Delhi (2 nights) - Jaipur (2 nights) - Galta - Abhaneri - Agra (2 nights) - Gwalior - Orchha (1 night) - Khajuraho (2 nights) - Raneh Fall - Delhi

A unique program that takes place in the states of northern and central India, acquaints not only with historical and architectural monuments, but also with the culture, traditions, holidays and spiritual life of Great India.
And also a visit to the unique temple complex "KAJURAHO". Khajuraho is one of the few places in India included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This village is famous throughout the world for erotic sculptures that adorn local temples. Perhaps it is impossible to find another place on earth where life in all its manifestations would be celebrated with the same joy and talent.
A special decoration of this program is the festival of Diwali or Deepavali, which in Sanskrit means "bunch of fire" - a festival of lights, widely celebrated in India and symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. The main theme of the festival scenery is luminous lanterns, lights, fireworks and lighted candles decorating statues of animals and gods.

Tour duration: 9 days / 8 nights

Tour program:

Day 00. Delhi

Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel, accommodation, rest.
Delhi the capital of India is the third largest city in the world with a population of about 15 million. Its strategic location at the crossroads has played a key role in the country's history; many empires arose here. Monuments of the past are found throughout the city and are often adjacent to the towers of skyscrapers.
Overnight in Delhi.

Day 01. Delhi

Tour of the Indian capital
Overview: Red Fort, Friday Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Park, Gateway of India, Parliament building and Presidential Palace. Visit: the unique stepped wells of Agrasen, which supplied the city with water in ancient times, as well as the Dhobi Ghat laundry, where to this day they wash according to the old method, the Hindu temple of Lakshmi Narayan, the Sik Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
Visit to a tea shop with a wide range of teas high Quality from all over India.
Overnight in Delhi.

Day 02. Delhi - Jaipur

Continuation of the excursion in Delhi: Visit: the Akshardham temple - the largest and richest Hindu temple in India, the snow-white Lotus temple - which gathers believers of different religions under its dome, the Qutub Minar minaret and the famous stainless column.
Moving to the city of "One Thousand and One Nights" Jaipur (275 km), here to this day the color of the Middle Ages has been preserved, palaces, colorful bazaars, ancient temples recreate a vivid picture of the rich historical past, and the architectural ensemble of buildings pink colour the old town emphasizes its second name as the "pink city".
In the evening, colorful dinner with national dances.
Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 03. Jaipur

Visit the majestic Amber Fort, rising on a high hill, which for a long time served as a citadel and palace of the book dynasty of the Maharajas. Here the rulers lived in the luxury of palaces among mirrored halls, lush gardens and spent their time in joy and entertainment. The rulers ascended to the fort astride elephants in colorful palanquins. The elephant is a symbol of the Knagh India, everyone who arrives here will have the opportunity to climb the fort astride an elephant, feeling like a great ruler for a while.
A visit to the luxurious park complex "Kanak Garden", now a favorite location for filming music and dance numbers for Bollywood, where you can try on national costumes and take a photo for memory.
Sightseeing tour of the Pink City: "water palace" Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal (palace of winds) which was intended for the women of the prince's harem, the white marble temple of Lakshmi Narayan, visiting the pompous halls and museums of the City Palace, in which the prince lives to this day family of maharajas.
Textile, souvenir and jewelry stores.
Diwali Night: This evening the sky will be illuminated with thousands of lights and fireworks. The air will shake from explosions of rockets, firecrackers and firecrackers.
Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 04. Jaipur - Galta - Abhaneri - Agra

A visit to the scenic temple complex of Galt, where the sacred, healing springs are located in the gorge of the mountains and ancient temples that are famous for their frescoes. These places have become a haven for monkeys, which are very friendly towards parishioners and can be hand-fed.
Moving to Abhaneri (80 km) Visit the village of Abhaneri, which houses the world famous stepped well, which was built in the 9th century by a local ruler. Chand Baori, this incredibly beautiful square, stone structure is 13 floors connected by symmetrical steps that lead to the bottom of a 20 meter well.
Moving to Agra (160 km). The legendary city, the capital of the Great Mughals, which gained worldwide fame thanks to the architectural masterpiece of the mausoleum Taj Mahal... Arrival to Agra. Hotel accommodation. Recreation.
Overnight in Agra.

