Rewind with the Mughals Agra Travel

Agra Fort Agra

Framed with one of the Seven Wonders of the World- Taj Mahal, Agra is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Located at the banks of River Yamuna, Agra city is famous for its extraordinary monuments and buildings. It is a city with rich cultural heritage, historical architecture and religious attachments. Agra, a medieval city, was assumed to be built in 1475, had been found its place even in the epic Mahabharata as Agraban (means paradise). I also ventured for an Agra Tour to witness the grandeur of the Mughals.

Agra Fort: Also known as Red Fort of Agra it is built in red sandstone by Akbar. The fort contains palaces both in red sandstone and white marble; the fort is crescent shaped. The fort originally has 4 gates out of which 2 are high walled. Jahangir Mahal is the most important and notable building here. Built as women quarters, it is the only building that has survived. Other buildings in the fort are Jodha Bai’s palace, Anguri Bagh, Sheesh Mahal and many more.

Taj Mahal: The most extravagant monument and one of the 7 wonders of the world built as a token of love. It is built of white marble. Apparently the 4 minarets are built taking care of the earthquake; they are slightly tilted outwards. The main gate has Quran inscriptions written over it. The Taj Mahal consists of gardens, tombs, fountains, mosques and gateways. The glory of the Taj Mahal is best on a full moon night.

Fatehpur Sikri: Is the home to the birth of Navratnas (9 jewels). The city in red sandstone was built to celebrate the birth of Salim, Akbar’s son. Designed as per Mughal architecture, the massive monument is fortified by towers and has 7 gates. Some of the important buildings in the city are Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid and Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and Birbal's House.

Buland Darwaza Agra

Buland Darwaza: Located in Fatehpur Sikri it is known as gate of magnificence. Built in red sandstone the gateway stands 40 m high. The gateway features calligraphic inscriptions of the Quran. The gateway is approached by 42 steps and also serves as an entrance to Jama Masjid.

Thus with this ended my incredible travel to Agra.

Redefine the Luxury with Mahraja's Express-Part 2

As soon as we got up, we all were really exciting to visit the next destination, Agra. After having breakfast, we arrived at Agra. Having heard and read a lot about Taj Mahal, I was too curious to visit this architectural wonder and finally, I was there. The glorious monument still retains its old-world charm. To see the picturesque setting of Taj is like a dream coming true.

Maharaja Express Train interior

Standing proudly on the banks of river Yamuna, it is synonym of love and beauty. The exquisite ornamentation, the purity of the white marble and the spectacular location all make it a worth-visiting place. Thereafter, we proceeded to the famous Agra fort, which is also renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a maze of courtyards and huge private chambers that showcase the splendor of the Mughal Empire.

We also got an opportunity to visit the Diwan-E-Aam and royal pavilions such as the Shah Jahan Mahal. While wandering through beautifully decorated halls and courtyards, I felt as if I was in the Mughal era where all I could see was, the royalty of that time. Headed to the Taj Khema, we came across colorfully attired musicians and dancers who escorted us to the gardens.

We were also allowed to enjoy shopping at Agra. There we came across some popular shopping items like handicrafts, marble and soapstone inlay work, brass ware, leather goods, textiles, carpets and exquisite jewellery. Our co-passengers were busy in picking up their favorite items while Dhara also bought some handicraft items for the keepsake of the tour.

We rejoined the train and enjoyed watching live television, which truly calls for applause. I wonder that how perfectly everything has been arranged for passengers. It must be the result of minute observation, which has at last successful in making the journey unforgettable for passengers.

One more thing, which is worth to mention here is that besides the beautiful sitting area, adorned with regal sofas, there is also a separate dining area. It allows you to dine in private. I am running short of words to describe the grandeur of the decor of the suite. Perhaps it can be best defined as par with excellence in luxury, richness and comfort.

Next morning, we were in Gwalior. After a leisurely breakfast, we set out to explore the city. The city is a blend of modern and traditional place. On one side, we could see the vibrant and bustling aspect, while on the other side, a multitude of monuments and temples reflect its glorious past.

Gwalior Fort

Then, we relaxed and enjoyed lunch. Jai Vilas Palace and Scindia Museum were also became the part of our exploration. The present Maharajas still live in a part of the place and the other part has been converted into a museum now. The museum displays remarkable collection of artifacts. We visited Usha Kiran Palace for enjoying cocktails and then board the train. Enjoying last dinner on board, we all were being ready for the next day to reach our last destination-Delhi.

