ANANT KASHI WITH STAY IN LUCKNOW (WINTER 1ST OCT 2024 – 31ST MAR 2025)

Arrival at Varanasi airport. Pls. schedule a flight before 1330 hrs. Meet and greet and at 1330 hrs. we get transferred to Hotel. Check-in and freshen up. After lunch at 1600 Hrs we get transfer to Ganges for Boating and Evening Ganga Aarti on famous Dashashwamedh Ghat. Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main Ghat in Varanasi on the Ganga River. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple and is probably the most spectacular Ghat. Two Hindu legends are associated with it: According to one, Lord Brahma created it to welcome Lord Shiva. According to another legend, Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during Dasa-Ashwamedha yajna performed here.) Overnight in Varanasi.

Early morning Temple darshan (Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna Mandir, Kala Bhairov Mandir) followed with Sankat Mochan Mandir, Durga Mandir, Tulsi Manas Mandir & Benaras Hindu University (BHU). After breakfast move for Sarnath (Sarnath is the place where Gautam Buddha after attain enlightenment delivers his first sermon to 5 followers). Sightseeing of Sarnath including Sarnath Museum (Our National Emblem excavated from Sarnath is on Display built by Samrat Ashoka), Ancient ruins, Mahabodhi society Temple. Evening is free. Overnight in Varanasi.

After early breakfast check out and transfer to PRAYAGRAJ. (The city's original name – Prayag, or "place of offerings" – comes from its position at the Sangam (confluence) of the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers. It is the second-oldest city in India, and plays a central role in Hindu scriptures. Allahabad was originally called Kaushambi (now a separate district) by the Kuru rulers of Hastinapur, who developed it as their capital. Since then, Allahabad has been a political, cultural and administrative centre of the Doab region. Mughal emperor Akbar renamed it Ilahabad, which the British changed to Allahabad. In 1833 it became the seat of the Ceded and Conquered Provinces region before its capital was moved to Agra in 1835. Allahabad became the capital of the North-Western Provinces in 1858, and was the capital of India for a day. The city was the capital of the United Provinces from 1902 to 1920 and remained at the forefront of national importance during the struggle for Indian independence.)

Places of interest HOLY DIP IN SANGAM, Bada Hanuman Mandir, Akshayvat Tree (Akshayavat ("the indestructible banyan tree") is a sacred fig tree mentioned in the Hindu mythology. According to a legend, once the sage Markandeya asked Lord Narayana to show him a specimen of the divine power. Narayana flooded the entire world for a moment, during which only the Akshayavat could be seen above the water level.) & Anand Bhawan (Birthplace of first Prime Minister of Independent India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru)

After breakfast day trip to Chitrakoot (Chitrakoot, "the hills of many wonders" is indeed a gift of nature and the gods. Located in the Banda district of modern Uttar Pradesh(U.P), on the banks of river Paisuni(Mandikini), Chitrakoot is a tranquil retreat on the northern spur of the Vindhyas. Just 6 km south of Karvi and 72 km south east of Banda district on the road to Allahabad, Chitrakoot Dham is one of the most ancient holy pilgrim places of India. Legends have it that it was the abode of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman for eleven years of their fourteen years of exile. This is also the place,where they came in contact with sage Atri and sati Anasuya.This abode of the gods is credited to have seen the incarnations of Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh. Chitrakoot ,sacred with the touch of Lord's feet,was where Goswami Tulsidas, the creator of the epic "Shri Ramcharitmanas" spent many years of his life. Dotted with innumerable temples and shrines, nature's splendor here is wrapped in peace and tranquility, permeated only by singing birds and gushing streams.). Return hotel check in and overnight stay in Allahabad.

After breakfast checkout from hotel and transfer to Ayodhaya visit Hamunan Garhi, Ram Mandir, Dahsrat Mahal, Kanak Bhawan, evening transfer to Lucknow. Dinner and overnight in Lucknow.

After early breakfast, checkout from hotel and drop at Lucknow airport for onward/return journey.