Day 05. Agra

Visit the legendary Red Fort, which for a long time served as the residence of the Great Emperors, the tomb of Bibi - Taj and the tomb of the Great Emperor Akbar in Sikandra.
In the evening, if desired, attend a theatrical performance, a spectacular story about the creation of the Taj Mahal, with traditional songs and dances.
Overnight in Agra.

Day 06. Agra - Gwalior - Orchha

Early morning visit to the eighth wonder of the world, the white marble mausoleum Taj Mahal, one of the most famous buildings in the world, dedicated to the great power of love forever living for centuries.
Transfer to Gwalior (110 km). Inspection of the majestic fort Gwalior located at the top of a hundred-meter hill of sandstone and basalt, its imposing walls with bastions shelter wonderful palace and temple buildings. Jain caves with giant sculptures are a special decoration of the fort.
Transfer to Orchkha (120 km). A small town on the banks of a picturesque river with a rich historical past. After all, when the capital of the principality of Bundelkhand was located here, the centuries-old history has preserved to this day the memory of the times of greatness and splendor. Arrival to Orchkha. Hotel accommodation.
Overnight in Orchkha.

Day 07. Orchha - Khajuraho

Inspection of the palace and temple sights of Orchkha. Orchkha has a medieval atmosphere. The Betva River peacefully flows past 16th century palaces and temples that seem frozen in time. Visit to Fort Orchhi, Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal and Ram Raja Temple.
Moving to Khajuraho (175 km). The world famous village where the Kama Sutra temples are located, which depict sexual positions and erotic scenes from human life. Khajuraho is a symbol of erotic sculpture, which is presented here in a variety of forms and grace of execution.
Hotel accommodation.
In the evening, optional visit to the cultural program Dances of India.
Overnight in Khajuraho.

Day 08. Khajuraho - Panna National Park

Safari to Panna National Park (50 km), where you will touch the wildlife of India: herds of deer, leopards, crocodiles, peacocks, monkeys and the spectacular Pandav Falls. Return to Khajuraho.
Inspection of ancient temple complexes, famous for their erotic sculptural compositions from the treatise on love in the Kamasutra, scenes on the walls of temples reflect the sensitive moments of sexual life and are a visual guide to the world of eroticism and love relationships.
In the evening, if you wish, visit the light and music show of the Khajuraho temples.
Overnight in Khajuraho.

Day 09. Khajuraho - Raneh Fall - Delhi

Excursion to raneh Fal canyon (20 km), amazing waterfalls and a canyon in the crater of an extinct volcano, which are located in the pristine jungle, it was here that the world famous film Kama Sutra was filmed.
Transfer to Jhansi railway station and train transfer to Delhi, in an air-conditioned carriage. Arrival in Delhi at 23.30
Completion of the program and transfer to the airport.
Departure from Delhi in the morning 11/14/2018.

Cost per person in USD:

Hotels according to the program:
Delhi: sk pemium, park hotel anila
Agra: taj vilas, howard plaza - the fern
Jaipur: paradise
Orchkha: amar mahal palace - palace, raj mahal - palace
Khajuraho: clarks khajuraho

* or equivalent

Included in cost

• Transfers along the entire route in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles.
• Mineral water in the car, 1 bottle per person per day.
• Accommodation in hotels with breakfasts and dinners based on double occupancy.
• Russian speaking guide - accompanying the entire route.
• Dinner with national dances in Jaipur.
• A set of sparklers for the DIVALI holiday.
• A gift from the company.
• Jhansi-Delhi train tickets (air-conditioned tourist class coach).
• All taxes and fees.

The price is not included

• International air travel
• Honey. insurance ($ 1 per day per person)
• Lunches.
• Entrance fees to museums, elephant trekking in Jaipur, monuments, parks, safari, show programs.
• The right to photo and video filming, obligatory tips to porters, guides, drivers.
• Other personal expenses.
• Everything that is not indicated in the section "the tour price is included".

