THE SOUL OF INDIA

Flight from Delhi – Bhubaneswar - Arrival at Bhubaneswar

Arrival at Bhubaneswar , meet and assistance at Airport – Transfer to Hotel .Bhubaneswar is known as the temple city .On this day you will be guided to a city tour to visit amazing places like Rajarani temples, which is an elegant and graceful temple in the city. The temple is famous for its mythological stories and architects. The place is adorned with nymphs and the embracing couples. Followed by a visit to Parameshwara temple which is one of the oldest temple in Odisha

Then you will be visiting the Muktesvara temple, which is renowned as the gem of Odisha is a beautiful Lord Shiva temple which is a heritage beauty. It consists of all the details of Buddhists, Hindus and Jains. The Brahmeshwara temple and Lingaraj Temple which is another enchanting architectural beauty dedicated to Lord Shiva. You will be amazed with the carvings and stone sculptures that you find here. The entrance to the temple is forbidden for Non-Hindus, but you can catch the glimpse from the terrace roof.

75 kms

Puri is the splendor of Orissa with historical places that are beautiful and full of life. The place has been attracting lot of tourists from decades because of its scenic beauty, climate and the wonders to be visit which includes the great Lord Jagannath Temple and mesmerizing beaches.
After breakfast we proceed to the famous Sun temple at Konark which is also known as “the Black Pagoda “ .
Later we will proceed to fishermen villages near Konark.
In the evening we take a rickshaw ride at the Grand road of Puri to see the famous Jaggarnath Temple from an Old Library roof top as non hindus are not allowed inside the temple premises.

300 kms – 7hrs

Drive to Baliguda , territory of the tattoo faced kondh tribes.The maliah kondhs have tattoos like that of a tiger on the faces , this kind of tattooing is practiced mostly by the women.

The maliah kondhs are a subgroup of the Kondh tribes , that practiced Human sacrifice in the past , the sacrifice still exists but in the form of a small chicken or pig , which is given to please the mother goddess. Overnight at Baliguda.

160 kms – 4hrs

In the morning we shall visit villages of the tattoo faced kondhs and later we shall drive to Rayagada. Overnight at hotel

230 kms – 5hrs

After an early breakfast we drive to Chatikona weekly market of the Dongoriya and Desia Kondhs. Chattikona is a vibrant and colorful weekly market also known as Haat in local dialects.The market is frequently visited by the Dongoriya Kondhs also known as the hill people.The dongoriya kondhs reside on Niyamgiri hills and walk down every Wednesdays to sell local products like fruits , vegetable , herbs etc. Drive to Jeypore ,en route Mali and Kuvi kondh villages , who are horticulturists by profession . Overnight at Hotel in Jeypore.

150 kms – 4hrs

Drive to Onkudelli Weekly markets of the Bonda and Gadabbas .After breakfast we drive 75 kms to Onkudelli weekly market which commences only on Thursdays .The market is frequently visited by The Bondas and the gadabbas. The bondas are considered to be India’s most primitive tribes live in the Malkangiri district of Odisha. The dialect spoken by them is known as REMO.

The women wear thick silver neck bands and mostly beads. Every Thursdays they walk down the hills and visit Onkudelli to sell Local Alcohol , seeds , fruits and other vegetables which they grow in the forests. We have a picnic lunch near Peta , near the villages of the Parojas , one of the largest tribal groups of South Odisha . After lunch we continue to do a soft walk in the villages of the Parojas ,Ollar gadabas , pottery makers. Later drive back to Jeypore. Overnight at Hotel.

100 kms – 2hrs

After breakfast we visit we will drive to the state of Chattisgarh . On the way we will stop at the textile weaving town of Kotpad . Later we will drive further to Jagdalpur. We will also visit a colorful and vibrant weekly market at Lohandiguda. Jagdalpur is the the largest city in Bastar region home of the Maria Gond Tribe.
The weekly markets begin in the afternoon and are famous for rooster( chicken ) Combats. Overnight at Jagdalpur.

After breakfast we visit Bison Horn Maria Gond villages .Primarily found in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, the Bison Horn Maria tribes are another major sub-castes of the Gonds. They mainly reside in Jagdalpur Tehsil of Chhattisgarh, south of Indravati River. They also practice shifting cultivation method of agriculture and collect forest produce for survival. Like Abhuj Marias, they do not plough the earth, as it would mean inflicting pain on her body. Pointed wood pieces are used for piercing for cultivation and stone implements are used for harvesting produce. They derive their name from Bison Horn and very much adorn the bison horns during their dancing rituals. They also perform the marriages through Ghotul System.Bison horn Maria dance can also be organized as per request. Later Drive to visit weekly market at Mardum. . Evening Later after lunch visit Chitrakut waterfalls also known as the Niagra Falls of India Return back to Hotel Overnight at Jagdalpur.

300 kms – 6hrs

Today morning we shall drive to Raipur ,. On the way we shall stop by Kondagaon village , where objects and art are crafted in the Bastar & Raigarh districts of Chhattisgarh out of bell metal, brass, and bronze. Traditionally the Ghadwas of Bastar and Jharas of Raigarh practice the Dhokra art with lost wax technique or hollow casting. We shall later drive to Raipur . Overnight at Raipur.
The maliah kondhs are a subgroup of the Kondh tribes , that practiced Human sacrifice in the past , the sacrifice still exists but in the form of a small chicken or pig , which is given to please the mother goddess. Overnight at Baliguda

300 kms – 7hrs

185 kms – 4hrs

After breakfast we proceed to Bhoramdeo . We visit the ancient Bhoramdeo temple . Bhoramdeo Temple is a complex of Hindu temples dedicated to the god Shiva in Bhoramdeo, in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.Have lunch at Bhoramdeo and also visit village of the the Baigas. Later we drive to Kanha National Park . Overnight at resort.

Wake up early in the morning enjoy coffee and tea . Set out for early morning Jeep Safari in the national park with a possibility to see the tiger and other wild animals. Come back to the hotel after 3-4 hrs of safari to have breakfast. Relax and enjoy lunch to proceed for evening safari again into the forest. The lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows and ravines of Kanha provided inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for his famous novel "Jungle Book". The Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh came into being in 1955 and forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, created in 1974 under Project Tiger. Kanha Tiger Reserve has species of tigers, leopards, wild dogs, wild cats, foxes and jackals. Proceed for evening jeep safari again. Return back to hotel. Overnight at resort.

220 Kms, 5 hrs

Early morning proceed for early morning jeep safari . After safari return back to hotel . Drive to Bandhavgarh National Park.

Wake up early in the morning enjoy coffee and tea . Set out for early morning Jeep Safari in the national park with a possibility to see the tiger and other wild animals. Come back to the hotel after 3-4 hrs of safari to have breakfast. Relax and enjoy lunch to proceed for evening safari again into the forest. Overnight at Hotel.

180 Kms - 4hrs

After breakfast drive to airport for on time transfer to catch flight to delhi and onward location.