Dussehra Festival, Kota

Dussehra Festival Tour

Dussehra is celebrated in Kota in Sep-Oct. This festival is celebrated all over the country but the Kota Dussehra is quite unique for it marks more than just the beginning of a festive period.

More than 75 feet tall effigies of the demons Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnad are burnt on Dussehra day to symbolise the victory of good over evil. Usually these effigies are filled with crackers. A young child dressed as Lord Ram is made to shoot an arrow of fire at Ravana and the huge figure is burnt.

Villagers gather here dressed in multicolored clothes to offer prayers to Lord Rama and to celebrate his victory over Ravana. Prominent artists from all over the country are invited to participate in cultural programmes who enthral the huge audience with their performances.

Rich in courtly splendour and age old traditions, the Dussehra festival here is marked by a glittering procession which attracts thousands from the surrounding villages. Dramas depicting the Armageddon is very common. Like all festivals in Rajasthan, it provides a good opportunity to the traders to display their attractive wares to the rural and urban buyers. Small effigies of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakhsman are very common works of sculpture. The fair lasts for about a fortnight.

Day 01 / Arrive Delhi Arrive Delhi, meet assist at the airport railway station transfer to hotel. after lunch half day sightseeing tour of Delhi covering Laxmi Narayan Temple, Qutab Minar, India Gate, President house. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 02 / DelhiAfter breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi :
OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 03 / Delhi - Shimla ( By superfast air-conditioned train )Early morning pick up from hotel & transfer to railway station to board the superfast airconditioned train to Jaipur. Breakfast in the train. Arrive Jaipur and transfer to hotel in Shimla. Later proceed for sight seeing tour to Wildflower Hall, Indira Holiday Home, Advance Study & Museum. Night stay in Shimla.

Day 04 / Shimla Morning proceed for sightseeing tour of Shimla covering Kalbadevi Temple, Jakhu Temple, Hanuman Temple or stop for a while at the beautiful stained – glass - windows of Christ Church, which was built in the 1850 ‘s. Afternoon excursion to Kufri a 30 Minutes drive from Shimla, an exotica of nature as a place surrounded by dense forest and snow caped mountains amidst virgin peaks and natures flora and fauna where one can completely relax and tune oneself for natural beauty, evening free to enjoy the scenic beauty of Kufri. Also visit Fagu, and enjoy horse riding in the apple orchids (optional). Rest of the day is free to explore various scenic sights or visit mall road and shopping. Night stay in Shimla.

Day 05 / Shimla - Manali ( By road )Morning drive to Manali (7-8 hr). Keep your cameras ready, there are many scenic spots as you pass by Kullu valley, Beas river, Dashehra maidan etc. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Evening is free to explore various scenic sights or visit mall road. Night stay in Manali.

Day 06 / Manali After breakfast proceed to visit Ancient Hadimba Temple and Club House, etc. Evening Free For Rest/ Shopping. Night stay in Manali.

Day 07 / Manali- Rohtang Road (Snow Point)After breakfast, leave for snow point along the Rohtang road. Carry warm clothes like hand gloves, muffler, sweater, shawl, socks & sports shoes etc. Enroute overcoats and shoes are available on hire. Please note that Rohtang Pass (altitude 3940 mts.) is actually 51 kms. far from Manali, due to heavy snow covering the road, this pass is not accessible almost for 8 months leave for Snow Point, Full day to enjoy at this beautiful point. Night stay in Manali.

Day 08 / Manali - Kullu ( By road ) visit Kullu festival After breakfast transfer to Kullu to spend the entire day to visit Dussehra festival. This Hindu festival is celebrated all over India to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra symbolises the triumph of good over evil. In Himachal Pradesh, a week -long fair in the hill town of Kullu, is a part of the Dussehra celebrations. From the little temples in the hills, deities are brought in procession to the 'maidan' in Kullu, to pay homage to the reigning deity, Raghunathji. Later drive back to Manali. Night stay in Manali.

Day 09 / Manali - Chandigarh ( By road ) Approx. 07hrs. driveAfter breakfast drive to Chandigarh. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Evening visit lake and free for rest. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Evening visit lake and free for rest. Night stay in Chandigharh.

Day 10 / Chandigarh - Delhi ( By road ) - Departure Approx. 05 hrs. drive
Morning after breakfast proceed for sight seeing of Chandigarh ( Pinjore Garden, Rose Garden, Rock Garden). Later drive to Delhi (6-7 hrs.). Arrive Delhi and transfer to airport for onward destination.

Includes:» 09 Nights accommodation as per the itinerary with daily breakfast.
» Major meals like lunch either dinner at the time of staying in Shimla & Manali.
» All transfers & Sightseeing as per the Itinerary by exclusive Air Conditioner Car. ( Except in Shimla & Manali where air-conditioned does not work due to high altitude )
» Surface travel by exclusive Air Conditioner Car. ( Except in Shimla & Manali where air-conditioned does not work due to high altitude )
» Train tickets from Delhi - Kalka by air-conditioned chair car.
» Local English speaking Guide in Delhi only.
» All taxes, driver allowances, parking, fuel charges.

Does not include:» Any Airfares.
» Entrance fee to the Monuments.
» Any melas except breakfast other than specified in " cost includes ".
» Cost of personal nature like beverages, Tips, Laundry etc.
» Any item not shown in Cost includes.

Hotels Selected- Royal ( 5 * hotels)Delhi : The Metropolitan / The Lalit / The Grand
Shimla : Radission
Manali : Ambassador
Chandigarh : Mount View

Hotels Selected - Classic ( 4 star )Delhi: The Connaught / Hotel City Park
Shimla : Eastbourne Resort
Manali : Apple Country / Highland Park
Chandigarh : Mount View

Hotels Selected - Jewel (3* - 4* & Heritage)Delhi: Gautam Dlx. / Hotel Blue Bell / De Gold
Shimla : Springfield
Manali : Apple Country / Highland Park
Chandigarh : Mount View

Hotels Selected - EconomyDelhi: Gautam Dlx. / Hotel Blue Bell / De Gold
Shimla : Shingar
Manali : Honeymoon Inn
Chandigarh : City Heart