The water of river Ganga is believed to be sacred like an elixir. Since ages, pilgrims and devotees from all over the world assemble at the ghats of river Ganga to wash away their sins and receive blessings. Haven’t you heard about the famous Kumbh Mela in which millions of people take a dip in the sacred water of river Ganga amidst the blissful smell of fuming joss sticks and mesmerising holy chants of the sadhus?
According to ancient mythological legends, demigods and demons had a war for the possession of elixir that was believed to provide eternal life. A few drops of the elixir fell on four places currently known as Prayag, Ujjain, Nasik, and Haridwar. The fallen drops of elixir gave mystical powers to the four places. Kumbh Mela is celebrated in each of these four places to remember their divinity and holiness. In fact, Kumbh Mela has been acclaimed to be the largest religious gathering and an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
Ardh Kumbh Mela is organized in every six years at Allahabad (Prayag) and Haridwar, on the basis of planetary movements. Millions of people from all over the world gather enthusiastically to be a part of the celebration. In the coming year 2019, the Ardh Kumbh Mela will be held in Allahabad located on the confluence of river Yamuna, Ganga, and Saraswati. It is believed that devotees who take a dip at the confluence move a step closer to Moksha and become free from worldly pleasures. The Ardh Kumbh Mela to be held in Allahabad in 2019 is expected to offer a lot to the devotees. Here, you will witness bare bodied Naga Sadhus covered with ash. And you will also witness the royal bath and joyous evening aartis. So mesmerising is the power of faith that results in the congregation of millions, irrespective of their cast and creed, in the Ardh Kumbh Mela every six years. Be a part of the exhilaration and excitement of the Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019 and witness the magic of devotion and faith.
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation and inclusive meals
- Transfers and sightseeing tours
- Local guides fluent in English and Hindi for tours & transfers
- Entrance fees for scheduled visits
- Potable water and snacks
- Baggage handling, room tax, service charges
What is NOT included in the tour
- Flights, visas and travel insurance
- Surcharges on services if any
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Alcohol and any meals or services not mentioned in the schedule
- Expenses for Puja and Prasad
- Enjoy enchanting morning and evening prayers
- Visit mythologically significant emblems
- Explore exotic Indian culture and heritage via divine Hindu temples
- Witness glimpse of history via interesting museums and ancient historical wonders
- Upon arrival, our tour guide will meet you at the Varanasi airport to drop you comfortably at your hotel. Once done with the check-in formalities, relax, unwind, and enjoy some tasty meal in the hotel. Head out to explore the beautiful and mesmerising city. Soak in the spiritual vibes of the city at the vibrant Ganga ghats. In the evening, we will attend the fascinating Ganga Aarti. Capture the glimpse of hundreds of floating lamps in the river. Nod in excitement to the rhythmic incantation of the sacred Vedic hymn to worship river Ganga. The experience fills every soul with elation, enlightenment, and spirituality. You also have the option to witness the Ganga Aarti on a boat. At night, we will drop you at the hotel for a restful sleep.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner are provided
- Wake up early in the morning and enjoy a lovely breakfast in the hotel. Our tour guide will take you to the Ganga ghat for an amazing boat ride. Known by the name Subah-e-Banaras, the mesmerising morning boat ride will introduce you to the mystical spiritual activities and religious rituals performed at the Ganga Ghats. We will visit important ghats of Varanasi covering Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, and Manikarnika Ghat which is world’s largest cremation ground.
- We will also have a spiritual tour to important monuments and famous temples of Varanasi including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Annapurna Temple, Manas Mandir, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, and the BHU.
- In the afternoon, we will embark on an excursion to Sarnath. A holy place where the disciples of Lord Buddha received their very first sermon from him. Sarnath has various historical wonders including the Buddha Temples, Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamekha Stupa, and Archeological Museum. At night, we will return to the hotel for a comfortable sleep.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner are provided
- Start early and have a marvelous breakfast at the hotel. Complete your checkout formalities and board the cab for a journey of 3 hours to reach Allahabad. Our tour guide will drop you comfortably at your hotel in Allahabad. Complete your check-in formalities and relax for sometime in the hotel before you head out to explore the beautiful Allahabad. You also have the option to stay at the Swiss Camp in Allahabad.
- Situated at the confluence of three holy rivers of Yamuna, Ganga, and Saraswati; Allahabad is a beautiful city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Various glorious forts and mesmerizing temples of the city reflect its rich cultural heritage and amusing journey through time. We will visit important monuments in Allahabad including the Allahabad Fort and Hanuman Temple. We will also visit the Anand Bhawan which is among the best running museums of the country built in the memory of former prime minister Mr JawaharLal Nehru. Witness amazing masterpieces at the Anand Bhawan museum. Capture the memories of Mrs Indira Gandhi, our former prime minister at her birthplace Swaraj Bhawan. In the evening, enjoy a leisurely walk at the Chandrashekhar Azad Park (also known as Alfred Park) and Bhardwaj Park. From here, we will proceed to the Khusro Bagh - the tomb of the elder brother of Emperor Shah Jahan which was completed seven years after his death. Do not forget to scintillate your taste buds with delicious guavas of Allahabad which are famous worldwide. At night, we will drop you at the hotel for a well-rested night.
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch are provided
- Start early with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before you proceed for Triveni Sangam to have a mesmerising visit to the Kumbh Mela Ground. Enjoy a refreshing holy bath in the sacred water at the Triveni Sangam.
Witness the puja rituals performed by pandas at the Triveni Sangam to assist the devouts. - Enjoy the various cultural activities at the Kumbh Fair Ground. In the evening, we will return to the hotel for a restful sleep.
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch are provided
- Wake up early in the morning and enjoy a lovely breakfast in the hotel. Complete your checkout formalities and proceed to the Triveni Sangam for an early Shahi Snan in the sacred water. You can also perform ablutions and pay homage to the Rising Sun which is worshipped as a God in India.
- Witness the saints as they take the royal bath. Capture glimpse of bare bodied, saffron clothed, matted-haired, and ash-smeared sadhus in various akharas. Submerge your soul in spirituality at the satsangs. You can also participate in various other rituals like devotional singing, religious discussions on Vedas and other holy scriptures often called the Shastrarth, religious assemblies, and mass feeding of men and women.
- Enjoy the calm of the river and the freshness of the air as the glittering ghats come alive in the evening. Towards dusk, we will drop you at the Allahabad Railway Station for your return commute. Depart from Allahabad with blissful memories and amazing reminiscence of the Ardh Kumbh Mela.
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch are provided
Points to Note
- Hotel prices can be adjusted for higher or lower categories on request. Featured hotels are subject to availability during booking, and you will be notified of any deposits when booking.
- Domestic airfares are quoted based on averages and are subject to change. The most convenient flight is booked and final price confirmed once tickets are issued based on the class of seat and availability.
