8 Nights Itinerary Covering: Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Delhi - Agra - Vrindavan - Varanasi - Delhi
India is a land of various religions and boasts of innumerable pilgrimage sites. The temples of North India are famous for being one of the grandest specimens of human civilization. For century’s people in search of truth, mental peace and happiness have visited these North Indian temples and have found solace. This North India temple tour will take you on a spiritual journey where you will experience bliss and tranquility amongst the divinity of famous North Indian temples. This tour will take you to the ancient temples of the Haridwar, Rishikesh, Vrindavan, and Varanasi. You will be able to explore the enchanting monuments of Agra and Delhi as well.
Our enthusiastic tour representative will meet you at the New Delhi airport, from where your North India Temple tour starts. Then we shall begin our journey by going on a picturesque drive from New Delhi to Haridwar.
Haridwar is a city famous for religious activities. Located at a place where the River Ganga emerges in its full force from the Himalayas and each year thousands of pilgrims arrive here in droves to pay reverence to Maa Ganga (Mother Ganges).
Flickering diyas and flowing flames are a sight to behold during the famous Sandhya Aarti of the Ganges. We shall stopover to one of the famous Ghats in Haridwar and experience this mystical adventure called the Ganga Aarti. If time permits, we shall visit the famous places of Haridwar like Hari ki Pauri Ghat, Shri Mata Mansa Devi Mandir, Chandi Devi Temple, and other temples.
Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Haridwar.
On the second day of your North India temple tour, we shall proceed towards visiting some of the famous landmarks in Haridwar which include the Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi temples, Bhuma Niketan and Pawan Dham.
The Chanda Devi temple is a small and charming temple located on the Neel Parvat of the Shivalik mountain range, the temple is locally known as a Siddha Peeth. You can also reach to the top of the temple via ropeway taking in exhilarating views on your way upwards.
The Mansa Devi temple is a temple dedicated to goddess Mansa Devi, considered to have evolved from the Manas (mind) of Lord Shiva. It is a strong belief of devotees of Mansa Devi that she fulfills all their desires.
The Bhuma Niketan Temple in Haridwar is a profound temple based on the ideology of Adi Shankaracharya. Exquisitely carved colorful figures of various Hindu Gods and goddesses adorn the interior of Bhoomi Niketan temple.
Pawan Dham is one of the oldest temples in India and it contains exquisitely carved idols in stone as well as glass.
We shall then drive towards Rishikesh, which is the famous center for studying yoga and meditation. Feel the vibrational energy of Yogis in Rishikesh.
The Bharat Mata Mandir, which was inaugurated by the late Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi is another spot worth visiting in Rishikesh. A unique temple, which is dedicated to Bharat Mata (goddess India), the temple speaks volumes about the patriotism of Indians who consider India as their mother.
Overnight Stay at Rishikesh.
Today, you will enjoy the scenic beauty of Himalayas as you drive from Rishikesh towards New Delhi. Freshen up and spend your day at leisure in New Delhi once you check-in to your hotel. You can explore the nearby market and buy some souvenirs for your loved ones or you can take a stroll in the nearby areas of the hotel.
Return to the hotel in the evening and have a delicious dinner at the resort. Overnight stay will be at New Delhi.
On the fourth day of your North India temple tour, we shall go on a sightseeing expedition of the national capital of the country, Delhi.
We start by visiting the famous Lal Quila (Red Fort). The magnificence of the Mughal Empire is epitomized at the Red Fort. This legendary structure was built in 1638 by Shah Jahan and the fort has seen many generations of Mughal emperors ruled over India from this very place. You can visit the white marble hall, palace of color and the hall of a public audience in this fort.
After visiting the red fort, we move towards Qutub Minar which is considered to be the highest brick minaret in the world. Built by Qutbuddin Khilji and Iltutmish, the structure was built as a monument of victory of Delhi sultanate over Indian rulers.
Proceed towards the Baha'i temple or the Lotus Temple which is a prominent lotus-shaped temple located in the heart of Delhi. The notable feature of this temple is that it has no religious bar and people of any religion can enter the temple.
Next on our list is the Humayun's Tomb. Supposed to be a source of inspiration for the famous Taj Mahal at Agra, Humayun's tomb was built by Akbar in the 16th century.
Pay homage to thousands of soldiers who laid down their lives for the British Empire during the First World War at India gate.
We drive towards one of the largest Swaminarayan temples in the world, the Delhi Akshardham Temple.
Return to the hotel after the sightseeing tour and have a delicious dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
On the fifth day of your temple tour, we shall proceed towards visiting the famous Taj Mahal by driving towards Agra.
