Eastern Golden Triangle - PI-025
This itinerary will take you to the journey of eastern India. Starting from the largest city of India, Kolkata, which has a wonderful fusion of modern and ancient with rich and poor, to the religious and ancient towns of Konark and Puri. The world heritage temples will give you an insight of the East Indian architectural prowess of the ancient days. Experience the soothing sea at Gopalpur and the calmness of the Chilka Lake.
天 1: Kolkata
2024年11月26日 - 2024年11月27日
Arrive at Kolkata popularly known as THE CITY OF JOY - and transfer to hotel.Kolkata has long been known for its literary, artistic and revolutionary heritage. As the former capital of India, Kolkata was the birthplace of modern Indian literary and artistic thought. Kolkatan's tend to have a special appreciation for art and literature; its tradition of welcoming new talent has made it a City of Furious Creative Energy. For these reasons, Kolkata has often been dubbed as the Cultural Capital of India or the Literary Capital of India.
The stunning beauty of
Victoria Memorial in Kolkata at dusk.
The Durga Puja pandal at Muhammad Ali park in Kolkata is known for its social themes.A characteristic feature of Kolkata is the para or neighborhoods having a strong sense of community. Typically, every para has its own community club with a clubroom and often, a playing field. People here habitually indulge in adda or leisurely chat, and these adda sessions are often a form of freestyle intellectual conversation. The city has a tradition of political graffiti depicting everything from outrageous slander to witty banter and limericks, caricatures to propaganda.
Kolkata has many buildings adorned with Gothic, Baroque, Roman, Oriental and Indo-Islamic (including Mughal) motifs. Several major buildings of the Colonial period are well maintained and have been declared "heritage structures", while others are in various stages of decay. Established in 1814, the Indian Museum is the oldest museum in Asia and houses vast collection of Indian natural history and Indian art. The
Victoria Memorial, one of the major tourist attractions in Kolkata, has a museum documenting the city's history. The National Library of India is India's leading public library. Academy of Fine Arts and other art galleries hold regular art exhibitions.Calcutta was named the capital of British India in 1772, and starting in 1864 during the summer months, the capital was temporarily shifted to the hill station of Shimla. In the early 19th century the marshes surrounding the city were drained and the government area was laid out along the banks of the Hooghly River. Richard Wellesley, the Governor General between 1797–1805, was largely responsible for the growth of the city and its public architecture which led to the description of Calcutta as "The City of Palaces".
Overnight stay at hotel.
天 2: Kolkata
2024年11月27日 - 2024年11月28日
Kolkata, capital of West Bengal is the nerve centre of intellectual and human values where many modern movements began in literature, art, cinema, theatre, science, politics and industry.
Start with a full day city tour visiting
The Howrah Bridge - and the more recently built Vidyasagar Setu. Later transfer to
Victoria Memorial built of White Marble. It was opened by Prince of Wales in 1924 and has a statue of Queen Victoria, with other exhibits. Visit the Indian Museum and drive past
Dalhousie Square,
St. Paul's Cathedral, National Library, Shaheed Minar, Eden Garden, Fort William and city centre.
Optional visit to Mother Teresa's home of Charity. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast in the morning leave by air for Bhubaneshwar-The temple city which has a cluster of some 500 temples chronologically arranged and still standing. Arrive at Bhubaneshwar and check in at hotel.
Afternoon city tour visiting the Lingaraja temple,
The Mukteshwar temple and the 11th century Raja Rani temple.
Overnight stay at hotel.
After breakfast Morning proceed by road to Puri-The home of artisans and craftsmen. En-route visit the famous
Sun Temple at Konark. See the giant celestial chariot of the Sun God, pulled by seven exquisitely carved ornamented horses.
Arrive and check in at Hotel. Afternoon visit the 12th century Jagannath Temple. The beach at Puri is one of the finest beaches of India. Watching the sunrise in a symphony of colours is a wondrous experience. Overnight stay at hotel.
天 5: Puri
2024年11月30日 - 2024年12月1日
Post breakfast in the morning, enjoy the whole day on the beach. Puri, the holy land of Lord Jagannath has many names. It is mentioned in Puranas as Srikshetra, Shankhakshetra, Neelachala, Neeladri, Purusottama Dhama, Purusottama Kshetra, Purusottama Puri and Jagannath Puri. The word "puri" in Sanskrit means 'town', or 'city'.[1] May be, Puri is a shortened name for Jagannath Puri or Purusottama Puri. In some records pertaining to the British rule, the word 'Jagannath' was used for Puri.[2] It is the only shrine in India, where Radha, also referred to as Durga, Sati, Parvati, Shakti abodes with Krishna, also known as Jagannath. Though the pulsating beach of Puri attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year the best time to check out the beautiful beach at the pious
Puri is early November when you may participate in the annual Puri Beach Festival. The combination of the crafts, cuisines and cultural of Orissa will not fail to charm you.
