The Golden Triangle is a famous tourist circuit in India, including three major cities – Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
I was very impressed with Thailand and enjoyed it immensely, except for the weather. But India is a whole other ball game- it is truly unique. This is the perfect time of year as the weather is ideal.
Louise was a little reluctant initially, but I told her about the Taj Mahal, and she was all in. Once I arranged for a driver, it became too much driving. It also meant four nights in four different places.
Jaipur, a UNESCO heritage site, was our first stop along The Gold Triangle.
According to TripAdvisor’s 2015 Traveller’s Choice Awards for Destination, Jaipur ranked 1st among the Indian destinations for the year. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, India, is recognized for its beautiful architecture, vibrant culture, and rich history.
It is known as the Pink City due to the painting of the buildings. During the rule of Sawai Ram Singh I, the city was painted pink to welcome HRH Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII, Emperor of India), in 1876. Many avenues remain painted pink, giving Jaipur a distinctive appearance and the epithet of Pink City.
Hawa Mahal is a five-storey pyramidal facade that rises 15 metres (50 ft) from its high base. It was built over the swamis, so the women could look out and see what was happening on the streets below. This iconic structure is also known as the Palace of Winds and is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Jaipur. This beautiful palace was built in 1799 and has 953 small windows decorated with intricate latticework, or ‘jharokhas,’ that allow cool air to circulate through the palace. This beautiful palace was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.
The Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory built in the early 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a collection of 19 astronomical instruments.
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The Golden Triangle on our way to Agra.
It was then time to drive to Agra. Around Dausa, an hour and a half later, we made a short tomorrow to see the Chand Baori Step Well.
Located in the village of Abhaneri in the Indian state of Rajasthan, Chand Baoriis one of India’s deepest and largest step wells, with 3,500 narrow steps arranged in a geometrical pattern leading down to the water level. The stepwell was built during the 8th and 9th centuries by King Chanda of the Chauhan Dynasty and is named after him. The stepwell is about 30 meters deep, and the geometric pattern of the steps creates an optical illusion, making it appear as though the steps are never-ending.
The stepwell was used for water storage and as a gathering place for the locals, who would come here to escape the scorching heat during the summers. The intricate carvings and architecture of the stepwell are a testament to the excellent craftsmanship of the artisans of the time. The walls of the stepwell are lined with several small niches, which were used to house oil lamps, making the stepwell an enchanting sight in the evenings.
We ended at Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage. It’Sites located just outside Agra, and we arrived just before sunset. Our driver had arranged for a guide to take us through the area and explain the importance of the temple.
Fatehpur Sikri is a historical city in the Agra district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It was founded in 1569 by the Mughal emperor Akbar, and it served as the capital of the Mughal Empire for around 15 years before being abandoned due to water shortages.
The city was constructed using red sandstone and showcased a unique blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles. The city has several notable buildings and monuments, including the Jama Masjid, Buland Darwaza, and the Panch Mahal.
The Jama Masjid is a mosque in the center of Fatehpur Sikri, one of India’s largest mosques. It was built by Akbar in honour of the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, who had predicted the birth of Akbar’s son, Jahangir. The mosque is known for its intricate marble carvings and ornate domes.
The Buland Darwaza is a massive gate at the Jama Masjid’s entrance. It was built by Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat, and it is one of India’s tallest and grandest gates. The gate is 54 meters high and is adorned with intricate carvings and calligraphy.
The Panch Mahal is a five-story palace located near the Jama Masjid. It was built by Akbar for his harem and is known for its unique architecture, with each level becoming progressively smaller than the one below it.
Tomorrow we will visit the Taj Mahal, and it is hard for me to imagine that the day will be more impressive than today.
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