India: Encountering Religion

This visit is a must for those with an interest in the great religions of India. It will provide an opportunity to experience first hand the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of India, and to reflect on the diversity of religions practised here. It will also offer ample opportunity for RE teachers to deepen their knowledge and understanding, and of course to take photographs and buy artefacts.

Our visit begins in Delhi where we start to acclimatise to the excitement and contrasts of India, and encounter Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, and of course Hinduism. We will spend some time in the footsteps of the great Mahatma Gandhi, including making a visit to the important Raj Ghat memorial.

Then on to the holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the river Ganga. Here we immerse ourselves in ancient Hindu traditions, and also encounter the Buddha in the Deer Park at Sarnath, where he gave his first teaching.

We continue to the great and magical city of Kolkata, the city of Kali and Mother Teresa, where we also visit the “Black Hole” memorial and that great reminder of empire, the Victoria Memorial.

Then on to Chennai where as well as 500 year old Portuguese churches, we discover the long tradition that St. Thomas himself brought Christianity to India. Then on into the heart of South India, to the temple city of Tiruvannamalai, built at the foot of Mount Arunachala, sacred to Lord Shiva. Here the unity of the human and divine is further emphasised in the ashram of the great modern saint, Ramana Maharishi.

Our tour ends with a visit to the 10th century Shore Temple and rock carvings of Mahaballipuram, richly deserving of their World Heritage status.

Pamela Draycott is widely experienced in the field of Religious Education; she worked for RE Today for many years, and is now Curriculum Adviser for RE and Citizenship for Kent CC, and is also an experienced tour and pilgrimage leader. This is an opportunity not to be missed!

Sun 26 July 1720 departure from Heathrow on direct British Airways flight. Mon 27 July 0615 arrival in Delhi. Stay at Claridges Hotel (4*). Visit the Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Jain and Sikh temples. Tue 28 July Visit the Raj Ghat and nearby Gandhi Memorial. Overnight sleeper train to Varanasi. Wed 29 July Stay at Clarks Hotel (5*). Afternoon visit to nearby Sarnath, where the Buddha began to turn the wheel of enlightenment. Evening aarti ceremony by river Ganga. Thu 30 July Early morning boat ride on river Ganga. Overnight sleeper train to Kolkata. Fri 31 July Stay at Park Hotel (5*). Afternoon visits to Ramakrishna temple and Loretto school. Sat 01 Aug Visit the Kali Temple and Mother Teresa's Home. Sun 02 Aug Visit Digambara Jain temple, St. John's Church and Victoria Memorial. Mon 03 Aug 0830 flight to Chennai, arriving 1025. Stay at Radha Regent Hotel (3*). Temple and church visits. Tue 04 Aug Visit the St. Thomas sites of Chennai. Wed 05 Aug Drive to the temple city of Tiruvannamalai, via the silk city of Kanchipuram. Stay at Sparsa Resort. Thu 06 Aug All day visit to the Sri Ramana Maharishi Ashram. Fri 07 Aug Early morning parikrama of the sacred hill of Arunachala, and visit to the huge Arunachaleswara temple. Sat 08 Aug Return drive to Chennai via the World Heritage Site of Mahaballipuram. Sun 09 Aug 0805 departure on direct BA flight, arriving London Heathrow at 1420. Optional beach extension: Sat 08 Aug Drive to Mahaballipuram to visit the World Heritage Site. Stay at e.g. Ideal Beach Resort. Sun 09 Aug A day on the beach Mon 10 Aug Late afternoon drive back to Chennai. Tue 11 Aug 0805 departure on direct BA flight, arriving London Heathrow at 1420.

Cost of the tour (Per Person)

Sharing Twin/Double room	£2,195*
Single Room supplement	£561
Mahaballipuram extension	£155 (Single supplement £69)

*Please contact us for details of payment in other currencies.
  Payment can be made by credit card for a 2% supplement.

The price includes:

International flights Accommodation & meals on half board basis All group travel, entrance and guide fees UK and India airport departure taxes Full ATOL bonding

Items that are NOT included:

All personal incidentals & expenses Tips & gratuities to drivers, guides, etc Donations at religious sites

Note:

Similar class hotel will be substituted if the above hotels are not available All visits to religious places are subject to confirmation Click here for booking conditions

If you would like to talk to us about any aspect of the itinerary, please contact us at +44 20 8901 7630, enquiries@soulofindia.com