Day 1 – Arrival in Indore

Today, upon arrival at Indore, you will be greeted at the airport. After all the travelers have arrived, we start our journey to Omkareshwar.  Upon arrival, you check in to your hotel and relax. Night in Omkareshwar

Day 2 – Sightseeing in Omkareshwar and travel to Ujjain

Today, after breakfast, we take you on a visit to the prominent temples of Omkareshwar. We start with the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. It is located on an Island called Mandata on the Narmada River. Next, we take you to the Mamleshwar Temple. Situated close to the main temple, older than the Omkareshwar temple, and exhibits ancient sculptural art and inscriptions. It is a quiet, less crowded space, ideal for meditation and peaceful prayer. The Jyotirlinga is split between Omkareshwar Temple (on the island) and Mamleshwar Temple (on the mainland). Next, we take you to Narmada Ghat, a deeply spiritual riverfront located along the banks of the sacred Narmada River. Next, we take you to Omkareshwar Dam. It is a significant hydroelectric and irrigation project located on the Narmada River.  Commissioned in 2007, it is almost 1 km long with a height of 53 meters. It is a great spot for photography.  Next, we take you to the town of Ujjain.

After reaching Ujjain, you check into your hotel. In the evening, we take you on a sightseeing tour of Ujjain. We start with MangalNath Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is regarded as the origin point of the planet Mars (Mangal), according to ancient texts and hence it holds a special significance in astrology and planetary worship. Next, we take you to Maharshi Sandipani Ashram, which is recognized as the place where Lord Krishna, along with his brother Balarama and friend Sudama, received their education under the sage Guru Sandipani. Next, we take you to Siddhavat Mandir. It is considered a powerful site for performing Pitra Tarpan rituals to honor and appease one’s ancestors. According to legend, Lord Rama performed these rites here for his father, King Dasharatha. The Siddhavat Banyan tree is a significant landmark in Ujjain and is associated with the Vikram-Betaal legends.

Next, we take you to Kal Bhairav Temple. It is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Kal Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva and the city’s guardian deity. It is renowned for its unique tradition of offering liquor to the deity, a practice rooted in ancient tantric rituals. Next, we take you to Bhartrihari caves, which are associated with the legendary poet and philosopher Bhartrihari, the stepbrother of King Vikramaditya. Bhartrihari, originally a king, is believed to have renounced his royal life due to personal turmoil and adopted asceticism. He is said to have meditated in these caves for 12 years, Lastly, we take you to Gadkalika Temple. It is a revered shrine dedicated to Goddess Kalika, a fierce form of Goddess Parvati. The temple is considered one of the 18 Shakti Peethas, sacred sites where parts of Goddess Sati’s body are believed to have fallen. Specifically, it’s believed that her upper lip fell at this location, enhancing its spiritual importance. Legend has it that the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa worshipped at this temple. His devotion to Goddess Kalika is said to have given him profound wisdom and poetic prowess. After a long day, we take you back to the hotel. Night in Ujjain.

Day 3 – Visit Mahalkaleshwar, travel to Indore and some sightseeing

Today, very early in the morning around 1.00 am, we take you to the Mahakaleshwar Temple to witness Bhasma Aarti. Performed daily at dawn, this aarti involves offering sacred ash (bhasma) to Lord Mahakal, symbolizing the transient nature of life and the cycle of creation and destruction. After a brief rest and breakfast, we take you Harsiddhi Temple. According to legend, this temple marks the spot where Goddess Sati’s elbow fell, making it a vital pilgrimage site for Shakti worshippers. Emperor Vikramaditya considered Harsiddhi Mata his family deity. It’s believed he offered his head to the goddess every 12 years, and she revived him each time until the twelfth offering, after which he attained salvation. The temple still houses 11 vermilion-smeared skulls symbolizing these offerings. Next, we take you to Ram Ghat. It is a revered and ancient bathing ghat situated on the banks of the sacred Shipra River. It is one of the 4 primary sites for Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings, held every 12 years. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama performed the last rites (Pind Daan) for his father, King Dasharatha, at this very ghat, lending it profound sanctity

