Our Trips - Festival Tours - Dussehera

Dussehera
One of the most auspicious festivals, the rituals are connected to the Epic Ramayana. The festival makes the home coming of Lord Rama after his victory in battle over the 10 headed King Ravana (Dashanand) of Sri Lanka, who abducted his wife Sita, during Rama’s exile in the forests. Dussehera is the finale of a 10 day festival celebrated as Ram Lila (episodes and events in Rama’s life). The life story is enacted for 9 days as a community theatre all over India, and on the ultimate day a fantabulous ceremony of Ravan Phunka takes place, watched by thousand of people all over India.

On Dussehera, larger than life size effigies of Ravana his brother Meghnath and Son Kumbharana, stuffed with fire crackers are set alight to celebrate the victory of good over evil. The effigies go up dramatically in flames with thousands of fire crackers emanating thunderous noise.

Dussehera is also a very revered festival among the Hindu communities in Kullu – Manali (Himachal Pradesh), Mysore in Karnataka.

OPTION : ONE - KULLU VALLEY

Duration : 7 days

Snuggled in the foot hills of the scenic Himalayan ranges of Himachal Pradesh, Kullu, the valley of Gods, apple orchards, her rivers with shoals of rainbow trouts is dotted with quaint centuries old Temples. Perched in the midst of pine and deodar forests, on Riverine Island in the middle of turbulent rivers, these temples are a source of survival for these mountain folks. Dussehera is a week long festival, celebrated with the grandest of fervour. From the Small temples dotting the hills and the valley, images of Gods and Goddess are conveyed on richly decorated palanquins for the annual sojourn to Kullu. The journey is of special significance with dreamers musicians and the village folk carrying their temples deity to Kullu to pay homage to the reigning deity Raghunathji. A huge mela (fair) is held at the main maidan (common promenade) and celebrated with a lot of fun fair, folk songs and dances, exchanging of new clothes, sweets and greetings.

Day 01
 Arrive Delhi. Met by India Calling Representative and transfer to hotel.

Day 02
Early morning wake-up call. Breakfast. Transfer to airport for flight to Kullu. Transfer to hotel. Day at leiure to participate at the Dussehera festival and pay obeisance to Raghunathji ( Lord Rama) .

Day 03
Breakfast. Morning attend the festivities. Thereafter visit Bijli Mahadev Shiva Temple.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04
Breakfast. Morning attend the festivities, thereafter drive to Manali enroute visit raison, a vast grassy stretch on the bank of River Beas, drive to Naggar Castle with a visit the Prof Nicholas Roerich’s art gallery. On arrival check-in at hotel.

Day  05
Breakfast. Drive to Rohtang Pass enroute visit Mari, a beautiful valley of long stretches of green meadows. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06
Breakfast. Visit Hadimba Devi Temple located a midst deodar forests with its tall three tiered pagoda roof. The temple was built in 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh. Thereafter drive to Kullu via a visit the Mani Karan Hot Springs and Sikh Gurudwara ( Shrine). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07
Transfer to airport for onward flight to Delhi.

OPTION : TWO – MYSORE
Duration : 7 Days

The land of sandalwood, woven silk handloom and coffee, Mysore the charming capital of the Wodeyar rulers of Karnataka, the city prides in its stately palaces and gardens. Mysore takes on a fairy tale look as the festival of Dussehera is celebrated. Illuminated palaces, pageantry and torch light processions of richly caparisoned elephants with the ruling Maharaja leading the team of elephants seated on a golden lowdha (seat on top of the elephant) with a brocade chattri ( umbrella). The merriment, dance and music enliven and transforms this otherwise usually tranquil city. The royal traditions of the Mysore rulers have carried these festivals for centuries along with the worship of their patron deity Chamundeshwari (Goddess Kali).

Day 01
Arrive Bangalore. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Cubbon Park, High Court, Museum, Lal bagh gardens. Evening at leisure to explore this throbbing city strewed with fashionable restaurants, discotheques and smart pubs. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02
Breakfast. Drive to Mysore enroute visit Srirangapatna, the fortress palace of Tipe Sultan, Somnathpur the 13th century ornate Hoysala Temples in unique star shape. Evneing visit brindavan Garden with illuminated musical fountains on Krishnaraja Sagar dam.

Day 03
Breakfast. Attend the festivities of Dussehera. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04
Breakfast. Attend the festivities of Dussehera. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05
Breakfast. Drive to Hassan enroute visit the marvelous Hoysala Temples at Belur. Chennakeshwva a unique star shaped temple built on raised platform.
Halebid originally named Dwarasamudhra was founded in 11th century. The city was abandoned in the 14th century when the Kingdom was attacked by the Mughal army. The is vast evidence of the artistic genius and the aesthetic inclinations of the Hoysala Kings from the temple complex which still remains. Hoysaleswara Temple is an outstanding example of temple architecture. Although the temple took 86 years to be built, the structure still remains incomplete. Halebid literally mean “ the old capital”.

Day 06
Breakfast. Drive to Bangalore enroute visit Sravanabelagola the oldest and most important Jain shrine in India with a 17 mts tall monolith statue of the Jain Saint Gomateshwara, the largest statue in the world and visible from a distance of 25 kms. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07
Transfer to airport for onward flight.

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