Sandalwood City! Everywhere you go in this beautiful city you will find yourself surrounded by the lingering aromas of sandalwood, jasmine, rose, musk, frangipani & many others. Whenever you smell them again, you will be reminded of this place. It is one of the major centers of incense manufacture in India, & scores of small, family- owned agarbati (incense) factories are scattered all over the world. Until Independence the city was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, a princely state covering about a third of present- day Karnataka, centre of the city is a major attraction drawing the visitor from all over the world. Just south of the city is Chamundi Hill, which is topped by an important Siva Temple. Maharaja Palace : The beautiful profile of this walled Indo- Saracenic palace, the seat of the maharajas of Maharajas, graces the skyline of city. It was built in 1907 at the cost of 4.2 million to replace the former palace which burned down. Inside it is a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors, gilt & gaudy colors. Some of it is undoubtedly over the top but there are also beautiful carved wooden doors & mosaic floors, as well as a whole series of mediocre, though historically interesting, paintings depicting life in Mysore during the British rule. Note the beautifully carved mahogany ceiling, solid silver doors, white marble floors &superb columned Durbar hall. The palace even has its own Hindu temple inside the walls, complete with gopuram (gateway tower). There is a good museum adjacent to it. Chamundi Hill : You can spend a very pleasant half- day walking up (or, more sensibly, down) the 1000- odd steps to the top of the hill, where the temple to Sri Chamundeswari, stand 1062 meters above the sea level. There is some shade on the way & the views over the city & surrounding countryside are superb. Three- quarters of the way up the hill you will come across the famous Nandi (bull of Siva) carved out of solid rock which, at five meters high, is one of the largest in India. It is always garlanded in flowers & constantly visited by bevies of pilgrims offering parsad (a sweet dish offered after the pray) to the priest in attendance there. Jaganmohan Palace : Another place to worth a visit is the Jayachamarajendendra art gallery in Jaganmohan Palace. Not only dose it display paintings, particularly by Ravi Verma, but it is handicrafts, historical objects, of interest & rare musical instruments. The palace itself was built in 1861 & served as a royal auditorium. Helping Facts Airways : Mysore has its own domestic airport. And one can find the flights to all over the country from here. Railways : Since Mysore is on the meter- gauge system & not on any of the major trunk routes, getting to any of other major cities of India, except Bangalore, involves the change of trains at some point. Roadways : The central bus station is not far from the centre of Mysore. There is the time table available in English & you can make your reservations three days in advance. From the central bus stand you can get the non-stop buses to Banglore every 15 minutes from 5.45am to 9.30pm as well as super deluxe buses every hour from 6.30am to 7pm. Climate : Climate over here in the summer season is much hot the temperature her in Mysore in the summer season remains around 34 0 C- 37 0 C. The temperature in the winter season it gets reduced & decreases up to 12 0 C- 14 0 C. Further Connections : Bangalore, Mangalore, Hampi and Cochin.

The big hotels, shops, restaurants and various Indian Airlines take major international credit cards. Travelers cheques are the safest form of money to be carried, and can be used directly to settle bills. Stick to the well known brands - American Express, Visa, Thomas Cook, Citibank and Barclays, keep the photocopies too. The best currencies to take are US dollars and pounds sterling. More than $10, 000 (or equivalent) in cash, must be declared. There are also 24 hour branches of the State Bank of India and Thomas Cook in the arrival and departure areas of the international airport. The Indian currency is the rupee (Rs), which has 100 paisa. There are coins of 25, 50 paisa and also coins of Rs. 1, 2, 5. There are notes of Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000. Check out current Exchange Rates. You will get encashment certificates from the Bank for each transaction, which should be kept carefully. In case, while going back you want the Indian Rupees to be changed back into foreign currency, the same can be done up to US $ 500 worth of rupees. Credit cards are widely accepted at mid range and up market hotels and for buying rail and air tickets and also in many shops. On a MasterCard, Visa Card, or Japanese Credit bureau card, you can now get cash advances in rupees on the spot in main cities. With American Express you can get dollar or sterling traveler̢۪s cheques. TELEPHONE There are private STD/ISD call booths everywhere with direct local, interstate and international dialing. A digital meter is attached to let you know, how much your call is costing and gives you a printout at the end. The international access code from India is 00, after which you need to dial your country code followed by area code and then the phone number. Almost all the hotel rooms have the facility for phones, but international calls have hefty additional charges levied. Fax facility are available on most of these STD/ISD call booths and also in the hotels.