We shall start our Agra tour by visiting the famous monument of love, the Taj Mahal. Shahjahan, the powerful Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal in the memory of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is an epitome of Mughal architecture with white marble being used profusely in building this stunning mausoleum. It took 22 years and thousands of artists to build this gala structure.
After quenching your soul's thirst for love at the Taj Mahal, we shall proceed to visit Agra Fort. A prime example of Charbagh structure in which a four-square garden is built with small rivulets of water flowing through them, the Agra Fort was a predominantly military structure. Akbar built this famous fort in 1565 which lies on the curve of river Yamuna. After finishing the Agra Fort, we proceed towards visiting the tomb of Itmad Ud Daulah or the Baby Taj. This mausoleum is regarded as the replica of the Taj Mahal. This is a perfect example of the Indo-Islamic architecture and located on the bank of the River Yamuna. This is a masterpiece of the domeless class of the Mughal tomb.
Return to the hotel in the evening after the excursion and have a sumptuous dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay at Agra.
After finishing your delicious breakfast, we shall proceed towards Vrindavan. En-route to Vrindavan, we shall stop over at Mathura first which is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. We shall start by visiting the Shri Krishna Janamasthan temple, which is widely considered to be the place where Shri Krishna was born.
Vishram Ghat is a place where according to local belief, Lord Krishna rested after defeating his tyrant maternal uncle Kansa.
Shri Dwarkadhish Temple, Radha Kund, Birla Mandir, Govardhana Hill, and Kusum Sarovar are other places worth visiting in Mathura.
In the afternoon we shall proceed towards Vrindavan where Lord Krishna used to stay along with his family. Visit the iconic Iskcon Temple and the Banke Bihari Temple along with Ranga Ji Temple in Vrindavan and drench your soul in Krishna bhakti.
(The temples of Vrindavan are open from 6:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. for Aarti. The narrow by-lanes of Vrindavan cannot accommodate 4 wheelers and hence you might have to take an e-rickshaw to the temple on a direct payment basis)
Overnight stay at the hotel in Vrindavan.
After finishing your baronial breakfast, you will drive towards New Delhi from Vrindavan and take a flight to Varanasi from New Delhi.
Our tour representative will meet you at the Varanasi airport and help you with checking in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can delve into the enchanting beauty of the city by taking a stroll to the streets. You can visit the Ghats of Varanasi and spend the evening at the bank of the River Ganga.
Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Varanasi.
Varanasi or Banaras is the oldest living city in the world. After having a warm breakfast we shall proceed towards visiting Varanasi. Hindus believe that Kashi or Varanasi is the ideal place to die as those who die here or are cremated here will attain moksha.
The Brahmacharini or Tapaswini temple in Varanasi is one of the most famous temples located in the Holy City. The temple is dedicated to the Tapaswini Swaroop of goddess Parvati, which was the Swaroop that she took when she decided to please Lord Shiva and convince him to marry her.
Constructed by the Maharaja of Vijayanagara, Kedar Ghat is home to Gaurikund. The same Gaurikund which has an image of goddess Gauri, the first wife of Lord Shiva. Famous Kedareshwar Temple is located at Kedar Ghat and according to local belief, you get the same magnitude of blessings as you get after visiting the famous Kedarnath temple.
Displaying a map of undivided India, Bharat Mata Mandir of Varanasi was inaugurated by none other than the great Mahatma Gandhi himself. Take a glance at the beauty of this temple.
We will also visit the Durga Temple which is commonly known as the Monkey Temple due to a large population of monkeys found in this Temple.
Another beguiling temple is the Tulsi Manas Temple where you will find the entire Ramayana inscribed in white marble.
We shall also visit the University campus of Banaras Hindu University or BHU as it is popularly known. Founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, the BHU is considered to be one of the largest residential universities in Asia. The Bharat Kala Kendra is a Museum consisting of Indian handicrafts and is a place worth visiting in the BHU campus.
After finishing our spiritual sojourn at Varanasi we shall proceed towards Sarnath which is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. Sarnath is the very place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after achieving enlightenment. The three lion Ashok stupa, Chaukhandi stupa, and many various missions built by Japan, Tibet, Cambodia, and other Buddhist Nations can be viewed in Sarnath.
Return to the hotel after the sightseeing tour and have an appetizing dinner at the resort. Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.
Today is the last day of the North India temple tour. We hope that you have enjoyed the tour as much as we did. You will proceed towards the Varanasi Airport from where you will catch your return flight towards your respective destinations.
