The Heritage vertical of Embassy Travel and Tours Along with

Prof. Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan Presents

Online Brochure - http://mysticalpalmyra.com Or contact us at sridhar@embassy-travels.com / +919282119040

Facebook Brochure: https://www.facebook.com/mysticalpalmyra/

13th -16th March 2019

Hampi (derived from Pampa) is the grand testimony to the mighty Vijayanagara empire. Though not a thriving city today, the relics bear irrefutable evidence of a vibrant and

colorful society that adorned these beautiful edifices. Let us be captivated by visiting this ancient habitation which was the then “city of the future”. The palaces, the temples, the bazaars, the towers, arches are ample testimony to a vibrant and economically mighty kingdom of yester years. Today it is rightfully a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Irrigation, architecture, dwellings, places of worship or individual poetries in stone and yet they

come together in a grand mosaic that stuns and holds you spell bound. Let us peruse a few stanza's of this eloquent ballet over a four day sojourn curated by

Mystical Palmyra along with Prof Madhusudanan Kalaichelvan Let only our legs transport us back in time as we proceed on various trails

Sasivekalu Ganesha; Kadalekalu Ganesha; Hemakuta Hill and Temples; Virupaksha Temple; Manmatha Tank, Shrines and Ghat; Hampi Bazaar; Monolithic Bull; Matanga Hill and Veerabadra Temple; Krishna Temple and Bazaar; Badavilinga Temple; Lakshmi Narasimha Temple;

Chandikeshvara Temple; Uddana Veerabadra Temple; Akka Tangi Gunda; Underground Shiva Temple; Bhojana shala; Octagonal Water Pavilion

Starting from Ganesha, we will be held captive by the temples of Shiva, Krishna and Lakshmi Narasimha. Each temple is an exquisite evocation befitting The Gods that reside or used to reside in them. The intricate

workmanship is the zenith of human creativity. The Virupaksha Temple, believed to be functioning uninterruptedly since 7th century AD making it one of the oldest functioning temples in India, attained it’s

current grandeur under the Vijayanagara Monarchs. It houses Shiva as Virupaksha and his consort Parvati as Pampa. This will be the highlight of this Sacred Trail.

Taraligatta Gate, Gejjala Mandapa; Kuduregombe Mantapa; Vittala Bazaar, Vittala Temple; Inscribed Vishnu Temple; Purandaradasa Mantapa; Ancient Bridge; Kings Balance; Two storied Gateway; Narasimha Temple; Sugreeva's cave; Riverside Ruins;

Kodhandarama Temple; Ranganatha temple; Achutaraya temple, Yanthrodharaka Anjaneya temple; Chakra Tirtha

Two Adobes of Vishnu, the Sheppard god Vittala and Thiruvengalanatha will be our focus on this trail. The Iconic Vittala Temple is the epicenter of Hampi’s Architectural masterpieces. Be it the Chariot - often referred as the flagship tourist attraction of Hampi, The musical pillars, the intricate carvings in the Maha

Mandapa. Time will always be the villain preventing us from savoring all of this in its entirety. The Achutaraya temple is one of the finest and the final large canvas of the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple complex and the ruined market street is nestled between two hillocks, the Gandhamadana & Matanga making

visitors to this temple sparse. Let us be stunned by the pillars and carvings and location

Hachappa Mantapa; Gagan Mahal; Chintamani complex; 64 pillar Mandapa –Tomb of Krishnadevaraya; Nava brindavan; Pampa Sarovar;

Anegundi is believed to be the mythological Kingdom of Kishkinda, the abode of the Monkey kings in the Epic Ramayana. Our focus in this land which predates Hampi will be Chintamani, Nava Brindavan and Pampa

Sarovar. Chintamani, the precious jewel handed over by Rama to Hanuman as an identifier, has lent its name to the location of its occurrence. Many scenes from the Ramayana are believed to have occurred in this area and

few relics bear testimony to this. One of the five sacred panch Sarovars, the Pampa Sarovar is supposed to be the banks of which Parvati or Pampa Devi performed her penance to show her devotion to Shiva. It finds mention in the Ramayan as well. Located in an island on the Tungabadra river, Nava Brindavan contains the resting places of Nine Madhva

Saints. Also mentioned in the Ramayana, the access to this island is a captivating journey.