Passport : All travelers to India except nationals of Nepal & Bhutan must possess a valid passport. It is advisable to carry your passport with you while you are in India for possible identification requirements. Always place a photocopy of your passport in each and every checked-in baggage that you give at the airport. This helps in case you lose your luggage. Visa : All foreign tourists to India except nationals of Nepal, Bhutan & Bangladesh, must possess a valid visa. You are not issued a visa on your arrival in India. The cost of a visa is US$ 30 for up to six months, US $ 50 for up to one year and US $ 100 for more than one year and up to five years. Contact the Indian embassy or Indian consulate in your country for issuing of Visas. A tourist visa is valid for three to six months. Tourists visas allow multiple entry to simplify visits to neighboring countries. You will be required to fill in a disembarkation card on your arrival in India which will have to be submitted at the Immigration counters at the airport. Transit Visas : Transit visas are granted by Indian Missions abroad for a maximum period of 15 days. Exemption from Registration : Foreigners coming to India on tourist visa for 180 days or a shorter period are not required to register themselves with any authority. They can move about freely in the country, except to restricted protected areas and prohibited places. Nationals of Bangladesh are exempt from registration for up to six months. If their stay exceeds six months, they have to register themselves. Family passports issued by other governments are recognized with discrimination. Extension of Visa : As a rule, no extension of stay is granted on a tourist visa. Tourist visa are available for a maximum period of 180 days. No charges are levied for visa extension within the maximum period of 180 days. Identical passport photographs are required. However in case of an extension beyond 180 days, which is allowed only in exceptional cases, an extension fee which varies from country to country is charged. In case a foreign tourist has obtained extension beyond three months of stay in India, he will have to surrender his certificate of Registration and Residential Permit before leaving India.

It is advisable not to pack too many things, as it is impossible not to buy things in India. In fact the most reluctant and miserly shoppers succumb within the first few days unless they are held back. Just carry things that can be used up and thrown out at the end (creams, shampoos etc.) Though a lot of variety is available in the big cities. Sightseeing Packing - For daily traveling, must consist of a hand towel, a small bar of soap, a toilet roll, face tissue or handkerchiefs and a bottle for water. A camera, with ample roll of films (good quality films are available in the big cities), a pair of binoculars, which can help with looking closer at birds, wildlife and detailed carving on buildings. Electrical gadgets work on "220 V". Sealed Mineral Water is available freely. Travel Documents - It is safe to keep all the travel documents, consisting of your passport, tickets, confirmations of bookings, insurance policies , traveler̢۪s cheques, permits, visas etc. and of course money in your hand luggage. In cloths, essentials are loose cotton cloths as man made fibers are extremely uncomfortable and sweaty during summer months. Hotel laundries are fast and good. European Designs are cheaper in India and are sold in the hotel shopping arcades. Clothes - Can also be stitched and copied in one day, using fabric bought by the meter, which is readily available. Socks are essential if you plan to visit temples or places of worship as you are not allowed to wear shoes inside these places. There is an inexhaustible choice of comfortable, good looking cheap sandals in Delhi. Medicines - Few pills for fever, aches, cough and cold will save most disasters and for jippy tummy known as Delhi belly in India. Most of the hotels have doctors on call, but if you plan to go off a beaten tract, it is worth considering taking a course for malaria, antiseptic cream, few dressings, and insect bite cream. It is advisable and essential to take right injections before visiting India. A full course against typhoid, tetanus, cholera and hepatitis. Medical services are available in almost all the good hotels. Customs - The usual duty-free rules and regulations apply for India - One liter of alcohol and 200 . Video Cameras, Laptop Computers, Still Cameras, should be entered on a "Tourist baggage Re-Export" form. Your luggage, including hand luggage may be x-rayed on arrival. Export of any object over 100 years old requires a permit, in case of any doubt you should contact the Director of Antiquities, Archaeological Survey of India, in Janpath. (Call : +(91)-(11)-3017220) Travel Insurance - Is a good idea to make a small payment to cover against theft, loss and medical problems.

