Red FortThe Red Fort, known locally as Lal Quila, is Delhi's
signature attraction, rising high above the clamour of Old Delhi as
a reminder of the wealth and power of the Mogul empire. The massive
sandstone walls were built in the 17th century to keep out
marauding invaders and still dominate the skyline today. Inside are
an array of exquisite buildings, which once provided the living
quarters for Shah Jehan, his courtiers, family and staff of three
thousand. Visitors can marvel at the intricate decoration and only
imagine the scenes here at the empire's height when the walls were
studded with precious stones and a 'stream of paradise' drove an
ingenious air conditioning system. The fort was the scene of the
Indian uprising of 1857 and the mighty Lahore Gate, on the west
side of the fort, remains a potent symbol in the fight for
Independence.Jama MasjidShah Jehan, the architect of the Red Fort and much of
Old Delhi, built Jama Masjid between 1644 and 1656. This grand
structure is situated on a hill a few hundred yards west of the Red
Fort and towers over the mayhem of Old Delhi's sprawling streets.
Jama Masjid is India's largest mosque and can hold 25,000
worshipers at one time. Wide red sandstone steps lead to entrances
on the North, South and East sides of the mosque. Inside is the
massive courtyard dominated by two red and white striped sandstone
minarets that cap the main prayer hall on the west side (facing
Mecca). There are smaller towers at each corner of the mosque;
energetic visitors can climb the 122 narrow steps of the southern
one to be rewarded with magnificent views of Old and New Delhi.
Those wearing shorts or skirts can hire a lunghi to cover their
legs.Qutb MinarThe Qutb Minar is a mammoth tower that was built
between 1193 and 1369 to symbolise Islamic rule over Delhi and
commemorate the victory by Qutab-ud-din over the city's last Hindu
kingdom. Standing 238ft (72m) tall, the tower is decorated with
calligraphy representing verses from the Koran and tapers from a
50ft (15m) diameter at the base to just 8ft (2.5m) at the top.
There are five distinct stories each encircled with a balcony, the
first three are built of red sandstone, and the upper two are faced
with white marble. At the foot of the minhar, stands
Quwwat-ul-Islam, India's oldest mosque, which is built largely from
the remains of 27 Hindu and Jain temples that were destroyed by the
new Muslim rulers of India. The cloisters that flank the nearby
courtyard are supported by pillars that were unmistakably pilfered
from Hindu temples. Faces of the decorative figures have been
removed to conform to Islamic law, which strictly forbids iconic
worship. Incongruously, in the corner of the mosque, stands an Iron
Pillar, bearing fourth-century Sanskrit inscriptions of the Gupta
period attributing it to the memory of King Chandragupta II
(373-413). It is said that anyone who can encircle it with their
hands whilst standing with their back to it will have their wishes
fulfilled.Humayun's TombHumayun's Tomb is one of the best-preserved and
beautiful examples of Mogul architecture in Delhi and is often seen
as a forerunner of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Building started on the
tomb in 1564 after the death of Humayun, the second Moghul emperor;
it was overseen by Haji Begum, his senior widow and the mother of
Akbar. The tomb is an octagonal structure capped by a double dome
that soars 125ft (38m) into the sky and is set in a formal Persian
garden. In the grounds are some other monuments, including the Tomb
of Isa Khan.Rashtrapati BhavanAfter his visit in 1911 the Emperor of India, King
George V of England, decreed that the capital should be moved from
Calcutta to Delhi. Edwin Lutyens was commissioned to plan the new
government centre, which he focused around Rajpath, the grand,
tree-lined boulevard that runs between the Secretariat Buildings
and India Arch, the war memorial built in 1921. Rashtrapati Bhavan
was built by Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, between 1921 and 1929,
on the gentle slope of Raisina Hill, flanked by the Secretariat
Buildings. This immense palace, larger than Versailles, was created
for the Viceroy and is now the residence of the President of India.
With the exception of the central copper dome there are few
concessions to Indian architectural style and despite its classical
columns the building is unmistakably British and, like most great
Indian monuments, is a potent symbol of imperial power. Every
Saturday morning between 9.35am and 10.15am, guards parade before
the iron grille gates in Delhi's answer to London's Changing of the
Guard. The gardens are open to the public every year in February
and March.Chandni ChowkNo trip to Delhi would be complete without a visit to
one of the bazaars that surround Chandni Chowk (Moonlight Square),
in Old Delhi, where shops and stalls display a wonderful array of
goods and offer a pungent and colourful insight into Delhi life.
