We have special
arrangement for our valuable guests.
North India Travel. This part covers the Capital of India,
Delhi. Every experience, every sound, every smell shouts that
you’ve arrived somewhere magical.
It is here that the deep love of one man for one woman created
the Taj Mahal; where the King of Kings ruled; where the sacred
Ganges flows past holy cities; where the Himalayas stand
silent and magnificent; where 5000 years of culture waits to
be absorbed. |
| Taj Mahal : |
No word can justify the beauty
of the Taj Mahal. A wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal in
Agra is a monument  which
no other in the world can match its beauty and grandeur.
Called the most beautiful temple in the world, the white
marbled mausoleum at Agra has become the epitome of a man's
love for a woman.
Synonymous with India, the Taj Mahal is undoubtedly the
epitome of India tourism. India travel is incomplete without
experiencing the Taj Mahal. This supreme temple of love,
standing gracefully by the sacred Yamuna at Agra, is set
amongst the serene ambience of a well laid out garden. The
massive white marble structure was built in the 17th century
by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved
wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan was so disheartened by her
death that the royal court went in mourning for two years
and there was no music, no dancing, no celebrations and no
feasting for two years. After such a long period when he
recovered his consciousness Shah Jahan decided immortalize
their love in the form of the Taj Mahal. He had selected the
place for the Mahal Taj in Agra so that he could see it from
his personal palace at Agra Fort.
Designed by the local Muslim architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori,
the Taj Mahal is a reflection of the gardens of Paradise to
which the faithful ascend. The entire complex, with gardens,
gateway structures, and mosque, was completed in 1643. The
mausoleum stands at one end of the garden adorned with
fountains and marble pavements. The garden contains four
water channels to echo the four rivers of the Islamic
Paradise.
It is more than 350 years since Taj Mahal was built in Agra,
but it has not lost its romantic aura, which attracts
millions of visitors to India to experience it. It is
because of this everlasting charm that the Taj Mahal in Agra
can boast of being one of the most popular world heritage
monuments on earth. |
| Agra Fort |
Within a radius of 3
kilometres, on the banks of the river Yamuna, rises the
crescent-like Agra Fort. Designed and  built
by Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is surrounded by a 70 foot
high wall. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous
palaces including the Jahangiri Mahal, Diwan-i-khas,
Diwan-i-Am and Moti Masjid.
The fort has four gates and is enclosed by a double
barricaded wall of red sand stone. Many buildings were
constructed within the fort of which very few remain till
date. One of the most significant ones is the multistoreyed
Jahangiri Mahal built by Akbar for his wife Jodha Bai.
The Mahal is reached through an impressive gateway and its
inner courtyard consists of beautiful halls, profuse
carvings on stone, exquisitely carved heavy brackets, piers
and cross beams. Most of the panels in the eastern hall are
decorated with the Persian styled stucco paintings in gold
and blue. It is believed that a century later, most of the
structure were dismantled by Shahjahan and were replaced
with white marble pavilions covered with intricate inlay
work. Of which the most prominent ones are - the
Diwan-i-khas, the Mausam Burj and the Shaha Burj. Away from
the waterfront he built the Moti Masjid and the Diwan-i-Am. |
| Jama Masjid |
Jami Masjid is one of the
largest mosques in India. Built in 1571 A.D., it is the most
scared building in Fatehpur  Sikri
and has, therefore, been built on the highest point. The
mosque has a vast courtyard. Towards the corner on the right
side, is the Jammat Khana hall and next to which is Zenana
Rauza, the Tomb of the Royal Ladies.
It has tomb of Islam Khan, and Sufi shrine or 'dargah'. The
tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti is worth seeing. Originally it
was built in red stone and was later faced in marble by
Jahangir. It's lattice screens are the most intricate and
beautiful in the world.
Jama Masjid is beautifully decorated with paintings, inlaid
stones, carvings and glazed tiles. The building comprises of
pillared Dalan, a beautiful 'Chhajja' and the 'Chhatri' on
the roof. The main Iwan of the building is rather simple and
contains a central arch with geometrical designs.
The monumental gateway, Buland Darwaza is the main entrance
to the mosque. The other entrance is Badshahi Darwaza, which
is towards east. |
| Fatehpur
Sikri |
Situated 40 km from Agra, the
city of Fatehpur Sikri is an imperial city built by the
Mughal Emperor Akbar  between
1571 and 1584. The architectural grandeur of this deserted
city cannot be described in words and one can only
experience the aura of its magnificent edifices by seeing
them. If you are looking for something that symbolizes the
grandeur of the Mughals, Fatehpur Sikri is a must-see during
your Taj Mahal tour in Agra.
The buildings within Fatehpur Sikri are a unique blend of
different architectural traditions. Though the general
layout and concept of the buildings conform to the Islamic
style of architecture, the actual buildings (mainly
palaces), their ornate columns, arches, carving style, etc.,
show a strong Hindu style in general and that of Gujarat and
Rajasthan in particular.