Airport To Hotel - Delhi is a major international gateway to India, at times, the international flights out of Delhi can be heavily booked, therefore, it is advised to plan and book your tickets well in advance. Double check your reservations and reconfirm your flight. Taxi - Once you are through customs, you will find yourself surrounded by lot of porters offering to carry your bags or find you a taxi, choose one person finely. If you are being met by your hotel, they will make themselves known to you by carrying a board with your name on it. If not, the international airport operates a fixed - rate centralized taxi service for going into New Delhi. There are counters to guide you with maps and pre-paid taxi services. If this is your first trip to India, take down the registration number of the taxi and insist on going to the hotel of your choice only. Auto Rickshaw - An Auto Rickshaw is a three - wheeler vehicle, generally about half the price of a taxi.

Duration : 13 Nights 14 Days Destinations : New Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Pushkar - Mandawa - Bikaner (Gajner) - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur Day 01 : Delhi Welcome in India! On arrival you will be transferred and assisted till your room in your hotel. Remaining day at leisure. Day 02 : New Delhi After a leisurely breakfast move out for a daylong sightseeing of Old Delhi (Shahajahanabad), which includes the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk & Jama Masjid.Later after lunch drive past through impressive boulevards and buildings such as President’s Residence and others in Lutyen’s Delhi (New Delhi). Evening free to move around the busy Connaught Place. Day 03 : Agra Drive to Agra and check in at your hotel. After lunch visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Evening free to relax. Day 04 : Jaipur After a leisurely breakfast drive to Jaipur in your exclusive vehicle. On arrival to the charming Pink City of India check in at your hotel. Further move out for a sightseeing tour that includes visit to City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory, Hawa Mahal, Birla temple and Albert hall. In the evening take a walking tour of the colorful streets and bazaars of Jaipur City. The beauty of Jaipur is that its unique architecture and town planning is visible at even the most commonest places such as its squares and lanes. Day 05 : Pushkar In the morning move out to visit the Amber Fort. Here at Amber, you’ll ascend till the gates of majestic fort on elephant back. The fort displays a beautiful mix of Mughal and Rajput styles of architecture. Further driver to Pushkar in your xclusive vehicle. Rest of the free to explore on your on. Day 06 : Pushkar After a leisurely breakfast move out to visit the holiest city of Rajasthan. Take a pleasant walk on the street around the sacred pond and Ghats up to Brahma temple. Entire day free to explore the spiritual facets of the town on own. Day 07 : Mandawa In the morning drive to Mandawa in your exclusive vehicleyou’re your arrival check in at your hotel. Relax for a while. Later move out for a walking tour of the town to see some of its frescoed havelies. Day 08 : Bikaner (Gajner) Reach to Gajner through Bikaner-the camel city. On arrival check in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Further visit the well-preserved Junagarh fort. In the evening visit the unique camel-breeding farm. Day 09 : Jaisalmer Drive to Jaisalmer. Transfer on camels to desert camp in a village outside Jaisalmer to spend the day in rustic desert atmosphere. Night stay in desert camp. Day 10 : Jaisalmer Transfer to Jaisalmer city and check in. Sightseeing of various attractions of the town including a walk in the fort and lanes of the town below. Day 11 : Jodhpur Drive through desert landscape with brief halts at Kheechan (haven for migratory Demoiselle Cranes) and Osian village (ancient trading town famous for its superbly carved temples). At Jodhpur visit majestic Mehrangarh fort. Evening free at the old markets around Clock Tower. Day 12 : Udaipur Morning drive to Udaipur visiting the unparalleled Ranakpur temples (the temple here is the largest Jain temple in the world having 1444 carved pillars with no two pillars looking alike!) before finally checking in. On arrival, have some leisure in your idyllic room in the Lake Palace. The Lake Palace seems like floating on the calm waters of Lake Pichhola. In the evening take a sightseeing tour of the breathtaking royal buildings around the Lake in boat tour. Day 13 : Delhi Day sightseeing of City Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari, Eklingji and Nagda. Evening entertainment at Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal. In the evening you will be transferred to the train station to board the flight for New Delhi. Over night at the train. Day 14 : Departure On arrival you will be received at the train station and you will be transferred straight to your hotel the tour ends.