Diwali holiday

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Diwali (or Deepavali) is the main and perhaps the brightest holiday in India. "Dipa" is translated as "fire", "lamp". And "wali" means "a lot." Thus, the name of the holiday from Sanskrit can be translated as "bunch of fire". No wonder the holiday is also called the Festival of Lights. The history of Diwali celebrations goes back over 7000 years.

Now, when Indian culture is loved by many far beyond the borders of India, it would be useful to learn about the history and traditions of the main Indian holiday, Diwali. So, let's plunge into the deep and colorful world of Indian culture.

Diwali in 2016 - what date?

Did you know that India has its own calendar, which is different from the one we are used to - the Gregorian one? The date of the Diwali celebration is calculated from it. However, in secular life, this calendar is rarely used. So, in the Indian calendar there is a month called Kartika, it is at the beginning of this month (on the new moon) that Diwali is celebrated. In 2016, the Festival of Lights in India starts on October 30th. And in other years, the holiday falls on a different date:

In 2017 - November 18
In 2018 - November 7
In 2019 - October 27
In 2020 - November 14

After reading about the spiritual traditions and the boundless beauty of Diwali, you may need these dates to plan your trip to India and see everything with your own eyes. By the way, you can enjoy the extravaganza of fire and light on Diwali for five whole days - this is how many Indians celebrate their main holiday.

The meaning and history of Diwali

For all Indian peoples, the Festival of Lights is of great importance despite the fact that they explain the origin of Diwali in different ways.

Followers of Vishnuism believe that the beginning of the holiday was marked by the return from exile and the ascent to the royal throne of Rama - the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu. After the coronation, all the streets of the country were illuminated with lights as a sign of the beginning of a new, bright time.

For many regions of India, Diwali marks the beginning of the New Year. For example, traders from Western India before this holiday, they sum up the results of their activities: they clean up the shops and put the accounting books in order.

And on East of the country Diwali festival is dedicated to the dark and fierce goddess Kali, who symbolizes the cult of strength and destruction. However, Kali also carries a lot of constructiveness: she fights against ignorance, maintains order in the world, accompanies those who seek to know God.

On the South of India The festival of lights is held in honor of Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. As a sign of the victory of good over evil, Indians rub their bodies with special oil, more often with coconut oil. This ceremony is tantamount to immersion in the sacred waters of the Ganges and cleanses people from sins.

However most Indians devotes Diwali to the goddess of wealth and fertility Lakshmi - the wife of the god Vinsnu. Lakshmi is the goddess of purity and light, so before Diwali, the Indians carefully clean their houses and light all the lamps.

Even muslims in India they celebrate Diwali: they (but not only they) play cards, dice and other gambling games, because the goddess Lakshmi brings good luck.

Diwali holiday is very kind and colorful, with a rich history. It spread far beyond India - in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Japan and other countries. The festival of lights has spread even in Western countries. For example, the video below shows Diwali celebrations in Canada.

Traditions of the Indian festival Diwali

Whatever story the origin of Diwali is associated with, hardly anyone would argue that the Festival of Lights is a celebration of the victory of good over evil, truth over lies and light over darkness. This is a celebration of the victory of enlightenment, which the Indians have always associated with light.

Diwali traditions have a special spiritual meaning. As mentioned above, before the holiday, the people of India take care of the cleanliness of their homes and bodies. Thoughts must also be pure. The practice of meditation helps to renew the body and mind.

At the Festival of Lights in India, it is customary to abstain from the five main vices: passion, anger, greed, attachment and selfishness. This is the time to cleanse not only the body and thoughts, but also actions. Diwali is also the time to pay bills, both financial and karmic.

The countless lights that adorn Diwali houses symbolize the light of reason. Special clay lamps (diya) are placed in the dwellings, which personify the five attributes of the Universe - fire and water, earth and air, as well as space. The fire of the lamp symbolizes the soul. Lamp oil signifies spiritual enlightenment. To keep the fire of diya always burning - to be always aware:

"I am the light always associated with the Upper Light."