Dedicated by Emperor Akbar to his patron saint Sheikh Salim
Chisti, Fatehpur Sikri was also Akbar's imperial capital for
fifteen years. The new city, built on a ridge, grew into a
magnificent township larger than contemporary London. A
splendid edifice, the fort today rests in quiet peace - a
mute witness to the times gone by.
There are a number of buildings within the Fatehpur Sikri
complex to be savoured during your Taj holidays in Agra.
Each of the small palaces in Fatehpur Sikri has a specific
purpose and generally faces a courtyard. Diwan-I-Aam (Hall
of Public Audience) is an enclosed space surrounded by
colonnades and has a large open area where petitioners and
courtiers once stood in attendance; Diwan-I-Khas (Hall of
Private Audience) - used for serious, confidential,
diplomatic and religious discourses - is famous for its
central decorated pillar consisting of 36 elegantly carved
brackets in the Gujarati style - heavy and ornate, and
sprouting in shape; Panch Mahal (five-tiered palace) is an
intriguing five-storied pavilion of winds. The Turkish
Sultan's palace is known for exquisitely carved panels
depicting wildlife-lions, birds, and foliage. Near the
Diwan-I-Aam, one can see a tank called the Anup Talao. Four
bridges link the central platform at the Anup Talao. Here
the famous court musician Tansen played music.
Jodha Bai's Palace (Jodha Bai was Akbar's Rajput queen) has
the most distinctively Gujarati and Rajasthani architectural
features. Also noteworthy are Mariam's Palace or Sunehra
Makan (golden house), Palace of Birbal (one of Akbar's
minister notable for his witticisms) and a miniature garden.
Jami Masjid (mosque), sacred center of Sikri, symbolizes the
city's spiritual prominence. In the vast courtyard stands
the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti whose blessings are still
sought by childless women.
Tourists can travel to Fatehpur Sikri from Agra, the city of
the Taj Mahal, by the daily train that runs from Agra Fort
Railway Station. Buses and taxies are also available from
Agra for Fatehpur Sikri. |
| Sikandra Tomb |
Eight kilometres north of Agra at Sikandra is the tomb of
Akbar, started within his lifetime and completed by his  son
Jahangir in 1613. The tomb in elevation is pyramidical and
consist of three storeys. On top is an open courtyard
surrounded by a marble screen enclosing the tomb itself. The
building is unique in its departure from Islamic
architectural tradition, for it has no domed roof. |
| India Gate |
At the center of New Delhi
stands the 42m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe" like
Archway in the middle of  a
crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart war
memorial. It commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who
lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the
First World War and bears the names of more than 13,516
British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern
Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. The foundation stone was
laid by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921
and was designed by Edwin Lutyens.
The monument was dedicated to the nation 10 years later by
the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. Another memorial, Amar Jawan
Jyoti was added much later, after India got its
independence. It is in the form of a flame that burns day
and night under the arch to remind the nation of soldiers
who laid down their lives in the Indo-Pakistan War of
December 1971. The entire arch stands on a low base of red
Bharatpur stone and rises in stages to a huge molding,
beneath, which are inscribed Imperial sons. Above on both
sides is inscribed INDIA, flanked by MCM and to the right,
XIX.
The shallow domed bowl at the top was intended to be filled
with burning oil on anniversaries but this is rarely done.
Surrounding the imposing structure is a large expanse of
lush green lawns, which is a popular picnic spot. One can
see hoards of people moving about the brightly lit area and
on the lawns on summer evenings. |
| Red Fort /
Lal Quila |
The Red Fort with red
sandstone walls, popularly known as the Lal Quila extends
for two kms and varies in height  from
18 metres on the river side to 33 metres on the city side.
Shah Jahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638
and it was completed in 1648. He was deposed and imprisoned
in Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb, before he could move his
capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad in Delhi. Entry to the
fort is Rs 0.50; free on Friday.
The entry to this splendid fort is from the Lahori Gate or
the Chatta Chowk. Lal Quila is now a busy market place
called the 'Meena Bazaar'. This bazaar has an excellent
collection of antiques, miniature paintings and skillfully
crafted fake ivory jewellery. The bazaar also sells some
fabulous carpets beautifully woven. Just beyond the Chhata
Chowk, is the heart of the fort called Naubat Khana, or the
Drum House. Musicians used to play for the emperor from the
Naubat Khana, and the arrival of princes and royalty was
heralded from here.
The Fort sports all the obvious trappings befitting a vital
centre of Mughal governance: halls of public and private
audiences, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private
apartments, a mosque, and elaborately designed gardens. Even
today, the Fort remains an impressive testimony to Mughal
grandeur, despite being attacked by the Persian Emperor
Nadir Shah in 1739, and by the British soldiers, during the
war of independence in 1857.
