India's Golden Triangle - A Must Visit

India's Golden Triangle - A Must Visit

Vijaylaxmi Thakur, June 29, 2015
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware - Martin Buber.

Are you aware of the golden triangle cities in India? Yes! You are right - they are Delhi, Agra and Jaipur; the reason being the triangular shape formed by these fascinating locations on the map. The golden triangle tour in India is popular all around the world. Let me share with you my amazing experience of this tour, which may inspire you to take this route if you haven’t already! It was October, the weather was pleasant in Delhi. My cousins had come to pick me up at the airport. When I saw the lovely smile and excitement on their faces, I knew why this capital city was famous as ‘Dil Waalon ki Dilli’.

Delhi

Delhi

Our first destination was Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India. Its magnificence and tranquil ambience left us speechless. Cool-headed, we drove to the happening Chandni Chowk (Moonlit Square) which is popular for its vibrant markets and lip-smacking delicacies. We relished the Rabri Falooda at Giani's; it was the best dessert I’d ever had. Next, we visited the Red Fort, the stunning sandstone fort which appeared as a beautiful painting in red amidst the lush greenery. Visiting Delhi, how could we forget the President's official residence - the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The splendour of this huge mansion with remarkable architecture was incredible and worth the visit. Standing tall, the India Gate exudes a heroic vibe. A memorial for our Indian martyrs, this place literally gave us goosebumps and we felt great reverence for our brave soldiers.

Agra

Agra

We could see great historical monuments inspired by Mughal architecture and we knew we had reached Agra. ‘Love is Forever’ is what you will take from the captivating monument of the Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, this pristine white marvel displays immense craftsmanship which transported us back in time and left us pondering over the artistry possessed by men in the olden time.

Jaipur

Jaipur

To be in sync, dressed in pink, we headed to Jaipur (the pink city) which is renowned for its royal palaces and forts. We made our first visit to the Amber Fort, a grand fort-palace that was named after the goddess Amba. Standing right there, we marvelled at this glorious heritage of the Rajputana rulers and their fine taste. It was time for some breezy moments, so our next destination had to be Hawa Mahal. Do you love the idea of observing everything that’s happening outside without being seen? Well, this is possible with this impressive five-storey high (red and pink sandstone) structure. With over 950 windows, this Mahal was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Singh in 1799 to enable the royal women to view the happenings in the city without being noticed. The subject of astronomy has always intrigued me and this thirst for knowledge led us to the Jantar Mantar Observatory. The amazing geometric devices for measuring time, tracking stars in their orbits and predicting eclipses delighted us but the Giant Sundial was the icing on the cake. With this celestial experience, we felt far away in space. Finally, we were back on earth and I left for home with golden memories treasured for a lifetime.