The document provides a detailed 9-day itinerary for a spiritual journey visiting 5 Takhts or holy Sikh shrines in India. Key stops include Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Amritsar, Bhatinda, and Nanded. The journey involves train travel between destinations and sightseeing in Delhi, Agra, Ellora Caves, and Mumbai. Cultural activities include visiting gurdwaras, attending prayer ceremonies and light shows, and enjoying langar meals at the Takhts.

1. A Spiritual Journey to the Guru’s Abode … Welcome to… With….

2. Detailed Itinerary

3. Day 01 - Tuesday, 22nd March 2011 Arrive New Delhi New Delhi: The capital city of the Federal Republic of India. It is one of India's fastest growing cities. 1930-2130 hours: Dinner will be at The hotel of stay. 2200 hours: After dinner, we shall meet at the hotel lobby and collect your baggage. The same shall be transferred to your designated Cabin on Board the Train in advance. Day 2 - Wednesday, 23rd March 2011 (Same Day Trip to Takth Sri Patna Sahib) 0500 hours: You will be transferred to the domestic terminal to board flight for Patna. The breakfast will be on board the Flight. 0830 hours: Upon arrival at Patna Airport, we will transfer you to “Takht Sri Patna Sahib”. "Takht Sri Patna Sahib" The Gurudwara at Patna Sahib was founded in remembrance of the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh ji, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs on 22 Dec 1666, and like many historical Gurudwara’s in India and Pakistan. this Gurudwara too, was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, on the banks of Ganges River in Patna in Bihar state. 1000 hours: Visit first Takht of Spiritual Journey to The Guru’s Abode. “Takht Sri Patna Sahib”. Takht Sri Patna Sahib is located approximately 20 kilometres from the Patna Domestic Airport, after arriving at Takht Sri Patna Sahib have the Darshan and perform your rituals. 1230 hours: Enjoy Langar at the Gurudwara Sahib. 1640 hours: In the afternoon, transfer to airport in time to board flight back to Delhi 1820 hours: Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to the “Safdarjung Train Station”. The Deccan Odyssey1930 hours: You will then board “A Luxury in Itself” our train, “The Deccan Odyssey” which will further take you to a - once in a lifetime journey covering other four Takhts on our “Spiritual Journey to The Guru’s Abode.”

4. Once onboard and, in the cosy confines of your Cabins, leave Delhi behind for an overnight journey towards Anandpur Sahib. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner onboard. Day 3 - Thursday, 24th March 2011 - Anandpur Sahib (Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib) Takht Sri Keshargarh Sahib0830 hours: Early morning you will arrive at Anandpur Sahib, followed by breakfast on board, visit the “Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib - Anandpur Sahib”. "Sri Keshgarh Sahib" is one of the most important and sacred pilgrimage place of the Sikhs and, is closely linked with the religious traditions and history. It is located on the lower spurs of the Himalayas surrounded by picturesque natural scenery, with the river Satluj forming a shimmering and shiny blue border towards southwest barely four kilometres away. 1100 hours: Visit, “Guru Ka Lahore” - Celebrating the pious marriage ceremony of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Guru Ka Lahore is surrounded by three other Gurudwaras, is set at a distance of 12 km from the famous Anandpur Sahib. Turning the look of this place into one of the cities of Lahore, Guru Ji married Bibi Jeet Kaur in 1734. The place, at which the historical event took place, is enriched with natural beauty. Found on the bank of a splashing lake, Guru Ka Lahore is aesthetically bounded by serene hills. The historical past of Guru Ka Lahore near Anandpur Sahib speaks of an interesting event. At the time of the nuptial, Guru Gobind Singh Ji was leading his soldiers against the Mughal Dynasty. It was the wish of his father-in-law, Sh. Harjas Rai Khatri, to organize the occasion at his place in Lahore. Being incapable of fulfilling this wish, Guru Ji found a unique way out. He gave the entire place a feel of Lahore. Upon arrival at the site, Sh. Harjas Rai Khatri was awe-struck. This way. the holy function of marriage completed with mirth and glee. 1300 hours: Lunch on board the Train which is now parked at Nangal Dam Railway Station. 1500 hours: Gurdwara Gurpalah Patshahi Dasvin (Bathu) - Bathu village in Una district is 15 kilometers west of Nangal in Punjab along the Nangal-Garhshankar road. Guru Gobind Singh once visited this village. According to local tradition, he arrived here from Bibhaur and held a discourse with Baba Kaladhari, a direct descendant of Guru Nanak Dev, under a Palahi tree on the bank of Suan River, one furlong east of the village. The commemorative shrine established here is called Gurdwara Gurpalah Patshai Dasvin. It is housed in a small domed room built during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

