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The All Ganges
Take an Epic journey down the Ganges River in India, a veritable lifeline of art, religion and history. Accompanied by an onscreen, inflatable paddler, this immersive cruise runs through a powerful mélange of ancient temples, colonial-era towns and riverside villages brimming with snake charmers, spice markets and artisan workshops. Observe ageless traditions at the ghats, ponder ancient architecture and feel warm in local hospitality. From Kolkata's vibrant energy to the scenic countryside, this trip provides a distinctive lens through which to explore India's diverse culture and scenic landscapes.
Itinerary Details
Kolkata, embank and sail. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore for landing and a stroll through the cantonment — past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.
Sail onward up river to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Take a tour of the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, former Governor-General of French India.
Following breakfast we sail upstream and disembark at the country town of Kalna, where we take rickshaws to see a cluster of some of Bengal’s most beautiful terracotta temples, including the unique Shiva temple with its concentric circles of 108 little shrines. Sail overnight to a mooring near Matiari.
Tour the village of Mayapur, the headquarters of the ISKCON movement with a new temple almost as big as the Vatican and mostly financed by Alfred B. Ford, car maker Henry Ford’s great grandson. Greet Krishna devotees and stroll through the pilgrims’ marketplace.
Explore the brass-working village of Matiari, a picturesque riverside village. Meet the people of Matiari and observe the entire ancient process of hammering brass water pots and other containers. Keep cruising upstream, and if time allows you can visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, beat Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, and with that changed Indian history. Night Halt at Murshidabad.
Today morning, walk over to to the Khushbagh, a quiet Mughal-style garden that houses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last free Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Continue a short distance up the bank, to where the grand Hazarduari Palace looms over the waterfront. Constructed in 1837 by an English architect, the palace has a vast collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Continue for tours of the grand Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace, then drive out to see the Katgola Palace. Constructed in the classical Georgian style by wealthy local merchants, Katgola Palace embodies the other side of the coin of the ‘White Mughal’ age when British and Indian cultures almost fused. Moor on the riverbank opposite town.
Steam / Continue up the Hoogly which becomes a rather disarmed little waterway twisting this way and that through banks laid with mustard fields and mango gardens. As Baranagar had at least three lovely mini terracotta temples, I set off as soon as I could manage, through the sleepy fields of the village. This is rural India at its most bucolic. You will stop at Azimganj to visit the Jain temples before proceeding to the Farakka Barrage.
Today continuum the Farraka Barrage sent the Ganges properly. In the afternoon, we head off to the small town of Rajmahal to explore.
We head up the powerful Ganges river to the up mentioned Koshi river confluence. Halting en route for a quick village ramble and enjoy our onboard entertainment.
We set off early morning for Bhaglapur, a center for silk production. We see the silk, explore this small town, and return to the ship for lunch. Later in the afternoon we visit Sultanganj, whose stony twin towers up along the river, one topped by a mosque, the other by a small 16th-century temple.
Now, Munger is a big, industrialised city, but interesting history is attached to its name. In 1762, the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Qasim, moved the capital from Murshidabad to Munger, and set up a firearms manufacturing hub here. Visit Mughal wonder fort, East India Company cemetery and get a peek inside the Bihar School of Yoga co-founded in 1964 by Satyananda Saraswati. One of the top yoga schools in the country. The institution has evolved yogic techniques through a confluence of time-honored yogic, vedantic and tantric practices and modern health science.
Make a stop at Mokama, nestling in the lap of Hills and the erstwhile den of the noted naturalist Jim Corbett, protector of Indian tigers. Mokama is the second largest producer of lentils in the country and is surrounded by farmlands. Read about the Mokama freedom fighters, Lalldin Maidan Saheb, who was imprisoned in British times during the freedom struggle.
Visit Barh, known for Urmanath, a place for Hindu ritual cremation, and the Alakhnath Temple.
Lesson: Patna Capital Of Bihar: Patna Day Tour (Breakfast) Visit Golghar (Super Granary) Patna tiegħ It becomes like a farewell dinner with your crew.
Step off your ship and transfer to Patna station for a 1st class train to Varanasi. Transfer to your hotel or the airport upon arrival to Varanasi.