Heritage of South India & Goa

The delightful south! Almost untouched by invasions throughout its history, the Southern states of India, can be considered the most 'Indian' part of India. The Aryans never brought their meat eating influence to the south. The Muslims and British influence was minor. As a result Hindu forms of lifestyles and artistic & cultural expression are stronger here compared to anywhere else in India. While bringing to you the manifestations of the glorious artistic creativity of South India's incredible ancient heritage, we would not miss out on giving a human feel to your tour. We will interact with locals by visits to popular local bazaars, typical traditional work places, rides in local cycle rickshaws, visits to typical homes and stopping for walks and visits to tribal villages while driving through the countryside. We are attempting to harmonize the glorious past with the vibrating, colorful and extremely hospitable lifestyles of the present with which you could conveniently relate and see your own lives in a different perspective!

Value Added Optional Tour Available (Request for price and detailed information): -

• Mysore Night Tour

Day 01: Arrival / Mumbai

Welcome to India, or as we say ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (The guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!!

Late night arrival, meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car.

Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you.

Overnight at Gordon House, Mumbai (Mediterranean / Country Room) (No Meals)

Day 02: Mumbai (Prince of Wales Museum is closed on Mondays)

After breakfast, we will proceed on a city tour of Mumbai. Our highlights for the day would be as below:

GATEWAY OF INDIA :
Gateway of India (Apollo Bunder, Colaba) designed by Scotland-born architect, George Wittet. Sporting exquisite Mughal-style design elements, this imposing basalt arch overlooks the Mumbai Harbor. The arch was completed in 1924, during the British Raj, to commemorate England’s King George V and Queen Mary’s 1911 visit to India.

PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM :
Diagonally opposite the art gallery is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum (11) (Prince of Wales Museum; 159-161 Mahatma Gandhi [MG] Road, www.bombaymuseum.org). Designed by George Wittet, it sports Indo-Saracenic (also known as Indo-Gothic) architecture, a Mughal-Gothic style adopted by the British in the late 1800s. Formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum, the gracefully domed building opened its doors in 1922 in honor of Britain’s King George V (who first visited India in 1905 as then Prince of Wales). Mumbai’s largest museum, it has a superb collection of Indian artifacts and warrants an unhurried browse. Step into the front gardens to admire this grand building.

MUMBAI UNIVERSITY :
The original campus is in Fort, Mumbai, near the southern end of the city of Mumbai. It houses the administrative division of the university. It is built in the Gothic style of architecture and also includes a library which holds many original manuscripts. The University of Bombay was established at the Fort Campus in 1857.

HIGH COURT :
Retrace your steps back to Flora Fountain and continue west past the Venetian Gothic-style State Public Works Department (21). Turn south onto Bhaurao Patil Marg to see the august High Court (22) and the equally venerable and ornately decorated University of Mumbai (23). The façades of both buildings are best observed from within the Oval

FLORA FOUNTAIN :
Cross back over to Forbes St to visit the KenesethEliyahoo Synagogue (15) before returning to MG Rd and continuing north along the left-hand side so you can admire the vertical Art Deco stylings of the New India Assurance Company Building (16). In a traffic island ahead lies the pretty Flora Fountain (17), named after the Roman goddess of abundance, and erected in 1869 in honour of Sir Bartle Frere, the Bombay governor responsible for dismantling the fort

VICTORIA TERMINUS – Photo stop from outside :
Victoria Terminus in Mumbai was modeled on St Pancras Station in London. Mr Frederick William Stevens, an architect designed the railway station in Mumbai in 1887-88 at a cost of Rs16.14 lakh. Later Stevens, went to Europe for 10 months so that he could study the railway stations across the European countris in detail. Victoria Terminus was completed in 10 years, named to honor Queen Victoria and then opened to all. Only recently in 1996, it was renamed after ChhatrapatiShivaji, a famous Maratha king of 17th century y the state government of Maharashtra

DHOBI GHAT :
A dhobi is a traditional Indian laundryman, who will collect your dirty linen, wash it and return it neatly pressed on your doorstep. The Dhobi Ghat is a huge open-air Laundromat consisting of row upon row of concrete wash basins, all with a flogging stone.

Around 200 dhobi families work together here, relentlessly pounding the dirt from the cities garments as they did hundreds of years ago in exactly the same way.

MANI BHAVAN :
The Mani bhavan is situated at 19, Laburnum Road, Gamdevi. It is one of the more important Gandhi Memorial Museums in the country. It’s a pretty, two-storied structure that now houses a reference library .Gandhiji stayed and worked here on many occasions between 1917 and 1934. Thus Mani bhavan is a place where Gandhiji lived and conversed with his colleagues. Once a Residence of the father of the nation, it is now a source of inspiration and freedom to everyone. It was from Mani Bhavan that Gandhi initiated the Non-Cooperation, Satyagraha, Swadeshi, Khadi and Khilafat movements.

Gandhi’s association with the charkha or spinning wheel began in 1917, while he was staying at Mani Bhavan.You can also see Gandhi’s old charkha (spinning wheel), which in many ways symbolized the struggle for independence, and which now appears on the Indian flag.

HANGING GARDENS :
The Hanging Gardens makes another must see site in Mumbai. The park was built during the early 1880s over Mumbai's main reservoir at the top of the Malabar Hills. The reason of its location is being to cover the water from the potentially contaminating activity of the nearby Towers of Silence. Located just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park, this terraced garden, also known as Ferozeshah Mehta Garden, is famous among the locals as well as tourists. The garden provides lovely sunset views over the Arabian Sea.