Kings Audience hall; Mahanavami Dibba; Stepped Tank; Queens Bath; Elephant Stables; Hazara Rama Temple; Ranga temple; Stepped Tank; Queens Bath; Chandrashekara Temple; Sarasvati Temple; Octagonal Bath

This secluded residence of the imperial ladies hosts many interesting highlights the main being the Lotus Mahal. Resembling a lotus, this was for the exclusive use of the royal ladies. The Royal Treasury is also

located in this enclosure. The whole enclose is surrounded by stone walls set in interesting patterns. The Elephant Stables are a novel structure not to be missed.

The house of a thousand Ramas(Hazara Rama Temple) is a unique temple in Hampi. The entire Ramayana is carved in stone on the walls of this temple. The famous Dasara procession is also captured here. The relics

are one of the most extensive ones found anywhere in India. The Royal Enclosure in Hampi housing the official buildings is now derelict. The missing stones would be

recreated by the verbal magic of Prof Madhusudanan. While the aqueduct showcases the advanced engineering, The Mahanavami Dibba and Step well are shining

examples of art at its sophisticated best.

Kamalapura Museum

The Archaeological Museum at Kamalapura is a small but significant museum that preserves the relics and artifacts related to the Vijayanagara Empire and its ruins.

Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple; Matanga Hills; Underground Shiva Temple; Hemakuta Hills

Nature also lends its hand to stun and mesmerize in and around Hampi. The Glorious sunrise and sunset to compliment the poetries in stone.

Vijayshree resorts - Hampi

We will enjoy an evening of traditional Instruments like the drums and the pipes played by local artists. Feel their reverberations and immerse in the local culture

The Banana Fiber Cottage Industry - Anegundi

Though not a tradition handed down for generations, the woman artisans working on the banana fiber and water hyacinth produce striking handicrafts that are functional, natural, eco friendly and recyclable. Their

responsibility to the land and the environment has also sustained them economically. We will pay them a visit for some encouragement, knowledge and of course retail therapy.

Mango Tree; The Bridge Restaurant; Uramma Guest House; Heritage Resorts; Vijay Shree Resorts; Evolve Back Hampi;

Savor the local fare in rustic ambiance and natural settings at local restaurants

EVOLVE BACK HAMPI

VIJAYSHREE RESORTS

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

•  09.30 - Meet at Vijayshree Resorts Lobby, orientation and Check in

•  1000 – Sacred Trail 1 •  1300 - Lunch @ Mango

Tree •  1400 – Continue with

Sacred Trail 1 •  1800 – Sunset @

Hemakuta Hills •  2030 – Dinner and

cultural show @ Vijayshree Resort

•  0500 – Malyavante Raghunatha Temple for Sunrise

•  0730- breakfast •  0830 – Sacred Trail 2 •  1300 – Lunch @ The

Bridge restaurant •  1430 – Continue with

Sacred Trail 2 •  1800 – Sunset @

Underground Shiva Temple

•  1930 – Dinner @ Heritage Resort

•  0530 – Matanga Hills for Sunrise

•  0700 – Breakfast and Check out

•  0800 – Anegundi Gems •  1330 – Lunch @ Uramma

Home Stays •  1500 – Zenana Enclosure and

Royal Circuit •  1800 – Check into Evolve Back

Hampi and relax •  2000 – Dinner @ Evolve Back

•  0800 – Breakfast and Relax •  1130 – Kamalapura Museum •  1300 – Lunch @ Evolve Back •  1500 – Check out •  1530 – Coracle ride in Chakra

Tirtha •  2000 - Dinner @

Clarks Inn and Tour Ends

The Fine Print! Several places we will be visiting are places of worship and therefore we request your special attention to the following: • Since most of the places of visit are monuments, You may wear shorts and sleeveless wear but please carry a garment that you can wear over your existing one. Please carry extra clothes if you wish to bathe in the Tungabadra river. • Comfortable shoes or slippers since monuments are generally not footwear free zones • We strongly advice carrying sun block, sunglasses and cap and maybe an umbrella • Basic medication/ first aid will be available. Please carry your specific medication if any  • Camera – Rs. 10 and Rs.100 for the usage of camera at certain places • Photography may not be permitted in certain Places • We would like to iterate that this is not a religious trip and therefore we all need to respect the time and interest of those who are coming to enjoy the heritage aspect of the trip. Therefore please ensure that you respect and stick to time schedules.    • Due to unforeseen circumstances, in case we need to make certain changes in the itinerary, we request your patience and understanding. We assure you that the alternate option provided will be just as exciting • A Tip between Rs. 50 – Rs. 200 per person may be collected for service providers based on popular consensus

 

Included  : •  Road travel in AC vehicles •  Accommodation in AC rooms accommodating up to 2 adults. In this Trip we will

be staying at Vijayshree resort( http://www.vijayshreeresort.com) and Evolve Back (https://www.evolveback.com/hampi/)

•  Meals mentioned - 3 breakfast, 4 lunch and 4 dinners per person (Request you to specify your preference if any in advance)

•  2 bottles of water per person will be provided on the vehicle every day. We request you to bring a refillable bottle in order to reduce the usage of plastic waste.