Next, we take you to Jantar Mantar. It is one of India’s oldest astronomical observatories. Built in 1725 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, a keen astronomer and ruler of Jaipur, it was designed to aid Hindu scholars and astrologers in their celestial studies. Ujjain is historically considered the “Greenwich of India” because the first meridian of longitude in Indian tradition passes through it. Next, we take you to the CharDham Mandir. The temple houses dedicated sanctums for Badrinath Ji, Rameshwar Ji, Jagannath Ji, and Dwarkadhish Ji, each reflecting the architecture and spiritual ambiance of their respective original sites. A beautifully crafted replica of the 12 Jyotirlingas allows devotees to pay homage to all forms of Lord Shiva in one place. An underground passage replicates the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage experience, complete with symbolic artifacts from different eras (yugas).Next, we take you to Bade Ganeshji Temple. The temple houses an impressive idol of Lord Ganesha, measuring approximately 18 feet in height and 10 feet in width. The idol is adorned with a clockwise-turned trunk, a trident, and a swastika on its head, symbolizing auspiciousness and divine energy. Within the temple premises, is also a beautiful statue of Panchmukhi (five-faced) Hanuman, which is believed to have been established even before the main Ganesha idol. After this, we begin our journey to Indore. 

Upon reaching Indore, we take you to Chappan Dukan. It is a renowned street food hub. It comprises 56 shops lined up in a 200-meter stretch, offering a diverse array of culinary delights. Over the years, it has transformed from a modest market into a vibrant food street, attracting both locals and tourists. It has been awarded by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for maintaining high hygiene standards. After a sumptuous meal, we take you to Khajrana Temple. Constructed by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, the temple was established after the idol of Lord Ganesha was retrieved from a well, where it had been concealed to protect it during the Mughal era. The central idol of Lord Ganesha is made of limestone and is adorned with precious metals and stones. .Next, we take you to your hotel, where you may rest for a while. In the evening after dinner, we take you to the Sarafa Bazaar. It is a unique marketplace that seamlessly transitions from a bustling jewelry hub by day to a vibrant street food haven by night. This market offers a blend of culinary delights and cultural experiences that are quintessentially Indore is renowned for its diverse array of street foods, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of the region. Night stay in Indore.

Day 4 – More Sightseeing in Indore and Departure

Today, after breakfast, we will take you to Annapurna Temple. It is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, the deity of nourishment and sustenance. The temple’s architecture is influenced by the Meenakshi Temple of Madurai, showcasing a blend of Indo-Aryan and Dravidian styles. Next, we take you to Lal Baug Palace. It stands as a magnificent testament to the opulence and grandeur of the Holkar dynasty. The palace boasts Italian Breccia Violetta marble columns, Murano chandeliers, and intricate gilded plasterwork. Its interiors are adorned with Greek mythological reliefs, Persian carpets, and a collection of antique furniture, reflecting the lavish lifestyle of the Holkars. Next we take you to Rajwada Palace. It is a magnificent seven-story structure that epitomizes the grandeur of the Holkar dynasty. Built in 1747 by Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of the Holkar dynasty, the palace served as both the royal residence and administrative headquarters. Its architecture is a fusion of Maratha, Mughal, and French styles, featuring stone construction on the lower floors and wooden structures above, adorned with intricately carved balconies and arched windows

Lastly, we take you to Kaanch Mandir, a renowned Jain temple. Constructed in 1903 by Sir Seth Hukumchand Jain, a prominent industrialist of the early 20th century. The temple’s interiors are entirely adorned with glass panels and mosaics, including the floors, columns, walls, and ceilings. Artisans from Jaipur and Iran were commissioned for the intricate glasswork, using materials imported from Belgium. The main sanctum houses idols of Jain Tirthankaras, with mirrors strategically placed to create infinite reflections, enhancing the spiritual ambiance. To end this tour, around 3 hours before your flight, we drop you off at the airport for your flight back home, loaded with memories of your trip to Ujjain, Omkareshwar, and Indore.