Jainism And Jain Hill Shrines Of Rajasthan And Gujarat

This is one of our more off-beat religious studies tours in India, and is a great option for academic study tours as well as a fascinating holiday for anyone with an interest in Jainism and Indian religious history.

The Jain religion emerged in north India at about the same time as Buddhism around 2,500 years ago. Although the two religions have much in common, Jain teachings have a strong focus on the doctrines of non-violence and asceticism. The traditions of Jainism have left an incredible architectural and cultural legacy across India, with many of the most interesting and beautiful temples and shrines situated in the western Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, which form the basis for this spiritual tour of India.


Highlights

  • Explore the Jain hill shrines of Rajasthan & Gujarat
  • Visit the historical Jain temple Songadh Tirtha in Bhavnagar
  • Climb up to the holy Jain hill of Shatrunjaya & explore the temples
  • Explore Palitana Jain Temples
  • Pay respects at Shree Girnar Tirth in Junagadh
  • Visit Sabarmati Ashram and Calico Museum of Textiles in Ahmedabad
  • Explore Dilwara Temple – The Most Beautiful Among the Jain Temples of the World
  • Seek Blessing of Sufi Saint Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chisti in Ajmer

The Itinerary

Mumbai – Bhavnagar – Palitana – Junagarh – Ahmedabad – Mt. Abu – Ajmer – Pushkar – Delhi – Agra – Delhi

Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

Gandhi Smriti Museum, Bhavnagar

DAY 1: FLY TO MUMBAI
Fly from your home country for Mumbai.

DAY 2: ARRIVE MUMBAI & CONNECT FLIGHT TO BHAVNANGAR
Arrive in Mumbai and take the connecting flight to Bhavnagar and transfer to your hotel for 02 nights stay.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at EFCEE Sarovar Portico Hotel, Bhavnagar.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 3: BHAVNAGAR SIGHTSEEING
Today explore the old city and visit the Gandhi Smriti Museum which showcases books, rare photos, and memorabilia linked to the life of Mahatma Gandhi.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in EFCEE Sarovar Portico Hotel, Bhavnagar.   JourneysFortheSoulB  

Jain temples, Mount Shatrunjaya, Palitana

DAY 4: DRIVE TO PALITANA ENROUTE VISIT THE SONGADH JAIN TEMPLE
Today drive 55 km to Palitana, an area strongly associated with many Jain legends and history. En route visiting a historical Jain temple complex in Songadh.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in a Heritage Hotel Vijay Vilas Palace, Palitana.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 5: CLIMB UP TO THE HOLY JAIN HILL OF SHATRUNJAYA & EXPLORE THE TEMPLES (ABOUT 3500 STONE STEPS)
Today climb the holy Jain hill of Shatrunjaya, and visit some of the 900 temples on its slopes and summit. One of Jainism’s holiest pilgrimage sites, Shatrunjaya is an incredible hill studded with temples, some of which are over 900 years old. It's said that Adinath (also known as Rishabha), the founder of Jainism, meditated beneath the Banayan tree at the summit. The temples are grouped into tunks (enclosures), each with a central temple flanked by minor ones. The 500m climb up 3500 steps (1½ hours) to the temples adds to the extraordinary experience.

(Palitana Jain Temple summit can be reached by climbing about 3500 stone steps along a hilly trail, if you are not enough to fit to climb then we can arrange a palki (doli) for you on an extra cost. currently there is no ropeway for Palitana Temple Summit).