Overnight stay at hotel in Puri.
天 6: Puri - Gopalpur
2024年12月1日 - 2024年12月2日
Morning proceed by road to Gopalpur ancient seaport of Orissa and now famous as a sea side resort.Originally a small fishing village on the coast of Orissa, it was so named when a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was constructed some time in the 18th century. Apart from its temple, Gopalpur was distinguished for its magnificent beach and was discovered as a perfect winter resort. Soon hotels and guesthouses lined its seafront. The East India Company built huge warehouses and godowns because the trade with Burma had picked up and Gopalpur had become a trading point for rice from Rangoon. In those days, there were dances and parties that continued until the early hours and wealthy Bengalis from Calcutta made it their holiday home. Till Today Gopalpur is amongst the popular beaches in Orissa.
Gopalpur's importance dwindled when trade with Burma abruptly ceased during the war and never revived again. When the British left India, even members of rich Bengali homes preferred to holiday in other places and Gopalpur reverted to what it originally was, a fishing village.
With an increase in tourist trade in the late seventies, and the opening of luxury hotels, a slow revival began and today Gopalpur-On-Sea is one of the foremost beach resorts in India. Though now there are many popular beaches in Orissa.
Being a quiet place, it is a famous resort for tourists for combating the foaming waves of the sea.En-route visit Pipli Village famous for its applique work.Arrive and overnight stay at hotel.
Early morning after breakfast visit Chilka Lake - Bird watcher's Paradise. A unique water Lagoon comprising marine, brackish and fresh water eco systems with an estuarine character, Chilika is the largest lagoon along the east coast of India. A paradise for the migratory birds and thus for the bird watchers, it is one of the hotspot of biodiversity in the country, and some rare, vulnerable and endangered species are found here. It is famous for the aquatic faunas and as sanctuary and winter resort of migratory birds coming from as far as Siberia.Overnight stay at hotel in Gopalpur.
天 8: Gopalpur
2024年12月3日 - 2024年12月4日
Relax on the Beach.
Gopalpur is a bewitching seaside resort and there can be no better option than to enjoy the sun, sea, and sand. Walk around the beach, collect shells and first-sized peal-white conch, and remember all the beautiful moments of your life. One may not be able to do it again.
Overnight stay at hotel in Gopalpur.
Morning after breakfast proceed by road for Bhubaneshwar airport and from there take a flight to Kolkata.
Upon arrival at Kolkata,transfer to hotel.check in and overnight stay at hotel.
天 10: Kolkata
2024年12月5日 - 2024年12月6日
Post breakfast in the morning, visit one of the most famous temples of India, the Dakshineshwar temple. You are bound to find innumerous people praying here.Kalighat : According to the legend, when Lord Shiva's wife Parvati's body was cut up, one of her fingers fell here. Rebuilt in 1809, this is an important shrine of Hindu Shakti worship. The temple is in the southern part of the city.
Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Belur Math : Built in 1847, on the banks of the Hooghly, north of Calcutta, the temple is associated with Shri Ramakrishna , the eclectic 19th century saint who revived Hinduism during the British Raj. Across the river stands Belur Math, headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission. The monastery is a haven of peace and religious harmony.
Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture : Commemorates the birth centenary of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Religious discourses and cultural exchanges are held here among international scholars. The institute is located at Golpark.
Nakhoda Mosque : Modelled on Akbar's tomb in Sikandra, the red sandstone mosque has two minarets 46 mts high, a brightly painted onion shaped dome and can accommodate 10,000 people. Built in 1926 and located on Chitpur Road.
St John's Church : Built in 1787 with Grecian columns. The burial ground has the mausoleum of Job Charnock, founder of Calcutta. On the north-west side of Raj Bhavan.
St Paul's Cathedral : Constructed between 1839 and 1847 in Gothic style with stained glass windows and two Florentine frescoes, the cathedral is the largest in the city and next to the Birla Planetarium. St Paul's was conscerated in 1874.
Armenian Church : The oldest place of Christian worship in Calcutta. The church of Holy Nazareth was built in 1764.Among the other churches to visit are St Andrew's Church. The Old Mission Church and the Greek Orthodox Church.
Jewish Synagogues : The Maghen David Synagogue on Jewish Synagogue Street and the BETHEL on Pollock Street are very old worship houses and a reminder to the cosmopolitan nature of the city.
You may later visit the Belur math an equally calm temple.
Later in the evening, transfer to the international airport to take the flight back home.
