped trees hence the tradition of carving his image in wood. The Puri Beach is also known as one of India's finest, stretching along the shores of the Bay of Bengal, with wonderful sunrises and sunsets.

Late this afternoon leave for Konarak to see the magnificent Sun Temple. Carved out of black stone, this World Heritage listed site is one of the most important examples of Hindu architecture. Though the 'Black Pagoda' is in ruins, the remaining porch area and other structures of the temple complex remain as a jewel in the crown of Orissa artistry. The Temple Chariot of the Sun God (Black Pagoda) on the sands of the Bay of Bengal is a 13th century architectural marvel. It is designed as a celestial chariot of the Sun god, complete with twelve pairs of wheels and seven horses. The walls of the exquisitely carved temple are a captivating sight (B).
Hotel Mayfair Beach Resort (Cottage)

Day 7 - Puri - Kolkata
Transfer to the airport and board your flight* to Kolkata. Transfer to the hotel where day use is included before the return transfer to the airport (B).

*Flights not included.

Notes: Tribal museum closed Mondays.

Pricing
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. However, as a guide, this 7 day journey in India will cost from $1,995 per person based on two adults sharing and is subject to availability.