Located beautifully upon the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the city of Agra is a travel destination that requires little introduction. Home to the world renowned Taj Mahal, the city of Agra offers its visitors a plunge into the architectural brilliance of the Mughals, who ruled India for 331 years. Besides the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri are among the main tourist attractions. These three iconic monuments have also been designated as UNESCO World heritage Sites. This travel guide to Agra will help you make the best of your visit to the Taj City. Places to Go The Taj Mahal: The magnificent and wildly popular monument made out of pure white marble always tops itineraries of travellers visiting Agra. Built by the Mughal King Shah Jahan in 1653, the monument is the mausoleum of the king’s favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Standing upon the south bank of the Yamuna, it took 22 years for 20, 000 workers to complete this perfectly symmetrical building. Acknowledged as a masterpiece of symmetry, the Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Agra Fort: This 16th century monument is just another example of the architectural brilliance of the Mughals. Situated near the gardens of the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort of Agra, as it is nicknamed, is a mesmerizing fortress that encloses the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal besides other palaces, audience halls and a couple of mosques. The Agra Fort is also known as the place where Shah Jahan was held captive by his son, Aurangzeb and spent the final days of his life viewing the monument, which had been the final resting place of his beloved wife. Fatehpur Sikri: Built by
Located beautifully upon the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the city of Agra is a travel destination that requires little introduction. Home to the world renowned Taj Mahal, the city of Agra offers its visitors a plunge into the architectural brilliance of the Mughals, who ruled India for 331 years. Besides the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri are among the main tourist attractions. These three iconic monuments have also been
Situated at just 122 km from Delhi and 150 km from Jaipur on the Delhi- Jaipur highway, Neemrana is a wonderful ancient historical town which has often served as a quixotic weekend getaway for people in and around the National Capital Region of Delhi and Gurgaon. The most significant and popular highlight of the town is the Neemrana Fort Palace, a site that dates back to the year 1464. Situated 2 km from the town, the fort was once the seat of Rajput Maharaja Prithvi Raj Chauhan III. The fort, occupied by the Chauhans well until 1947, has now been converted into one of Rajasthan’s oldest heritage luxury hotels, which offers a blend of heritage and celebrations with activities including zip- lining and swimming. The Neemrana Palace is equipped with a swimming pool and a high quality dining arrangement. Around five in the evening, the staff serves high tea and masala tea with some of the best pakoras. The rooms are quite spacious and adorned well with decorations. Some might find the price to be too heavy on the budget, which is why economic planning before the visit is recommended. Things to Do at Neemrana Zipping: Neemrana boasts of India’s first zip tour, an aerial adventure that is thrilling to the core. Camel Ride: The fort- palace which spans over 6 acres can be best explored through a ride atop a camel. Swimming: Raj- kund, the pool-on-the-plateau is a perfect spot for swimming, along with soothing spa facilities. Vintage Car Ride: Resident guests at Neemrana Fort-Palace can now enjoy a 5 km Vintage Car Ride around the Neemrana village for just Rs. 1000 (3/4 people). You can have a very good weekend trip here at Neemrana Fort Palace, but you need to be prepared to let loose your wallet for
Situated at just 122 km from Delhi and 150 km from Jaipur on the Delhi- Jaipur highway, Neemrana is a wonderful ancient historical town which has often served as a quixotic weekend getaway for people in and around the National Capital Region of Delhi and Gurgaon. The most significant and popular highlight of the town is the Neemrana Fort Palace, a site that dates back to the year 1464. Situated 2 km from the town, the fort was once the
Imbibed in the grandeur of a rich traditional past that jauntily plays along with the elements of today, Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan is a destination of vibrant and chaotic beauty that runs along its roads and paints interesting reflections upon the windows of its enthralling palaces. Known as the Pink City, there’s an anecdote behind how the city earned that nickname for itself. In 1876, it so happened that Prince Albert of Wales and Queen Victoria visited India on a tour and planned a stopover at Jaipur. So, to welcome the guests, the then Maharaja Ram Singh repainted the entire city in terracotta pink. The Prince is said to have exclaimed the words “Pink City!” upon his visit, thus giving the city its much renowned nickname. Places to Visit: Amer Fort: Located in the town of Amer, 11 kilometres away from Jaipur, this magnificent fort encompasses a vast palace complex built from yellow and pink sandstone, and white marble. The fort is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. Although a mere 10 minutes’ walk from the road will take you the fort, the most preferred manner of getting there is a ride atop an elephant’s back, something that is recently being frowned upon by animal welfare groups. Jantar Mantar: Begun by Jai Singh II, a lover of astronomy, Jantar Mantar was built for measuring the heavens. The name is derived from the Sanskrit yanta mantra, which means “instrument of calculation”. In 2010, Jantar Mantar was added to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. If you’re someone looking to learn more about the fascinating mechanism of the instrument, you’ll definitely require a local guide to run you through the technicalities of the historic observatory. Hawa Mahal: A monument that is almost
