Earth Ancients: Startling New Discoveries from Our Planet’s Distant Past
and Body Mind Spirit Journeys
Present
SPIRITUAL INDIA
“A Journey of the Senses”
Featuring Delhi, Aurangabad and Chennai
Hosted by Cliff Dunning & Praveen Mohan
November 10-18, 2019
Traveling through India is about the sights and sounds. It is about taking in the smells and experiencing the emotions. India is about the people, the warmth of Indian hospitality and the genuine friendliness to guests. A Journey is about completely immersing your senses in the surroundings and letting the uniqueness of the country through India take over. A journey through India is a life altering experience and a trip of a lifetime.
India is not a country but a continent and traveling through it is an experience like no other. Overwhelming in its chaos at first, it gradually unfolds unique delights. You may find it in its majestic forts, monuments and temples; in exquisite crafts; in traditional and contemporary arts; in the bustle of its colorful bazaars; landscapes and nature reserves; in diverse cuisines; a meal at home with a family, or in the unexpected beauty that filters through the chaos.
Come join Cliff and Paveen on visits to monuments, places and sites that will showcase the real spiritual India, its people, its food, its bazaars and experiences.
Monuments create the backdrop, but people create the memories.
YOUR CO-HOST: CLIFF DUNNING
Cliff Dunning is the host and producer of the popular podcast, Earth Ancients: Startling New Discoveries from Our Planets Distant Past. A writer, his articles appear in publications around the world.
YOUR CO-HOST: PRAVEEN MOHAN
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TOUR INCLUDES
- Transfers on arrival and departure
- Air transportation: Delhi – Aurangabad – Mumbai – Chennai
- Air transportation taxes
- Eight nights hotel accommodations in First Class Hotels
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Breakfasts every day
- Lunch every day except on Day 6 to Chennai (beverages not included)
- Welcome & Farewell dinners (beverages not included
- Sightseeing’s & excursions as per itinerary
- Entrance fees at the monuments as per program.
- Transportation by air conditioned coaches
- Services of professional English-speaking local guides during the sightseeing
- All applicable taxes
- Bottled water in vehicles
- Plus participation in BMSJ’s $1,000,000 Per Person Errors & Omissions insurance policy
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Led by Host Cliff Dunning & Praveen Mohan
- Escorted throughout by a spiritually knowledgeable India guides
- City tour of Delhi
- Visit to the National Museum
- Visits to Qutub Minar, Jantar Mantas in Delhi
- Visits to the Ellora Caves, the “29 Buddhist” Cave Temples in Aurangabad
- City tour of Chennai
- Full day Excursion to Mahabalipuram and the famous Krishna Butterball granite rock boulder
- Visits to the Tiger Caves and the Tsunami Temple in Chennai
- Visits to the Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance and Descent of the Ganges,
- Visit to Kapaleeswarar Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva
ITINERARY
Day 1, Sunday, November 10: Arrive in Delhi – by flight (D)
Arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. Welcome to India! You are met by our representative in the arrival area, and after you clear all immigration and customs formalities, taken to your Hotel to check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure before our Welcome to India dinner.
