Princely Murshidabad | The Durga Puja Cruise
Kolkata – Bandel – Kalna – Matiari – Khushbagh – Baranagar – Murshidabad –
Mayapur – Chandernagore – Kolkata
7 nights / 8 days Cruise
20 – 27 Oct 2023
Arrival in Kolkata and transfer to the jetty for embarkation. Lunch onboard. Thereafter visit to Mother Teresa’s Home and Tomb. Mother Teresa started the Missionary of Charity and worked here until her death in 1997. The permanent exhibition includes a visit to her personal room, we learn her life story and see her charity that is still active. Return to ship overnight. Enjoy cultural performance onboard.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager
After breakfast, proceed on a Panoramic Tour of Dalhousie Square’s heritage buildings; St. John's Church and, Victoria Memorial. Today is the Maha Saptami day of Durga Puja when the Goddess is invoked and her idol is ceremonially installed in a pandal. The setting up of such pandals can be witnessed during the sightseeing. Return to the ship and sail to Bandel. Lunch onboard. In the evening visit the Hooghly Imambara, a famous Shiya pilgrimage centre that provides housing for pilgrims as well as classrooms. We sail onward to Kalna.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager
After breakfast ride e-rickshaws through the town to visit the Rajbari Temple complex. The Nabakailas Temple contains 108 eight-slope-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other temples in the complex feature diverse architecture and terracotta plaques depict themes of Hindu epics and various aspects of day-to-day life. Today is the Maha Ashtami day of Durga Puja when all nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped and can be witnessed during the sightseeing. Return to the ship walking through the local vegetable market. Begin sail towards the shore-side village of Matiari, while having lunch onboard.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager
Early today walk in the village to see and experience the craftsmen at work. These master craftsmen utilize recycled copper to create exquisite pots, platters, and more from their workshops in the village. Return to ship for breakfast and sail full day towards Khushbagh. Lunch onboard. In the evening walk through the farmland to visit the Mughal-style Garden built by Nawab Ali Wardi Khan. It houses the Nawab’s private mosque and the tomb of the last Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daula whom the British East India Company defeated at the Battle of Plassey.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager
After breakfast explore the village of Baranagar, a lovely example of life in rural India. Visit the 18th-century Char Bangla terracotta temple, built by Rani Bhabani, the landlady of Natore. Return to ship and sail to Murshidabad. Lunch onboard. Thereafter visit the Hazarduari Palace which dominates the waterfront. Ride e-rickshaws to the Katra mosque, which has distinctive minarets. Today is Vijayadashami, the last day of Durga Puja when the idols of the Goddess are taken in procession to the river to be immersed in great pomp and gaiety.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager
After a restful morning, enjoying breakfast and observing the local life along the riverbanks, we arrive in Mayapur, the headquarters of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Post lunch stroll in the pilgrim’s bazaar, meet Krishna followers, and visit the temple, which is comparable in size to the Vatican. The temple has been largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great-grandson of car maker Henry Ford.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager
Today we sail to Chandernagore which was established as a French colony. Post breakfast explore the French colonial buildings along the promenade, including the former French governor's residence, now converted into a museum that features an exhibition of items that depict life during this period. Also, visit the Sacred Heart Church which marks the beauty of the architecture during the French period. Return to the ship and continue our journey to Kolkata while enjoying lunch onboard. We arrive in Kolkata by evening.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager
Following breakfast disembark the ship and transfer for your onward journey.
Important Note:
- The itinerary may be readjusted due to local conditions and days of the week, to avoid closure of monuments/museums. Last-minute sailing adjustments may also occur. The onboard tour staff will announce or post the exact time for each activity.
- The letters in parentheses indicate the included meal of the day B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.