Kerala Backwater Introduction Today, tourism in Kerala backwaters is a major attraction - the palm-fringed, tranquil backwaters of Kerala were once just the trade highways of state. Tourism in Kerala backwaters have dictated the history of state, shaped its present and promised it a future by virtue of offering incomparable beauty and unique experiences. The palm-fringed of state backwaters are inland lakes connected by a network of canals. With 41 west-flowing rivers, the backwaters stretch to almost 1, 900 kilometers. The backwater routes date back over the centuries and have been long used for all transportation needs, in particular trade in coconut, rubber, rice and spices. Today, these waterways link remote villages and islands to the mainland and nerve centers of the coastal area. The most interesting area in the backwaters is the Kuttanad region, called the rice bowl of Kerala. The area is probably the only place in the continent where farming is done below sea level, using a system of dykes and bunds. The largest backwater stretch is the Vembanad Lake, which opens out into the sea at the Kochi port and flows through three districts-Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi. The Ashtamudi Lake has eight arms covering a major portion of Kollam district in the south, and is the second largest lake in the state. Kerala Backwaters Looking forward to have the time of your life this holiday? Think about the gorgeous greens, the canopies of coconuts, the bedazzling blues, balmy beaches and the breathtakingly beautiful backwaters. Welcome to God Own Country of Kerala. The entire journey along the Kerala backwaters is a moving picture with beauty of nature at its best. The Kerala backwaters formed the unique way of travelling in the past. Till date the Kerala backwaters is efficiently used as a means to transport men and material. The entire experience of the green and serene Kerala backwaters is incomparable and incredible. The vivacious and vibrant village life cannot be left in a better way on a smooth sail in the houseboat on Kerala backwaters. The Kerala backwaters have a fleet of over 250 houseboats. The panoramic nature surrounding the houseboats is clubbed with the equally well-furnished interiors. When onboard the houseboats in Kerala backwaters, you may savour the traditional delicacies of Kerala. The cuisine is captivating owing to the local specialties in the menu like the chicken and fish curry. The food is generally fresh as the material is purchased on the way across the Kerala backwaters. You must opt for the fabulous ride on the houseboat and explore the fascinating beauty of the Kerala backwaters. It is the Kerala backwaters cruises that complete the tour to southern India. Kerala backwaters take you through the winding waterways revealing the colourful culture and customs of the rural life. The magic of the mystical Kerala backwaters works on one and all. Your Kerala backwaters odyssey will have twittering kingfishers, eye-catching cormorants gliding ducks and Houseboat. The coastline of Kerala is dotted with delightful backwaters destinations. The Venice of the East i.e. Alappuzha with its lovely lakes, lagoons and the fresh water rivers will not fail to sweep you off your feet. The variant village cruises to the coconut plantations and the coir villages of Cochin will captivate you entirely on the Kerala backwaters trip. The capital city of Thiruvanthapuram on one hand is a major center for tourists, politics and industries at the same time its soothing shoreline, beautiful beaches and the backwaters stretches make it terrific. The Kerala backwaters destination of Thiruvallam makes a great one-day tour from Thiruvanthapuram. At Thiruvallam you may indulge in the canoe rides, participate in the water sports at the lagoon or simply bask in the beach. Situated on Lake Vembanad the Kerala backwaters destination of Kumarakom offers unparalleled boating, fishing and sightseeing opportunities. Adjacent to Kumarakom is the charming Kerala backwaters of Kottayam with paddy fields, rubber plantations and the highlands the land is renowned as the land of letters, latex and lakes. The gateway to the Kerala backwaters is the spectacular cashew town of Kollam. The longest Kerala backwaters cruise commences from Kollam and ends at Alappuzha. The Kerala backwaters destination of Kasaragod with the Pallikere and the Kappil beaches and the day trips chain of forts at Chandagiri and the best breathtaking views of the Kerala backwaters of vivacious valiyaparamba is a must visit. Though you may plan your Kerala backwaters tour anytime of the year, the best time for