Large cities are lit with illumination lights. Everything shines: trees, statues of gods, walls of houses, and terraces. Electric garlands and clay lamps are everywhere. The noise of sparklers and fireworks is heard all around. Small villages are lit up by the flames of many wick candles that float in reservoirs and tremble on the roofs of huts.

Not only lights are an essential attribute of Diwali, but also flowers. For example, garlands of calendula and other flowers are also a symbol of Diwali. Houses and streets are decorated with flower petals.

Colorful prayer drawings called rangoli are also an element of the Festival of Lights in India. They can be made of flowers or wood, but more often they are painted with special loose paints. Rangoli are located on the outer walls of houses and especially at the front door. Rangoli is a way to attract the goddess Lakshmi.

At sunrise, when the men are still asleep, women take powder paint in their hands and, passing it in streams between their fingers, with light imperceptible movements quickly and accurately create a delicate and complex ornament on the floor or ground. Sometimes the ornaments are one color, but more often they are two or three colors.

Diwali is a celebration of renewal. Before the Festival of Lights, old things are thrown away and new ones bought. And on the holiday itself, people dress up in new clothes and new jewelry.

The sari with gold ornament symbolizes the Golden Age - the age of pure light and harmony. Old clothes should be thrown away as a reminder of the Iron Age, which must end and give way to renewal.

At the Festival of Lights in India, people give each other gifts, especially sweets. Gift exchange is an important part of the Indian spiritual tradition. Indian saint Srila Rupa Goswami wrote:

"Bringing gifts and accepting gifts, confiding one's thoughts and inquiring about confidential matters, taking prasadam and treating them with prasadam are the six manifestations of love that devotees have for each other."

Diwali is a triumph of goodness, light, purity, truth and consciousness. This is not just a bright Festival of Lights and a colorful spectacle, it is a holiday with deep spiritual traditions. During Diwali celebrations, Indians can truly feel the warmth and devotion of loved ones, give and receive pleasant gifts, share wisdom and, of course, treat each other with prasadam.

The best photos of Diwali

A little Indian girl is surrounded by garlands, the color of which resembles fire.

The girls hold a tray with special lamps, which are called earthen lamps. On the eve of Diwali, they are placed on the ground so that the lights form a symbolic ornament or pattern.

The next photo shows the Hindu god of prosperity - Ganesha. The drawing was made using the same earth lamps, which were discussed above. The inscription located under the image of the god in Hindi reads: "Happy Diwali".

Elderly women gathered around diya oil lamps to celebrate Diwali.

Indians light candles at the Festival of Lights near the New Delhi Temple.

In honor of Diwali, a woman decorates her doorstep with colorful designs and earthen lamps.

A girl lights candles before the Festival of Lights in the city of Allahabad in northern India.

An elderly homeless Indian prepares for bed right on the street, surrounded by candles that a local merchant lit in front of his shop on the eve of Diwali.

After all, soon we are planning a similar holiday 🙂 By the way, in India, in 2011, the New Year's fire festival is celebrated from October 26th.

The fire festival in India is called Diwali, or Deepavali... The main attribute, the symbol of the holiday, is the same everywhere - an ancient oil lamp made of clay, called "dia" or "dipa". From him got its name Diwali, or Deepavali (Dipa - fire), which in translation from Sanskrit means “ fiery bunch», « row of lights". This day is also called the Holiday and Festival of Lights. By the way, we have already encountered one unusual Indian holiday - the festival of elephants in India. But let's not get distracted and continue.

Diwali is one of the oldest holidays and has been celebrated for over 7,000 years. This bright holiday is known not only in India, but also abroad - in Japan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar (Burma). That is, more than a billion people in India and not only celebrate the Diwali festival with pleasure. With its special atmosphere of carefree fun and the expectation of the embodiment of desires, it resembles our New Year. According to the tradition, Diwali is also a new year according to the Hindu calendar, tied to the lunar cycle (for some regions of the country).

During the holiday, a number of traditions are observed everywhere - the Hindus put on new clothes (before the owners threw away their old clothes and even jewelry after the morning bath, so that the beggars could pick them up and use them), tidy up their house, decorate its threshold with flower garlands of calendula and others flowers, and lighted oil lamps are displayed at the entrance.

