Caper Travel India Blog

It was a heartwarming experience to visit multi-cultural city Delhi and princely city Jaipur. My excitement level was increasing as now I was heading towards the world famous Taj Mahal. Located in the Mughal city Agra, Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world.
Agra is one of the most favored tourist destinations of India. Occupying a pride place in the hearts of tourists, both national and international, Agra was at one point of time the glorious kingdom of the Mughals. It earned international fame because of Taj Mahal, symbolizing love, which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

After reaching Agra in the early morning we freshened up and had a delicious breakfast. Next we headed towards the epitome of architectural beauty ‘Taj Mahal‘. Its very first sight captured my heart. Built in white marble, this stunning structure has breathtaking architecture. My guide told me that at one point of time this structure was studded with precious and semi-precious stones. The interiors are amazing-the carvings and inlay work of floral designs and calligraphy. The guide showed us the place where the queen Mumtaz Mahal and later Shah Jahan were buried after their death.

Taj Mahal,the World Heritage Site reflects the perfect combination of Mughal, Persian and Central Asian architectural styles. It is steeped in rich history. I think if you have not seen Taj Mahal, you have not seen India. Well I had earlier read about this fascinating monument and I remembered that the great Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore affectionately dubbed Taj Mahal as ‘a teardrop on the cheek of eternity’. And the British Author and poet Rudyard Kipling called Taj Mahal as ‘the embodiment of all things pure’. I also wanted to say something- ‘Far from one’s imagination, a majestic creation enveloped in love’.

Post lunch we enjoyed a tonga ride to Agra Fort which is located around 2 km from Taj Mahal. It is a huge majestic structure which is also a World Heritage Site. Popularly known as the Red Fort of Agra, this structure was once the abode of the great Mughal emperors Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. Some of its attractions which I liked very much are Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audience), the Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audience), the octagonal tower known as Musamman Burj, Sheesh Mahal (the mirror palace) Khas Mahal and the Anguri Bagh (the Grape Garden).

After exploring this mesmerizing structure we went to Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone historic city founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1564 AD. There we visited the famous tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisthi, Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Jodha Bai’s Palace and Birbal Bhavan. It was such an overwhelming experience. In the evening we shopped for some marble handicrafts and this marked the end of my Golden Triangle Tour.

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Personally, I affectionately consider Jaipur as a royal affair. It conjures visions of things which are classy, royal and beautiful. And its royalty is epitomized by its majestic structures which were once the abodes of raja-maharajas of the bygone era.

Again I was in Rajasthan waiting for another ‘time-stopping’ experience. And my royal journey started with an elephant ride to the majestic Amber Fort. Elated, I was attentively listening to the guide about this classic structure which is majestically fashioned out of white marble and red-sandstone. Overlooking the beautiful Maotha Lake, the fort is ideally perched on a hill and it seems as if the exteriors of this structure are budding out of the hill itself. Raja Mansingh started the construction of the fort in 1592 and later more and more structures were added to it by the subsequent rulers.

The fort clearly reflects the lavish, capricious, classy and adventurous lifestyle of the then raja-maharajas. I was completely bowled over by the incredible architectural brilliance of this stunning structure. The interiors of the fort are adorned with paintings, mirror and semi-precious stone work. The must-see apartment is the stunning Sheesh Mahal. Its walls and ceilings are decorated with colorful mirror work. The arresting carvings are equally enchanting.

The other structure I visited inside the fort were Kali Temple famous for its silver doors and silver lions; Diwan-I-aam, the Hall of Public audience with double row of columns; Ganesh Pol which is beautifully painted with vegetable colors; Zenana (women’s apartment) which was made to facilitate the royal ladies to watch the proceedings of the royal court without themselves been seen. It is decorated with mesmerizing paintings of Krishna Leela scenes; the Hall of Victory, Jai Mandir boasting of mirror studded ceiling. There is so much to see and enjoy in the fort.