cruising is from October to March. Casual clothes in cotton are best suited for the Kerala backwaters trip. On your way back home from the Kerala backwaters do not forget to pick up the best buys being offered by the region ranging from the carved wooden elephant souvenirs, assorted handicrafts like bell metal products, coir goods, sandalwood, brass and wooden items, conch shells, paintings and masks. All the travel services for the Kerala backwaters tour are easily available. We at India’s Invitation offer the best of Kerala backwaters tours, Kerala backwaters holiday offers, Kerala backwaters tour packages, Kerala backwaters houseboats booking, and Kerala backwaters hotel booking. Chill out on the Kerala backwaters and be assured to enjoy the time of your life! Tours of Backwater Land of Back Water Duration : 18 Nights 19 Days Destinations : Kochi - Munnar - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Houseboat - Marari Now See South India Duration : 20 Nights 21 Days Destinations : Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Mudurai - Kumarakom - Kettovlam - Kochi - Bangalore - Chikmagalur - Hampi - Badami - Goa - Mumbai

Sandalwood City! Everywhere you go in this beautiful city you will find yourself surrounded by the lingering aromas of sandalwood, jasmine, rose, musk, frangipani & many others. Whenever you smell them again, you will be reminded of this place. It is one of the major centers of incense manufacture in India, & scores of small, family- owned agarbati (incense) factories are scattered all over the world. Until Independence the city was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, a princely state covering about a third of present- day Karnataka, centre of the city is a major attraction drawing the visitor from all over the world. Just south of the city is Chamundi Hill, which is topped by an important Siva Temple. Maharaja Palace : The beautiful profile of this walled Indo- Saracenic palace, the seat of the maharajas of Maharajas, graces the skyline of city. It was built in 1907 at the cost of 4.2 million to replace the former palace which burned down. Inside it is a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors, gilt & gaudy colors. Some of it is undoubtedly over the top but there are also beautiful carved wooden doors & mosaic floors, as well as a whole series of mediocre, though historically interesting, paintings depicting life in Mysore during the British rule. Note the beautifully carved mahogany ceiling, solid silver doors, white marble floors &superb columned Durbar hall. The palace even has its own Hindu temple inside the walls, complete with gopuram (gateway tower). There is a good museum adjacent to it. Chamundi Hill : You can spend a very pleasant half- day walking up (or, more sensibly, down) the 1000- odd steps to the top of the hill, where the temple to Sri Chamundeswari, stand 1062 meters above the sea level. There is some shade on the way & the views over the city & surrounding countryside are superb. Three- quarters of the way up the hill you will come across the famous Nandi (bull of Siva) carved out of solid rock which, at five meters high, is one of the largest in India. It is always garlanded in flowers & constantly visited by bevies of pilgrims offering parsad (a sweet dish offered after the pray) to the priest in attendance there. Jaganmohan Palace : Another place to worth a visit is the Jayachamarajendendra art gallery in Jaganmohan Palace. Not only dose it display paintings, particularly by Ravi Verma, but it is handicrafts, historical objects, of interest & rare musical instruments. The palace itself was built in 1861 & served as a royal auditorium. Helping Facts Airways : Mysore has its own domestic airport. And one can find the flights to all over the country from here. Railways : Since Mysore is on the meter- gauge system & not on any of the major trunk routes, getting to any of other major cities of India, except Bangalore, involves the change of trains at some point. Roadways : The central bus station is not far from the centre of Mysore. There is the time table available in English & you can make your reservations three days in advance. From the central bus stand you can get the non-stop buses to Banglore every 15 minutes from 5.45am to 9.30pm as well as super deluxe buses every hour from 6.30am to 7pm. Climate : Climate over here in the summer season is much hot the temperature her in Mysore in the summer season remains around 34 0 C- 37 0 C. The temperature in the winter season it gets reduced & decreases up to 12 0 C- 14 0 C. Further Connections : Bangalore, Mangalore, Hampi and Cochin.

