Ancient Kingdoms & Glorious Temples
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THE METROPOL ITAN MU SEU M OF ART ANCIENT KINGDOMS & GLORIOUS TEMPLES Kashmir, Punjab & Rajasthan October 1 to 17, 2015 THE METROPOL ITAN MU SEU M OF ART Dear Members and Friends of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, From the remarkable Hindu temples in the Valley of Kashmir to Amritsar’s shimmering Golden Temple, sacred to the Sikhs, Northwest India is home to many treasures. Next October, we invite you on a Met Adventures trip to explore the art and architecture of the less-visited regions of Kashmir and Punjab. We will also discover Hindu and Jain temples in Osian and Ranakpur. We are delighted that Kurt Behrendt, Associate Curator in the Department of Asian Art, will be leading this program. As curator of the recent exhibition, Tibet and India: Buddhist Traditions and Transformations, Dr. Behrendt is especially interested in the interplay of the many cultures and creeds that have called India home. TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS Three nights in Srinagar, to visit the remarkable Hindu temples in the Valley of Kashmir, dine aboard a houseboat on serene Lake Dal, and visit the home of a local female entrepreneur and activist A ceremony at Amritsar’s Golden Temple, the spiritual center of the Sikh religion An excursion to the ancient trading center of Osian, with its Hindu and Jain temples An afternoon in Ranakpur, site of a beautiful Jain temple with over a thousand intricately carved marble pillars A visit to Chandigarh, designed by Le Corbusier as India’s first planned city Two nights in Udaipur, known for its fairytale palaces, peaceful lakes and unique temples For those wishing to experience the wealth and power of the Mughal Dynasty, an optional postlude is offered in Agra that includes a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. We hope you will join us on this extraordinary adventure. Sincerely, TRAVELING WITH YOU Kurt Behrendt is Associate Curator in the Department of Asian Art at The Metro politan Museum ofAFGHANISTAN Emily K. Rafferty Art. He holds a Ph.D. in Indian President Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles, where his dissertation on Gandhara—the Srinagar ancient Bud dhist kingdom that encompassed parts of present-day PAKISTAN CHINA Pakistan and Afghanistan—became the basis of his Amritsar first book, The Buddhist Architecture of Gandhara. Chandigarh Since that time, Dr. Behrendt has edited and published several volumes on Gandhara; his current NEPAL research focuses on the Buddhist art and archaeology Delhi of north India, Nepal, and Tibet in the 11th and 12th BHUTAN centuries. He has recently curated the exhibition, Jodhpur Sacred Traditions of the Himalayas, which opened at INDIA the Met in December 2014. Udaipur Mount Abu BANGLADESH MYANMAR Arabian Sea Bay of Bengal SRI LANKA A NCIENT K INGDOMS & G LORIOUS T EMPLES Kashmir, Punjab & Rajasthan October 1 to 17, 2015 NEW YORK SRINAGAR Thursday, October 1 Sunday, October 4 Depart New York on an overnight flight to Delhi. Depart on a full day excursion to visit some of the remarkable Hindu temples in the Valley of Kashmir. The DELHI, INDIA 8th-century Surya temple at Martand was dedicated Friday, October 2 to the Sun God, and its ruins remain one of the most important archaeological sites in India. After lunch, Arrive in Delhi and transfer to the Trident Gurgaon continue to Avantipur, founded by King Avantivarman Hotel for one night. in the 9th century. Its two temples to Shiva and Vishnu DELHI SRINAGAR feature sculpted reliefs and carved columns that show Saturday, October 3 a Greek influence. En route back to Srinagar, stop at Pandrethan to see a small Shiva temple distinctive This morning fly to enchanting Srinagar, where we will for its well-preserved roof, made from a single piece be welcomed with Kashmir’s traditional kahwa tea upon of stone. Tonight enjoy folk music and dance during arrival at the charming Lalit Grand Palace. Following dinner aboard a traditional houseboat. lunch and check-in, walk in the lovely Mughal Gardens at Shalimar Bagh and Pari Mahal, with their terraces SRINAGAR and chinar trees. Of the hundreds of gardens that once Monday, October 5 existed in the valley, only a few now survive. Gather in the evening for a drink in peaceful garden surroundings Start the day with an optional walk in the hills before our welcome dinner. surrounding the city. Then explore Srinagar’s Old Town, where we will see the six-hundred-year-old Grand Mosque, sample freshly baked breads, and admire manuscripts, papier maché objects, Kashmiri textiles, and weaponry at the Sri Pratap Singh Museum. Following lunch at a lovely traditional house, meet with a journalist to discuss current events before we are invited for tea at the home of a female entrepreneur and activist. Dinner is at leisure. SRINAGAR AMRITSAR Tuesday, October 6 After an early cruise to experience the floating vegetable market on Lake Dal, the remainder of the morning is free, perhaps to walk in the botanical gardens or browse in the shops