Central Province The Abode Of Lord Shiva Maheshwar Based on the banks of the River Narmada, this dazzling town is largely referred to as the temple city of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. Omkareshwar is a pilgrimage hub for Hindus housing one of the 12 jyotirlingas, located on Mandhata islands in river Narmada. One of the most blessed towns situated in Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar resembles the shape of the Hindu Om symbol. Day 01 Arrive / Bhopal Upon arrival you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to hotel where you will proceed for check-in. P.S. Standard check-in at hotel is 1400 hours and early check-in is subject to availability. Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a fascinating amalgam of scenic beauty, historicity and modern urban planning. It is situated on the site of 11 th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja. The founder of the existing city was however an Afghan soldier of fortune, Dost Mohammed. Fleeing from Delhi in the chaotic period that followed Aurangazeb's death, Dost Mohammed encountered the beautiful Gond queen Kamalapati, who sort his aid after the murder of her consort. A charming legend relates how the queen would recline in lotus barge that on moonlit nights would drift across the lake. The two lakes of Bhopal still dominate the city, and are indeed its nucleus. Bordered along their shores stand silent sentinels that testify to the growth of a city. Bhopal today presents a multi-faceted profile; the old city with its teeming market places and fine old mosques and palaces still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers, among them the succession of powerful Begums who ruled Bhopal from!819 to 1926. Equally impressive is the new city with its verdant, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens, broad avenues and streamlined modern edifices. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of Bhopal Visit Taj-ul-Masajid which is one of the largest mosque in Asia. It was built by Nawab Shahjehan Begum around a courtyard with a large tank in the centre and with an imposing double storeyed gateway with 4
recessed archways and 9 imposing cusped multifold openings in the main prayer hall. The Quibla wall in the prayer hall is carved with 11 recessed arches, while the mimber is made of black basalt. Our next stop will be the Tribal MuseumTribal Museum (closed on Mondays and on National Holidays) - An open-air exhibition of tribal house types located on Shamla Hills, the Tribal Habitat is a presentation of actual-size dwellings typical of contemporary tribal cultures in various states of India. This museum aims at preserving and highlighting the folk cultures, local traditions and heritage of our country. In this respect it is different from other archaeological museums as it portrays the living, vibrant and dynamic aspects of Indian folk and cultural traditions which have played a role in the socio-economic development of the country. Besides preserving and providing sustenance to cultural attributes of the society such as tribal and folk arts, literature, sports, local skills etc., it also aims to preserve and document indigenous knowledge systems in various areas and also tools, technologies and modes of production. The exhibition highlights architectural features and has elaborately displayed interiors and has intricate murals, carved beams, and items used in daily life, such as cooking utensils, musical instruments, and tools. The surroundings have been reconstructed to match some of the interesting environmental features of tribal villages. Return to hotel after sightseeing tour. Day 02 Bhopal / Sanchi / Udaigiri / Bhopal Following breakfast proceed for excursion to Sanchi & Udaigiri Caves. Our first stop will be the Sanchi. Sanchi is an important centre of Buddhist pilgrimage. The great Stupa, built by Emperor Ashoka (who abandoned war and embraced Buddhism), is a gray-brown hemisphere of massive proportions. The form of the four gateways guarding the Stupa is actually derived from Bamboo fences. They are carved with scene from the Buddha s life and previous incarnations and rate amongst the finest specimen of early Buddhist art. Examples of almost all kinds of Buddhist structures are preserved at Sanchi dating from the 03rd century BC to 06th & 07th centuries AD. The most important monument is the Stupa 1 and consists of 7 solid hemisphere, 120 meters in diameter and this is truncated at the top and crowned with a triple stone umbrella set within a square railing. Also, visit the archaeological museum located close by. Continue driving to visit Udaigiri Caves. Six Kms west of Sanchi is the sandstone ridge of Udaigiri with its series of rock-cut Gupta monuments, dating from 320 to 606 A.D. Of the 20 Hindu cave-
temples on this hill, half the numbers are merely niches of varying dimensions and others are artificially excavated sanctuaries entered through small column porches. The carved panels and doorways of the caves provide the evidence for the beginning of monumental Hindu art. After sightseeing drive back to Bhopal. Day 03 Bhopal / Maheshwar Following early breakfast drive to Maheshwar (250 Km / approx 07 hours), upon arrival check-in at Hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Day 04 Maheshwar / Mandu / Maheshwar Following breakfast proceed for excursion to Mandu. Upon arrival at Mandu proceed to the sightseeing tour. You will first visit to the Roopmati Pavalion - which was originally built as an army observation post. From its hilltop perch, this graceful structure with its two pavilions was a retreat of the lovely queen, from where she could see Baz Bahadur's palace and the Narmada flowing through the Nimar plains far below. After you visit you will be driven down to Baz Bahadur s Palace - Built by Baz Bahadur in the early 16th century, the palace's unique features are its spacious courtyards surrounded by halls and high terraces, which afford a superb view of the surrounding countryside. You will than proceed to visit Jami Masjid - Inspired by the great mosque of Damascus, the Jami Masjid was conceived on a grand scale, with a high plinth and a huge domed porch projecting in the centre, the background dominated by similar imposing domes with the intervening space filled up by innumerable domes. Just near to Jamai Masjid is located Hoshang Shah's Tomb - India's first marble edifice, it is one of the most refined examples of Afghan architecture. Its unique features are the magnificently proportioned dome; marble lattice work of remarkable delicacy and porticoed courts and towers to mark the four corners of the rectangle. Shah Jehan sent four of his
great architects to study the design of and draw inspiration from the Tomb You will than be driven to Jahaz Mahal - This 120 mt long "ship palace" built between the two artificial lakes, Munj Talao and Kapur Talao is an elegant two storeyed palace. Probably it was built by Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din-Khilji for his large harem. With its open pavilions, balconies overhanging the water and open terrace, Jahaz Mahal is an imaginative recreation in stone of a royal pleasure craft. Viewed on moonlit nights from the adjoining Taveli Mahal, the silhouette of the building, with the tiny domes and turrets of the pavilion gracefully perched on the terrace, presents an unforgettable spectacle. Your final stop will be Hindola Mahal - An audience hall, also belonging to Ghiyas-ud-din's reign, it derives its name of "swinging palace" from its sloping sidewalls. Superb and innovative techniques are also evident in its ornamental facade, delicate trelliswork in sandstone and beautifully molded columns. After sightseeing drive back to Hotel. Day 05 Maheshwar / Omkareshwar / Maheshwar Following breakfast proceed for half-day excursion to visit the Omkareshwar to visit the temple of Lord Shiva (48 Km / 01½ hours). The name Omkareshwar derives from the word Om, which signifies the most sacred Hindu symbol. This island is shaped like the Om and is about 2km long and 1km wide. It is one of the holiest Hindu sites in India by virtue of the presence a jyotirlingam, one of the twelve in India. As you probably know by now, the lingam is the symbol of Lord Shiva and there must be simply thousands of them in India. The jyotirlingam or the lingam of light, however, is special. It is believed to derive currents of power from within itself as opposed to an ordinary lingam which is ritually invested with mantra shakti (power invested by chants) by the priests. After visit drive back to Maheshawar where rest of the day is at leisure. Day 06 Maheshwar / Indore / Departure
After breakfast drive to Indore airport (100 kms, approx 03 hrs drive) to board flight to Delhi. ***End of Tour***