Duration : 15 Nights 16 Days Destinations : Delhi - Jaipur - Deogarh - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Samode - Ranthambhore - Agra Day 01 : New Delhi Welcome to India. You will be received by our representative at international airport and assisted to your hotel. Rest of the time free for leisure. In the evening move out for a walking tour of the old streets of the Delhi. Day 02 : New Delhi After a leisurely breakfast move out visit Mother Theresa’s Orphanage. Further move out for a sightseeing tour of the city that includes visiting to the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk & Jama Masjid along with other attractions. Evening free to move around the colourful markets for shopping. Day 03 : New Delhi In the morning move out for an excursion to the birthplace of your daughter in Uttar Pradesh. Rest of the day completely on your discretion. Day 04 : Jaipur In the morning drive to the charming Pink City ‘Jaipur’ in your exclusive vehicle. On arrival check in to your hotel. Rest of the time free for leisure. In the evening you may walk in the old Bazaars of the Pink City. Day 05 : Jaipur After a leisurely breakfast move out for a day long sightseeing tour of the Pink City that includes visiting to City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, and the Amber Fort. In Amber Fort you may also enjoy the Elephant ride. In the evening move out to realize the local Rajasthani Dinner at a farmhouse restaurant. Day 06 : Deogarh In the morning drive to Deogarh in your exclusive vehicle. The whole day on your discretion. Suggested visit to Molela village (famous for terracotta crafts) or Kumbhalgarh fort. Option of taking a unique safari on horses to the villages in this region of rugged terrain. Day 07 : Udaipur Drive to Udaipur ‘the Lake City’ in your exclusive vehicle. Relax for a while. Take a boat trip over Lake Pichhola at sunset. Optional dinner at opulent Shiv Niwas Palace. Day 08 : Udaipur After having leisure breakfast Day sightseeing of City Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari, Eklingji and Nagda. Remaining day, as you prefer. Day 09 : Jodhpur In the morning drive to Jodhpur in your exclusive vehicle. On arrival check in at hotel and later visit the majestic Mehrangarh fort and the busy bazaars around Clock Tower in the old town. Day 09 : Jodhpur Excursion to Osian temple town or half day jeep safari in Bishnoi villages. Back at Jodhpur rest of the time free to shop around the bazaars. Day 10 : Samode Drive to Samode, a fairy tale like village with an equally charming palace as your place of stay. At Samode, you may have an enjoying camel ride over the sand dunes or explore the heritage character of the village. Evening at leisure watching cultural performances. Day 11 : Ranthambhore After having a leisurely breakfast drive to Ranthambhore. On arrival check in at your hotel. Relax for a while. Move out for an open jeep safari to watch the Royal Bengal Tigers in their natural habitat. Day 12 : Ranthambhore Morning we move out for jungle safari to see the rare Indian tigers in full glory at the Ranthambhore National Park. After lunch we try another chance in safari of National Park. Day 13 : Ranthambhore Take the open jeep safari to take the Royal Bengal Tiger one on one. Rest of the day free for leisure. In the evening visit to peaceful Ranthambhore Fort. Day 14 : Agra In the morning move out for a Jungle safari for wild life viewing. Further drive to Agra by your exclusive vehicle. On the way visit to the Fatehpur Sikri. On arrival check in. Rest of the Day completely on leisure. Day 15 : New Delhi In the morning visit the Agra Fort and incomparable Taj Mahal in a guided sightseeing tour. Later drive to New Delhi. Rest of the free for Leisure. Day 16 : Departure At appropriate time you will be transferred to the international airport to board the flight back to home the tour ends.

Pushkar is a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 kms. to the north-west of Ajmer. About 400 temples and shrines are located at Pushkar around its holy lake, which finds a mention in the Padma Purana. Legend has it that Lord Brahma in search for a spot to hold his yagna (religious ritual), dropped the lotus from his hand, the three spots touched by this flower were turned into lakes. These are today known as the Jyeshtha Pushkar (main Pushkar), the Madhyam Pushkar (medium Pushkar) and the Kanishtha Pushkar (little Pushkar). A temple dedicated to Lord Brahma is located at Pushkar; the other important temples are those of Gayatri, Savitri, Shiv and Badri Narayan. THE HOLY DIPS (SNAN) People consider the water of the Pushkar Lake to be very sacred and the ritual of taking dips in the holy water is believed to bestow salvation. The holy dip is most auspicious on Kartik Poornima. Even before sunrise, people descend the ghats, aided by the pandas (Brahmin priests) to take the sacred bath. Offerings of coconut, flowers, and cash are made to the lake and the priests. Visiting the Temple After bathing at the lake, people proceed to pay homage to the creator of the Universe, Lord Brahma, at the Brahma Temple. PARIKRAMA Most pilgrims perform the oblations at the Jyeshtha Pushkar while some opt to visit all the three Pushkar and this is called the Panch-Kosi-Parikrama. Many pilgrims visit all the shrines at Pushkar in seven days and this is called the Chaubis-Kosi-Parikrama. FLOATING LAMPS (DEEP DAN) It is customary to float lighted earthen lamps after placing them on pattals (plates made of leaves) on the waters of the lake. This creates a spectacular view in the evening when the sacred lake takes on a mystical tint sprinkled with twinkling spots of light. Aarti is offered at the lake in the morning and evening. CATTLE FAIR (PUSHKAR CAMEL FAIR) In conjunction with the religious fair, a cattle fair is also organised in the month of Kartik at Pushkar Cattle-breeders bring a large number of cattle of various popular breeds such as Nagauri, Haryanvi, Mewati, Kankrej etc. to the fair to be sold to the rural folk who appreciate well-bred animals. The cattle are decorated by their owners during Pushkar fair and also participate in the races and are paraded on the sand dunes. PUSHKAR FAIR The ancient town of Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular fair ground in the month of Kartik. The fair attracts a great number of tourists from far and wide. The fair-grounds reverberate with festivity, as rows of make shift stalls display a bewildering array of items that compete with each other for the visitors attention. But the highlight of Pushkar fair is the trading in camels. Camels are bought, sold, decked up and paraded on the sand dunes, presenting a picturesque sight. The camel, horse and donkey races are events that draw huge attendance. Body tattooing is yet Horse race. Pushkar another favorite activity that attracts a large number of enthusiasts. The Pushkar fair brings together a large number of villagers from different parts of the state. Some come here to sell. Some come here to buy. Some come here on a pilgrimage. Still others come here just to enjoy the festivities. The days are filled with fun and activity. The evenings are filled with music and dance. Come dusk, and the rich strains of haunting music are carried across the desert sands as the merrymaking continues deep into the night. The profusion of colours that run riot in the desert sands, the glee and the contagious enthusiasm of the village folk are a unique experience for every visitor. On this special occasion, the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) puts up a tourist village. The tourist village is self-sufficient and specially designed to complement the natural beauty of the site. It has a Coffee Shop and Dining Hall, which can cater to 1500 guests at a time. The village is arranged in blocks of tents, each with its own identity, named after the famous dances of Rajasthan. The village also has huts with attached western style toilets and running water. One can also stay at Sarovar Hotel, Pushkar or in Ajmer at the RTDC Tourist Bungalow-Khadim. Religious The Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 flights of steps, called ghats , many having special legendary importance. Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared at the Varah Ghat in the form of a boar. Brahma took a bath here and performed Yajna at the Brahma Ghat, accompanied by Vishnu and Mahadev. Guru Govind Singh chose this site for reciting the sacred Guru Granth Sahib. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed at the Gandhi Ghat, which was previously called Gau Ghat. How to get there By Air Jaipur at 146-km is the nearest airport. By Rail Ajmer at 11-km is the nearest railhead from Pushkar. By Road Pushkar is well connected by road and is 11-km from Ajmer. Timings There is a steady flow of pilgrims throughout the year to Pushkar, which is among the five principal places of Hindu pilgrimage. It is, however transformed into a bustling fair-ground in the month of Kartik (October-November) when the annual Pushkar Fair and a cattle fair are held simultaneously. The fair starts from Kartik Shukla Ekadashi and goes on for 12 days, till Kartik Purnima. Both the religious fair and the cattle fair are now internationally renowned tourist attractions. A small fair is held in the month of Baisakh, which is primarily a local event. Location 11km North-West of Ajmer, Rajasthan. Unique Features Hindu Pilgrimage. Main Attraction Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, Cattle Fair. Recreation Centers A large number of traders gather at the Pushkar Fair and set up shops. They sell a host of products like bead necklaces of Nagaur, woollen blankets of Merta, textiles printed in Ajmer and Jodhpur, brassware of Jodhpur and Jaipur etc. Also on sale are saddles, ropes, and assorted household items. During the fair, cultural shows and exhibitions are organised to enliven the event. Movies are shown and competitions are arranged. Bards and poets recite and sing tales of valour and heroism of bygone days. Animal races and other competitions add to the attraction.

Duration : 10 Nights 11 Days Destinations : Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi - Rishikesh Day 01 : Udaipur Welcome to India. You will be received at the international airport and transferred straight to the domestic airport to board the flight for Udaipur. On arrival you will be received and assisted to your hotel. Rest of day completely on your discretion. Day 02 : Ranakpur In the morning move out for a half day sightseeing tour of the city that includes City Palace, and Saheliyon ki Bari. Further drive to Ranakpur in your exclusive vehicle. On arrival check in at your hotel. Day 03 : Jodhpur After a leisurely breakfast move out to visit the beautiful Jain Temple. Further drive to Jodhpur in your exclusive vehicle. On arrival check in at your hotel. Rest of the time at leisure. Day 04 : Jodhpur In the morning visit the majestic Mehrangarh fort and the busy bazaars around Clock Tower in the old town. Further drive to Jaipur in your exclusive vehicle. On arrival check in. Rest of the time at leisure. Day 05 : Jaipur Day sightseeing of the City Palace Complex and Amber Fort. Here at Amber fort you may also enjoy the elephant ride. In the evening visit to a farmhouse for local Rajasthani dinner. Day 06 : Agra Drive through abandoned citadel of Mughal emperor Akbar known as Fatehpur Sikri. Transfer to Agra and later visit the most beautiful monument of love- The Taj. Also see Agra Fort during the day. Evening free on own. Day 06 : Khajuraho In the morning you will be transferred to the domestic airport of Agra to board flight for Khajuraho. On arrival you will be received and transferred straight to your hotel. Further move out for the sightseeing tour of eastern group of Temples. Day 07 : Varanasi In the morning you will be transferred to the domestic airport of New Delhi to board flight for Varanasi. On arrival you will be received and transferred straight to your hotel. Walking tour of a few Ghats and narrow backlanes to feel the pulse of this most sacred city of India. Day 08 : New Delhi In the morning you will be transferred to the domestic airport of Varanasi to board flight for New Delhi. On arrival you will be received and transferred straight to your hotel. Rest of the day Completely on your discretion. Day 09 : Rishikesh In the morning you will be transferred to the train station to board the train for Haridwar. On arrival you will be received at the train station and assisted to your hotel at Rishikesh. Rest of the time completely on your discretion. Day 10 : New Delhi In the morning you will be transferred to the train station of Haridwar to board the train for New Delhi. On arrival you will be received and transferred to the your hotel rest of the time at leisure. Day 11 : New Delhi At appropriate time you will be transferred to the International airport to board the flight back to home the tour ends.

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