| Visiting India for the first time and really | | | | may force you to cross your limits). For |
| don't have much time to explore the entire | | | | those looking for sovenirs, the state |
| country? Wish to see the best of the country | | | | emporiums are the best place. |
| within the time you have? Well, the Golden | | | | |
| Triangle is just the right choice for you. | | | | Agra, the second of the three cities of |
| The Golden Triangle is not city, as you will | | | | Golden Triangle, is not as big as Delhi, nor |
| instantly understand. Rather it comprises | | | | does it have as many attractions as the |
| three cities that lie pretty close to each | | | | capital city. But as a matter of fact, the |
| other and preserve some of the best tourist | | | | number of tourists to this city is comparable |
| attractions of India. | | | | and sometimes even more than that of Delhi. |
| | | | The sole reason for this is the Taj Mahal. |
| The first of these cities is Delhi, the | | | | Recently voted amongst the seven wonders of |
| capital city of India. Its easy accessibility | | | | the world, the Taj Mahal stands for the |
| from most part of the world makes it one of | | | | immortal love of the Mughal emperor, Shah |
| the most visited cities in the country. | | | | Jahan, for his wife, Mumtaj Mahal. The white |
| Tourists land up at the Indira Gandhi | | | | marble monument appears to be different at |
| International airport of Delhi and proceed on | | | | different point of time in a day but it is |
| their journey to discover the rest of India. | | | | best visited during sunrise and sunset. Agra |
| Exploring Delhi is like exploring India for | | | | Fort and Fathepur Sikri, two of other |
| this is a city that draws people from all | | | | reminders of Mughal era also attract tourists |
| over India. The reasons for their coming to | | | | to Agra. |
| Delhi may be different - education, career, | | | | |
| better living or just holiday - but the | | | | Jaipur, the third of of the Golden Triangle |
| outcome is something you will love. These | | | | trio, is the capital city of Rajasthan, the |
| people from different parts of the country | | | | land of Rajputs. The city is also known as |
| follow their own customs and traditions | | | | the pink city because of the numerous pink |
| despite living in Delhi and therefore give | | | | houses in older part of Jaipur. The royal |
| you an opportunity to see and enjoy different | | | | legacy of the city reflects in the |
| cultures - all in one city. So you get to see | | | | magnificent City Palace, the majestic Amber |
| Biharis celebrating their chhatt with as much | | | | Fort and the crown shaped Hawa Mahal. Apart |
| enthusiasm as the Bengalis celebrate Durga | | | | from this, there is also Jantar Mantar, a |
| puja, the Gujaratis dandiyas and the Punjabis | | | | stone observatory that despite being a part |
| Lohri. | | | | of the City Palace holds a distinct charm of |
| | | | its own. Staying in the heritage hotels of |
| These festivals, however, are celebrated on | | | | Jaipur is what makes a visit to the city even |
| specific dates, for the rest of the year it | | | | special. These hotels were used by the royal |
| is the other attractions, or should we say | | | | maharajas of Rajasthan in earlier days, |
| the attractions in stone that keep the | | | | however today, they have been opened up for |
| tourists busy. The monuments of Delhi are | | | | the general public as well. Guests have to |
| reminders of its glorious past. The Red Fort, | | | | pay a bit more to stay here but the stay is |
| Jama Masjid, the Humayun's Tomb are reminders | | | | so special that you will not mind parting |
| of the Mughal era while Rashtrapati Bhavan, | | | | with few extra bucks. Hotel Rambagh Palace, |
| Parliament House and India Gate are reminders | | | | Hotel Man Singh Palace and Hotel Raj Vilas |
| of the British era. Apart from this, there | | | | are few of them. |
| are also places that can be visited by those | | | | |
| looking for peace and spirituality. The | | | | The three cities can be visited by tourists |
| Akshardham Temple and the Lotus temple are | | | | on their own. You can simply reach Delhi, |
| examples of this. | | | | hire a cab and then move to Agra and Jaipur. |
| | | | The approximate distance of Agra from Delhi |
| Shopping in Delhi is a delight and here I am | | | | is 200 kms while that of Jaipur from Agra is |
| not talking about branded items that you can | | | | 235 km. Delhi is 250 km from Jaipur. For |
| get in any part of the world. What I actually | | | | those not very sure of moving alone, can |
| mean is that Delhi gives you a shopping | | | | contact travel agents and request them to |
| experience like never before. Shopping | | | | organise a trip as per their own |
| destinations have their own specialities. For | | | | requirements. As for the number of days |
| example, those looking for relatively cheaper | | | | required to explore the three cities, just |
| items can just go to markets of Lajpat, Karol | | | | keep atleast 5 days in hand. A quick trip can |
| Bagh, Sarojini and Janpath. These are places | | | | be made in a shorter duration but that will |
| where you will see a variety of items being | | | | not allow you to explore in a exhaustive way. |
| sold at a cost that doesn't weigh too heavily | | | | Moreover the trip might end up being a tiring |
| on your budget (however, the sheer variety | | | | one as well. |