Chandni Chowk has a large number of galis (lanes) and each one is
different, with their own atmosphere and smells. Naya Bazaar, on
Khari Baoli, is the spice market that displays a wonderful
selection of foodstuff in neat, colourful piles. The nearby
Gadodial Market is the wholesale spice market. Hundreds of spices
and condiments can be found including aniseed, ginger, pomegranate,
saffron, lotus seeds, pickles and chutneys, to name just a few.
Chor Bazaar sits behind the ramparts of the Red Fort and comes to
life on Sundays to trade a collection of 'second hand' goods.
Chawri Bazaar was once notorious for the ladies who beckoned men
from the arched windows and balconies above street. Today, these
houses have made way for shops specialising in brass and copper
Buddhas, Vishnus and Krishnas. Some of the busiest galis house the
poultry and fish markets, east of Kalan Mahal, but most tourists
wisely avoid them.Taj MahalThe Taj Mahal is one of the world's most recognisable
and evocative sights and a visit here does not disappoint. Set
overlooking the River Yamuna, visible from Agra Fort in the West,
the Taj was built by Shah Jahan to enshrine the body of his
favourite wife who died giving birth to her 14th child, in 1631.
This story of this great monument to love is given an added
poignancy by the fate of Shah Jahan himself. When his devout and
austere son Aurangzeb seized power, Shah Jahan was interned in Agra
Fort where he lived out his final years gazing wistfully at the Taj
Mahal in the distance. When he died there in January 1666, with his
daughter Jahanara Begum at his side, his body was carried across
the river to lie alongside his beloved wife in his peerless tomb.
Completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is set in a large walled garden,
between two mini-Tajs (one of which is a mosque), in front of a
long reflective pond. Close up the craftsmanship is as spectacular
as at a distance; the inside of the vast double-dome is inlaid with
verses from the Koran and semi-precious stones. Visitors should aim
to visit it at dawn and dusk when the reflection of the sun changes
the colour of the dome from white to shades of pink. Note that
there can often be smog and fog in the mornings.Agra FortNot far from the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the
important 16th century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort of
Agra. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within
its 1.5 mile-long (2.5km) enclosure walls, the imperial city of the
Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairytale palaces such as the
Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience
halls such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and Sheesh Mahal (The Glass
Palace), which, inlaid with thousands of mirrors was once the harem
dressing room. There are also two beautiful mosques including Shah
Jahan's Pearl Mosque (sadly currently out-of-bounds). The Octagonal
Tower is an exquisitely carved tower where Shah Jahan spent the
last seven years of his life. The tower was considered to provide
one of the best views of the Taj but today the pollution has
reduced the visibility. The tower, and much of the Agra Fort, is in
bad shape but blank spaces and the empty inlay works give an idea
of how this building must have looked in its prime.Amber PalaceSituated on the crest of a hill seven miles north of
Jaipur is Amber, capital of the Kuchwaha Rajputs from 1037 to 1728.
The city-palace is protected by towering outer walls, a further
wall runs for miles along the hills surrounding the palace. For
many, the most memorable part of a trip to Jaipur is the journey up
the palace ramparts, through a succession of vast gates, on the
back of a painted elephant - Maharaja style. Inside are the ruins
of a once great palace, a wonderful example of Rajput architecture,
with Mogul influences. Visitors will be able to see the remains of
the Maharajas quarters surrounded by the rooms of his many wives
and concubines, each linked to his bedroom by secret steps and
passageways to avoid jealousy. Although much of the complex is
closed to the pubic, there is still a large area to explore.
