Jewish Heritage and the Golden Triangle

On arrival at Delhi / Mumbai airport connect to onward flight to Udaipur.
Arrive Udaipur airport and proceed to visit Sahelion-Ki-Bari, consisting of an ornamental pool with delicately carved cenotaphs of black and white marble and soft stone.

Late afternoon visit the local market of Old city of Udaipur.

Later check-in at hotel.

 
Udaipur is a city that is still ruled by a much-respected Maharana whose magnificent City Palace forms the heart of the city. Udaipur is one of the most impressive cities in Rajasthan. Set at the southern end of the Aravalli Hills, Udaipur overlooks Lake Pichola with the world-famous Lake Palace appearing to float on the water. Over 400 years, successive Maharajas have created an architectural gem in the City Palace, adding to the original structure countless courtyards, balconies and halls. The city has plenty to offer and is a great place to practice bargaining, with crafts, textiles and miniature paintings particularly good buys in Udaipur's stalls and shops.
 
Overnight stay in Udaipur.

After breakfast we leave for full day guided city tour visiting the City Palace built in 1725; the grand City Palace is actually a conglomerate of eleven palaces overlooking the sprawling Lake Pichola. One of the largest, most beautiful palaces in the state of Rajasthan, it is now a museum, royal residence and a luxury hotel. This intricately designed monument is an architectural wonder in granite and marble. Drive around the Fatehsagar Lake, built by Maharana Fateh Singh in 1754 A.D, seeing on our way the Jagdish Temple, the largest and most venerated temple of Udaipur; Sahelion-Ki-Bari, consisting of an ornamental pool with delicately carved cenotaphs of black and white marble and soft stone.
 
 
Late afternoon enjoy a Sunset Boat ride on Lake Pichola with its main attractions being the two palaces on the islands in the lake, Jagniwas and Jagmandir. Lake Pichola is about 4 km in length and 3 km. wide. Jagniwas was earlier the summer retreat of the prince of Mewar and is now a five-star hotel. The city palace extends along the eastern shore of the lake.

Overnight stay in Udaipur.

We shall drive to Jodhpur en route visiting the famous Jain Houses at Ranakpur. After sightseeing we continue driving to Jodhpur seeing along the way picturesque landscapes and villages where we can observe small town life.

On arrival in Jodhpur, check-in at hotel.

Jodhpur, a beautiful city, is also known as "BLUE CITY" because many of its houses are painted blue. Downtown, on a steep rocky hill 125 meters high, is the towering fortress Mehrangarh - "The Royal Fortress," which provides a wonderful lookout point of the city. Below the fort is the market of Jodhpur, Sadar, which is one of the most colorful variegated markets of Rajasthan. In market stalls can be found leather goods, spices, colored fabrics, sarees and traditional clothing, Jewelery, incense and more.

Overnight stay in Jodhpur.

In the morning we shall have a guided tour of the massive Mehrangarh Fort - the most magnificent fort in Jodhpur. Rao Jodha, the then chief of Rathore clan, constructed it in 1459. There are a number of attractions within the fort like several palaces, galleries, a museum, and so on. We shall see Jaswant Thada which lies nearby the Mehrangarh fort complex. It is a royal cenotaph made of white marble. It was built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Some rare portraits of the former rulers of Jodhpur are also displayed here.

In the afternoon we shall also enjoy a visit to a Bishnoi Village an ancient and special tribal village of Jodhpur. There we will learn about the Bishnoi people. Bishnoi village minorities work as weavers and potters. This tribal village still preserves a unique and authentic lifestyle and its people love nature with zeal and dedicate their lives to preserve it.

Overnight stay in Jodhpur.

In the morning after breakfast, we shall drive to Pushkar. Along the way we will see villages, livestock, schools, and once again beautiful landscapes. Upon arrival check-in at hotel.

 Pushkar - is indeed a very small town in terms of India, but it is a "must see" site for many young Israelis. At the height of tourist season in Pushkar there are likely to be 500 of more Israelis. On the market's main street, you will find signs in Hebrew, inviting Israelis to eat falafel and to surf the Internet. The average Israeli stays in Pushkar for two weeks!

