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