specializing in metal work, pashminas, or woodcarving. An afternoon flight takes us to Amritsar in Punjab, where we check in at the Hyatt Hotel. After dinner, witness an evening ceremony at the Golden Temple, the spiritual center of the Sikh religion. Situated on a man-made lake, the temple and its shimmering reflection are a breathtaking sight. Fountains in the Shalimar Bagh Gardens, Srinagar A N C IENT K INGDOMS & G LORIOUS T EMPLES JODHPUR Sunday, October 11 Two options will be offered today. Depart on a full-day excursion to Osian, an ancient trading center known for its Hindu and Jain temples dating from the 8th-11th centuries. Although most of the shrines are now in ruins, it remains a pilgrimage site for the Jains. Alternatively, meet with residents of a Bishnoi village outside of Jodhpur this morning. Members of this community worship nature and practice conservation techniques in order to live in harmony with the environment. We will also have the opportunity The Golden Temple complex, Amritsar for a camel ride in the desert. Dinner is at the hotel. JODHPUR MOUNT ABU AMRITSAR Monday, October 12 Wednesday, October 7 Drive past striking landscapes to Ranakpur, arriving in Stroll in the Jallianwala Bagh garden and return to time for lunch. Then see the most beautiful Jain temple see the bustling daily activity at the Golden Temple in India, built in the 15th century of white marble, with complex. Those who wish may partake of the simple 1,444 pillars, of which no two are alike. Continue to lunch prepared in the community kitchen. This the hill station of Mount Abu and the Palace Hotel, the afternoon visit the local market before viewing the former summer residence of the royal family of Bikaner. impressive changing of the guard at the India-Pakistani Dinner is at the hotel. border. Return to the hotel for dinner. MOUNT ABU AMRITSAR CHANDIGARH Tuesday, October 13 Thursday, October 8 Today visit the spectacular Dilwara Temples, Jain Drive through the countryside to Chandigarh, with monuments known for their extraordinary carvings. lunch en route. The first planned city in India after the Then at the 11th-century Kumbharia temple complex in country won its independence in 1947, Chandigarh is neighboring Gujarat province, admire the five temples best known for its architecture and urban planning. made of white marble and dedicated to the Jain Check in at the Marriott Hotel in time for dinner. tirthankars. Return to the hotel for dinner. CHANDIGARH Friday, October 9 Our tour of Chandigarh includes a special visit to the Haryana Legislative Assembly building designed by Le Corbusier. We will also see the Open Hand Monument, one of his best-known motifs and a symbol of peace, and the unique Rock Garden sculpture park. At the Chandigarh Museum, view the fine collection of sculptures from the ancient Buddhist border kingdom of Gandhara, as well as Pahari and Rajasthani miniature paintings. A lively performance of bhangra music precedes dinner. CHANDIGARH JODHPUR Saturday, October 10 This morning fly via Delhi to Jodhpur, the ancient capital of the Mewar Kingdom. Arrive at the Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel, a former royal residence, where we will stay for two nights. This afternoon search for aromatic spices in the Sadar Bazaar and explore Mehrangarh Fort, once the residence of the maharajahs, and today a museum of paintings, weapons, and howdahs (seats used for riding elephants). Dine together this evening. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur K ASHMIR, P UNJAB & R AJASTHAN UDAIPUR DELHI NEW YORK Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17 This morning a short drive brings us to the 11th-century temples at Nagda and the nearby Shri Eklingji temple complex. Following lunch, fly to Delhi to connect to international flights home. Dayrooms are reserved at the Trident Gurgaon Hotel. Arrive in New York the following day. Intricately carved columns, Ranakpur PROGRAM RATE $11,995 (per person, double occupancy) MOUNT ABU UDAIPUR SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $2,880 Wednesday, October 14 RATE INCLUDES 15 nights hotel accommodations as per itinerary Travel through the countryside to Udaipur and the elegant Udaivilas Hotel on the shores of Lake Pichola. Buffet breakfast daily, 13 lunches, and 11 dinners; bottled After lunch, an optional hike will be offered, or enjoy water and coffee/tea with all meals; beer / wine at dinners the facilities of our hotel. Gather in the early evening Program of lectures for a cruise on the lake and drinks at the historic Lake Palace. Dinner is at leisure. Escorted sightseeing and entrance fees for all included visits UDAIPUR Economy Class Airfare for four internal flights: Delhi / Srinagar / Amritsar… Chandigarh / Jodhpur…Udaipur / Delhi Thursday, October 15 Airport / hotel group transfers The imposing fortress of Chittorgarh is situated on a massive three-mile-long rock and features a series of Taxes, service, on-site camera fees, and porterage for one temples that show the development of styles from the suitcase per person 8th to 14th centuries.