On Shabbat we'll be guests at the Chabad House Pushkar, where we will eat the Shabbat meals and experience the unique atmosphere of the Sabbath. About 200 Israelis may gather at the Chabad House and together sing "Yedid Nefesh" and "Lecha Dodi" and then they all sit down to Shabbat dinner, rich with melodies and singing.

Overnight stay in Pushkar.

Shabbat prayers and Shabbat meals at the Chabad House, after the Shabbat meal we shall enjoy a walking tour of Pushkar.

In the evening we shall enjoy a Rajasthani dance performance (Kalbelia Dance)

 Overnight stay in Pushkar.

In the morning after breakfast we leave for an excursion to the splendid Amber Fort, an architectural masterpiece of great historical significance. Begun in the 16th century and built of red sandstone and marble, the seemingly rough exterior gives no hint of the warm and opulent ambiance of the interior, as we'll discover this morning. Here we also get an opportunity to ascend to the fort on the back of a decorated elephant.

In the afternoon we shall visit the splendid City Palace & Museum which opens a door into the opulent world of the Rajput princes and the treasures with which they surrounded themselves. The City Palace complex is home to several palatial buildings constructed by influential rulers that reflect the blending of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. Maharaja Jai Singh II built Jantar Mantar, the world's biggest stone observatory, between 1727 and 1733 CE. It is impossible not to be amazed by the "tools" he used to study the heavens - and that still provide accurate information today. We will see the Palace of Winds also known as Hawa Mahal, a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires.

 In the evening we will enjoy a Bollywood movie show at Raj Mandir, an impressive movie theater.

Overnight stay in Jaipur.

We shall drive to Agra en route visiting the AbhaNeri Step Well. After sightseeing we will continue our drive to Agra. On reaching Agra we shall visit the Taj Mahal, one of the world's most admired architectural masterpieces. We will see this majestic marble-domed mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan, to symbolize his unending love of his wife who died giving birth to their 14th child. The construction of the Taj began in 1630. Twenty thousand laborers worked for 23 years until the job was completed. Thousands of elephants carried the red sandstone and the marble building blocks that were brought in from neighboring countries.

Later check-in at hotel.

Overnight stay in Agra.

This morning we shall visit the massive Agra Fort, with splendid remains of sandstone and marble palaces. Agra Fort is located 2.5 miles from the Taj Mahal and is actually a walled royal city. The most important kings of India lived in the fort, and every king immortalized his reign with a building which was characterized by the spirit of the period. Visiting the fort is a fascinating architectural historic journey.

Later drive to Delhi.

Dinner at Chabad House.

Overnight stay in Delhi.

This morning after breakfast we shall have a city tour of Delhi.  We shall set out to explore and experience the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 20th centuries, the Old Delhi. It will possibly include, depending on traffic and accessibility a rickshaw ride in Chawri Bazar Road and the Chandni Chowk followed by visit Jama Masjid.  Also visit to Rajghat , the site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation and a memorial to this humble man who so changed the world. 
 
Also we shall see Vijay Chowk, “Victory Square”, stopover at the Presidential Palace with its intriguing combination of classical and Indian design elements and the India Gate memorializing Indian soldiers who died in World War I.
 Later departure transfer to Delhi airport on time to connect the flight for Cochin.
 
On arrival at Cochin airport meet & assist by our representative followed by transfer to the Hotel.
 
Overnight stay in Cochin.
 

In the morning visit The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana.  Later pass by St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese.

After that we drive to visit Chendamangalam situated in the Paravur taluk of the Ernakulam District. It was for centuries the home to a Jewish community and a synagogue, yet by the close of the twentieth century not a single Jew resided in Chendamangalam. The Chendamangalam Synagogue sits near the center of the quiet village. The narrow lane, paved only in recent years, leading to the synagogue seems to dead end into the white-washed building, but then it splits and continues along both sides of the walled compound. The immediate area of the synagogue is a neighborhood of modest homes, some once Jewish owned, and a collection of small shops that sold a variety of goods. The synagogue at Chendamangalam, constructed around the 17th century is of a traditional style, with a separate entrance for women. The land for it was provided by the family of Paliam, the traditional ministers of Kochi, who owned the village of Chendamangalam at that time. The Department of Archaeology has recently conserved the synagogue, which was in a dilapidated, state using traditional materials. A tomb inscription believed to belong to one of the early members of the synagogue is found in front of it. Many other tomb inscriptions have also been collected from the same site. On the east side of the synagogue, there is a cemetery about 400 meters long belonging to this synagogue. There is a display inside the synagogue, which is titled - The Jewish Synagogues in Kerala.

