Punjab’s heritage is too
robust to be either forgotten or lost. It is a land of martial traditions
where the nation of India rose as one to combat all aggressions from the
North – West and all others who dared to challenge the integrity and
sovereignty of this golden land. A land of tough , god – fearing
peasants living in its rich traditions of hard – work and toil , song
& dance and patriotism , is today one of the most vibrant states of
India. This land of the brave Sikhs echoes with the melodies Gurbani of
the sacred Guru Granth Sahib from the beautiful gurudwaras spread all over
Punjab.
This tour is specially
prepared to present the best of the great Sikhs shrines in the region. It
will be relevant to quote Mahatama Gandhi as follows , when he wrote about
this land:“ Historically Punjab
may be considered the most important province of India. It was here that
the Aryans of the Vedic times first made their homes. It was here that the
hymns of the Rig Veda were chanted. It was to this province at the
University of Takshila that seekers after knowledge flocked from various
parts of the world. The Scythians , the Tartars and the Persians had to
measure sword with the sons of Punjab in their attempt to penetrate
India.
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| Day 01: Delhi |
| Arrive
Delhi and transfer to hotel. Afternoon half day visit to Gurudwara Sisganj.
Gurudwara Bangla sahib and Gurudwara Rakabganj. Overnite at hotel. |
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| Day 02:
Delhi/Chandigarh/Parivar Vichhora/Anandpur Sahib/Chandigarh |
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Drive
to Chandigarh ( 238 kms/05 hours). Check in at hotel. Afternoon visit
Parivar Vichorra ( 52 kms/02 hrs ) and drive to Anandpur Sahib ( 30
kms/01 hr ) - fortress temple
situated on the left bank of the river Satluj founded by the ninth Sikh
guru , Guru Tegh Bahadur. It was here that the Sikh religion acquired its
final military character. Drive back to Chandigarh. Overnite at
hotel. |
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| Day 03: Chandigarh/Amritsar |
| Morning
sightseeing tour of Chandigarh , visiting the Museum , High Court ,
Assembly Chamber and Rock Garden. Afternoon drive to Amritsar ( 250
kms/06.50 hrs ) , situated on the north – western border of the
country. The 400 years old city , founded by the fourth guru of the Sikhs
, Guru Ramdas , has been the seat of the Sikh religion and culture from
its very inception. It is renowned for the famous Golden Temple. Amritsar
, literally – ‘Pool of Nectar’ , derives its name from the holy pond
around the temple. The land for the pool was gifted by the Moghul Emperor Akbar. Check in at hotel on arrival. Overnite
at hotel.
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| Day 04: Amritsar/Tarn Taran/Gobindwal/Hazoor
Sahib/Amritsar |
| Morning
excursion of Tarn taran ( 22 kms/45 minutes ) , famous for a gurudwara
standing on the side of a large tank and built in honour of Guru
Arjun Dev.Lepers come
from far – off places to have a dip in the tank , for it is believed
thatits water can help
cure leprosy. Proceed to Gobindwal ( 23 kms /30 minutes ) , a short run from tarn taran , connected to the memory of Guru Amardas
who livedthere. A
gurudwara built by the Guruji still stands there. Since no place was
available for a tank , an underground ‘Baoli’ was constructed
near the gurudwarawith
a flight of 84 steps leading to it. Continue onto Hazoor Sahib ( 10 kms/15
minutes ) , where the Samadhi ( memorial ) of the second Sikh guru
, GuruAngad Dev ji ,
was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1815. Return to Amritsar. Afternoon visit the Golden Temple – built in the
midst of the holy pool byMaharaja
Ranjit Singh in 1803 , it is also known as Darbar Sahib or Har MandirSahib. The dome of the temple is covered with an
estimated 400 kgs of gold leaf , hence its popular name the ‘Golden Temple’. The interiors of
the temple , like–
wise , decorated by inlay work with delicate floral patterns are done with
semiprecious stones.
Adjoining the pool is Akal Takht , established by the sixth Sikh
guru , Guru Hargobind Singh. It is seat of the supreme head of the
Sikh religiousauthority.
Overnite at hotel.
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| Day 05:
Amritsar/Jalianwala Bagh/Baba Bakala/Amritsar |
| Morning
visit Jailianwala Bagh ( 24 kms/45 minutes ) , the historic site where
hundreds of innocent Indian men, women and children were massacred
byBritish General
Michael Dyer on April 13 , 1919. A memorial and garden have
been created here as a national monument. Proceed to Baba Bakala (
21 kms/45 minutes ) , a place associated with the ninth Sikh guru , Shri
Tegh Bahadur, having a magnificent gurudwara where people gather in
thousands on every Amavas. An annual fair is held on Raksha Bandhan with
about hundred thousand people visiting the place , commemorating the day
when the ninth guru was located by his followers. Return to
Amritsar. Overnite at
hotel. |
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| Day 06:
Amritsar/Delhi |
| Transfer
to railway station to connect fast train Shatabdi Express for Delhi. On
arrival , assistance and transfer to hotel. Overnite at hotel. |
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| Day 07: Delhi/Back Home |
Morning
half day sightseeing tour , visiting Red Fort – the symbol of Moghul
power and elegance built in red sand stone by the fifth Moghul
Emperor Shah Jahan when he shifted his capital to Shahjahanabad from Agra
in 1638 ; India Gate – the country’s memorial to the Unknown Soldier ;
and Quatab Minar – built in red sand stone in Islamic style , the tower
is 71 mts tall with its walls consisting of intricately carved quotations
from the Holy Quran.
Check
out at 1200 hours. Transfer to airport to connect flight for onward
journey.
End of our services.
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