Imbibed in the grandeur of a rich traditional past that jauntily plays along with the elements of today, Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan is a destination of vibrant and chaotic beauty that runs along its roads and paints interesting reflections upon the windows of its enthralling palaces. Known as the Pink City, there’s an anecdote behind how the city earned that nickname for itself. In 1876, it so happened that Prince Albert of Wales and Queen
On 7 July 1992, Mr. Willy T. Blazer, Vice Counselor and Head of Chancery of Switzerland in India brought Khajjiar on the world tourism map by calling it “Mini Switzerland”. He also put a sign board of a yellow Swiss hiking footpath showing Khajjiar’s distance from the Swiss capital Bern-6194 km. Khajjiar is among the 160 locations in the world that bear topographical resemblance with Switzerland. The counselor also took from Khajjiar a stone which would form part of a stone collage around the Swiss Parliament to remind the visitors of Khajjiar as a Mini Switzerland of India. How to Reach Khajjiar? The town of Khajjiar lies within the Chamba district, and is also well connected to Dalhousie (24 km), from where I t can easily be reached via taxi. The nearest railway station is Pathankot. You can either take a taxi from Pathankot to Khajjiar or travel to Chamba or Dalhousie via bus and then hire a cab from there. A road trip from Delhi to Khajjiar (570 Km) involves the following route: Delhi>Sonipat>Panipat>Karnal>Kurukshetra>Phagwara>Jalandhar>Pathankot>Khajjiar Places to Visit in Khajjiar Khajjiar Lake: Located at an altitude of 1920 m above sea level between Dalhousie and the town of Chamba, the Khajjiar Lake lies beautifully amidst a widespread grassy landscape, with evergreen cedar trees standing like stationed soldiers around its perimeter. The lake derives its name from Khajji Nag, the established deity in the temple nearby. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary: The main attractions within this scintillating sanctuary include a variety of flora and fauna comprising of leopards, bears, deer, langurs, the Himalayan Black Marten and the Barking Goral. The Khajjiar Trek: A 14- km trek through landscapes cluttered with deodar and pine trees and interspersed with rippling streams will give you an experience that would be absolutely breath taking to say the
On 7 July 1992, Mr. Willy T. Blazer, Vice Counselor and Head of Chancery of Switzerland in India brought Khajjiar on the world tourism map by calling it “Mini Switzerland”. He also put a sign board of a yellow Swiss hiking footpath showing Khajjiar’s distance from the Swiss capital Bern-6194 km. Khajjiar is among the 160 locations in the world that bear topographical resemblance with Switzerland. The counselor also took from Khajjiar a stone which would form part of a
A cantonment town of Pauri Garhwal district in the state Uttarakhand, Lansdowne is a perfect weekend getaway with its quiet environs and mesmerizing sights. One of the most unspoilt hill stations, Lansdowne is a pretty budget friendly place to go. How to Reach? Lansdowne is about 260 kilometres away from Delhi, a distance that is usually covered in 6- 7 hours by car. The nearest railway station is Kotdwar which is situated at a distance of 40 km from Lansdowne. Best Attractions in Lansdowne Tip N Top Point —> It is a sightseeing place which is the highest point of Lansdowne. The spot overlooks the beautiful cantonment town below, capturing its spectacular view in all its entirety. Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple —> This temple of Lord Shiva is situated about 35 Km from Lansdowne. A scintillating and beautiful temple, the site is soothingly peaceful, surrounded by towering trees. You can also book rooms around the place and spend a night in just 500 INR. Darwan Singh Museum—>Inaugurated in 1983, the Darwan Singh Museum is a historical defence museum named after the first Victoria Cross Holder from Garhwal Rifles- Darwan Singh Negi. Bhulla Tal Lake—> A serene location where you will be offered activities like boating, which you can participate in with your partner. Church of St Marry —> Located near Tip N Top point, the church of St Mary is a catholic church of historical significance. The church was constructed in 1895 by Colonel A.H.B Hume of the Royal Engineers. Bhim Pakora—> The Bhim Pakora comprises of two large stones one above another in perfect balance. The topmost rock can be moved with a finger, but never falls down even when you use both your hands to push it. Where to Stay? Choose a hotel near the city centre to easily access
A cantonment town of Pauri Garhwal district in the state Uttarakhand, Lansdowne is a perfect weekend getaway with its quiet environs and mesmerizing sights. One of the most unspoilt hill stations, Lansdowne is a pretty budget friendly place to go. How to Reach? Lansdowne is about 260 kilometres away from Delhi, a distance that is usually covered in 6- 7 hours by car. The nearest railway station is Kotdwar which is situated at a distance of 40 km from Lansdowne.