•  Regular entry tickets where required will be provided •  Darshan at temples will be allowed if People wish to and ONLY if time permits.    •  All applicable taxes as on date Not Included •  Transportation To and From Hampi and to and from the meeting and finishing

points of the tour •  Additional nights stay before the 13th and after the 16th March at Hampi •  Expenses of Personal nature •  Room Service •  Any other attraction/temple not mentioned in the itinerary •  Tips Please Note: Hampi is all about discovering the place by foot. Our itinerary is curated in the same lines. So please bring along a mindset as well as a physique to indulge in long walks in hot weather during most of the tour.

Contact: Sridharan Lakshmanan; sridhar@embassy-travels.com; +919282119040 Raji Kumar; raji@embassy-travels.com; +919840471127 Address: 23, Thanikachalam Road, T. Nagar, Chennai – 600 017 Bank Details: Ours is a Current Account

ICICI BANK LTD, NO.1, Cenotaph Road, Teynampet, Chennai – 600018

Beneficiary: EMBASSY TRAVEL & TOURS PVT LTD

A/C NO: 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 2 2 4 2 9

IFSC CODE - ICIC0000001

SWIFT CODE: "ICICINBBCTS”

BANK OF BARODA: S.I.E.T College Avenue Branch, Chennai 600018

Beneficiary: EMBASSY TRAVEL & TOURS PVT LTD

A/C NO: 05310500000014

RTGS/NEFT, IFSC CODE: BARB0COLMAD

STATE BANK OF INDIA: NO.13 (6), Plot No.3, Thanikachalam Road, T. Nagar, Chennai- 600 017.

Beneficiary: EMBASSY TRAVEL & TOURS PVT LTD

A/C NO: 6 4 0 9 3 7 7 0 3 6 1

IFSC CODE – SBIN0040801

Cheques in Favor of: Embassy Travel and Tours Pvt. Ltd.

Minimum age: 15 years (Between 15-18 yrs they must be accompanied by an adult and above 70 years they must be accompanied by a younger person) Per person Package cost : -  INR 34,500 on twin sharing basis (We will not be pairing

guests. This is for those who are travelling as couples or with known people. At the time of registering you may check with us for other participants looking to share the room)

-  INR 49,000 on single occupancy basis Registration and Payment: Full payment: at the time of registration or before January 10th 2019 to ensure confirmed participation in the tour   Cancellation and refund: - 30 days before commencement of tour – 50% of tour cost will be refunded - Less than 30 days before commencement of tour – no refund - incase of non-participation due to rescheduling of tour by the organizers due to ANY REASON – 75% of tour cost will be refunded -Incase of cancellation of the tour by organizers – full refund including registration fee  

Embassy Travel and Tours has been in the business of tailoring unique and memorable travel experiences for the past four decades. A part of the Airlift Group of Companies, we adhere in a personalized manner to all travel related services that one might require be it guidance, documentation, reservations, currency exchange etc. Customization and luxury travel is our forte, which ensures the utmost comfort for our clients whether it is outbound, inbound or domestic travel. is the heritage vertical we take pride in adding to our existing array of experiences extended by us. We are proud to showcase some of the neglected treasures of a bygone rich era that are just around the corner. We assure you that the whole experience will be an absolute luxurious insight into our glorious past. Prof.Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan, a University topper and a Gold Medalist, is an Architect by profession running Arangham Studios. Currently an Associate Professor pursuing his Doctoral Research on Temple Town Planning in Medieval South India, he specializes in subjects such as Conservation, Planning, Traditional Temple Architecture, Architectural and Cultural History of India, Urban Studies, Research Techniques etc. which have also helped in conserving many ancient temple structures in Tamilnadu. A well-read historian and trained epigraphist, Prof.Madhu talks and writes on various subjects related to religion, social history, cultural studies, traditions and temple practices. These interests have made him a popular speakers on Divya Prabandham texts, Sangam Literature, Social History, Carnatic Music, Temple Traditions and rituals, cross cultural influences etc.