Along the Ganga
Recommended Duration: 12-14 Days
Itinerary: Delhi – Rishikesh – Haridwar – Lucknow – Allahabad – Varanasi – Kolkata
Ideal Time to Visit: October – March
The Ganga descends from the mighty Himalaya into the Northern Plains, nourishing infinite lives along the way. In North India, Ganga isn’t just a river, it is an emotion. This journey, in reverence of the mighty influence it holds over the people, traces the river’s path. Starting in the holy towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar, where the river first enters the plains, the journey goes on to the city of Lucknow – a place to discover architecture, food and textiles of the royals. With the river we meander into Allahabad, the city of a sacred confluence and Varanasi, the holy town of Lord Shiva. To end the journey, we travel to Kolkata, where the river empties into the Bay of Bengal.
On this journey, we see the reverence with which people dip in the Ganga, across cities. From farmers to boastpeople to priests, the Ganga touches people’s lives in ways that are seldom seen but always felt. In Lucknow, the capital city of the empire of the Nawabs of Awadh, we’re charmed not only by the Indo-Islamic architecture but also by the Tehzeeb-o-Saqafat or culture and sophistication of its people. In Allahabad, the city revolves around the ‘Sangam’ where the sacred river of Yamuna, personified in Yami as the goddess of life, merges with the Ganga and the mythical Saraswati to form a holy confluence of absolution.
In Varanasi, one of Hinduism’s seven holy cities, devotees flock to live and die, infusing the city with an energy that cannot be worded. Ending with Kolkata, a city with rich colonial history and a culture that is caught in time, Ganga becomes Hooghly and merges into the larger water body thus becoming a global presence.
Duration
5 days
Tour Type
City Tours, Cruises
Highlights
In Haridwar & Varanasi, where the Ganga enters and leaves the plains, ever evening is dedicated to praying to the river and its gifts. Becoming a part of the magic with the devotees and immerse in its energy is a once in a lifetime experience.
Awadh, also known as Oudh, is a region in Uttar Pradesh that is heavily influenced by the culture in Persia and Middle East, particularly Mughal cooking techniques. Visit traditional eateries and savour the dum biryani (steamed rice with goat meat) prepared in sealed pots on slow fire and kebabs (spiced, finely minced meat) that melt in your mouth.
Allahabad is home to the Sangam, the auspicious point where two of India’s holiest rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna, meet one of Hinduism’s mythological rivers, the Saraswati. All year round, pilgrims row boats out to this holy spot, but their numbers increase dramatically during the annual Magh Mela, a six-week festival held between January and March, which culminates in six communal ‘holy dips’.
A unique neighbourhood in Kolkata, Kumartoli is renowned for its tradition of making clay idols for the Durga puja celebrations. Located on the banks of the Hooghly river, this potter’s hub is home to around 30 women artisans and many talented male artisans, who create beautiful clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses.