Jainism And Jain Hill Shrines Of Rajasthan And Gujarat
Mahabat Ka Maqbara, Junagadh
Pushkar Camel Mela, Rajasthan
This lesser-known route through Rajasthan and Gujarat offers a rare insight into Jain spiritual practice, architecture and ascetic tradition.
This is one of our more off-beat religious and spiritual study tours in India, ideal for academic study tours as well as a fascinating holiday for anyone with an interest in Jainism and Indian religious history.
The Jain religion emerged in north India at about the same time as Buddhism around 2,500 years ago. Although the two religions have much in common, Jain teachings have a strong focus on the doctrines of non-violence and asceticism. The traditions of Jainism have left an incredible architectural and cultural legacy across India, with many of the most interesting and beautiful temples and shrines situated in the western Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, which form the basis for this spiritual tour of India and many pilgrimages here.
Tour Highlights
- Jainism And Jain Hill Shrines Of Rajasthan And Gujarat on this Jainism pilgrimage tour in India
- Visit the historical Jain temple Songadh Tirtha in Bhavnagar
- Climb up to the holy Jain hill of Shatrunjaya & explore the temples
- Explore Palitana Jain Temples, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India
- Pay respects at Shree Girnar Tirth in Junagadh
- Visit Sabarmati Ashram and Calico Museum of Textiles in Ahmedabad
- Explore Dilwara Temple – The Most Beautiful Among the Jain Temples of the World
- Seek Blessing of Sufi Saint Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chisti in Ajmer
The Itinerary
Mumbai – Bhavnagar – Palitana – Junagarh – Ahmedabad – Mt. Abu – Ajmer – Pushkar – Delhi – Agra – Delhi
Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
Gandhi Smriti Museum, Bhavnagar
DAY 1: FLY TO MUMBAI
Fly from your home country to begin your pilgrimage tour in Mumbai.
A choice of International Flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and regional UK airports is available, please contact us for options. Travelers from other countries can book their own flights or contact us for help with International travel to India.
DAY 2: ARRIVE IN MUMBAI & CATCH A CONNECTING FLIGHT TO BHAVNANGAR
Arrive in Mumbai and take the connecting flight to Bhavnagar and transfer to your hotel for a 2 nights stay here.
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Overnight at EFCEE Sarovar Portico Hotel, Bhavnagar
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B
DAY 3: BHAVNAGAR SIGHTSEEING
Today we explore the old city and visit the Gandhi Smriti Museum which has books, rare photos, and memorabilia linked to the life of Mahatma Gandhi - a great cultural start to your spiritual tour of India.
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Overnight in EFCEE Sarovar Portico Hotel, Bhavnagar
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B
Jain Temples on top of Shatrunjaya Hill
DAY 4: DRIVE TO PALITANA AND AN ENROUTE VISIT THE SONGADH JAIN TEMPLE
Today drive 55 km to Palitana, an area strongly associated with many Jain legends and history. Enroute visiting a historical Jain temple complex in Songarh.
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Overnight in a Heritage Hotel Vijay Vilas Palace, Palitana
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B
Day 5: CLIMB UP TO THE HOLY JAIN HILL OF SHATRUNJAYA & EXPLORE THE TEMPLES (ABOUT 3500 STONE STEPS)
Today we climb the holy Jain hill of Shatrunjaya, and visit some of the 900 temples on its slopes and summit. One of Jainism’s holiest pilgrimage sites in India, Shatrunjaya is an incredible hill studded with temples, some which areof which are over 900 years old. It's said that Adinath (also known as Rishabha), the founder of Jainism, meditated beneath the Banayan tree at the summit. The temples are grouped into tunks (enclosures), each with a central temple flanked by minor ones. The 500m climb up 3500 steps (1½ hours) to the temples adds to the extraordinary experience.
(Palitana Jain Temple summit can be reached by climbing about 3500 stone steps along a hilly trail, if you are unablenot enough to fit to climb them, then we can arrange a palki (doli) for you aton an extra cost. Ccurrently there is no ropeway for Palitana Temple Summit).
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Overnight in a Heritage Hotel Vijay Vilas Palace, Palitana
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B
DAY 6: DRIVE TO JUNAGARH
Drive to Junagarh (190 km) and check into the hotel. You’ll then have the Rest of the day at leisure.
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Overnight in Bellevue Sarovar Portico Hotel, Junagarh
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B
Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad
DAY 7: TRAIN TO AHMEDABAD
Morning transfer to the railway station to board your train “SMNH JBP SPL (01463)” in 1-tier air-conditioned sleeper class to Ahmedabad. The train departs from Junagarh at 1130 and arrives in Ahmedabad at 1825. You'll be met on arrival and transfer to your hotel for a 2 night stay.
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Overnight in House of MG Hotel, Ahmedabad
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B
DAY 8: AHMEDABAD SIGHTSEEING
Visit Sabarmati Ashram and Calico Museum of Textiles. Gandhi’s doctrine of Ahinsa was formed by the influence of Jains in his early life, a connection that adds depth to this religious tour of India.
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Overnight in House of MG Hotel, Ahmedabad
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B
DAY 9: TRAIN TO MOUNT ABU
Morning train “ADI YNRK SPECIAL (09031) to Abu Road. The train leaves from Ahmedabad at 1050 & Arrives at Mount Abu Road at 1455 hrs. We then have a short drive to Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan. Sacred to Hindus and Jains, the area has a number of Jain temples including the Dilwara Temples, a complex of 11th-century temples beautifully carved from white marble.
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Overnight at Connaught House Hotel, Mount Abu
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B
Mount Abu, Rajasthan
DAY 10: MOUNT ABU (FREE DAY)
Spend a day at leisure exploring the hill station and sights of Mount Abu.
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Overnight at Connaught House Hotel, Mount Abu
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B
DAY 11: TRAIN TO PUSHKAR VIA AJMER
Today we take the afternoon train “AJMER SHT SPL (04052)” to Ajmer. The train leaves Mount Abu at 1545 and reaches Ajmer at 2240 hrs. You’ll be met on arrival and then have a short drive to Pushkar, the peaceful small holy town situated around a small lake, famous for its annual camel fair and the only Hindu temple dedicated to Brahma the creator.
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Overnight at hotel Pushkar Palace, Pushkar
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B
DAY 12: PUSHKAR SIGHTSEEING
Spend the day exploring the markets of Pushkar, visit the Brahma temple and walk up the nearby hill for spectacular views of the area.
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Overnight at hotel Pushkar Palace, Pushkar
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B
India Gate, Delhi
DAY 13: VISIT THE SHRINE OF SUFI SAINT KHAWAJA MOIN-UD-DIN CHISTI. AFTERNOON TRAIN DELHI
In the morning, we’ll visit the shrine of Sufi saint Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chisti in Ajmer, and in the afternoon we’ll take the Shatabdi train to New Delhi, arriving at 22:15. You'll be met on arrival and transfer to your hotel.
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Overnight at hotel Suryaa New Delhi
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B
DAY 14: DELHI SIGHTSEEING
Orientation tour of Delhi or optional all-day visit to Agra for the Taj Mahal.
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Overnight at hotel Suryaa New Delhi
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B
DAY 15: INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE
Morning transfer to airport for international departure, marking the end of your spiritual tour of India.
Due to the Jain tradition’s emphasis on ascetic practice, this Jainism tour in India can also be combined with our yoga holidays.
Tour Cost
Tour Cost
Guide price per person sharing a twin or double room £2,630*
Single Room Supplement £725*
*The price mentioned above is a guide price only. Please provide your travel dates, number of travelers, and country of departure, and we will offer you a competitive quote for the tour.
Email : enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us : 020 8901 7630
How to book this tour
Read our Booking Terms and Conditions
Email : enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us : 020 8901 7630
Travel Insurance
It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health, and destination you are visiting.
Cost Includes
- Internal flight from Mumbai to Bhavnagar in economy class with 25 kg checked-in baggage and 7kg cabin baggage.
- 13 night's accommodation in hotels as per itinerary, sharing single/twin or double room with en-suite facilities (Check-in is 1400 hrs and checkout 12 noon. Early check-in and late checkouts are subject to availability).
- Daily breakfast at all hotels.
- All arrival, departure transfers, long drives, and sightseeing by a chauffeur-driven private air-conditioned Innova car.
- Services of a local English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports and railway stations.
- Services of English-speaking guides during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
- Complimentary Mineral water while traveling & sightseeing.
Cost Does Not Include
- International airfare.*
*A choice of International Flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and regional UK airports is available, please contact us for options. Travellers from other countries can book their own flights or contact us for help with international travel to India. - Any meals are other than specified in the itinerary.
- India Visa Fee: E- The tourist visa facility is now available for India for citizens of most countries of the World. We will send you a step-by-step guide for an E-Tourist visa on confirmation of booking.
- Any expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc.
- Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
- Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health, and destination you are visiting.
- Tips and gratuities.
