Calcutta and East India
On this tour you can combine a fascinating exploration of the history and
cultures of the Eastern seaboard of India, with a relaxing enjoyment of the
warm pleasures of the Indian Ocean.
Calcutta, for long the second city of the British Empire, is the cultural
capital of India – a hectic and chaotic metropolis. It is also the city of
Kali, Bengal's fiercesome but ecstatically worshipped Goddess.
South of Calcutta, along the coast of Orissa, one of India's greatest
temple building cultures flourished, reaching its peak in the twelfth century.
Some of these temples are now regarded as amongst India's holiest,
as well as being historically and architecturally unparalleled.
Puri, for instance, is one of the four sacred centres that mark the
cosmic compass points of India, as defined by Shankaracharya in
the 9thcentury. Since then the great temple of Jagannath ("Lord of the
world") has hosted the annual Rath Yatra festival, when huge chariots
are pulled through the streets.
After your immersion in the sacred centres of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konarak,
travel a little further south to the white sanded palm beaches of Gopalpur, to
pamper yourself a little.
Day 1
Evening departure from Heathrow on direct British Airways flight.
Day 2
Afternoon arrival in Calcutta. Travel through the city to the old
colonial Tollygunge Club, where you will stay in Raj splendour.
Day 3
City tour of Calcutta, including the main relics of the city's colonial
past, the Victoria Memorial and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Day 4
Visit the Ramakrishna Math, from where Ramakrishna's famous disciple
Vivekananda spread his message of Vedanta across the globe. Visit the
Kalighat, the main shrine of Kali (only for the strong stomached!), and if
you wish, the adjoining hospice of Mother Teresa.
Day 5
Flight to Bhubaneswar. Stay at the Oberoi Bhubaneswar Hotel
(5*).
Day 6
Visit some of the holy city's 500 temples, dating from the seventh
century. If you wish, visit the much older Jain caves of Khandagiri, just
outside the city.
Day 7
Drive one and a half hours to Orissa's most famous temple, the
13th century sun temple, on the coast at Konarak, and admire
its erotic and spiritual sculptures. Onward drive along the coast road to
Puri. Stay at the Mayfair Beach Resort (3*) or Toshali Sands (3*).
Day 8
Visit the magnificent Jagannath temple.
Day 9
Explore the town of Puri, its bazaars, and sculpture workshops.
Day 10
Drive or train to Gopalpur. Stay at the Oberoi Palm Beach Hotel (5*),
overlooking the ocean.
Day 11
A day on the beach at Gopalpur.
Day 12
Catch the mid afternoon train back to Bhubaneswar, arriving in time
for dinner. Stay at the Oberoi Bhubaneswar Hotel (5*).
Day 13
Early morning flight to Calcutta. Day for shopping, or further sightseeing.
Evening departure on direct British Airways flight.
Day 14
Early morning arrival at Heathrow.
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