5. 1700 hours: Visit "Khalsa Heritage Centre" –Built on a 100-acre site, the Complex has two functionally integrated sets of buildings. The Western complex forms the gateway for the town. It houses functions that respond directly to the needs of the people — changing exhibit galleries; a two-level research and reference library centred around a great reading room open to vistas of water gardens to house rare archival materials, books, journals as well as audio visual resources; and a 400-seat auditorium to host seminars and cultural events. A 165-metre bridge from the Western complex provides pedestrian access to the Eastern complex, the Khalsa Heritage Museum, comprises permanent exhibit galleries on 500 years of Sikh heritage along with museum facilities to rival any world-class museum. A series of reflecting pools create a seven-acre water body between the two complexes. 2000 hours: In the evening, visit the main takht of Sri Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara for “Shastra Darshan”. It is the birthplace of Khalsa. The order of the Khalsa was founded here by Guru Gobind Singh ji in 1699. The weapons of Guru Gobind Singh are displayed here. The most precious of these is actual “Khanda” (double edged sword) used by Guru Gobind Singh to prepare “Amrit” used in the first Khalsa initiation ceremony. 2130 hours: The train then departs for Amritsar in the late evening. Dinner & overnight onboard. Day 4 - Friday, 25th March 2011 - Amritsar (Sri Akat Takht Sahib) Early morning, you will arrive in Amritsar. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board the train before disembarking on a day long visito this sacred town of Amritsar. 0900 hours: Visit "The Golden Temple" (Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Sri Darbar Harmandir Sahib) , situated in Amritsar, it is the most sacred Temple of Sikhs. The place is also a symbol of the magnificence and strength of the Sikh people from all over the world. The evolution of Darbar Sahib, has entwined the history and ideology of Sikhism. 1200 hours: Enjoy Langar at the Gurudwara Sahib. 1300 hours: Visit the nearby attraction Jalianwala Bagh, where during the British rule in India, General Dyer opened fire on innocent people causing a grave massacre. This place, whose walls bear the bullet marks of this tragedy, is now a national monument.

6. 1400 hours: Visit the "Ranjeet Panorama". The main attraction of the panorama is a gigantic 12 meters tall and 100 meters long panoramic painting depicting six major battle expeditions of the Maharaja. The battle expeditions depicted in the painting are supplemented by large circular foreground diorama displaying numerous mannequins of prominent warriors, soldiers, animals, weapons and so on. A specially designed creative illumination of the large painting and the foreground diorama is supported by battle - field. 1530 hours: Take an excursion to the Wagah on the Indo-Pak border to witness the ‘Change of Guard’ ceremony. Everyday through out the year, just before sunset, a flag lowering ceremony takes place at the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan. The ceremony lasts for around 45 minutes in total. It starts with high patriotic spirits from both sides of the border. Soldiers march towards the gate at the border, which is thrown open when they reach there. The soldiers salute each other and start lowering the flags. The flags are lowered at the same time. The soldiers retrieve and fold the flags, the gate slams shut, and a trumpet sounds the end of the ceremony. The soldiers then return with their country's respective flag. 2000 hours: Dinner will be served onboard. The train will then depart for Bhatinda. Day 5 - Saturday, 26th March 2011 - Bhatinda (Sri Damdama Sahib) Very early morning, you will arrive in Bhatinda. 0930 hours: After your breakfast on board, you will visit the holy “Takht Sri Damdama Sahib". "Takht Sri Damdama Sahib" holds great significance for Sikhs for it is the place where the guru sought rest and refuge during his battles with the Mughals. Guru Gobind Singhji stayed in Damdama Sahib for nine months and it was here that he worked on the Adi Granth. He made Damdama the center for propagating the Sikh faith and called it 'Khalsa De Takht' or Throne of the Khalsa. He had a special stamp issued bearing the inscription 'Amal Sahai, Guru

