Caves & temples of central India
From Capital of India, travelling by local train to Gwalior and onto Madhya Pradesh to discover fabulous and still little-known sites: the holy place of Omkareshvara crowned with Hindu temples, the fort of Maheswhar, the Afghan city of Mandu, the holy city of Ujjain and the lakes of Bhopal.
Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Mumbai before setting out to explore the mosques and fortresses around Aurangabad. This journey continues through central India, to the Ellora and Ajanta Buddhist caves, the most beautiful in the country, carved into the cliff.
Caves & temples of central India
A trip to Central India is an adventure off the beaten track. You will come across a culture that is totally different from Western culture. Each day will unfold it’s charm and most sensational visits.
Tour Highlights
- Local train journeys.
- Stone age rock shelters at Bhimbetka.
- Religious ceremony on the banks of Narmada River at Maheshwar.
- World heritage Ajanta & Ellora caves.
- Evening walking tour of Colaba area in Mumbai.
Itinerary
Delhi – Gwalior – Bhopal – Indore – Dhar – Maheshwar – Aurangabad – Mumbai
- Best Season: From 01 September – 30 April
The highlights of this trip
Mandu
Perched on a pleasantly green, thinly forested 25-sq-km plateau, picturesque Mandu is home to some of India’s finest examples of Afghan architecture as well as impressive baobab trees, originally from Africa and carried here on ancient trade routes. The plateau is littered with World Heritage–listed palaces, tombs, monuments and mosques. Some cling to the edge of ravines, others stand beside lakes, while Rupmati’s Pavilion, the most romantic of them all, sits serenely on the edge of the plateau, overlooking the vast plains below.
Omkareshwar
This Om-shaped island in the holy Narmada River attracts pilgrims in large numbers and has become a spiritual chill-out destination for some travellers. A controversial dam just upstream has changed the look of Omkareshwar considerably, but the island has retained its spiritual vibe and remains a pleasant and authentic – if typically commercialised – pilgrimage point.
Ajanta & Ellora Caves
Give a man a hammer and chisel and he’ll create art for posterity. Come to the Unesco World Heritage Site Ellora cave temples, located 30km from Aurangabad, and you’ll know exactly what we mean. The epitome of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture, these caves were chipped out laboriously over five centuries by generations of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks. Monasteries, chapels, temples – the caves served every purpose and they were stylishly embellished with a profusion of remarkably detailed sculptures.
- Cultural 90%
- Monuments 95%
- Architect 95%
- History 95%
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