Proceeding on a tour exploring the appealing sites of Delhi, we bid goodbye to the Maharaja's Express. Our mystical journey on the train was over, which was still unbelievable thought for us. The memory of the tour still refreshes my mind and takes me to the world of royalty and luxury.

Day 2: Golden Triangle Tour: Agra

Tajmahal - Golden Triangle Tour India

After basking in the royalty and luxury of Jaipur we moved to Agra, our next destination. No wonder we all know about Agra, the glorious city famous for Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. This is the most famous attraction of India which has earned this incredible country international fame. Agra tour is an important part of the Golden Triangle Tour. Playing a great role in India Tourism, Agra is visited by scores of tourists throughout the year.

Agra, the city of the Mughals, was ruled by several great Mughal rulers in the past. They left behind the heritage in the form of outstanding monuments. In Agra, we were booked in Hotel Taj View, which is one of the finest five star hotels in India. It is located only 1 km from the Taj Mahal and from our rooms we could see the Taj Mahal. After relishing delicious breakfast we went to see the Taj Mahal. At the very first sight of the Taj Mahal from close quarter my Japanese friends said “wow! What an architectural wonder”.

I told my friends about the history of Taj Mahal. It was built in 1632 by the famous Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. And it took around 22 years and more than 20, 000 labors to construct this architectural marvel in white marble. The architectural design of this monument is based on the principle of the interlocking arabesque concept, where each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements. The wonderful minarets are around 150 feet each. Everything about Taj Mahal is truly fascinating. It is truly an epitome of human creativity.

The entire monument is adorned with intricate pietra dura inlay work of floral designs and calligraphy which makes it awe-inspiring. At one point of time the interiors were studded with precious and semi-precious stones. The architectural style of Taj Mahal encompasses Mughal, Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic styles. This mausoleum is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My friends were delighted to know the history of Taj Mahal. They said that it was a great experience for them and they will remember it for long.

As we were pressed for time so after some shopping in the colorful bazaars of Agra we headed for Khajuraho, our last destination.

Day 1: The Golden Triangle Tour with Khajuraho

The incredible India is truly an extravaganza of amazing attractions which make it a favored destination of both national and international tourists. No wonder India is a treasure-trove of fascinating attractions. There is so much to experience and explore in this destination. A few days back two of my friends Saito and Misikawa from Japan came to India for some business purpose. They came to India for the first time and were really excited. They had less time in hand but they wanted to explore some attractions of the country. So I suggested them to take the Golden Triangle Tour which is the most popular tours of the country, especially when it comes to foreigners. I along with my Japanese friends planned the Golden Triangle Tour. This tour encompasses three enchanting destinations of India: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

Qutub Minar: Delhi Tour

As my friends were already in Delhi for their business deal so we, after their official work got over, started exploring Delhi. It is the capital city of India which is a perfect example of the fine combination of traditional and modern. In the past it serves as a seat of power for several dynasties. The city is divided into two sections, Old Delhi and New Delhi, each part having its own distinct charm.

Our guide Dinesh took us to the arresting attractions. First we visited Qutub Minar, a magnificent structure built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek in 1206. It is famed as the tallest brick minaret in the world. It reflects a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture. It is also a World Heritage Site. Then we visited Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Jama Masjid, Red Fort and Laxmi Narayan temple. My friends were delighted to see these historic monuments of Delhi. We did some shopping in Chandani Chowk market in old Delhi and feasted on a variety of stuffed paranthas( the specialty of Chandani Chowk) and Jalebi.

After an overnight stay at Marriot in Delhi, we headed towards Jaipur the next morning. To taste the royalty of the bygone era we stayed at a heritage hotel in Jaipur. Post breakfast we went to see the City Palace which was stunning. There we saw various belongings of the raja-maharajas. Saito said a visit to the palace was like a visit to the bygone era of raja-maharaja. Next we visited the Amber Fort, a majestic fort with several royal apartments. We covered the steep path to the fort on an elephant's back which was very royal and pleasurable. Then we visited the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical house with several stone devices which were once used to measure time and several astronomical events. Our last halt was Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, a wonderful structure which was especially built for the royal ladies to see the processions taking place in the streets without themselves being seen. There are more than 900 small windows in this palace which is quite amazing.

This marked the end of our first half journey. Now we were slated to cover two more fascinating destinations: Agra and Khajuraho.

