Ancient Kingdoms & Glorious Temples

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

A NC I EN T K I NGDOMS & G L ORIO U S T E M P LES Kashm ir , Punj ab & Raj as t han Oct ob er 1 t o 17, 2015

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM 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.

TRAVELING WITH YOU

Sincerely,

Kurt Behrendt is Associate Curator in the Department of Asian Art AFGHANISTAN at The Metropolitan Museum of Emily K. Rafferty Art. He holds a Ph.D. in Indian President Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles, where his Srinagar dissertation on Gandhara—the ancient Buddhist kingdom that encompassed parts of present-day PAKISTAN Amritsar Pakistan and Afghanistan—became the basis of his first book, The Buddhist Architecture of Gandhara.

Chandigarh Since that time, Dr. Behrendt has edited and published several volumes on Gandhara; his current Delhi research focuses on the Buddhist art and archaeology of north India, Nepal, and Tibet in the 11th and 12th centuries. He has recently curated the exhibition, Jodhpur Sacred Traditions of the Himalayas, which opened at Udaipur the Met in December 2014.

Mount Abu

CHINA

NEPAL

INDIA

A NCI ENT K I NGDOMS & G L OR IOU S T E MP LES K a s h m i r, P u n ja b & R a ja sth a n October 1 to 17, 2015 NEW YORK

SRINAGAR

Thursday, October 1

Sunday, October 4

Depart New York on an overnight flight to Delhi.

DELHI, INDIA Friday, October 2 Arrive in Delhi and transfer to the Trident Gurgaon Hotel for one night.

DELHI

SRINAGAR

Saturday, October 3 This morning fly to enchanting Srinagar, where we will be welcomed with Kashmir’s traditional kahwa tea upon arrival at the charming Lalit Grand Palace. Following lunch and check-in, walk in the lovely Mughal Gardens at Shalimar Bagh and Pari Mahal, with their terraces and chinar trees. Of the hundreds of gardens that once existed in the valley, only a few now survive. Gather in the evening for a drink in peaceful garden surroundings before our welcome dinner.

Depart on a full day excursion to visit some of the remarkable Hindu temples in the Valley of Kashmir. The 8th-century Surya temple at Martand was dedicated to the Sun God, and its ruins remain one of the most important archaeological sites in India. After lunch, continue to Avantipur, founded by King Avantivarman in the 9th century. Its two temples to Shiva and Vishnu feature sculpted reliefs and carved columns that show a Greek influence. En route back to Srinagar, stop at Pandrethan to see a small Shiva temple distinctive for its well-preserved roof, made from a single piece of stone. Tonight enjoy folk music and dance during dinner aboard a traditional houseboat.

SRINAGAR Monday, October 5 Start the day with an optional walk in the hills 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 NCIENT 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 for a camel ride in the desert. Dinner is at the hotel.

The Golden Temple complex, Amritsar

JODHPUR

AMRITSAR Wednesday, October 7 Stroll in the Jallianwala Bagh garden and return to see the bustling daily activity at the Golden Temple complex. Those who wish may partake of the simple lunch prepared in the community kitchen. This afternoon visit the local market before viewing the impressive changing of the guard at the India-Pakistani border. Return to the hotel for dinner.

AMRITSAR

MOUNT ABU

Monday, October 12 Drive past striking landscapes to Ranakpur, arriving in time for lunch. Then see the most beautiful Jain temple in India, built in the 15th century of white marble, with 1,444 pillars, of which no two are alike. Continue to the hill station of Mount Abu and the Palace Hotel, the former summer residence of the royal family of Bikaner.

Dinner is at the hotel.

MOUNT ABU

CHANDIGARH

Tuesday, October 13

Thursday, October 8 Drive through the countryside to Chandigarh, with lunch en route. The first planned city in India after the country won its independence in 1947, Chandigarh is best known for its architecture and urban planning.

Check in at the Marriott Hotel in time for dinner.

Today visit the spectacular Dilwara Temples, Jain monuments known for their extraordinary carvings.

Then at the 11th-century Kumbharia temple complex in neighboring Gujarat province, admire the five temples made of white marble and dedicated to the Jain 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.

PROG RA M RA TE $11,995 (per person, double occupancy) SIN G LE SU PPLEM EN T $2,880

Intricately carved columns, Ranakpur

MOUNT ABU

UDAIPUR

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.

After lunch, an optional hike will be offered, or enjoy the facilities of our hotel. Gather in the early evening for a cruise on the lake and drinks at the historic Lake Palace. Dinner is at leisure.

Buffet breakfast daily, 13 lunches, and 11 dinners; bottled water and coffee/tea with all meals; beer / wine at dinners Program of lectures Escorted sightseeing and entrance fees for all included visits Economy Class Airfare for four internal flights: Delhi / Srinagar / Amritsar… Chandigarh / Jodhpur…Udaipur / Delhi

UDAIPUR 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 temples that show the development of styles from the 8th to 14th centuries. Boxed lunches will be provided for our visit. Or remain in Udaipur for a morning tour including the City Palace—actually eleven connected palaces with a superb painting gallery—and a guided walk through the market. Our farewell dinner is at the hotel.

Taxes, service, on-site camera fees, and porterage for one suitcase per person Gratuities to local guides and drivers NOT INCLUDED IN RATE International airfare; passport and visa fees; alcoholic beverages other than wine/beer at dinners; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; excess baggage charges; meals not specified; transfers for those not on suggested flights; any other items not specifically included.

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART MET ADVENTURES

Ancient Kingdom s & Gl or i ous Tem pl es

O c t ober 1 t o 17, 2 0 1 5

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On the front cover: Adinatha Temple, Ranakpur © cinoby. Back cover: City Palace, Udaipur (top) and houseboats on Lake Dal, Srinagar (bottom).

OPTIONAL AGRA POSTLUDE October 16 to 20, 2015 Following an overnight at the Trident Gurgaon Hotel drive to Agra, whose majestic red sandstone and marble monuments reflect the power of the mighty Mughal Dynasty. Tour the 16th-century Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, Emperor Akbar’s glorious and deserted city.

Perhaps the consummate symbol of India, the Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of elegance and grace, and we will admire it during a sunrise visit. There will also be time to shop or enjoy a spa treatment at our hotel, the splendid Oberoi Amarvilas.

On the way back to Delhi, see the jewel-like tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, begun in 1622 for the Emperor Jahangir’s father-in-law. Dayrooms are reserved before the flights home. $1,995 per person. $995 single supplement. Includes one night at the Trident Gurgaon Hotel, Delhi, and two nights at the Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra. Breakfast daily, one lunch, and two dinners with coffee/tea. Sightseeing as noted.

The Taj Mahal

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ANCIENT KINGDOMS & GLORIOUS TEMPLES Kashmir, Punjab & Rajasthan

October 1 to 17, 2015

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