This March, celebrate the long weekends of Holi and Easter on the Antara Ganges Voyager : Kolkata – Bandel – Kalna – Mayapur – Guptipara – Fulia – Chandernagore – Kolkata
Artisans of Bengal| Holi Cruise: 21 to 28 Mar 2024: 7nights/ 8days
Experience the vibrant festival of Holi aboard the Antara Ganges Voyager on the Artisans of Bengal Holi Cruise from Kolkata to various picturesque destinations along the Ganges River.
Witness the Dol-Jatra procession in the temple towns of Kalna and Guptipara, a traditional spectacle where idols of Krishna and Radha are elegantly carried on ornate palanquins amidst singing and playful splashes of gulal (dry colours). All along the river banks, people show their devotion to the playful Lord Krishna and his divine love of Radha with joyful abandon through colours, music and dance.
Besides meeting, and shopping from the fabulous artisans of Bengal including potters, weavers and embroiderers, you’ll visit the towns of Mayapur and Nabadwip which are steeped in the stories and folklore of ras-lila and alive with the hues of Holi.
On board, immerse yourself in the festivities as you join fellow travellers in spreading the cheer with colourful gulal, accompanied by lively music and the aroma of festive sweets and savouries. Indulge in the spirit of camaraderie and merriment as you cruise along the scenic river, soaking in the cultural richness of India’s Holi celebrations.
The Easter Cruise: 30 Mar to 6 Apr 2024: 7nights/ 8days
Celebrating Easter on the Ganges is a unique experience, starting in Kolkata where the city comes alive with vibrant festivities and colourful decorations adorning the streets.
As you embark on this journey, enjoy Easter activities and celebratory meals on board the Antara Ganges Voyager. Visit Bandel, known for the historic Basilica of the Holy Rosary, one of Bengal’s oldest Christian churches and the Hooghly Imambara, the famous Shia pilgrimage centre. Continue upstream, to the quaint town of Kalna that welcomes visitors with its beautiful terracotta temples and serene riverbanks, providing a peaceful backdrop for Easter reflection. As the journey progresses to Mayapur, the spiritual heart of the Hare Krishna movement and then on to Guptipara, Fulia, and Chandernagore that offer glimpses of Bengal’s diverse cultural tapestry, creating a fusion of spiritual fervour and communal harmony.
Finally, return to Kolkata, carrying memories of a truly unique Easter experience, enriched by the sacred waters of the Ganges and the warmth of the communities along its banks.
Antara believes the best way to see South Asia is from the river. What began in 2003 as a dream for travel industry pioneer and naturalist Raj Singh has today turned into Antara’s thoughtfully designed, well-appointed fleet of nine ships that sail South Asia’s most iconic rivers. Antara offers its guests beautiful perches on moving water from which to enjoy vibrant and meditative landscapes, people, crafts and wildlife.
Our philosophy is to bring the region’s indigenous environments and cultures to the world, sustainably, and with its renowned hospitality, in ships that are designed with thought, luxury and care. Antara cruises encompass the Ganga, the Padma and the Brahmaputra River systems to make the world’s longest river cruise. In 2024, Antara commenced sailing the four rivers that inundate Bhitarkanika National Park, India’s second largest mangrove forest.
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