7. Gobind Singh Ji Ki Jagha Takht Damdama Ji' clearly demonstrating the importance of the place. This stamp was used on all the important documents issued by the Guru from Damdama Sahib. 1300 hours : Enjoy Langar at the Gurudwara Sahib. 1400 hours: Also visit the nearby House where the "Choga" of Guru Gobind Singh Ji is kept. 1600 hours: In the evening, return to the train, which then leaves for Agra. Dinner and overnight onboard. Day 6 - Sunday, 27th March 2011 - Agra 0900 hours: Early morning arrive in Agra, After breakfast on board we disembark and proceed for the Sightseeing of Taj Mahal. Here you will realize that the Mughals were not just great rulers but also great builders of their times. Taj Mahal , Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s gift to his deceased beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal is truly the world’s most wondrous monument of love and it's making as historical; it took 22 years and 20,000 men to build and, the white marble was procured from 200 miles away by pressing a fleet of over 1000 elephants into service. 1300 hours: Lunch at “The Trident” hotel in Agra. 1500 hours: Later, transfer to train station to board the train which then departs for Chalisgaon. During the journey enjoy the Countryside and explore the Spa & other facilities onboard. Dinner and overnight onboard. Day 7 - Monday, 28th March 2011 - Chalisgaon (Aurangabad ) Arrive in Chalisgaon (Aurangabad) in the morning. Breakfast will be served on board. 0900 hours: Proceed for sight-seeing tour to "Ellora Caves" . Ellora Caves - Astonishingly carved into hillside rock in the middle of nowhere are the Ellora caves. There are 34 caves at Ellora dating from between the 6th and 11th centuries AD. The caves at Ellora are a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religions. The most incredible thing about these caves is that they were crafted by hand, with only a hammer and chisel. You can get an excellent view and perspective of inside the Kailasa temple by climbing up the hill around it. Its immense size covers twice the area of the Pantheon in Athens and is one and a half times as high. 1230 hours: Lunch at Ellora. (Packed Lunch)

8. 1400 hours: Visit the balance caves in Ellora and then proceed back to train station for your journey to Nanded Sahib – the last takht on the tour of "Spiritual journey". Dinner and overnight onboard. Day 8 - Tuesday, 29th March 2011 - Nanded (Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib) You will reach Nanded in the morning. Breakfast onboard. 0930 hours: Visit The last takht of your spiritual journey to "Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib", principal shrine about half a kilometre from left bank of Godavari. "Takht Sri Hazur Sahib" marks the site where Guru had his camp in 1708 AD after the departure of the Emperor Bahadur Shah. The tenth Guru held his court and congregation here and this shrine is erected on the very site of his own tent where he was convalescing after being attacked by assailants, where from he rose to heaven along with his horse Dilbag. 1300 hours: Enjoy the Langar at Hazur Sahib. Visit other Gurudwaras in and around Nanded. 1830 hours: Enjoy the "Laser Show" which is one of a Kind and makes the History of Sikhism come alive. Thereafter return to the train in the evening which then departs for Mumbai. Dinner and overnight onboard.

9. Day 9 - Wednesday, 30th March 2011 - Mumbai/ Delhi Arrive in Mumbai in the morning, followed by breakfast onboard. 1030 hours: Post breakfast; Disembark and proceed for a short sightseeing tour in the most cosmopolitan city of India. Visit The Gateway of India and drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most popular seaside. 1300 hours: Lunch at a city hotel. 1430 hours: Continue with the Sightseeing of Mumbai en-route to the Airport. Fly back to Delhi 1800 hours: In the evening, we will transfer you to airport in Mumbai to board the flight back to Delhi. Upon Arrival in Delhi you have the option to Stay an Overnight in Delhi (optional against extra payment) or proceed for your onward journey. “The spiritual journey may be over, but the memory, will stay with you forever.”......................

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