India is as timeless
as it is ever-changing, as traditional as it
is dynamic, as bucolic as it is vivacious. A
cradle of civilization, India was also a cultural
crossroads, where West met East and a singular
society of unique values and religious systems
was created.
Join us as we explore this magnificent
land of contrasts, enjoying its historic sites,
vibrant bazaars and authentic Indian cuisine
accompanied by Wellesley alumna Nikky Singh '78,
professor of religion at Colby College, and other
experts along the way.
Our travels begin in Old
Delhi, a labyrinth of vibrant streets,
temples, shops and colorful bazaars—all
accessible by rickshaw—while imperial New
Delhi includes the President’s
Palace, Parliament, and the tree-lined avenues
of Sir Edwin Lutyens. In Agra,
we’ll uncover the vast architectural
legacy of the Mughal Empire, including the
Taj Mahal, Emperor Shah Jahan’s glorious
monument to eternal love. We’ll be staying
at the Amar Vilas Hotel, which boasts unobstructed
views of the Taj Mahal from every room. In Jaipur,
we’ll learn ancient astronomical techniques
at the Jantar Mantar, ascend the Amber fort
on elephantback, explore the ancient bazaar,
and admire the City Palace’s exquisite
collection of rare textiles. In Udaipur,
from our base at the renowned Lake Palace Hotel,
we’ll enjoy High Tea at the City Palace
and visit a painting school to observe students
learning traditional techniques. In Amritsar,
the holy city of the Sikhs, we will encounter
the renowned Golden Temple and visit the border
between India and Pakistan.
Our journey continues with an
optional extension to the holy city of the Hindus.
This once-in-a-lifetime visit to Varanasi features
a sunrise boat ride down the Ganges to witness
the morning rituals of Hindu pilgrims, entrance
into living Hindu temples and a behind-the-scenes
tour of the city's silk weaving industry.
Don't miss this enchanting voyage
through northern India, offering you the opportunity
to come into contact with its people, legendary
monuments, and colorful traditions. We'll enjoy
activity-filled days and luxurious nights in
India's finest palace hotels. |
Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh '78 is
the Crawford Family Professor of Religious Studies at Colby College,
where she chairs the department of religious studies and teaches courses
on Asian religions. Singh’s scholarly interests focus on poetics
and feminist issues.
She has published extensively in the field of Sikhism,
including The Feminine Principle in the Sikh Vision of the Transcendent (Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press), The Name of My Beloved: Verses of the
Sikh Gurus (HarperCollins and Penguin), and A Feminist Re-Memory
of Sikh Identity (forthcoming from SUNY).
Born in India, Singh came
to the US to attend Stuart Hall, a preparatory school for girls in Virginia.
As an undergraduate at Wellesley, she double majored in Religious Studies
and Philosophy.
She received her Masters from the University of Pennsylvania
and her Ph.D. from Temple University. |