Evening Shabbat prayer and dinner.

Overnight stay in Cochin.

In the morning, we will have Shabbat prayers and a meal, on Shabbat afternoon we will have a walking tour of Fort Cochin and see the Chinese Fishing Nets,  Jew town, and the Fish market. We shall return to the hotel for seuda shlishit, tfilot, and havdalah… Later we shall see the Kathakali dance Show.
 
Overnight stay in Cochin.
 

This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will have a village tour of Kumarakom by an Auto-rickshaw fondly called the “TUK TUK” ride through the streets of Kumarakom.  At the Boat Jetty we shall board a local styled boat (shikara), that is rowed by trained men  and proceed over a lake flanked by greens, to the Manjira Village.
 
We will have the opportunity to enter a village house –Learn how the times changed, as a villager shows the modern way of climbing a coconut tree. At the end of your training session treat yourself to fresh tender Coconut. Coir–Making - Here, you can see and learn the art of coir-making as the lady weaves baskets and mats. It is an interesting form of livelihood confined to the villages in Kerala. Try your hand at coir-making as she explains the basic steps involved.
 
Net Fishing–A skilled fisherman of Manjira, will show you some tried and true fishing tips. Watch in awe as he casts a net and catches a few with ease. Toddy Tapping – Your next stopover will see you in high spirits. Toddy, a mildly alcoholic beverage made from the sap of a coconut tree, fresh from the pot is considered a specialty in these parts. Watch toddy sap being tapped from a coconut tree closely. Next, we take you through the art of weaving coconut leaves. Then you may try your hand at it. You can also tour the vegetable plantation nearby and learn about unique plants. Also, you can watch the fascinating process of weaving screw pine. Check out the various tips involved and you may have the opportunity to try your hand at spinning a basket.
 
After the tour transfer to Cochin airport in time to connect to the flight to Mumbai.
 
On arrival at Mumbai airport meet & assist by our representative at the airport followed by transfer to Chabad house for dinner.
 
After dinner check-in at the hotel.

Overnight stay in Mumbai.
 

After breakfast we begin our Jewish Heritage Tour including a visit to Knesseth Eliahoo Synagogue (also known as Fort Jewish Synagogue), established in 1884 by Mr. Jacob Sassoon in memory of his father. We then visit the Magen David Synagogue - the beautiful building is a famous Jewish heritage point and tourist site. It is located on the premises of the Jewish school and prayer services are held in the synagogue every morning, Shabbat, and festival. Magen David Synagogue was built in 1861 in Byculla, Mumbai by David Sassoon. It is a tall one-story building in the style of Victorian architecture. Its Gothic character with frontal pillars and clock tower is noteworthy. Magen David Synagogue has a beautiful Tebah (reader's platform that marks the center of Sefardic synagogues) and Hekhal (ark which holds Torahs in cases of hammered silver).

Later proceed for Dabbawala tour - The word "Dabbawala" can be interpreted as "box-carrier" or "lunchpail-man". In Marathi and Hindi, "Dabba" means a box (usually a cylindrical aluminum container) More specifically, the word Dabbawala implies a person in the Indian city of Mumbai who carries and delivers freshly made food from home in lunch boxes to office workers.

After that visit the colossal Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai's outdoor hand laundry, famous Hanging Garden, Jain temple, Mani Bhawan, the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi that includes a reference library with over 2,000 books, a photo exhibition of Gandhi's life and an old charkha or spinning wheel that Gandhi used. After that we visit the Gateway of India, a monument built during the British Raj. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic railway station which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways in Mumbai.

After the tour, dinner at Chabad House.

Overnight stay in Mumbai

After breakfast, departure- transfer to Mumbai airport in time to connect your flight back home