Visitors are advised to spend at least a few hours here and ideally
hire a guide who will explain the architecture and history of the
palace.City PalaceThe magnificent City Palace is in the centre of the
Pink City of Jaipur, enclosed by high walls and set amidst fine
gardens and courtyards. Since Jai Singh built it in 1728 it has
been the principal residence for the Maharajas of Jaipur and the
successive rulers have each added to it. The Palace was built
during the glory days and the exhibits and interior have lost none
of their splendour; the doors and gateways preserve their
flamboyant decoration and royal retainers, clothed in turbans and
full livery, still guard the principal halls and entrances. Chandra
Mahal is the private palace of the current ruler and is approached
through a number of courtyards. Mubarak Mahal, in the first
courtyard, was once a guesthouse and is now a textile museum. There
are number of other museums displaying old costumes and uniforms,
carpets, mementos, elephant 'saddles' and an armoury containing a
fascinating array of fearsome and inventive weapons dating back to
the Mogul era. A beautifully carved marble gate with brass doors
leads to the second courtyard where Diwan-I-Khas, the hall of
private audiences, is found. On display here are two gigantic
silver urns used by Madho Singh II to carry water from the holy
Ganges when he travelled to London in 1902 on board an ocean liner
- he was reluctant to trust the water in the west! These are the
largest silver vessels in the world - 243 kilograms of silver was
required to cast each urn, which can contain 8,182 gallons of
water.Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal)The Palace of the Winds is Jaipur's most acclaimed
attraction. Built in 1799, it is situated on the edge of the City
Palace complex overlooking one of the city's main streets and was
constructed to offer the women of the court a vantage point, behind
stone-carved screens, from which to watch the activity in the
bazaars below. The five-storey building is shaped like a crown
adorning Lord Krishna's head and contains over five hundred finely
screened windows and balconies. The building, however, is smaller
than one might imagine. Although the primary appeal is the finely
carved pink façade, visitors can go inside to see where the women
once sat and view the intricate honeycombed stonework
close-up.City PalaceThe white walls of the City Palace soar above the
peaceful waters of Lake Pichola topped by ornamental battlements
and turrets. The sprawling palace has been developed by successive
maharanas since the foundation of Udaipur in 1559. Part of the
palace is home to the current maharana, a section of it is a
first-class hotel (with the best restaurant in the city) and the
remainder is a museum. The approach to the city palace is through
the Elephant Gate, Hati Pol. The Great Gate, (Bara Pol) leads to
the first court, where eight carved arches mark the spot where the
rulers were once weighed against gold or silver, the equivalent
value of which was then distributed among the poor. Beyond the
Tripolia Gate is the arena where the elephant tug-of-war
competitions were staged, past which are a series of courtyards,
overlapping pavilions, terraces, corridors and hanging gardens. The
Krishna Vilas honours a 19th century Udaipur princess who poisoned
herself to avoid the dilemma of choosing a husband from the two
rival households of Jodhpur and Jaipur. Its walls display miniature
paintings portraying royal processions, festivals and hunting
parties. Further along, a glass mosaic gallery contains superb
portraits and stained glass, and offers a wonderful panoramic view
of the city below. Set into the walls of the 17th century Mor Chowk
are brilliant mosaics of three peacocks showing the three seasons:
summer, winter and monsoon. Perhaps the most splendid rooms in the
palace are the women's quarters, Zenana Mahal, with their ornate
alcoves, balconies and coloured windows.Jain Temples of RanakpurForty miles (60km) north of Udaipur is the Jain
temples of Ranakpur. It is the largest of its kind in India and
boasts some staggering marble work, on a par with any in Asia. The
main temple was built in 1439 and is dedicated to the first
tirthankara Adinath, whose image is enshrined in its central
sanctuary. The temple is two or three storeys high in parts, and
its roof, topped with five large shikharas, undulates with tiny
spires that crown the small shrines to Jain saints lining the
temple walls. Within are 1444 pillars, each sculpted with unique
and intricate designs, and dissecting the 29 halls. The carving on
the walls, columns and the domed ceilings is superb. Friezes
depicting the life of the tirthankara are etched into the walls,
while musicians and dancers have been modelled out of brackets
between the pillars and the ceiling. Visitors may see Jaina monks
walking about with masks on their faces to avoid eating insects;
the most important teaching of Jainism is 'Ahimsa', meaning
