Golden Triangle Tour with Yoga

Day 1 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi today and get transferred in a private vehicle to your hotel where accommodation is held from 1400 hrs. Check-in and spend the rest of the day to explore the bustling national capital. Overnight in the hotel.

Delhi offers a harmonious blend of architecture and history. From remnants of the Mughal empire and British Raj to contemporary India, you can experience it all in the capital. The city is sure to charm you with its eclectic mix of the old and new – from magnificent monuments to bustling Old Delhi markets and stunning high rises.

Day 2 : Drive to Jaipur
After breakfast leave for Jaipur by surface, a drive of about 6 hours. Arrive in Jaipur and check – in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

An erstwhile princely state and now the capital of modern Rajasthan. Jaipur is popularly known as the “Pink City” because of the rose coloured wash that adorns most buildings in the old quarter and it is the first planned city in the country.”

Day 3 : A day in Jaipur
After breakfast visit Amber Fort, the grandest way to reach Amber is on an elephant back. Later we proceed to visit the City Palace and Observatory. And we also stop for some photos from across the road of Hawa Mahal – the Palace of Winds. In evening attend aarti or a prayer ceremony at Birla Mandir. Overnight in the hotel.

Amber Fort is located Amer is placed at a distance of 11 km from Jaipur city. Amber was the capital of the Kachhawaha till Jaipur was made the official capital in 1727. Amber is generally pronounced as Amer. It was governed by Kachawaha rulers and also was the capital of old Dhundar state of Jaipur. The town was originally named Ambikeshwara and was later abridged to Amber or Amer.
 
Establishment of this fort was done in 16th century and was initiated during the reign of Raja Man Singh. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder and the ruler of Jaipur city under his resign the fort was personalized. . Construction of the Fort was started by Raja Man Singh I in the year 1592. The Amber fort was built by Raja Man Singh in the 16th century and was completed by Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th Century. Amber Fort was completed within two centuries by consistence efforts of three consequent kings following Raja Man Singh.

The City Palace reflects Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. The Palace has been designed according to a 'grid style' and houses various structures such as, 'Chandra Mahal', 'Mubarak Mahal', 'Diwan-I-Khas' and the 'Govind Dev Ji Temple. The walls and gates are ornately designed to Mughal style, with various murals, lattice and mirrors adorning them from sides.

The Jaipur observatory is by far the most elaborate and complete of Jai Singh’s all other Observatories. The observatory occupies a plot of land just outside the City Palace.

Jaipur’s most photographed landmark, the Hawa Mahal is an extraordinary pink-painted delicately honeycombed hive that rises a dizzying five storeys. It was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the life and processions of the city.

The Birla Temple, of Jaipur is built of pure white marble, whose interiors contain, beautifully sculpted idols of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, as well as other Hindu Gods. Commonly considered a true work of art, this temple forms a wonderful backdrop to witness a traditional ceremony.An Aarti represents the elements of fire, earth, water and air as well as the senses, the priest has a tray with a diya (lamp), offerings of food, water, flowers, incense and a small bell.

Day 4 : Drive to Agra, en-route Fatehpur Sikri
After breakfast drive to Agra, en – route stop for visiting the celebrated medieval Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. A drive of about 7 hours,  arrive and check – in at the hotel. In the afternoon proceed to visit the Agra Fort & Moonlight Garden. Overnight at the hotel.

Known to exist since prehistoric times, Agra came into full flower during the 16th and 17th centuries as one of the four capitals of Mughal dynasty. It was in Agra that the artistic excellence of the Mughals reached its zenith at a time that coincided with the political high water mark of their vast and expanding empire.

The Mehtab Bagh or the moonlight garden, was the last of the eleven Mughal-built gardens along the Yamuna river opposite to the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. Built during the period 1631- 1635 A.D., Mehtab Bagh literally means “a moonlit pleasure garden”.

Agra Fort was begun by Akbar between 1565 and 1573. It is situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River, about 2km upstream from the Taj Mahal.  Akbar built the fort of sandstone; his grandson Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal, constructed palaces of white marble within the fort itself.

The history of Fatehpur Sikri dates back to the Mughal era in the 16th century. . Lost and abandoned, Fatehpur Sikri stands like a proud maiden showing off her beauty even as an air of melancholy surrounds it.  The rich sand stone walls echo the tales of poignancy and erstwhile glory.

Day 5 : Drive to Delhi
After breakfast proceed to visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). After visit leave for Delhi, en-route visit the Mathura & Vrindavan. Arrive in Delhi, check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

The Taj Mahal is an enormous mausoleum complex commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife. Constructed over a 20-year period on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, the famed complex is one of the most outstanding examples of Mughal architecture, which combined Indian, Persian and Islamic influences.

Mathura & Vrindavan are ancient cities with golden past and are amongst the most visited religious destinations in the country. Dotted with myriad big and small temples in every nook and corner, these twin cities are major crowd-pullers and attract number of history buffs, holidaymakers and pilgrims. From exploring ancient temples and offering prayers there and admiring some old architecture.

A visit to the Dwarkadhish Temple of Mathura is unforgettable on many counts. The temple worships the idols of Dwarkadhish (Krishna), the king of Dwarka, along with Radha. The Dwarkadheesh Temple in Mathura is considered to be one of most visited temples in the city. The architecture of the temple is very interesting with beautiful carvings and paintings.

Day 6 : Train to Haridwar, drive to Rishikesh
Early in the morning you will be transferred to the Railway Station for train to Haridwar leaving at 0645hrs. Arrive in Haridwar at 1122hrs and leave for Rishikesh , a journey of about 1.5hrs. Arrive and transfer to Sadhak Gram Ashram Rishikesh. Overnight in an Ashram.