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in a Heritage Hotel Vijay Vilas Palace, Palitana.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 6: DRIVE TO JUNAGARH
Drive to Junagarh (190 km) and check into the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Bellevue Sarovar Portico Hotel, Junagarh.   JourneysFortheSoulB  

Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad

DAY 7: TRAIN TO AHMEDABAD
Morning transfer to railway station to board your train “SMNH JBP SPL (01463)” in 1-tier air-conditioned sleeper class to Ahmedabad departs from Junagarh at 1130 and arrives in Ahmedabad at 1825. Met on arrival and transfer to your hotel for 02 nights stay.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in House of MG Hotel, Ahmedabad.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 8: AHMEDABAD SIGHTSEEING
Visit Sabarmati Ashram and Calico Museum of Textiles. Gandhi’s doctrine of Ahinsa was formed by the influence of Jains in his early life.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in House of MG Hotel, Ahmedabad.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 9: TRAIN TO MOUNT ABU
Morning train “ADI YNRK SPECIAL (09031) to Abu Road leaves from Ahmedabad at 1050 & Arrives at Mount Abu Road at 1455 hrs. and a short drive to Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan. Sacred to Hindus and Jains, the area contains a number of Jain temples including the Dilwara Temples a complex of 11th-century temples beautifully carved from white marble.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Connaught House Hotel, Mount Abu.   JourneysFortheSoulB  

Mount Abu, Rajasthan

DAY 10: MOUNT ABU (FREE DAY)
Spend a day at leisure exploring the hill station and sights of Mount Abu.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Connaught House Hotel, Mount Abu.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 11: TRAIN TO PUSHKAR VIA AJMER
Today take the afternoon train AJMER SHT SPL (04052) to Ajmer leaves Mount Abu at 1545 & reaches Ajmer at 2240 hrs. Met on arrival and a short drive to Pushkar, the peaceful small holy town situated around a small lake, famous for its annual camel fair and the only Hindu temple dedicated to Brahma the creator.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at hotel Pushkar Palace, Pushkar.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 12: PUSHKAR SIGHTSEEING
Spend the day exploring the markets of Pushkar, visit the Brahma temple and walk up the nearby hill for spectacular views of the area.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at hotel Pushkar Palace, Pushkar.   JourneysFortheSoulB  

India Gate, Delhi

DAY 13: VISIT THE SHRINE OF SUFI SAINT KHAWAJA MOIN-UD-DIN CHISTI. AFTERNOON TRAIN DELHI
In the morning visit the shrine of Sufi saint Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chisti in Ajmer, and in the afternoon take the Shatabdi train to New Delhi, arriving at 22:15. Met on arrival and transfer to your hotel.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at hotel Suryaa New Delhi.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 14: DELHI SIGHTSEEING
Orientation tour of Delhi or optional all-day visit to Agra for the Taj Mahal.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at hotel Suryaa New Delhi.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 15: INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE
Morning transfer to airport for international departure.

Due to the Jain tradition’s emphasis on ascetic practice, this Jainism tour can make an interesting additional extension to any of our yoga holidays in India.

TOUR COST
Per Person sharing a twin or double room
£2235*
Single Room Supplement
£613
  • It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health, and destination you are visiting.
*This cost is valid from October 2022 to March 2023. December peak period supplements may apply.
Cost Includes
  • Internal flight from Mumbai to Bhavnagar in economy class with 25 kg checked-in baggage and 7kg cabin baggage.
  • 13 night's accommodation in hotels as per itinerary, sharing single/twin or double room with en-suite facilities (Check-in is 1400 hrs and checkout 12 noon. Early check-in and late checkouts are subject to availability).
  • Daily breakfast at all hotels.
  • All arrival, departure transfers, long drives, and sightseeing by a chauffeur-driven private air-conditioned Innova car.
  • Services of a local English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports and railway stations.
  • Services of English-speaking guides during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
  • Complimentary Mineral water while traveling & sightseeing.
Cost Does Not Include
  • International airfare.
  • Any meals are other than specified in the itinerary.
  • India Visa Fee: E- The tourist visa facility is now available for India for citizens of most countries of the World. We will send you a step-by-step guide for an E-Tourist visa on confirmation of booking.
  • Any expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc.
  • Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
  • Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health, and destination you are visiting.
  • Tips and gratuities.

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