non-violence, and this is applied to all sentient beings. Many
monks also carry a brush to sweep surfaces to avoid standing on
bugs. Ranakpur's isolated position means it is not on the major
tourist trail, but it makes a good stop for those travelling
between Jaipur and Udaipur.The GhatsThere are over 100 bathing and burning ghats
(literally 'steps') at Varanasi but the most sacred is the
Manikarnika Ghat, which is the most auspicious place that a Hindu
can be cremated. Outcasts, known as chandal, carry the bodies
through the alleyways of the old city to the sacred Ganges on a
bamboo stretcher swathed in cloth. At the top of the Ghat visitors
will see large piles of firewood, each log will have been weighed
on giant scales to calculate the price of the cremation. Tourists
are welcome to watch the cremations but should dress conservatively
and leave their camera behind. The nearby Dasaswamedh Ghat or the
'ghat of ten sacrificed horses' is said to be the spot where Lord
Brahma made a sacrifice to pave the way for the return of Shiva
after the period of banishment. This is one of the best ghats from
which to take in the riverside activity. Crowds of people
congregate here not only for a ritual bath, but to do yoga, get a
massage, offer blessings, buy flowers, play cricket or do their
karma good by giving money to beggars. It is also a good place to
arrange a dawn boat trip to view the beauty of Varanasi unfold as
the sun rises over the city. Dotted around the ghats are numerous
temples, the highlight being the Golden Temple with its stunning
golden towers.Fort AreaThe magnificent Gothic Victorian buildings in the Fort
area highlight the power and wealth of the British Empire at its
might and are reminiscent of many of the great public buildings in
London or Glasgow. The Victoria Terminus (known as CST), was opened
in 1888 and is one of the world's grandest railway stations, on a
par with New York's Grand Central Station or London's St Pancras.
Built in the Italian Gothic style, it looks more like a lavishly
decorated cathedral than a railway station; massive arches soar
splendidly above the scurrying crowd and carved into the pillars
and buttresses are images of monkeys, peacocks, elephants and
lions. The station is topped by a tall dome crowned with a statue
representing 'Progress'. Nearby, St Thomas' Cathedral was built
between 1672 and 1718 and is witness to almost the entire history
of the British in Bombay. Its whitewashed interior contains
poignant colonial memorials, including one to Henry Robertson
Bower, Lieutenant of the Royal Indian Marine, who lost his life
returning from the South Pole with Captain Scott. The epicentre of
the Fort area is the Horniman Circle, surrounded by curved, arcaded
terraces. The lush and leafy garden in the centre offers a welcome
retreat from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding
city.ColabaThe southernmost peninsula, known as Colaba, is where
most travellers gravitate to as it has a good range of hotels and
restaurants and two of the city's best landmarks, the Gateway to
India and the Taj Mahal Hotel. The Gateway to India was built in
1911 to commemorate the visit to India of King George V and Queen
Mary. The archway is built from honey-coloured basalt in a style
derived from Gujarati architecture of the sixteenth century. In the
days of the steam liner, the Gateway was for many visitors their
first and last sight of India but today it acts purely as a
colourful tourist stop, and attracts hawkers, snake charmers, and
beggars. The neighbouring Taj Mahal Hotel was built in 1902 by JN
Tata, after he was allegedly refused entry to one of the city's
European hotels on account of being 'a native'. It has since turned
into a bit of an institution, and the streets behind it have become
a Mecca for travellers, the Colaba Causeway is the main street with
a melee of street vendors, shops, stalls and cafes. To the north,
set in beautiful lush gardens, is the fascinating Prince of Wales
Museum displaying a collection of ancient and medieval sculpture
and Indian decorative arts, nearby the new National Gallery of
Modern Art showcases Indian modern art. To the south is the Sassoon
Dock, which at dawn becomes an area of intense and pungent activity
as fishing boats arrive to unload their catch.Marine DriveBuilt in the 1920s, Marine Drive runs along the
shoreline of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point to the foot of
Malabar Hill. It is Mumbai's most famous thoroughfare and a
favourite spot for watching the sunset. Lined on the landward side
by a crescent of crumbling Art Deco buildings, it is lit up at
night prompting travel agents to dub it the Queen's Necklace. At
the top end of Marine Drive is Chowpatty Beach, the only beach in
the central part of Mumbai. Though not ideal for sunbathing or
swimming, it is a popular, though hectic place to spend an
afternoon, surrounded by beach traders, entertainers and beggars.