Located in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas, the town of Rishikesh abounds in temples and ashrams. The world famous pilgrimage town is perched at an altitude of 1,360 ft a.s.l. According to the Hindu mythology, Rishikesh is the place where Lord Vishnu crushed demon Madhu. This is also the place from where begins the holy Chardham Yatra (covering Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri). Abounding in natural beauty, the town of Rishikesh (Uttaranchal) proves to be an ideal destination for tourists interested in pilgrimage travel and adventure sports. The ashrams of Rishikesh are renowned the world over for the study of spiritualism and meditation.

Sadhak Gram Ashram –
Guests are offered a daily schedule of instruction in meditation, pranayama, relaxation, hatha yoga, and yoga philosophy. A main focus is to share with all who visit the science and philosophy of meditation. We aim to individualize our progammes, taking into account the particular areas of interests of our guests, but all newcomers do go through a series of classes that introduce, orient and share the foundation practices and philosophy of the Himalayan Tradition.   Our purpose is to teach and make available the knowledge of yoga meditation within the Tradition of the Himalayan Masters, as interpreted by Swami Rama of the Himalayas.
 
Participants in all the programmes follow the daily ashram schedule which begins at 5:00 AM and runs until 9:30 PM. Time for reading, journaling, and reflection is always available.

Day 7 : In Rishikesh
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Ashram.

Schedule (this may vary)
0500 : Prayers
0515 : Joints and Glands exercises/Hatha Yoga
0700 : Pranayama        
0730 : Meditation  (guided for beginners, silent for others)
0830 : Breakfast
1000 : Practicum class or Philosophy lecture or spiritual video
1100 : Class or free time
1230 : Guided Diaphragmatic breathing session
1300 : Lunch
1400 : Guided digestive breathing session class
1600 : Tea
1630 : Hatha Yoga class
1745 : Meditation
1900 : Supper
2000 : Lecture, video or special night program
2100 : Night prayers

About Sadhak Gram Ashram
Fully furnished cottages are provided. Most cottages have air-conditioned. Guests are provided with vegetarian meals which are cooked and served in a common dining hall. A reverse osmosis water filter is in the dining hall where guests may fill their water bottles for drinking water. The tap water at the ashram is drawn from our own well. Additional facilities include a large meditation hall, a video room, bookstore, sound recording room, and the Meditation Research Institute. The ashram provides bed linens, blankets and towels. Please bring your own toiletries.

Comfortable, casual and less revealing clothing is recommended. White and light colours are traditional ashram colours, and are considered sattvic (resonating peace and purity). Ladies will have to take care to not wear halter or thin strapped tops,mini-skirts or shorts. Men will take care to wear a shirt outside of their room. Tight clothing is also inappropriate. Shoes are removed to enter the mediation hall, dining hall, etc. so you may want to have a pair of shoes that are easy to take on and off.  

In the spirit of ahimsa (non-harming), they do not consume or prepare any meat, fish, or eggs on the premises. Alcohol, intoxicants or mind-altering drugs are prohibited. Smoking is not allowed in the cottages or on the campus grounds

Day 8 : A day in Rishikesh
Stay in Ashram

Day 9 : A day in Rishikesh
Stay in Ashram

Day 10 : A day in Rishikesh
Stay in Ashram

Day 11 : Drive to Haridwar
After breakfast at the hotel. Leave for Haridwar, a journey of 1.5hrs. Arrive and proceed for temples visits in Haridwar. Evening attend Ganga aarti ceremony on Ghat called Har Ki Pauri. Overnight at the hotel.

Haridwar is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage places. River Ganges enters the North Indian plains at Haridwar. Haridwar or 'Gateway to Gods' is also known by the names of Mayapuri, Kapila and Gangadwar. Hindu pilgrims and devotees gather at Haridwar to offer prayers on auspicious occasions. The water of River Ganga is considered so sacred at Haridwar that pilgrims carry back the water from the Ganges.

Literally, "Har" means "Lord Shiva" who is the god according to shaivite school of Hindu theology, "ki" means "of" and "pauri" means "steps". Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are believed to have visited the Brahmakund in Har ki Paudi in the Vedic (ancient period) times.

There is a large footprint said to belong to Lord Vishnu on a stone wall. Har Ki Pauri is believed to be the exit point of the Ganges from the mountains and entry into the plains. An area within Hari ki Pauri, where the evening Ganga Aarti takes places and which is considered most sacred is known as Brahm Kund.

Day 12 : Train to Delhi
Early morning you will be transferred to the Haridwar Railway Station for train leaving at 0622hrs. Arrive in Delhi at 1115hrs, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: A day in Delhi, evening flight back home
Full day excursion to Old and New Delhi, exploring the medieval and pre-modern faces of the historic capital of India personified by the Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk (closed on Sundays). Take a food walk in the Chandni Chowk market. In Afternoon visit Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar. After visits you will be transferred to the International Airport for your flight back home.

Jama Masjid is a mosque in Old Delhi, constructed in 1650–56 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahān, a noted patron of Islamic architecture whose most famous work is the Taj Mahal, in Agra.

This vibrant market came to existence when the fifth Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad, now Old Delhi, in the mid 17th century. While Chandni Chowk or the moonlit square no longer bears the magnificence of the bygone era, its importance in the annals of Delhi will never be lost.

The food walk in Old Delhi is a great experience to and the best way to see and taste Old Delhi. The dishes one can savor in Old Delhi Food Walk are large, thick and juicy jalebis, glistening with ghee; Aloo chaat crisp fried potato cutlets dunked in a melange of chutneys and smattered with onions and spices ; varieties of stuffed paranthas potato, onion, cottage cheese, cauliflower, radish, dry fruits and many more….

Humanyun’s Tomb was built in 1565 A.D. nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (chaharbagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome.

Qutab Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony