Love & Colours to Pilgrimage & Faith

India Unbound

India is a curious place that still preserves the past, religions, and its history. No matter how modern India becomes, it is still very much an old country.
— Anita Desai

Lathmar Holi

Lathmar Holi, celebrated in Barsana near Mathura (Uttar Pradesh), is the regional version of Holi, the Festival of Colours, and is celebrated well before actual Holi.

Otherwise relatively unknown to the rest of the world, Barsana is flocked to by international tourists during the traditional festivities where locals from two neighbouring villages – Barsana and Nandgaon – come together to create a magnificent spectacle of traditions.

The whole drama is based on the legend of how Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha’s village Barsana, to play Holi with her and her friends; and how the women of Barsana chased him away with long wooden staves.

Continuing this playful custom, the men of Nandgaon visit the sprawling compound of Radha Rani Temple in Barsana on the first day to play Holi with the women of Barsana.

Thousands visit the village to witness the cheerful carnival of Lathmar Holi, accompanied by shouts of “Sri Radhey” or “Sri Krishna”. The Holi songs sung in pure Braj Bhasha, the regional language of Barsana, hold spectators spellbound.

On the second day, the men from Barsana march out to Nandgaon and similar celebrations take place at Krishna Temple.

Kumbh Mela

It is said that legends never die, and the overwhelming ‘acts of faith’ at the Kumbh Mela, since times immemorial, have kept a certain mythological legend alive.

The story goes that there was a war between demigods and demons over a kumbh (pot) containing the nectar of eternal life. The demigods tried to flee with the kumbh, and a few drops fell at four places: Haridwar, Uttarakhand; Prayag (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh; Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh; and Nashik, Maharashtra.

Haridwar is the site of the Kumbh Mela to be held in January–April, 2021. Celebrated every twelve years, this phenomenal event draws millions of devotees from different parts of the world.

It is believed that bathing in the holy waters of the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna accrues a tremendous amount of spiritual merit. Easy to see why it is called one of the largest human congregations in the world.

Journey to the Pilgrim’s India

11 Days & 10 Nights

Delhi – Jaipur – Agra (Barsana and Nandgaon) – Haridwar – Delhi

Day 01: Arrive in Delhi

Arrive in Delhi. Check in and stay overnight.

Day 02: Delhi

Take a guided tour of Old and New Delhi, including a drive past the Red Fort; a visit to Jama Masjid and Raj Ghat.

Later, drive past the imposing India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s official residence.

End the tour with a visit to Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb.

Day 03: Delhi – Jaipur

Drive to Jaipur. On arrival, check into your hotel.

In the evening, you have an option to enjoy a meal with a local family.

Your host hails from a royal clan that has a rich legacy of culture and food. He will surprise and amaze you with his keen knowledge of wildlife, whiskey, and golf.

Day 04: Jaipur

Start the day with a visit to the Amer Fort and the town.

In the afternoon, visit the City Palace Museum and the Jantar Mantar observatory.

Explore the bazaars and observe the locals readying their shops to display colours and other interesting materials used in Holi celebrations.

Day 05: Jaipur – Agra

Drive to Agra. On arrival, check into your hotel.

Enjoy a visit to the spectacular Taj Mahal in the evening.

Day 06: Agra – Barsana – Agra

Early morning drive to Barsana.

Walk the narrow streets of Barsana amidst the crowds to reach the famous Radha Rani Temple.

Attend the traditional ceremony, after which, walk to Rang Rangeeli Gali to witness the splendid Lathmar Holi of Barsana.

Drive back to Agra in the evening.

Day 07: Agra – Nandgaon – Agra

Drive to Nandgaon today to witness the second session of the celebration.

Journey to a hilltop temple where people from both Barsana and Nandgaon sit across from each other singing, dancing, and conversing in verse.

Drive back to Agra. Stay overnight.

Day 08: Agra – Haridwar

Drive to Haridwar from Agra.

Check into your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 09: Haridwar

This morning after breakfast, you are free to visit the Kumbh Mela.

Capture vivid sights as you negotiate your way through the swarm of devotees.

Visit Chandi Temple.

Interact with knowledgeable spiritual speakers and discover more about Hinduism and spirituality.

In the evening, watch and experience the beautiful Aarati – a ritual of worship in which light, usually from a flame, is offered to one or more deities – ceremony held on the banks of the Ganges.

Day 10: Haridwar – Delhi

After the morning aarati ceremony, leave for Delhi by surface.

Day 11: Depart Delhi

Transfer to the Delhi airport to board the flight for your onward destination.