It is the best place to watch the annual Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
(during August/September) when vast models of Lord Ganesha are
immersed into the sea.Crawford MarketThe colourful indoor Crawford Market (Mahatma Jyotiba
Phule Market) is where locals of central Mumbai go shopping for
their fruit, vegetables and (for the brave) meat. Rudyard Kipling
was born just south of the market in 1865 and an ornate fountain
designed by his father, Lockwood Kipling, sits between old fruit
boxes at the market's centre. He also designed the frieze depicting
Indian peasants in wheat fields which hangs above the main
entrance. The animal market at the rear sells everything from
poodles to parrots in small cages. North of the market are the
narrow lanes of Kalbadevi. This predominantly Muslim area is a
seething mass of people and traffic and is the location of several
markets selling jewellery, textiles and leather goods. The most
famous is the Chor Bazaar, Mumbai's 'thieves' market', which sells
'antiques' and miscellaneous junk - don't place too much faith in
authenticity of anything here. This area is also home to the Jama
Masjid and the Mumbadevi Temple, which is dedicated to the patron
goddess of the island's original Koli inhabitants.Anjuna Flea MarketOnce just a backpacker and hippy hangout selling
kaftans and chillums, the Anjuna Flea Market is now more commercial
with a broad range of goods on sale. Traders from all over India
come to sell their wares: Lamani women from Karnataka, dressed in
their traditional garb, sell colourful, elaborately woven clothes,
Kashmiri stalls display silver and papier-mâché boxes and Tibetans
preside over orderly rows of sundry Himalayan curios. Even if not
planning to haggle for anything the market is a great place to
watch the world go by and mingle with bands of musicians, snake
charmers, beggars and the inevitable juggling hippies. The market
takes place every Wednesday.PanajiFor most Panaji is simply a busy bus terminal, however
it is worth spending a few hours exploring this most sedate of
State Capitals. Situated on the southern banks of the Mandovi
River, Panaji only became the capital of Goa in 1843 when the
harbour at Old Goa had silted up and disease had driven its
inhabitants out. The best way to explore the town is by foot,
wandering around the old cobbled alleyways, colonial villas,
red-roofed houses, taverns and cafes, much like any small
Portuguese town. There are some wonderful old government buildings,
some dating to before colonisation and some elegant churches. Most
memorable is the Church of the Immaculate Conception, which was
built in 1541; it is topped with a huge bell that sits between two
delicate Baroque-style towers.Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)Situated on a hilltop at the southern tip of the
state, and India, is Kerala's capital, Thiruvananthapuram (still
commonly known as Trivandrum). For most visitors the capital is
simply a transit point on their way to Kovalam, the popular beach
resort a few miles to the south. However it is worth lingering for
a day in this easy-going city to explore the narrow backstreets,
old gabled houses and parks that break up the modern centre. The
most fascinating part of Trivandrum is the Fort area, around the
Shri Padmanabhaswamy temple (closed to non-Hindus) and Puttan
Malika palace, seat of the Travancore rajas. Some of the palace has
been turned into a museum and displays a collection of heirlooms
and artefacts, however the highlight is the typically understated,
elegant Keralan architecture. Beneath sloping red-tiled roofs,
hundreds of wooden pillars carved into the forms of rampant horses
prop up the eaves, with airy verandas projecting onto the
surrounding lawns. When it gets too hot at sea level, Ponmudi makes
a welcome excursion. This enchanting hill station, tucked away in
the Western Ghats, forty miles to the north of the capital, offers
a lot to travellers with a passion for trekking or those who'd
prefer a gentle wander along narrow, winding pathways, through cool
green, wooded environs and among a variety of beautiful mountain
flowers full of exotic butterflies. The hill resort is surrounded
by tea-estates and mist-covered valleys, peppered with little stone
cottages painted violet, pink and white. Another easy excursion
from Trivandrum is Padmanabhapuram, the site of a magnificent
palace.Kochi (Cochin)The port city of Kochi (long known as Cochin) is
located on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas half way up
the Goan coast. The majority of tourists stay in the Ernakulam
district but the old section of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin is the
main focus of interest. All linked by a series of ferries and
bridges, these districts are an unlikely blend of medieval
Portuguese, Dutch and English architecture. Near the waterfront are
St Francis Church (India's oldest), a 16th century Portuguese
palace and a synagogue dating back 450 years. Set among all this is
spice markets and a village green that could have been transported
from rural England. The architecture follows the history of
