Taj Mahal

Visit to Delhi with a day-trip to Agra and a few days at the end in Udaipur.

Delhi

Delhi is a huge metropolis with a rich history and culture. We only had a few days here, but with a car and driver at our disposal, we managed to visit some of the main sights. We stayed in the ‘Defence Colony’ area, which is pretty central and worked out fine.

The UNESCO Word Heritage listed Humayun’s Tomb was the first stop on the itinerary. It was built in 1565 A.D. nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (chaharbagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome. There are several graves of Mughal rulers located inside the walled enclosure and from here in 1857 A.D;

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib , one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwaras, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi, is known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, as well as the holy pond inside its complex, known as the “Sarovar.” The temple has also a large commercial kitchen providing thousands of meals daily to any visitors.

Centrally in New Delhi is the India Gate. There is a large park along the pedestrian path leading up to many of the government offices.

Lodhi Garden is a British-era public park featuring ancient tombs, rose & herb gardens, bonsai trees and a lake. The park is very spacious and an absence of crowds allows to relax around the historical buildings and ruins.

Qutb Minar is another UNESCO Word Heritage listed temple complex. The Qutb Minar, also spelled Qutub Minar and Qutab Minar, is a minaret and “victory tower” that forms part of the Qutb complex.

The Lotus Temple, is a Baháʼí House of Worship that was dedicated in December 1986. Notable for its lotus-like shape, it brings also immediately the Sydney Oper House to mind. The temple with its vast lawns has become a prominent attraction in Delhi. Like all Bahá’í Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all, regardless of religion or any other qualification.

Finally a few pics from wandering along one of the main markets. It was bustling with traders and shoppers in a mix of traffic. . .

Agra

We left Delhi at 2am and arrived in Agra by 6am to get early into the world-famous Taj Mahal. Some rain just started but stopped after a few minutes. Although early, there were already quite a lot of visitors queuing up. Most were local Indian tourists. Whilst locals pay 50 rupees to enter the complex, foreigner are charged 1,100 rupees. Dual pricing is pretty normal in India. The actual mausoleum is another 200 rupees for anyone.

Probably a bit over-hyped compared with all the other treasures India has to offer, but the Taj Mahal together with the love story behind it, it is a great place to visit.

Larger, but on the second rank is the Red Fort in Agra. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Some 4,000 builders worked on it daily for eight years, completing it in 1573. Further changes were made in the times since. The fort was invaded and captured by the Maratha Empire in the early 18th century. Thereafter, it changed hands between the Marathas and their foes many times.

Udaipur

Udaipur’s City Palace is dominating the city skyline. The palace was started in 1553 and continued under numerous rules of the Mewar dynasty. The City Palace in Udaipur was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in the state of Rajasthan.

Jagdish Temple is a large Hindu temple in the middle of Udaipur in Rajasthan, just outside the royal palace. It has been in continuous worship since 1651.

A boat trip on the Pichola lake, one of 5 man-made lakes, is a good way to see the city with a little distance, and provides a cool breeze…

…and a stop on the Jagmandir Island is a palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It is also called the “Lake Garden Palace”. Today it is a Grand Heritage Palace of the HRH Group of Hotels.

Located on the top of Moti Margi or Pearl Hill, Maharana Pratap Memorial overlooks the stunning beauty of Lake Fatheh Sagar. Also known as Pratap Smarak, Maharana Pratap Memorial is an essential site of great historical significance.

Sahelion Ki Bari Park, or Garden of the Maidens, famous for its many water features.

Gulab Bagh is an ancient sub-city level park, showcasing the lush green campus, with ponds, library, zoological park, temples, and many government offices. There are also a few water reservoirs within the park. The park has four entrance gates, out of which only two are open to the general public.

Finally, one of the best views over the city can be found atop the Karni Mata Ropeway. As the name suggests, there is a ropeway to toe top, but there is also a paved hiking path to the top. This spot is popular for sunrise and sunsets. A temple and mosque can be found at the top.