Palitana

Palitana is a famous for its Shatrunjaya Hill, which is covered with 863 Jain temples dating from the 16th century. The temples are made of white marble and are so thick on the top of the hill that from a distance it looks like a gigantic white wedding cake. The hill is devoted entirely to the Gods, and at dusk even the priests must come down from the temples, leaving them deserted.

Pushkar

The idyllic township housing the sacred lake of Pushkar, lies 11 km from Ajmer. Pushkar is separated from Ajmer, by the Nag Pahar (Snake Mountain). This beautiful lake surrounded by bathing ghats, has its religious significance, rooted in a myth. A lovely and gigantic fair is held every year, on Kartik Poornima (full moon in October-November). About 1,00,000 pilgrims gather here, to take a dip in the holy lake. The fair is also the biggest camel market. Besides camels, horses and bullocks are sold here. The colourfully dressed people enhance the exuberant mood of the fair. Pushkar abounds in temples, the special attraction being, the temple of Lord Brahma, the only temple in India, dedicated to Brahma.

This somewhat somnolent town, reverberates with hectic activity during the festivities. Extensive arrangements are made to cope with the large attendance. A host of cultural programmes are staged to enthrall the audience. The biggest draws of the events, are the cattle auction and the camel race. Puppet shows are the other major crowd - pullers.


Puri

Is one of the four holiest places in all India, always full of pilgrims, and the temple which draws them is the enormous Jagannath and picturesque beaches.


Ranakpur

This famous 15th century Jain temple lies buried in a shady glen and represents the climax of Jain architecture and sculpture. Its spacious halls and courtyards are a brilliant juxtaposition of exquisitely carved and sculpted pillars, vaulted ceilings and arched doorways. The play of light and shade has been so engineered that the entire complex seems suffused with an almost ethereal ambience.

Srinagar

The city of Srinagar set in the heart of the valley may best be described as a sort of 'Venice' in the middle of 'Switzerland'. It retains a heady flavour of the Middle East as well as the Orient. We shall stay on luxurious 'House Boats' on the Dal Lake. Excursions on the vast lake are made in royal style, lying back upon comfortable cushions in the gondolas of Kashmir. These trips present a marvellous variety of images: the open lake ringed by green mountains, large colonies of people residing on the water, mysterious canals through floating lotus-gardens, hookah-smoking traders gliding swiftly about with wares ranging from the most exquisite silk-carpets to masses of exotic flowers.

The bazaars of Srinagar are like a chapter from the 'Arabian Nights'. Narrow alleys between ancient wooden houses are thronged by handsome men and women in tent-like cloaks. Tiny shops display furs, hand-embroidered shawls, carved woodwork, and semi-precious stones.


Sarnath

Having achieved enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his message of the middle way to final Nirvana. Later Ashoka, the Buddhist Emperor, erected magnificent Stupas and other buildings here.

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