Late afternoon, proceed on a unique food tasting tour that would bring to your taste buds the typical foods, flavors, and, the taste of Mumbai’s Common Man’s fare. Let us acquaint you with Mumbai’s street cuisines through the gastronomical adventures that await you. Here, we have come up with the Best Food Dishes in Mumbai, according to a local Mumbaikar.

Introducing some of the best fun, food dishes that will long remain in your memories:

Masala Chai/Tea : Famously called ‘cutting’ or ‘full’ chai all over Mumbai, Masala chai is a beverage from the Indian subcontinent made by brewing tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs.

Sev Puri : ‘Sev Puri’ is essentially small pieces of crunchy noodles made from chickpea flour paste. It is a deep fried small round and crispy white bread. Prominently known as the ‘Mumbai’s second signature dish.

Pav Bhaji : Mumbai’s Pav Bhaji is an utterly delicious treat you would not simply want to miss!! This famous Mumbai food offers an impeccable taste that originated in Marathi Cuisine. The Bhaji (curry) is made from mix vegetables like potato, peas, onions and tomato, and, are served with a small loaf of bread called Pav. Squeeze some lemon on top of it and dig in with your fingers.

Kulfi : It is a popular Indian Ice-cream made from the condensed milk.

Dry Fruit Sweets : They are made with sugar, milk and condensed milk, and, are cooked by frying Almonds, Pistachios, saffron, cashew nuts etc.

Overnight at Gordon House, Mumbai (Mediterranean / Country Room) (B)

Day 03: Mumbai / Bangalore (6E 5296 – 0730 / 0915 Hrs) Bangalore / Srirangapattanam / Somnathapur / Mysore (190 Kms) (04 ½ Hrs Drive)

Early morning, transfer to the Mumbai airport to board the flight to Bangalore.

Meeting and assistance upon arrival at the Bangalore airport, as our representative will welcome you and from here, we will drive to Mysore en route visiting Srirangapattanam and Somnathapur.

For those who are turned on by history, there are many monuments here spanning athousand years. All the major dynasties of the South have left their relics and monuments here-the Hoysalas of the 11th century, the Vijayanagar kings of Chandragiri in the 17th century, and the Hyder Ali-Tipu Sultan clan that came after them, and finally, the French and the British. The Srirangapatnam Fort, defended by a double wall, is the center of attraction here. It was built in 1454 by Thimmanna, a local chief and later renovated by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The river Kaveri skirts one side of the fort forming a natural moat.

About three kilometers upstream, lies Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary, a breeding ground for thousands of waterfowls during the period from June to November. The Kaveri River, which divides itself to form the island, rejoins on the western side. This spot is looked upon as sacred and prayers and pujas are held here regularly. Boating in the river is the main attraction here. We will enjoy a half hour boat ride half an hour boating. It is an interesting trip with opportunities to view the bird life from up close, and perhaps also sight a few crocodiles basking in the sun, lying on rocks.

From here we ride 40 kms to Somnathapur, a place well known for its elaborate carvings and miniature sculptures. A Hoysala temple dedicated to Lord Kesava is also located here.

Following the visit, we continue our drive to Mysore.

Upon arrival in Mysore, check into hotel, Royal Orchid Metropole.

Overnight at Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysore (Superior Room) (B)

Day 04: Mysore

After breakfast, we will proceed on guided tour of Mysore, which has been for centuries an important center for South Indian culture and learning. It is also the city of lingering aroma of Jasmine, Musk, rose, sandalwood, etc. This is so because Mysore is one of the major manufacturers of incense sticks through scores of family owned factories. The city is also a crafts center. It is an extremely friendly and easy going city and at an altitude of 770 meters it has a wonderful climate. The Maharaja’s Palace (1907) is a huge building in Indo - Saracenic style of architecture; it hosts an extravaganza of stained glass, mirrors, gilt and gaudy colors, beautifully carved wooden doors, mosaic floors and a series of historically important paintings. Of special mention are the beautifully carved mahogany ceilings, solid silver doors, white marble floors and superbly collumned durbar hall (Hall Of Public Audience).. Next we visit the temple of Shri Chamundeshwari, set on top of the Chamundi Hills (1602 meters.). Three quarters up the hill is the famous Nandy (Lord Shiva’s Bull - His vehicle) carved out of a single solid piece of granite and 5 meters in height. The temple itself is a huge building with a 40mtr high seven-storied Gopuram (tower).

Overnight at Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysore (Superior Room) (B)

Day 05: Mysore / Shravan Belagola / Hassan (138 Kms) (03 Hrs Drive)

After breakfast, we will drive to Hassan, en route visit Shravan Belagola.

We will have a stop at this gigantic statue to take photos of this amazing work of art. The sculpture dominates the landscape from far, and, you could take the photos without climbing the many steps.

Shravan Belagola is one of the oldest and the most important pilgrimage centres for the followers of Jain religion. It is the site of the 17mtr monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali - believed to be the world’s tallest monolithic statue.

Following the visit, we will continue our drive to Hassan.

Upon arrival, we will check in to, Hoysala Village Resort.

Evening, we are free to explore Hassan independently on foot. There is only one main road, the rest are dignified trails. Little shops (grocery, vegetables, tailors etc.) and small temples with a steady stream of pilgrims seem to be bursting on to the lanes. Women and men wearing traditional costumes, stand at their doors with shy curiosity as we walk past the door steps of their typical houses. Our walk would be invariably accompanied by friendly shrill shrieks of children - “hello”, “your name? “Which Country”

Overnight at Hoysala Village Resort, Hassan (Superior Cottage) (B)