Spiritual Sun Temple Tour

01 Day: Arrival Kolkata

Welcome to the mesmerizing land of India. As per your scheduled flight, our representative will assist and escort you by A/C Car and transfer to the hotel, whilst the room key and check-in is organized. You will be briefed about the tour and services. All documents will be handed over to you with traveling brief and interaction for any query in terms of tour and services. Evening is free for visiting local market and rest and relaxation. Overnight at the hotel.

Kolkata: Grown from mangrove swamps, Kolkata is the largest metropolis in India. Kolkata's role in the national economy is of crucial importance as the Gateway to Eastern India. Ships were the beginning of Calcutta's history & the river Hoogly was the key to the city's fortunes. Vishnupur is famous for the exquisite 17th & 18th century terracotta temples, Seat of classical music. The Stylized, "Bankura horse" symbolic of excellence in rural handicrafts is native to this district. Belur Math is a modern temple within the grounds of the Ramakrishna Mission. Dakshineshwar Temple, dedicated to Kali is built in the architectural style of Bengal.

02 Day: Kolkata

After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Kolkata visiting the High Court Building, built in 1872 and the oldest Catholic Church in Calcutta, St. Mary’s. The Howrah Bridge, built in 1943 – the bridge is crossed by approximately two million people every day; the Botanical Gardens, the oldest and largest of their kinds in India; Victoria Memorial: The symbol of Calcutta built between 1906 and 1921 at a cost of Rs. 7.5 million and is a reminder of the might of British India and has been often compared to Taj Mahal. It was conceived by Lord Curzon as both tribute to Queen Victoria and a triumphant depiction of her reign in India, St. Paul Cathedral, Indian Museum, Kali temple of Kalighat, Birla temple, Dalhousie Square & Tagore House. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight stay.

03 Day: Kolkata – Bhubaneswar (By Air)

After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to the airport to board the flight for Bhubaneshwar, on arrival transfer to the hotel. After refreshment, take a sightseeing tour of Bhubaneshwar city famous for its temple culture and its architectural richness amaze visitors to the city, visit the Rajarani temples - dedicated to Lord Brahma. After visit drive to Atri famous for its hot sulphur springs. Besides having healing powers the hot water of the Atri spring is famous for rejuvenating ones body and soul. Then visit the Shrine of Lord Hatakeswar which is also a popular tourist spot. Followed by visit to the State Museum House to see some of finest collections of paintings and palm leaf etchings. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Bhubaneswar ('The Lord of the Universe') is the capital of Orissa. In Bhubhaneshwar, Shiva is known as Tribuhuvaneswara or “Lord of the Three Worlds", from which the city derives its name. Besides being the capital of ancient Kalinga, Bhubhaneshwar is known as Temple Town and Cathedral City on account of its many temples in the extravagant Orissan style. Modern Bhubhaneshwar is delightfully rural for a state capital that administers the affairs of 25 million Orissans.

04 Day: Bhubaneswar

Today morning after breakfast, visit to Hatakeswar Temple near Atri (60 kms), also visit the Mukteswar temple, Lingaraj temple & the Parasurameswar temple - all the three temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The twin hills Udayagiri and Khandagiri (Lat. 20.16 N; Long. 85.47E) are located in the vicinity of Bhubaneswar town. The National Highway No.5 passes through the close proximity of the hills. These two hills represent one of the earliest groups of Jaina rock-cut architecture in eastern India in the field of architecture, art and religion. These caves were first brought to the notice by A. Stirling in 1825 A.D.  Evening is free to explore the bustling colourful markets, shopping for some exquisite Orissan handicrafts or you can visit Bindusagar Lake - one of the popular tourist attractions. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

05 Day: Bhubaneswar – Dhauli – Konark – Puri (70 kms: 3 hrs)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Puri, enroute you will visit, Dhauli -The battleground of Kalinga war during 3rd century BC, which transformed Emperor Ashoka into Dharmashoka. After visit stop over at Konark to visit the spectacular Sun Temple dedicated to Sun God build by King Narasimhadeo in the 13th century. It was build as a chariot to him with wheels on all sides of the temple. Made out of black granite is also referred to as 'Black Pagoda'. It is one of the earliest places where Sun God was worshiped. After visit proceed to Puri, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest of the evening is free for leisure at the beach. Overnight at the hotel.

Konark: Renown for Sun Temple probably remains as the last remnant of the glorious temples of Orissa an extant example of the architectural excellence of the times. Built in the 13th Century, here a colossal image of the chariot of the Sun, drawn by seven horses and 24 wheels symbolizes the divisions of time. The Konark Sun Temple also houses a Natamandira or dancing hall. Only two subsidiary temples out of the 22 exist today. The Vaishnadevi Mayadevi Temple stands to the West it. The Sun temple of Narasimhadeva is a depiction in stone of the life of those times – royal, social, religious and military. The intricate carvings on the walls and wheels of the chariot are unprecedented in history. The Sun Temple standing in solitary splendor is the relic of a great past.

Puri: Golden sunshine, miles of yellow sand, blue waves and white surf. Under an umbrella, sipping green coconut water. This city by the sea is one of the four main Hindu pilgrim centers in India, millions of devotees flock to this holy place every year to participate in the Rath Yatra or "Car festival". This annual ritual spreads over the entire summer and monsoon seasons making the most fruitful period to visit Puri.

06 Day: Puri

After breakfast take a city tour of Puri. Golden sunshine, miles of yellow sand, blue waves and white surf. Under an umbrella, sipping green coconut water. This city by the sea is one of the four main Hindu pilgrim centres in India. Visit to the famous Jagannath Temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna), Lord of the Universe, Gundicha temple - considered to be the home of the aunt of Lord Krishna, Adi Sankracharya Mutt, enjoy a stroll through the temple bustling bazaar and visit the main temple complex. Rest of the evening is free for shopping or for relaxing on beach. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight stay.

07 Day: Puri - (Excursion to Raghurajpur village: 14 kms ½ hr & Chilka Lake):

After an early breakfast, take an excursion to Raghurajpur village, is well-known for its art and culture. It is situated on the southern bank of the river Bhargavi. Almost every family in Raghurajpur village is into art and craft works and as such it wouldn’t be an overstatement to refer to it as the artisan’s village. This village houses numerous small temples dedicated to Lord Lamxinarayan, Radha Mohan, Raghunath, Gouranga, Gopinath and Bhuasuni, which happens to be the local deity of this village. After visit drive to Chilka Lake, Asia’s largest salt water lagoon.The lake and its reed islands teem with nesting birds-white bellied sea eagles, ospreys, golden plovers, sand pipers, flamingos, pelicans, shovellers, gulls, include migratory ones flying great distances from Iran, Central Asia and Siberia. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight stay.

08 Day: Puri – Bhubaneswar (70 kms: 2-3 hrs) – Kolkata (By Air) – Hometown

After breakfast, your day is free for beach activities. Later check out from the hotel and drive to Bhubaneswar airport, to board the flight for Kolkata. On arrival, transfer to the International airport to board the scheduled flight for hometown. On departure the tour concludes with happy memories.