Day 2, Monday, November 11: In Delhi (B/L)
After breakfast we proceed to visit three monuments from Delhi’s past – Qutub Minar . This historical construction of a landmark In 1199, Qutub-ud-Din raised the Qutub Minar either as a victory tower or as a minaret to the adjacent mosque. Continue to Humayun’s tomb. This tomb, which was built by emperor Humayun’s wife, took eight years to complete and is regarded as an example of the early Mughal architecture. The emperor’s wife, Begai Begum, was buried in the tomb and the structure is the first of its kind built in the center of a beautiful garden. The combination of white marble and red sandstone was a great influence on later Mughal architecture. It is generally regarded as a prototype 
of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra. Onto Jantar Mantar which consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments. The site is one of five built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, as he was given by Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah the task of revising the calendar and astronomical tables. The primary purpose of the observatory was to compile astronomical tables and to predict the times and movements of the sun, moon and planets. Our drive then takes us along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate. At the center of New Delhi, the India Gate stands almost 100 feet high, a sort of “Arc-de-Triomphe” like Archway in the 
middle of a crossroad. It’s almost like its French counterpart war memorial. It commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the First World War and bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the North-western Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. To the President House, the palatial building built on 330 acres with a private garden designed by the illustrious Lutyens. It was the official residence of the Viceroy of India during British reign and is now the official residence of the First Citizen. We end the tour at the Parliament House, the symbol of Indian democracy. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 3. Tuesday, November 12: To Aurangabad (Flight) (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the National Museum. The Museum has an interesting beginning with the blueprint for establishing the National Museum being prepared by the Maurice Gwyer Committee in May 1946. An Exhibition of Indian Art, consisting of selected artifacts from various museums of India was organized by the Royal Academy, London with the cooperation of Government of India and Britain. The Exhibition went on display in the galleries of Burlington House, London during the winter 
months of 1947-48. It was decided to display the same collection in Delhi, before the return of exhibits to their respective museums. This event proved responsible for the creation of the National Museum. Here can be found treasures from the ancient civilizations of Mohenjadaro, Harappa, Lothal, Kalibangan, and even prehistoric periods adorn the numerous galleries, and an equally fascinating array of miniature paintings from the Mughal, Rajput and Deccan eras cover the walls. An off-site also touches upon India’s literary legacy, revealing the precious manuscripts of Indian holy books and epics. You will also see the personal belongings of kings, from Babarnama in Babar’s own handwriting to Jehangir’s diary. After our visit, we return to our hotel for lunch. Afterwards we transfer to the airport to board our flight to Aurangabad. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel. Aurangabad city commonly used as a base for a visit to the World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora is steeped in medieval history. Named for Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughal Emperors, 
Aurangabad is a rich culture as its heritage comes from the Middle Ages. The one single factor that determined Aurangabad’s role in the history of medieval India is its location. So strategic is its location, at the cross – roads of north and south India, that Mohammed-bin-Tughlak and Aurangzeb, two powerful kings attempted to relocate their capital from Delhi to Aurangabad. Their vision was clear in that from Aurangabad, they would be better able to control both northern and southern regions of their empires. Overnight Aurangabad.
Day 4, Wednesday, November 13: In Aurangabad (B/L)
Our first stop this morning is the Ellora caves, locally known as ‘Verul. The name Ellora itself inspires everyone as it represents one of the largest rock-hewn monastic-temple complexes in the entire world. Ellora is also world famous for the largest single monolithic excavation in the world, the great Kailasa (Cave 16). The caves are made from the volcanic basaltic formation of Maharasthra, known as ‘Deccan Trap’, the term “Trap” being of Scandinavian origin, and representing a step like formation of the volcanic deposits. 
The rock formation, on weathering, has given rise to the appearance of terraces with flat summits. At Ellora, one can also have a glimpse of the channels (near Cave 32) through which the volcanic lava once flowed. These channels, due to overheating, now have a characteristic brownish red color. Similar rock was used in the construction of the Grishneshwar Temple nearby and also utilized for the flooring of the pathways at Bibi-ka-Maqbara. Return to our hotel for our overnight Aurangabad.
Day 5, Thursday, November 14: In Aurangabad (B/L)
After this morning’s breakfast, we leave for the Ajanta Caves, a series of 29 Buddhist cave Temples in Ajanta, India, some of which date from the 2nd century BC. They encompass both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions, and are considered some of the best preserved masterpieces of Buddhist art in India. We will also explore the Caves that were carved in the 2nd century BC out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. They were used by Buddhist monks as prayer halls (chaitya grihas) and monasteries (viharas) for about nine centuries, but then were abruptly abandoned. They fell into oblivion until they were rediscovered in 1819. The caves are numbered from east to west, 1 through 29. Today, a terraced path connects the cave, but in ancient times each was 
independently accessed from the riverfront. The preserved Buddhist art in the caves reflect the earlier Theravada tradition of depicting the Buddha only in symbolic form such as a throne or footprints. Other art in the Mahayana caves, feature colorful murals and statues depicting the life (and former lives) of the Buddha and various Bodhisattvas. Additionally, some of the caves also depict scenes from everyday life, and many include inscriptions indicating a prince or noble who gifted the cave to the monks. Return to our hotel for our overnight Aurangabad.
Day 6, Friday, November 15: Aurangabad – Mumbai – Chennai (Flight)
As we have a really early connecting fight via Mombai, we will have tea and coffee at the hotel before our transfer to the airport Chennai is the fourth largest city in India. It was the site of the East India Company’s first settlement. Founded in 1639 on land given by the Raja of Chandragiri, the last representative of the Vijayanagar rulers of Hampi, it was a small fort built at a fishing settlement in 1644. From this a town, which subsequently became known as George Town, grew in the area of Fort St, George. Today Chennai is the cultural center of South India, and has become a major center of commerce. Sky piercing palm trees mingle with modern building forming an interesting contrast of the old and the new. The colonial influence is well seen in the architecture of the old buildings that dot the city, where we will spend a few days. Overnight in Chennai.