Beautiful green hills, equally beautiful emerald green river and the shimmering white sand… I thought only Goa could weave such magic…But I was completely wrong. Rishikesh offers you the most enthusiastic yet natural escape you can ever wish for. “Bungee Jumping! Rock Climbing! Cliff Jumping! Rappelling! Fox Flying!” I could easily hear these words often in the office; in hushed voices in my head I was constantly planning what am I going to try once I reach Haridwar and Rishikesh. I scheduled my trip for March 27, the last weekend of the month and may I believe that it is one of the best months to go rafting in Rishikesh, during this month water temperature is moderate (still cold) and the weather is neither too hot nor too cold; other than that, for best rafting experience one can either go in the months of March to May or between October and November. After finishing office on Friday, I planned on leaving for Rishikesh. I chose an enjoyable road trip of 230 KM over the comforting train journeys. I started my trip later that night at around 11 PM. However, I would suggest others to go during day time, considering the hilly road conditions. The four to five hours’ bike journey to Haridwar left me with no scope for sleep, so I decided to click pictures on the way and enjoy the journey. As I had earlier expected, I reached Haridwar at 4 AM. It was still dark when I reached Haridwar; it seemed almost mid-night to me. My eyes were puffed due to no sleep, but the cool air had started to cast its spell on us, and I craved for tea and a sweat shirt as well. Haridwar welcomed us with sugary tea, beckoning a sweet start to a
Beautiful green hills, equally beautiful emerald green river and the shimmering white sand… I thought only Goa could weave such magic…But I was completely wrong. Rishikesh offers you the most enthusiastic yet natural escape you can ever wish for. “Bungee Jumping! Rock Climbing! Cliff Jumping! Rappelling! Fox Flying!” I could easily hear these words often in the office; in hushed voices in my head I was constantly planning what am I going to try once I reach Haridwar and Rishikesh.