In addition, according to the ancient Vedic tradition, one should refrain from the five main vices - lust, anger, greed, attachment and the so-called ego, which in general means purifying one's thoughts, words and actions. By the way, garland of calendula (Chernobryvtsev, marigolds) is one of the symbols of the fire festival in India. Probably not in vain - calendula painfully fire flowers.

Diwali marks the end of the harvest season, the end of the rainy season and the beginning of winter, therefore it is also dedicated to the Goddess of wealth and prosperity Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Diwali is also celebrated by Muslims who celebrate the arrival of Lakshmi with lights and playing cards and diceBecause Lakshmi brings good luck.

In other cases, the houses are carefully cleaned, all the lights are turned on precisely because the Goddess does not like the dark, they turn to her with a prayer, bring her milk, into which coins are dipped, and leave the doors and windows open at night so that it is easier for her to enter the house. ... Garlands of flowers serve approximately the same purpose - after all, as you know, women love flowers 🙂

General external idea of \u200b\u200bthe festival fire is as follows: the air is shaken by the explosions of rockets, firecrackers and firecrackers. Streets of cities, statues of gods are decorated with luminous lanterns and lighted candles. General inner idea of \u200b\u200bthe festival of lights: in the middle of autumn, nature experiences a state of anticipation of winter. It's getting dark, damp, cold. And the longest night is still ahead. But all this can be experienced if you keep a particle in your soul sunlight and to shine on others, to help others, to be empathetic and attentive.

On this day, it is customary to put on new clothes and jewelry, use new dishes, give gifts and visit. According to legend, the more light and fire on this holiday, the more grace, prosperity, success, happiness, prosperity, wealth and abundance will be in next year in home.

Diwali celebration is not just new year, it also means the triumph of truth over falsehood, defeat of evil with good, victory of light over darkness and symbolizes the spiritual path from ignorance to knowledge. In addition, Deepavali denotes the beginning of a new one, therefore it is believed that all beginnings on this day will be successful.

The festival of lights in India is celebrated in the month of Kartik (October-November) and falls on the new moon of the month of Kartik (begins on the thirteenth lunar day) and is celebrated for five days. According to legend, the beginning of the celebration of Diwali is associated with the return of Prince Rama to his homeland after a 14-year exile in the forest, and his victory over the demon Ravana. The inhabitants of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) greeted Rama with the fire of lamps.

And now that is why the streets of both large cities and villages during Diwali are illuminated with thousands of lights at nightfall: many oil lamps are lit in front of houses and in temples; lanterns burn brightly on terraces, roofs, balconies and trees; clay cups with lit lights are lowered into the water; around numerous fireworks and sparklers.

In fact, the actual festival of lights is the third day of the Diwali holiday, in fact, the new moon, the darkest night. But nevertheless, the lights are on, and people are having fun all five days of the festival.

By the way, one should not think that Hindus are dense and superstitious people, buried in mossy traditions. First, and on our New Year firecrackers explode loudly enough. And secondly, no one said that in honor of the gods it is impossible to detonate Osama bin Laden firecrackers or Bush bombs.

So, firecrackers periodically appear on the local market not only with images of Hindu gods befitting the occasion, but also with topical stories. On one of the fire holidays, the most popular commodity was "international terrorist number one." The average price for a package of "Osam" was one thousand eight hundred Indian rupees. It burns in the air for almost seven minutes. "Bush bombs" - a little cheaper. Next in popularity are "fiery" local politicians and so on.

Be that as it may, passing through the streets of cities and capturing all segments of the population, the holiday erases the boundaries of inter-caste, inter-confessional and inter-ethnic differences. This is what makes the holiday one of the important events of the year.

For example, the feast of fire in the fall is typical not only for eastern residents, but also for westerners. So, for example, in Waldorf schools they celebrate Lantern Festival - a similar event in spirit, also taking place at a similar time, on one of the nights of late October - early November.

Thus, the festival of fire in India is not only a beautiful external form, but also a deep, international internal content.