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After getting spell bound by the enchanting beauty of Taj Mahal, we set out to

explore the Agra Fort. Being a World Heritage Site the fort was a must-visit destination on our itinerary. Popularly known as the Red Fort of Agra, this fort is undoubtedly a great attraction here. The very first sight of the fort left me with the words, “how majestic, how huge”. Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, the fort offers an opportunity to peep into the glorious past. There are two entrance gates to the fort- the Delhi gate and the Amar Singh Gate. We entered from the Delhi gate.

We had hired a guide so that we don’t miss out on the history of the fort. His name was Ramesh and he seemed to be quite knowledgeable. As we were exploring the fort Ramesh told us that the great Mughal rulers such as Babar, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb once lived in this fort and ruled the country from here. The foundation of the fort was laid by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1556 and the construction continued till the reign of his grand son Shah Jahan. The fort is also the place where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb.

The fort complex encompasses several mosques and palaces, most of which are made of white marble and red sandstone. Some of the apartments which I liked the most are:

Jehangiri Mahal:
This stunning palace was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar for his beloved son Jahangir. It reflects a perfect blend of Central Asian and Hindu architecture.

Khas Mahal:
Carved in white marble, this palace was built by Shah Jahan in 1637. The beautiful paintings on white marble is one of the striking features of this palace. Overlooking Angoori Bagh, this palace was especially built for Shah Jahan.

Musamman Burj:
This apartment was built for the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal. It offers picturesque views of the majestic Taj Mahal.

Ramesh told us that it is in Musamman Burj where Shah Jahan spent the last days of his life gazing at the Taj Mahal.

Well, don’t give a miss to the fascinating Sheesh Mahal, the dressing room of the royal ladies. Its walls are beautifully adorned with tiny mirrors.

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Being a human, I was always fascinated by the unexplored. Trekking in

India is undoubtedly one of the famous adventure sports awaiting the trekking enthusiasts. I am sharing the best of my experiences what I have enjoyed in the mountain ranges of India offer breathtaking, enthralling trekking routes. Out of all the trekking routes, I found the Himalayas the best that have attracted geologists, geographers, trekkers and nature lovers.

Another superb destination was the entire Ladakh – the snow desert. The isolated mountain expanses here generate the mystery of the Central Asian Silk Route. It is simply the most rugged region of the entire Himalayan range. While trekking on this Trans Himalayan Zone, I enjoyed the incomparable views of the Great Himalayan Range and the vast Tibetan plateau. Alpine trees and beautiful flower meadows are the prominent features of trekking routes in Jammu and Kashmir. Zanskar is again one of the most sought after regions for trekking in India. The trekking routes in Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal were again a jackpot for me. I guess these passes are the most enchanting gifts of nature to the north India.

Coming to the north-east belt, Darjeeling and Sikkim are blessed

with well-defined forest trails. What I enjoyed most were the superb views of Kanchenjunga and glimpses of Everest, Lhotsa and Makalu.

If you are seeking for the best of adventure tour in India, I would suggest you to visit trekking sites like Ladakh-Zanskar Via Lahaul, Manali to Beas Kund, Garhwal, Himachal-Manikaran to Spiti, Gangotri Nandvan Trek, Kinner-Kailash Parikrama, Adi Kailash Trek, Hemkund Trek etc. Some of the other popular and long trek routes in India are Bukki to Dokriani Glacier, Bukki to Kheratal, Bukki to Uttarkashi, Uttarkashi to Rishikesh and so on.

Indian high altitude passes offer limitless possibilities for trekking tours,

mountaineering, skiing, and river rafting tours. But trekking is not an adventure activity that anyone can try out. If you are doing it first time then you must take some precautions and guidance of the experts. I will recommend to go for a physical and dental examination before undertaking a trek. Moreover, one should also carry things like UV proof glasses, sunscreen lotion, water bottle etc. during the entire activity.

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