Nature and Spirituality

Upon arrival at the international airport and after the traditional 'Swagat' welcome, we are transferred to the hotel. Located on the East bank of the Hooghly River, Kolkata was the center of commerce, culture and education in Eastern India. The city possesses a colorful, rich and distinctive cultural heritage.

We begin our day with a visit to Mother Teresa's House to see her tomb, before heading to the Nirmal Hriday center. This is where Mother Teresa and her sisters lived. From there, we move on to the famous Howrah Bridge, also called Rabindra Setu. Continuing our tour, we go to St. John Church, the oldest architecture built during British rule in the city. Next, we visit the exquisitely designed Marble Palace. Built in the middle of a lush green meadow with artistic sculptures, this building is a treasure trove of antiquities, including relics from China and paintings by Rubens. The day ends with a tour of the majestic Victoria Memorial, a marble edifice erected in memory of Queen Victoria. Now, it has been converted into a museum showcasing paintings, miniatures, statues and books. The establishment allows visitors an in-depth knowledge of Indian history.

After a delicious breakfast at home, we head to The Bird Sanctuary where we can observe a variety of birds, before embarking on a trek to the former king's hunting grounds, followed by a cruise to different coves on a safari boat approved by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. We take advantage of the ride to spot crocodiles. We continue our tour at the park museum. After lunch, we peacefully enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature, dotted with rice fields. In the late afternoon, we head to Jagannath Temple to watch the Aalati Darshan spectacle. In the evening, we gather around a campfire for dinner.

Today's circuit allows us to follow in the footsteps of the Jains. Religious center of Tribhubaneswar or « Lord Lingaraj », Bhubaneshwar is an important Hindu pilgrimage destination. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the old city, which has existed for 2000 years. While the modern city buzzes, its landscape arouses curiosity, between the spires of the Lingaraj temple, the white dome of the peace pagoda on the hill of Dhauli and the pink hues of Mahariva Jina. Together, they embody the emergence of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism through the different periods of Orissa's history. Among Bhubaneswar's 600 temples, the Lingaraja Templededicated to Shiva is among the most refined and most impressive buildings. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter, but can still observe the monument from an external platform. Besides that, we have the opportunity to visit the Rajarani templebuilt in pink and golden sandstone, one of the city's most popular constructions. Furthermore, the Mukteshwar templeis among the remarkable temples in Bhubaneswar, with its architectural style similar to that of the Kalinga Temple. We can also explore the Parashurameswartemple built in 650 AD. Small, but richly decorated, this sacred place also called Shiva Shrine houses many statues of couples, animals and floral motifs.

Today, we set off to discover the Temple of Jagannath in Puri, one of the most sacred sites in India and a major pilgrimage destination. According to legend, Jagannath owes its extraordinary form to the unfinished work of the god Vswakarma, who, in anger, did not complete his portrait of Lord Vishnu. This is a mythical place not to be missed for tourists passing through the region.
Attention: Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the Jagannath temple, but they can view it from the platform of the Raghunathan Library. The latter is closed on Sundays, but another platform outside the temple offers another viewing angle of the monument.

After visiting the temple, we head towards the Chilka Lake to observe dolphins. This vast lake on the East coast of Orissa is home to magnificent islands. We find flamingos floating on shallow waters and many other birds coming from afar, notably from the Caspian Sea, the Aral Sea and other parts of Mongolia, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. And this is just a glimpse of what Chilika Lake has to offer. Extending over more than 1,100 km² covering three districts of Orissa, the place embodies a true paradise for nature lovers and ornithology enthusiasts. The best time to visit the lake is in winter, when birds choose to migrate to the island.
Optional: The boat ride on the lake to see dolphins is optional.

In the late afternoon, we head to Raghurajpur, a charming village located just a short distance from Puri. The craft activities of Raghurajpur contribute to the destination's reputation throughout the country. The village has around 100 houses and 300 artisans. We can stroll around, admire the magnificent frescoes painted on the walls, interact with the artisans, watch them at work and of course, purchase their works, to bring back authentic souvenirs.
Optional: During our visit to Raghurajpur, learn the Gotipua dance, a typical folk dance of the village. It is performed by young boys disguised as female dancers imbued with grace. The postures and acrobatic movements are inspired by the life of Radha and Krishna, as well as other mythological tales.

Departure to Kolkata international airport and flight to your country.