Footsteps of the Master - Pilgrimage in India

Overview
A 13 Days tour, Footsteps of the Masters takes you to the major pilgrimage destinations of Southern and North India. On this tour package, you get a wonderful chance to visit a number of temples situated in cities like Mahabalipuram, Chidambaram, Trivandrum and Varanasi. Besides, visits to the Skanda Ashram at Tiruvannamalai and Ashram of Mata Amritanandamayi at Amritapuri take you to a different world where you will find heavenly peace. In addition to pilgrimage destinations, Footsteps of the Masters also provides you a chance to visit the tourist attractions of Chennai, Delhi and Varanasi. On the whole, Footsteps of the Masters is a unique tour package suitable both for pilgrims and common traveller as well. So, plan a trip to India on this tour, surely you will be totally mesmerized by the tranquil environs and unparalleled charm of the destinations.

Inclusions
Accommodation, Meal, Transport, Service of local guides for sightseeing tours, Economy class airfare as per the itinerary.

Exclusions
Shopping and other meals apart from breakfast, welcome dinner and group dinner.

Detailed Itinerary
Namaste - We welcome you with folded hands

Day 1 : Arrive Chennai (Madras)
Arrive early morning to Chennai airport. Meeting and assistance upon arrival, later you will be transfered to your hotel to relax. Afternoon Introductory Meeting with our Speaker. Later visit to the Tomb of St. Thomas and the Theosophical Society Headquarters. Evening “Welcome to India” dinner.

Overnight : At hotel in Chennai.
Day 2 : Chennai / Mahabalipuram / Chidambaram
We depart in the to the Shiva Temples at Mahabalipuram, located south of Chennai along the coast. Continue to Chidambaram, the city of "expanded consciousness." Arrive and check into hotel; free time to rest. Chidambaram has temples dedicated Shiva Nataraja, Ganesh, Parvati and Vishnu. Visit the Nataraja Temple, where we see priests with their heads shaved on one side to represent the male aspect of God, with the other side of their head withe have long hair to represent the female aspect. In the late afternoon or evening we accompany a local Brahmin priest to the Shiva Temple where we will be invited to take part in a traditional puja or worship. This is a very special opportunity, as this is one of the few places in India where Westerners (non-Hindus) can take part in this type of traditional ceremony.

Overnight : At hotel in Chidambaram.

Day 3 : Chidambaram / Tiruvannamalai
We leave Chidambaram in the morning in our bus and travel to Tiruvannamalai. Arrive late afternoon. Visit Ramana Maharshi's ashram and tomb. Sit in meditation and literally soak up the spiritual energies in this holy place.

Overnight : At Tiruvannamalai.

Day 4 : Sightseeing tour of Tiruvannamalai
Early morning departure to the very ancient Skanda Ashram, where Sri Ramana lived from 1916 to 1922 and the Virupaksha Meditation Cave where he lived from 1899 to 1916, with ample meditation time at both of these places. Prepare yourself to become absorbed in the powerful energies! You may even reach some of the deepest stages of meditation you've ever achieved.

We then follow the trail around the holy mountain of Arunachala, walking the same path that Sri Ramana trod for many years, doing Giri Pradakshina, the devotional ritual of walking around the mountain in clockwise direction. We take time to pray and meditate along the way, as the energy of the group directs.

Return to our hotel for lunch on your own and rest. In the afternoon we visit Bench Baba, a devotee of Sri Ramana Maharshi who has lived most of his life on a bench outside of the ashram. Perhaps you'll be fortunate to meditate with him or receive his holy darshan.

Free time to visit the Shiva Temple in the heart of the city, for meditation and reflection.

Overnight : At Tiruvannamalai (B).

Day 5 : Tiruvannamalai / Chennai.
Depart in the morning for Chennai. Arrive afternoon. Free time in the afternoon and evening, visit the popular destinations of Chennai.

Overnight : At Hotel in Chennai (B).

