Mughal art and architecture: Mughal art and architecture, a
characteristic Indo-Islamic-Persian style that flourished on the Indian
subcontinent during the Mughal empire (1526-1857). This new style
combined elements of Islamic art and architecture, which had been
introduced to India during the Delhi Sultanate (1192-1398) and had
produced great monuments such as the Qutub Minar, with features of
Persian art and architecture. In architecture, the first great Mughal
monument was the mausoleum to Humayun, erected during the reign of Akbar
(1556-1605). Set in a garden at Delhi, it has an intricate ground plan
with central octagonal chambers, joined by an archway with an elegant
facade and surmounted by cupolas, kiosks, and pinnacles. Akbar went on
to build the entire city of Fatehpur Sikri (City of Victory) in which
extensive use was made of the low arches and bulbous domes that
characterize the Mughal style. Courtiers soon followed suit and built
homes surrounding the palace and mosque. The new city became the capital
of the empire, but in 1585 it was abandoned. It was Shah Jahan (1628-58)
who perfected Mughal architecture and erected at Agra its most noble and
famous building, the tomb of his favorite wife, which is known as the
Taj Mahal. A huge white marble building of simple, symmetrical plan, it
is inlaid with colorful semiprecious materials and is set in an equally
beautiful and symmetrical garden. The Taj Mahal continues the tradition
of Mughal garden tombs, of which Humayun's tomb was the first. Shah
Jahan established (1638) Delhi as his capital and built there the famous
Red fort, which contained the imperial Mughal palace.
ART OF THE CHANDELLAS: Khajuraho The art of Khajuraho India has a
long history. Today, the art of Khajuraho India is world renowned. The
beautiful temples that dot the town of Khajuraho are believed to have
been built by the mighty Chandela rulers in 9th and 10th century AD. The
engravings on these temples are highly sensual and erotic and much has
already been discussed their symbolic importance. Tantricism and the
Shakti cult, where the pancha makaras (five tenets), were to release the
human spirit from the bondage of the flesh, have been described as the
possible explanations for the sculptural sensuality of Khajuraho. Out of
85 temples, only 20 have survived the ravages of time.
VARANASI-PRISTINE CITY OF INDIA: Down the ages, Varanasi has
stood as a symbol of Hindu renaissance. It has preserved the history,
rituals and traditions of Hindu philosophy.
The city finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.
It was already an old city when Rome was founded, and was a flourishing
center of trade when Buddha came to Sarnath, some 10 km away, to preach
his first sermon in 500 BC. It is a city of temples and for more than
2,500 years, it has attracted pilgrims from near and far. According to
Hindu belief, Banaras or Varanasi as it is known, is the cosmic center
of the Universe.
At the other end of the city is Sarnath. Here in the fabled deer park,
where the Buddha preached his sermon enshrining the principles of his
teaching into laws. There is a stupa and a large complex of ruined
monasteries. Nearby also stands the Ashoka Pillar commemorating the
Mauryan emperor's visit to the place more than 2,000 years back.
DAY 1
| DELHI
At 8.30 hours,
meet your tour guide and your fellow travellers for a short
breifing in the hotel lobby followed by a full day combined
sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi visiting - the mighty
Red fort, friday mosque - the Jama Masjid, the silver street
of Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma
Gandhi, The hindu temple - Birla Mandir, The India Gate - a 42
mt high war memorial, The Rashtrapati Bhawan - President's
house, the tomb of emperor Humayun, Qutab Minar - a 73 mt high
victory tower and the Bahai temple - shaped like a lotus
flower and a proof of India's secularism. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 2
| DELHI /
AGRA
Early morning,
depart for Agra (220 kms, 4 hours) and check in at hotel.
Afternoon, sightseeing tour of Agra city visit the world
famous Taj Mahal. One of the wonders of the world - a monument
of love created by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved
wife Mumtaz Mahal and perhaps the most perfect architectural
monument of the world, the Red fort-a testament to the rise
and fall of the Mughal empire built by emperor Akbar in red
sand stone over 400 years ago. Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 3
| AGRA /
KHAJURAHO
Time free at
leisure till transfer to the airport to board flight for
Khajuraho. Check-in at hotel. After lunch, proceed for
sightseeing of temples in Khajuraho. Dinner and overnight stay
at hotel .
Eastern Group of Temples
The temple of Parsvanath is the largest of the Jain temples in
Khajuraho and the finest. The temple was originally dedicated
to Adinath and later to Parsvanath. It is the finest example
of the sensitive art without any sexual motifs. Near this
temple is the temple of Adinath with fine carvings. The temple
is quite similar to the Hindu temples of Khajuraho. Shantinath
is the youngest of all the temples in Khajuraho India. Though
it looks like the most other temples in Khajuraho, it is just
a century old. The temple has a four and a half meter statue
of Adinath. Mostly in ruins now, the temple of Ghantai has
fine columns and chains and bells, with a figure of a Jain
goddess on a garuda. One of the oldest temples in Khajuraho is
the temple of Brahma and Hanuman. The temple is built mostly
of granite and sandstone. Actually, this temple is dedicated
to Lord Vishnu. Nearby is a Hanuman temple reputed to have the
earliest inscription dating back to AD 922 on a 2½ m statue.
Two other notable temples are Javari and Vamana temple.
Overnight in Khajuraho.
DAY 4
|
KHAJURAHO
After breakfast,
proceed for the sightseeing of the temples of the Southern
Group.
There are only two temples in the southern group of temples.
The Duladeo is somewhat new and built in a time when the
creativity of Khajuraho was well down its peak. The temple has
wooden structures that take away its authenticity somewhat.
The other temple is of Chaturbhuja, pretty far from the
village. The temple has a 3m high statue of Vishnu. After
lunch, proceed for the Dhubela museum ,64 km away from
Khajuraho. Located on the bank of a lake, the museum houses a
wide variety of sculpture of the Shakti cult. There are
different sections on garments, weapons and paintings. Drive
down back to Khajuraho. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 5
|
KHAJURAHO / VARANASI
Time free at
leisure till transfer to the airport to board flight for
Varanasi. Check-in at the hotel. After lunch, proceed for the
sightseeing of Varanasi. Overnight in Varanasi.
DAY 6
|
VARANASI
The
mind-soothing destination, on arrival transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, take an excursion to Buddhist town of
Sarnath - The hallowed spot where lord Buddha preached his
first sermon after enlightenment. Dinner and overnight stay at
hotel.
DAY 7
|
VARANASI / DELHI
At dawn, boat
ride at river Ganges, followed by a city tour covering Alamgir
Mosque or Beni Madhav Ka Darera, Dasaswamedha Ghat, Banaras
Hindu University & The Bharat Mata Temple . Transfer to the
airport to board flight for Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi, proceed to the international airport to
board flight for onward destination.