Day 7, Saturday, November 16: In Chennai – Excursion to Mahabalipuram (B/L)
Our first stop this morning will be the Krishna’s Butterball, a gigantic granite boulder resting on a short incline in the historical town of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, India. The boulder is approximately 20 feet high and 15 feet wid,e and weighs around 250 tons. It stands on an precariously on a sloped base and is said to have been at the same place for 1200 years. In 1908, then-governor of the city Arthur Havelock made an attempt to use seven elephants to move the boulder from its position due to safety concerns, but without success. It is said that Pallava king Narasimhavarman, also made a failed attempt to move the boulder. The original name, Vaan Irai Kal, according to the 
Atlas Obscura, translates from Tamil as “Stone of Sky God. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna often stole butter from his mother’s butter handi; this may have led to the namesake of the boulder. We continue our visit of Mahabalipuram to the ancient port of Madras, this city built by the Pallava king Mahendra Varman. It was a seaport to connect his empire with Southeast Asia. Here you will see many sculptures and temples of typical South Indian architectural design. Among them are the Five Radhas – a group of monolithic monuments and animal figures carved out of solid rock. Also we’ll see the world famous Shore Temple lashed by the waves of the sea and the huge fresco; ‘The Penance of Bhagirath’. What is special about the sculptures at Mahabalipuram are their depictions 
of day-to-day life such as women milking buffaloes; pompous city dignitaries; young girls primping and posing on street corners or swinging their hips in artful come-ons. This is unlike other sites where sculptures stress heavily on gods and goddesses. The world’s largest bas-relief, called both Arjuna’s Penance and Descent of the Ganges, was carved here during the reign of Narasimha Varman. Some say that the mass of delicate figures rendered in profusion on the whale-shaped rock depict Shiva releasing the sacred River Ganges from its heavenly source and sending it down to earth; others believe that it shows the great archer, Arjuna, doing penance to persuade the gods to give him a special bow with which to overcome his enemies. The Shore Temple is the sole survivor of seven such temples. Then onto the Tiger Cave, which is a rock-cut Hindu temple complex located near Mahabalipuram. It gets its name from the carvings of 
tiger heads on the mouth of a cave which forms a part of the complex. The Tiger Cave is considered to be one of the Mahabalipuram finest rock-cut temples constructed by the Pallavas in the 8th century AD. We finish today’s touring at the Tsunami Temple: On 26th December 2004, after the Tsunami, the Subramaya Temple was unearthed. So now we can visit the outskirts of the temple (visitors are not allowed to enter the temple as it is now restricted). Return to our hotel and our overnight in Chennai.
Day 8, Sunday, November 17: In Chennai (B/L/D)
Morning after breakfast, proceed on a tour of Chennai. Though it was the oldest settlement of the British, Madras remained unaffected in spirit. Only the cathedral and the Fort of St. George are a reminder of its British past. Visit the Marina Beach-second longest beach in the world with its an elegant promenade; Fort St. George-the first foothold of British from where Robert Clive started the expansion of British rule. Our tour will also feature historic, as well as contemporary places of interest, such as the Victoria Art Gallery, Bronze Gallery and Madras Museum. Continue our drive through Egmore to Georgetown stopping at Fort St. 
George, housing the State Parliament. Located within the ramparts of the fort is St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in Asia, constructed in 1680 AD. The fort museum features relics of the Raj. Continue along Marina Beach, visiting San Thome Cathedral, where lie the mortal remains of St. Thomas, Christ’s Appostle and the earliest Christian missionary in Asia. Our final stop is colorful Kapaleeswarar Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, where we will have an opportunity to mingle with the devotees and observe the various rituals of Hinduism. This evening we have our Farewell to India dinner. Overnight in Chennai.
Day 9, Monday, November 18: Depart Chennai (B)
After breakfast your tour ends and transfer to the airport.
Featured Hotels or similar:
- In Delhi: Le Meridien Hotel
- In Aurangabad: The Ram International
- In Chennai: The TAJ Connemara
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Photo credits:
Kailasha temple by Pratheepps licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.