Day 6 : Chennai / Trivandrum / Amritapuri
Transfer to airport for our early morning flight to Trivandrum, where we transfer by private bus to Amritapuri, ashram of Mata Amritanandamayi, the woman saint from Kerala who is known by millions the world over as the Divine Mother. Ammachi is also known as the "Hugging Saint" because she showers her Unconditional Love through her darshan (spiritual blessing) of hugs. Check in and receive our ashram room assignments; rest and free time until the evening program, where we experience the divine bliss of singing bhajans, led by Ammachi and her senior disciples.

Overnight : At Amritapuri Ashram.
Day 7 : Whole day at Amritapuri – Ashram
Full day free to follow the ashram schedule for meditation and seva, selfless service. We experience the darshan of the Holy Mother, Mata Amritanandamayi, an auspicious opportunity to personally receive Her spiritual blessing.

Overnight : At Amritapuri Ashram.

Day 8 : Whole day at Amritapuri
Whole day free to follow the ashram schedule for meditation and seva, selfless service. Or you may want to take a small boat across the nearby backwaters to the small, traditional Indian village of Vallickavu, where you will see the local fisherman with their boats and nets, fishing as they have for centuries. Wander along through the streets, exploring shops for saris, scarves, or other goodies ! Or, perhaps you'd like to take a long, meditative stroll along the shore of the Arabian Sea, next to the ashram. Swimming is also permitted, but women will need to purchase a swim dress at the ashram store. Modesty is a must!

In the evening we will attend a special all-night ceremony, called Devi Bhava, during which Ammachi more fully reveals the spiritual power and wisdom of the Divine Mother Goddess that She embodies. Again we receive darshan (audience) of the Avatar Mata Amritanandamayi, to personally receive her spiritual blessing.

Overnight : At Amritapuri Ashram.

Day 9 : Amritapuri / Cochin / Delhi
We leave Ammachi's ashram in the early morning and travel to the airport in Cochin for our flight to Delhi. Arrive afternoon. Free time for rest, shopping, individual exploration. Group Dinner at our hotel.

Overnight : At Hotel in Delhi.

Day 10 : Delhi / Varanasi
In the morning we visit various holy temples with our local guide. Transfer to the airport for our flight to Varanasi. Arrive afternoon. Varanasi, "City of Light," one of the oldest and most sacred cities of the world. Transfer to hotel, rest of the day free to relax. Group Dinner at our hotel.

Overnight : At Hotel in Varanasi.

Day 11 : Sightseeing tour of Varanasi
At sunrise we take a memorable boat ride down the sacred Ganges to witness the rites performed by the local yogis and sadhus. Later in the morning we practice Hatha Yoga and meditation on the banks of the holy Mother River with Mark, and then immerse ourselves in her purifying waters. Later we some of the local temples with Mark and our local guide. In the afternoon we take our private bus out of the city to Sarnath, walking the holy grounds where the Buddha preached his first sermon and took on his first disciples. Late afternoon return to Varanasi. Evening free.

Overnight : At Hotel in Varanasi.

Day 12 : Varanasi / Delhi
Morning free for individual exploration. Early afternoon transfer to the airport for our flight to Delhi. Arrive; transfer to day rooms at airport hotel. In the night enjoy the Farewell Dinner and Folklore show.

Overnight : At Hotel in Delhi.
Day 13 : Delhi Departure
Transfer to airport for international flight.

End of Service
Thank You for Giving Us an Opportunity to Serve You!
Indicative Low Season Cost Based on 2 People Traveling Together : USD 767 Per Person

Feedback
Footsteps of the Master tour provided us a wonderful chance to cover the important pilgrimage destinations of India. Despite lots of people you will get a unique soothing ambience at the pilgrimage destinations. I will suggest all to visit India on this tour package to soak in the environment of spirituality.


Namaskar, myself Mukesh Patwardhan, an NRI presently residing in Canada. As I am Hindu so I was planning to visit the pilgrimage destinations of India at one stretch. Trinetra made it possible I am very-very thankful to Trinetra.


Fantastic trip, we get a fine view of India's religious sights. Staying at Amritapuri Ashram was special, we also got the blessings from mother Amritanandamayi. For having the spitiual feelings one should must visit India on this tour package.