As a travel junkie, I am always looking for a quick and fun getaway from Delhi. This time I decided to explore Agra with my parents. A beautiful drive, courtesy of the Taj expressway and a luxury stay at the Radisson Hotel Agra.
Delhi to Agra – 3 hours approx.
Radisson Hotel – around Rs. 4000 for 2 people
A Mughal marvel, an architects dream and a romantics vision, Agra brings to life one of the wonders of the world. And naturally our First stop is none other than the majestic and breath-taking Taj. Makes you wonder about the determination, vision and emotions involved. Personally, I am all about the feels and the Taj hits the spot of eternal love.
While we had our share of being touristy and clicking pictures up close and personal with the Taj, we decided to take a step back and appreciate the wonders of human imagination. Removed from the bustling crowd, we saw the white marble and imagined how it must have stood atop the banks of the river, a single monolith, a testament to love.
Pro Tip: Do visit the moon garden also known as Mehtab Bagh for a picturesque sunset view point of the Taj.
Agra Fort
Our love for history, relics and architecture makes our bond even stronger. A girls day spent exclusively doing what we love doing, exploring and spending time with each other. One of the first tourists at Agra Fort, we managed to reach early in the morning to avoid both the heat and the crowds. Taking our time walking through rooms and gardens, a day spent just the two of us after ages. Consider hiring a guide, if you are interested in learning about the tales, myths and beliefs.
In our minds we live in a fantasy world, given a chance, we would have been born as Disney princesses but alas we made do with pretending to be living as princesses in the palace. The white marble rooms made for both winter and summer seasons, overlooking the Taj and intricate water features only made our current house seem extremely basic. C'est la vie.
Fatehpur Sikri
A quick half-day trip to Fatehpur and Sikri will complete the essentials of your visit to Agra. Although there are plenty of hidden architectural marvels, Fatehpur and the Jama Masjid are a must visit. A mere residence of Akbar and his three wives, Fatehpur is much like other architectural wonders, a beauty of design and symmetry.
One of the most popular and famous dargah, Jama Masjid houses the tomb of Sufi Saint Salim Chisti. Believer or not you can pray and provide offerings to the saint and hope for miracles.
Sikandra
A quaint town with one of the most beautiful and biggest tomb, Sikandra is the resting place of none other than emperor Akbar. Reliefs of varied religions are depicted on stone and marble carvings as an ode to his belief and incorporation of elements from various religions. Spend an hour here, walk around the gardens and marvel at the architectural mysteries.
Why are vacations extremely short? If only life could be a series of trips! This one came to an end, time to plan the next and dream about the one after. Always looking for suggestions, so keep them coming in my DMs. Much love!