Worldwide brochure 2022-2023
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CENTRAL PLAINS • INDIA<br />
Discover the Central Plains<br />
Together Lucknow, Varanasi and Khajuraho<br />
offer the diversity of experiences for which<br />
India is known. Distinct in character, they<br />
have been the backdrop to many significant<br />
events, including the Indian mutiny in<br />
Lucknow and Buddha’s first sermon near<br />
Varanasi. The region is home to magnificent<br />
historical sites including the Bibi-ka-<br />
Maqbara, splendid forts and palaces at<br />
Mandu and Ahilya, holy cities such as Ujjain<br />
as well as fabulous cave paintings.<br />
To experience the country’s rich wildlife,<br />
visit the state of Madhya Pradesh.<br />
Experiences in<br />
Central India<br />
Varanasi<br />
Holy man, Varanasi<br />
Hindu centre of pilgrimage • Sacred Ganges<br />
River • Evening Ganga aarti ceremony<br />
Set on the banks of the sacred Ganges,<br />
Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world<br />
and the holiest of all for devout Hindus. It is<br />
believed that bathing in the river will purge<br />
all sins and, for many Hindus, Varanasi is<br />
regarded as the place that provides salvation<br />
and enlightenment. An early morning boat<br />
ride or walk along the riverside ghats offers a<br />
glimpse of the city’s spiritual significance, with<br />
pilgrims performing their ablutions and other<br />
rituals, funeral pyres blazing on the steps,<br />
incense wafting through the air and music<br />
chiming all around.<br />
Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park<br />
Lucknow<br />
Asafi Imambara, Lucknow<br />
Remnants of the Raj • Unique Indo-Persian<br />
culture • Distinct cuisine with a fusion of styles<br />
Rudyard Kipling said in his novel Kim that<br />
“there is no city – except Bombay, the queen<br />
of all – more beautiful in her garish style than<br />
Lucknow”. The city rose to prominence during<br />
the 1857 Indian mutiny, when it saw fierce<br />
fighting between British and Indian forces.<br />
The Raj era bequeathed Lucknow many fine<br />
colonial monuments, including the former<br />
Residency and La Martiniére College.<br />
However, it was under the Muslim Nawabs<br />
of Oudh (Awadh) in the 18th century that<br />
Lucknow reached its apogee as a political and<br />
cultural centre.<br />
Bandhavgarh National Park<br />
High density of tigers • 150 bird species<br />
Bandhavgarh has one of the highest densities of<br />
tigers in the country. Once the hunting preserve<br />
of the maharajahs of Rewa, the reserve’s open<br />
terrain features large grassland meadows,<br />
which offer good chances of tiger sightings.<br />
The park is home to a variety of other<br />
mammals, including leopards, Indian bison,<br />
hyenas and wild dogs. It is estimated that<br />
150 bird species can be found here, including<br />
migratory steppe eagles that arrive in winter.<br />
Indian Rebellion tour, Lucknow<br />
Lucknow played a significant part in<br />
the Indian Rebellion that took place in<br />
northern India in 1857. On a specialist<br />
tour designed to develop an understanding<br />
of the siege, explore the key sites and<br />
follow the paths trodden by Sir Henry<br />
Havelock, Sir James Outram and<br />
Colin Campbell.<br />
Musical culture of Varanasi<br />
Visit Kabir Chaura, a neighbourhood<br />
where the foundations of the Benaras<br />
Gharana musical movement were laid.<br />
Workshops showcase the multiple styles<br />
of Banarasi music, different ragas, Indian<br />
classical instruments and the musical<br />
history of Varanasi including the birth of<br />
Benaras Gharana.<br />
Sleep under the stars in Pench<br />
Emulate the farmers who slept under the<br />
stars to protect their crops by spending<br />
the night in a machaan (a four-poster bed<br />
set on a platform). Lit by lanterns, you<br />
can marvel at the overhead stars and<br />
passing animals and birds in a truly unique<br />
wilderness experience.<br />
Gwalior Fort<br />
The eighth-century Gwalior Fort was<br />
described by the Mughal emperor Babur<br />
as “the pearl in the necklace of the forts<br />
of Hind”. Today, the splendour of<br />
Gwalior lives on in the fort as well as in<br />
the Jai Vilas Palace, featuring exquisitely<br />
carved temples and resounding with the<br />
melodies of Tansen’s ragas – the renowned<br />
musician whose tomb makes for a<br />
worthwhile visit.<br />
For more information or to book, contact us on 020 3930 5073 or speak to your travel agent<br />
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