Exploring the Handicrafts and Fine Arts in Agra

Handicrafts of Agra

Rows of roadside stalls, glittering with cheap and sparkly clothing, marble items, various fine handicrafts, good quality leather shoes & chappals and arrays of the other hot selling items – that is what I saw in my dreams last night. The real deal in Agra bazaars is still the tiny crammed shops selling the latest styles.

I asked an autowala to take me to the major market areas of the city. He told me that during the Mughal reign, several sculptors, painters, artisans, jewelers, weavers, embroiderers, carpet makers, musicians and metal workers came here to offer their talents to the royal families. The Empress Noor Jahan also had a keen interest in embroidery and textiles. Therefore she employed a large number of women seamstresses to work on the grand robes of the Emperor and his courtiers.

All these arts are continued till date in Agra

Fine Arts In Agra

by their descendants. We first visited the Sadar Bazar. The shops there were loaded with a huge variety in marble items, leather items (shoes, bags, belts and more), rugs and carpets, and brassware (including hookah bases). I found a few items quite costly but good quality leather items were available at reasonable prices. Next we headed for the Kinari Bazar, where I enjoyed authentic Mughlai cuisine at a restaurant. I also bought sweets like 'Petha' & 'Gazak' and a snack called 'Dalmoth' for my brothers.

There are a few handicraft emporiums as well that offer a variety of sandalwood and rosewood items. I also visited the U.P. State Emporium called 'Gangotri' at the Taj Mahal Complex, and the Shilpagram crafts village. Both the places offer a choice of handicrafts under one roof at reasonable prices. While returning to my hotel, I also brought a small but beautiful marble replica of the Taj. One thing that marks an authentic street shopping experience in Agra, is the deliciousness of the bargain.

Agra Tour: Experience The Rich Heritage

Set alongside the breathtaking Yamuna River, the historical town of Agra gives you a chance to reconnect with the glorious past of the Mughals and experience the architectural magnificence. I had already visited the wonder monument Taj Mahal last day. Therefore, I planned to devote one entire day to explore all other prominent attractions in the city and the nearby regions. After a heavy breakfast, I hired a guide and headed towards the renowned Agra Fort.

We entered the fort through the Amar Singh Gate, which lies to the South and is defended by a square bastion flanked by round towers. Dara, my guide, told me that the fort had originally four gates, two of which were later walled up. Delhi gate in the west is fortified by massive octagonal towers and faces the bazaar and leads to the Jama Masjid in the city. Initiated by Emperor Akbar in 1565, the fort was completed by Shah Jahan. This crescent shaped monument is flattened on the east with a long wall facing the river Yamuna. The most fascinating features of the Agra Fort are Jahangir Mahal (built by Akbar as women's quarters), Jodha Bai's Palace (offering marvellous views of the Taj) and Anguri Bagh (85 m square geometric gardens lying to the left of the fort).

I also visited the tomb of the Itmad-ud-Daula. This impressive structure was laid by the empress Noor Jahan as a memorial to her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. As written in the history text books, the structure is actually, ornamented with pietra dura inlay and lattice work marble screens. This white marble tomb also houses the cenotaph of Noor Jahan's mother Asmat Begum. Refereed to as 'the Baby Taj', this stunning tomb rests in a walled garden with a view of the river Yamuna. Dara told me that Mirza Ghiyas himself laid out the char bagh style of architecture six years before his death that has been used in the construction of the tomb.

At a nice restaurant, we enjoyed the best of Tandoori and Mughlai cuisine. Then we moved towards Sikandra – the last resting place of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Lying 13 km from the city, this pyramidal tomb was completed by Akbar's son Jahangir in 1613. Dara guided me to the beautiful garden, gateway and the five storeyed mausoleum, which are still maintained in a superb manner. I also paid a short visit to the 'Chini ka Rauza' – the mausoleum of Mulla Shukrullah Shirazi, the Prime Minister of Shahjahan.

Fatehpur Sikri

The last halt of my excursion trip was Fatehpur Sikri – the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign. An inscription there says that the place flourished at its best from 1571 to 1585. Dara told me that the region witnessed innovations in land revenue, coinage, military organization and provincial administration. The major attractions of this World Heritage Site are the Buland Darwaza, Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) etc. After enjoying the fulfilling experience of visiting these wonderful monuments, I was all set to go on a shopping spree the next day !!