January 9-24, 2020
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EAST INDIA Temple Mythology and Mountain Peaks January 9 24, 2020 Hosts: Nalini Bhushan, Professor of Philosophy and Richard Millington,- Professor of English Language & Literature. Dear Smith Alumnae, India’s vibrancy, color and dynamism will be in full display in 2020. Co-hosted by our very own Nalini Bhushan and Richard Millington, this time we go off the usual path and center it around eastern India namely West Bengal, Sikkim and Orissa. This itinerary was recognized by National Geographic Traveler as one of the ’50 Tours of a Lifetime’ in their May 2013 issue. An important stop is Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) the former seat of the British Raj and home of Nobel Laureate Rabinranath Tagore (Literature, 1913) and Mother Teresa (Peace, 1979). We will experience the cacophony of this city through the eyes and ears of locals as we meander the streets immersed in the arts and culture and, most importantly, getting to know the people of West Bengal. We make our way into the highlands of Darjeeling (still West Bengal and famous for the tea) and Sikkim- also known as Little Bhutan. These “hill stations” were once favored by the members of the elite class and British administrators seeking to escape the summer heat of the lowlands. The wide expanse of space, the towering mountain range of the Himalayas and Kanchanjunga and the spectacular sun rise and sun sets provide a stark contrast to the controlled chaos that typically defines India. The world-famous temples that typify Odisha (formerly called Orissa) offer a view into Hindu mythology and temple architecture that make the state justly famous, a place where 21st century modernity meets thousands of years of history. This program offers a unique experience by merging the academic and the aesthetic, by exploring the ancient history of the region and the modern society of today. We will offer several lectures on the trip. It will be further enhanced by local experts and guides. We hope you will join us on this memorable program, and since space is limited, we encourage you to reserve your place quickly. Sincerely, Elizabeth Bigwood Elizabeth Bigwood Director, Smith Travel Office of Alumnae Relations FACULTY HOSTS Nalini Bhushan is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor Richard Millington is the Helen and Laura Shedd Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Philosophy at of English at Smith College, where he teaches courses in Smith College and has hosted a number of trips for 19th and 20th-Century American literature and in American Smith Travel including India and Sri Lanka in the Studies. He is the author of Practicing Romance: Narrative past. She is also a member of the faculty in South Form and Cultural Engagement in Hawthorne’s Fiction, and of Asian Studies. She grew up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, essays on Hawthorne, Alfred Hitchcock, and Willa Cather. South India, and received her Ph.D. in philosophy He has recently been involved in an initiative to re-think the from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. writing curriculum at the College, serving as Faculty Director Bhushan regularly teaches courses in the meaning of life, aesthetics, the of Writing and Public Discourse and Director of the First-Year Seminar Program. philosophy of science, the philosophy of mind and language, and Indian Richard will join his wife, Nalini Bhushan on this trip further enhancing the philosophy, and has recently taught senior seminars on topics such as experience for Smith travelers through his lectures and insights. cosmopolitanism and the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. In the spring of 2020 she will teach a new seminar on practicing philosophy in the public sphere, focused on the complexity of identity in the 21st century. Her recently co-authored book, entitled Minds Without Fear: Philosophy in the Indian Renaissance, was published by Oxford University Press in June 2017. It explores the intellectual dimensions of the Indian Renaissance (1850-1947) during British rule, in areas such as art, philosophy, politics Gangtok, and religion. She is currently working on a new project in the philosophy SIKKIM of mind tentatively entitled Autistic Selfhood. Darjeeling Kalimpong TOUR HIGHLIGHTS WEST • Walk and experience a slice of Kolkata- the former seat of the BENGAL British Raj in India. INDIA • Explore the ornate temple architecture of Odisha and learn about the Kolkata mythology of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. • Visit Kumartulli- a town of famous potters and Bengali idol art. • Witness the sunrises of the Himalayan mountain range as their peaks rise as if in prayer. Bhubaneswar • Sample the famous tea of Darjeeling and Bengali sweets. Bay of Bengal Puri PROGRAM ITINERARY January 9, 2020 – Depart USA This is an overnight flight if traveling from the east coast. Please contact the tour operator for flight options. January 10 – Arrive Kolkata Welcome to Kolkata! You will be met and transferred to your hotel. This former capital of the British Raj is also the third largest metropolis in India and a crucial point of the nation’s economy. Oberoi Grand Hotel (B) January 11 – Tour of Kolkata Experience the influence of the Chinese, Armenian and Anglo-Indians that makes Kolkata a melting point of culture, culinary delights that speak to all your senses. Visit important highlights including the Marble Palace, Mother Teresa Mission and Dhakineswar Temple. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your faculty hosts and fellow travelers. Oberoi Grand Hotel (B, D) January 12 – Kolkata | Bagdogra | Darjeeling (West Bengal State) Travel by scheduled flight to Bagdogra and drive to Darjeeling located at approximately 7,000 feet. Dotted with Buddhist monasteries, trekking trails, tea estates and inspiring mountain views, this small city was once a summer getaway during the British “Raj” to escape the heat of Kolkata. Mayfair Hotel (B, D) January 13 – Darjeeling Departure early to visit Tiger Hill to watch the sun rise over Mount Kanchenjunga. Return to the hotel for breakfast and relaxation. After lunch, visit the Zoological Gardens, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Tibetan Refugee Center. Mayfair Hotel (B, L, D) (B- Breakfast L- Lunch D-Dinner) January 14 – Darjeeling Bring out your inner-child with a short ride on the famous toy train to Ghoom. This is a wonderful introduction to the hill stations of India and the mountainous landscape formerly visited by the aristocracy and now by modern tourists. Later we will visit a tranquil monastery, one of the many so prevalent in the area. Mayfair Hotel (B, L, D) January 15 – Darjeeling | Gangtok (State of Sikkim) Continue today to Gangtok, nestled in the lush greenery of the Himalayas. The influence of the Nepalese and Bhutanese population going back generations is vividly on display through showing, their food, clothing and religion. This afternoon, visit Enchey Buddhist Monastery located amid the stunning views of the Eastern Himalayas and the peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Norkhill Hotel (B, L, D) January 16 – Gangtok This morning visit the Rumtek and Enchey Buddhist Monasteries. This ancient structure was first built in 1717 and then re-built in the 1900s in keeping with the traditional designs of Tibetan monasteries. Norkhill Hotel (B, L, D) January 17 – Gangtok | Kalimpong Travel to Kalimpong arriving in the afternoon. Until the mid-19th century, the area around Kalimpong was ruled intermittently by the Sikkimese and Bhutanese kingdoms. It was also a trading route between India and Tibet. Silver Oaks Hotel (B, L, D) January 18 – Kalimpong This morning, explore the Pedong Monastery as well as several other prominent ones including the Zang Dog Palri FroBrang, Thongsa Gompa and Tharpa Choling Monasteries. Along the way, see some of the exquisite flowers that are grown for export in this region. Silver Oaks Hotel (B, L, D) January 19 – Kalimpong | Bagdogra | Kolkata Fly to Kolkata and overnight. Oberoi Grand Hotel (B) (B- Breakfast L- Lunch D-Dinner) January 20 – Kolkata | Bhubaneswar (Odisha) | Puri January 22 – Puri | Bhubaneswar Fly from Kolkata to Bhubaneswar, State of Odisha (formerly called Travel to Bhubaneswar and explore the broad tree lined avenues to Orissa). This is the “Temple State of India” on the Bay of Bengal savor the spirit of this fascinating city. The highlight of the visit are boasting over two-thousand temples and a rich culture dominated by the famous Mukteshwar Temple and the Parasuramesvara Temple art and dance. Mayfair Waves (B, D) with their intricately carved facades. Trident Hotel (B) January 21 – Jagganath Temple and Konark Sun Temple Tour January 23 – Bhubaneswar | Kolkata Depart for Konark, a World Heritage Site, to see the Sun Temple and Visit the Udaigiri and Khandagiri caves, one of the earliest groups of Jagganath Temple (note: non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagganath Jain rock-cut shelters that are centuries old. Travel back to Kolkata. Temple but it can be viewed from a vantage point outside). Explore the Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. Oberoi Grand Hotel (B, D) medieval lanes and engage with the local people in Puri and Konark, January 24 – Depart while watching the flurry of worshippers around the temple complex. Mayfair Waves (B, D) Depart for your onward trip home or select from the extension below (see Extended Options). TOUR PRICE Land package only: $6,995 per person (double occupancy) Single room supplement: $2,125 INCLUSIONS: EXCLUSIONS: • Accommodation and meals mentioned above. • International flights • All transportation. • Tipping and gratuities to porters, guides, drivers. • Services of English speaking professional local guides. • Drinks during meals (bottled water will be provided) • Entrance fees to monuments. • Laundry, dry cleaning, telephone, fax, internet • Domestic flights. • Travel insurance (recommended) • Visa and passport services, vaccinations. Level of difficulty: Moderate. Due to the nature of the areas we will be visiting, this program involves some walking on uneven terrain or up and down stairs that may be steep and/or without handrails.