McLeodganj is a beautiful weekend getaway for those who live in NCR, Punjab or Haryana. It is a much-loved destination to live the midst of nature. McLeod promises something or the other for everyone and for every soul. With the unpredictable summers of Delhi which causes sweat-dreaded hot days with the mercury racing along the 45° mark. It's the worst season to be living in Delhi and most Delhiites will agree to me. So, this summer, as soon as the mausam vibhaag made the predictions, I decided to head up to north, to a cooler climate. My destination was McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. I chose to drive and hence, left home before the break of dawn. I drove initially taking NH1 and later steering to NH503. I must appreciate and acknowledge the fact that the highway department has done a fantastic job in making the roads and keeping them well-maintained. The drive was more of fun as it was smooth and comfortable. I was full of picturesque landscapes and I felt like getting down and clicking pictures every five minutes. I rolled the car windows down and took the fresh air in, it was then when I knew, coming here was an excellent decision. The distance of approximately 500 km was covered in close to 9 hours, with a 50-60-minute halt at Chandigarh, for a scrumptious lunch and few brief halts along the highway for tea and refreshments. McLeod Ganj was surprisingly different from rest of hill station I had been to. Yes, there were the hills and the snow-covered mountain ranges at the distance, the fresh air was cool enough to arouse our nostrils and we could almost feel it detoxifying our lungs. The certain smell from the pine trees and the virgin surrounding left us smitten,
McLeodganj is a beautiful weekend getaway for those who live in NCR, Punjab or Haryana. It is a much-loved destination to live the midst of nature. McLeod promises something or the other for everyone and for every soul. With the unpredictable summers of Delhi which causes sweat-dreaded hot days with the mercury racing along the 45° mark. It’s the worst season to be living in Delhi and most Delhiites will agree to me. So, this summer, as soon as the
Tucked away in the Garhwal Himalayas, at 2620 meters into the sky that’s approximately 7000 ft above sea level, enroute to Gangotri comes a quaint little village – Harsil. Set amidst pine trees and apple orchards, the town is famous for more things than one. It’s a trekker’s paradise, known to offer spectacular views of the Himalayan mountain peaks. It is well known for its local apple produce and is also famed for making an appearance in the super hit Bollywood movie by director Raj Kapoor – ‘Ram Teri Ganga Maili’. The town was still in its pristine condition – uncluttered, neat and serene… waiting to sing her own tale. I tried to picture something of it, by setting out to explore the place. I started off with a visit to the local and the ancient Kalp Kedareshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. From here, I could see the stream of turquoise blue Ganges water and though I had met mother Ganga only a few hours earlier in Gangotri, still could not resist climbing down towards the banks to catch Her glimpse. Down at the banks, there was no one except a village woman drinking the holy waters from the cusp of her hand. On seeing me, she smiled and offered a few drops to me as well! Chilly winds were making me skittish but the warmth of her smile comforted me. Do you know how the place gets its name? She asked in her broken Hindi. Even before I could give out my reply, she started her narration... Once, Rivers Bhagirathi and Jalandhari had an argument about which was more significant. Lord Vishnu aka Hari intervened by taking the form of a stone or shila (Hari-shila or Harsil), and absorbed their anger. Even today, the waters of the two
Tucked away in the Garhwal Himalayas, at 2620 meters into the sky that’s approximately 7000 ft above sea level, enroute to Gangotri comes a quaint little village – Harsil. Set amidst pine trees and apple orchards, the town is famous for more things than one. It’s a trekker’s paradise, known to offer spectacular views of the Himalayan mountain peaks. It is well known for its local apple produce and is also famed for making an appearance in the super hit
I was planning a trip to Auli (a popular ski and winter sports destination in Chamoli, Uttrakhand) since quite some time, but was never able to finalize my travel plans. Every time one or the other reason played showstopper but finally everything got materialized last weekend. So, I booked my train tickets, packed my bags and left Delhi on 21st January. Next day I reached Haridwar and from there I took a private cab which further took me till Joshimath. From Joshimath, the only way is using a ropeway! I took the ropeway for Auli. The ticket costed Rs. 500 per person (return journey included). The cable car runs only at fixed times during the day, and the last one runs at 4:30 PM. The car can take 25 passengers in one go, but will not start until it had a minimum of 10 persons on board. I took the car at 10:30 AM, and the moment the car started its upward journey, a strange sense of excitement engulfed me. While going up, the moment the car crossed tower number 3, the kids in my car started shouting "snow-snow" as we passed through some small patches of snow on trees and roads below. The terrain slowly started turning white from dark green as we continued our journey upwards. Tall fir and pine trees, most of them covered in snow, offered a great visual treat. Then suddenly, everything turned white below us as we passed tower number 7. And I could see great peaks like Nanda Devi (second highest peak in India after K2) on our left side, and just behind my back were the three famous peaks: The Lotus (Kamal peak), the Horse's Saddle peak, and the Elephant peak. They simply looked so majestic! I got down from tower no.
I was planning a trip to Auli (a popular ski and winter sports destination in Chamoli, Uttrakhand) since quite some time, but was never able to finalize my travel plans. Every time one or the other reason played showstopper but finally everything got materialized last weekend. So, I booked my train tickets, packed my bags and left Delhi on 21st January. Next day I reached Haridwar and from there I took a private cab which further took me till Joshimath.