The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public
Audiences, where the Emperor would sit on a marbled paneled
alcove, studded with gems, and hear complaints of the common
people. The Diwan-i-Khas is the hall of Private Audiences,
where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made
of marble, and its centre-piece used to be the Peacock
Throne, which was studded with rubies and gems and was
carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, although
the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original
glory, yet the verse of Amir Khusro " If there is Paradise
on the face of earth, it is here, it is here, it is here"
reminds us of its former glory.
The Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colours' as it is known,
holds a spectacular Lotus shaped fountain, made out of a
single piece of marble, and housed the Emperor's wives and
mistresses. The palace was decorated with excellent
paintings, gold bordered projections, mosaics of mirrors and
the ceiling was made with gold and silver which wonderfully
reflected in a central pool in the marble floor. The other
attractions enclosed within this monument are the hammams or
the Royal Baths, the Shahi Burj, which used to be
Shahjahan's private working area, and the Moti Masjid or the
Pearl Mosque, built by Aurangzeb for his personal use.
Even today, the Lal Quila is an eloquent reminder of the
glory of the Mughal era, and its magnificence simply leaves
one awestruck. It is still a calm haven of peace, which
helps one to break away, from noisy and busy life outside
the walls of the Fort, and transports the visitor to another
realm of existence. Sound and light shows or son et lumiere
as it is better known, highlighting particular phases of
history are held here. The shows are in Hindi and English
with tickets costing Rs. 20, available at the Fort. The
English seasons are from November to January at 7.30 p.m.,
in January to April and September to October at 8.30 p.m.
and from May to August at 9 p.m.
|
| Qutab Minar |
Among all the monuments in
Delhi, perhaps this is the most famous. 15 kms south of
Delhi, stands the soaring  tower
of victory, the Qutab Minar. The buildings in this complex,
date from the onset of Muslim rule in India. The
construction of the tower began in the year 1193,
immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu Kingdom in
Delhi. Qutb-ud-din may have started to build this just as
aparticularly large minar associated with the mosque for
calling people to prayer, or it may have been built as a
victory tower.
It is nearly 73 meters high and tapers from a
15-meter-diameter base to just 2.5 meters at the top. The
tower has five distinct storeys, and each storey is marked
by a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made or
red sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble of sandstone.
The construction began in the reign of Qutb-ud-din but
during his lifetime only the first storey of the tower was
constructed. His son-inlaw Iltutmish, the next ruler, added
the next three storeys.In 1368, Feroz Shah Tughlaq quite a
bit of the repair work and replaced the damaged fourth
storey with two storeys. These were faced with marble and
red sandstone. He also added a small cupola.
An earthquake brought the cupola down in 1803. A British
engineer, Maj. Smith replaced it with another in 1829.
However, that dome was removed some years later, by the then
governor General, Lord Hardinge. The cupola can be found
sitting in the garden near the entrance to the site.
The Qutab Minar used to be accessible to the top floor till
the early 70's. Then people falling off, intentionally or
otherwise, forced the government to restrict access to only
the first storey. And finally, in the mid 80's, a stampede
of school children closed access completely.
Although this ornate tower stands with a slight tilt today,
yet it has undoubtedly survived through the centuries
remarkably well. But, the archeogloical department has taken
the initiative and redone the face of much of the first
storey and the base with new sand stone pieces. In 1993,
UNESCO included the Qutab Minar in its list of World
Heritage monuments. |
| Hawa Mahal |
Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, a multi
layered palace, was built by Sawai Pratap Singh (grand son
of Sawai Jai Singh and son of Sawai Madhoo Singh) in  1799
AD and Mr. Lal Chand Usta was the architect. Hawa Mahal is
the most sensational monuments in the city of Jaipur. Hawa
Mahal is famous for it's beehive like structure, the Hawa
Mahal is an interplay of red and pink sand stone, carefully
and painstakingly outlined with white borders and motifs.
The palace, overlooks one of Jaipur's main streets and was
originally constructed to offer women of the court an upper
hand, so that they can watch the activities taking place in
the bazaar and the surrounding streets behind stone-carved
screens.
The entrance to Hawa Mahal is from the City Palace side,
through a stately door which opens into a spacious
courtyard. The courtyard has a double storeyed building on
three sides. There is a small archaeological museum here.
Only the eastern wing has three more storeys above, which
are just a single room thick. The building, standing on a
high podium, is a fifty-foot high thin shield, less than a
foot in thickness, with small intimate chambers, which give
this palace its unique facade. There are no regular stairs
to reach the upper floors, but only ramps.
Hawa Mahal is a five storey building of unusual
architecture,It is a stunning example of Rajput artistry
made of red and pink sand stone, beautifully outlined with
white borders and motif's painted with quick lime. Its
facade from the road side makes Hawa Mahal look more like a
delicate screen than a palace.
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