European influence. Kochi came to prominence in 1405 when the royal
family moved here and the city became an important harbour
attracting Christian, Jewish and Arab settlers from the Middle
East. The Portuguese arrived in the early 16th century, followed by
the Dutch and later the English. One of Kochi's main attractions is
the Kathakali dance, which can be seen at one of many special
tourist theatres, or, more authentically one performed by a
temple-based company. The best way to explore the town is on
bicycle, which can be hired from a number of
companies.Old GoaOld Goa was the State Capital until 1843 when it moved
down river to Panaji. Once a byword for splendour, with a
population of several hundred thousand, Old Goa was virtually
abandoned from the 17th century as the river silted up and a series
of malaria and cholera epidemics drove out the inhabitants. It
takes some imagination to picture the once-great capital as it used
to be. The maze of twisting streets, piazzas and grand Portuguese
villas have long gone; all that remains are a score of
extraordinarily grandiose churches and convents. Old Goa has been
declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and today is the state's
main cultural attraction. Tourists come here from the beach resorts
to admire the massive facades and beautiful interiors of the
well-preserved churches. The Tuscan St Catherine's Cathedral is the
largest church in India and took eighty years to build, finally
being consecrated in 1640. The scale and detail of the
Corinthian-style interior is overwhelming; huge pillars divide the
central nave from the side aisles, and no less than fifteen altars
are arranged around the walls. An altar to St Anne treasures the
relics of the Blessed Martyrs of Cuncolim, whose failed mission to
convert the Moghul emperor Akbar culminated in their murder, while
a chapel behind a highly detailed screen holds the Miraculous
Cross, which stood in a Goan village until a vision of Christ
appeared on it. Said to heal the sick, it is now kept in a box; a
small opening on the side allows devotees to touch it. Other sights
worth seeing include the Arch of the Viceroys, built in 1597 to
commemorate Vasco da Gama's arrival in India, and the distinctive
domed Church of St Cajetan (1651), modelled on St Peter's in Rome.
Old Goa is a major draw for Christian pilgrims from all over India
who come to visit the tomb of St Francis Xavier, the renowned
sixteenth-century missionary whose remains are enshrined in the
Basilica of Bom Jesus.Periyar Wildlife SanctuarySituated in the Cardamom hills region of the Western
Ghats, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular
wildlife reserves in India. It is home to a great variety of game
including elephant, sambar, wild pig, mongoose, the Malabar flying
squirrel and almost 300 species of bird. Leopards and dwindling
numbers of tigers are also here but are rarely glimpsed by
visitors. The park lies 75 miles southeast of Cochin at cool
altitudes, between 900 - 1800m. Ironically the park was created by
the royal family of Travancor to preserve their favourite hunting
grounds from the encroachment of tea plantations, and centres on a
vast artificial lake that was created by the British in 1895 to
supply water to the drier parts of the state. Most people view
Periyar from the lake, however many visitors prefer to explore by
foot. Local guides take small groups on treks of various lengths,
however visitors should avoid the weeks immediately following the
monsoon, when leeches make hiking virtually unbearable. The best
time to visit is from December to April, when the dry weather draws
animals from the forest to drink at the lakeside. Periyar is also a
good base for day-trips to visit the local tea and spice
plantations, and see the waterfalls and views within the Cardamom
hills.The Backwaters of KeralaOne of the most memorable experiences for travellers
in Kerala is a boat journey on the backwaters of Kerala. The best
known is the area known as Kuttanad, situated between the hills in
the west and the Arabian Sea, stretching for 50 miles south of
Cochin. This extraordinary maze of rivers, lakes, canals and
estuaries is lined with dense tropical greenery, and reveals a
Keralan lifestyle that is totally hidden from the road. Boats are
the only way to explore this area, billed as Kaleidoscope Kerala,
where views change around every bend; narrow tree covered canals
open into dazzling vistas of paddy fields, and through the trees
can be seen churches, mosques and temples, and small farms and
villages which remain almost untouched by the modern world.
Buffalos are used for ploughing the fields and women bathe and wash
their clothes in the rivers. Roads do cross this area but are
almost entirely linked by manually operated ferries rather than
bridges. Kingfishers, cormorants and fish eagles compete with
fisherman in rowing boats for the dwindling fish population; a
massive increase in the population has resulted in much illegal
land reclamation and use of harmful fertilisers, which have damaged
the ecosystem.Fatehpur SikriThe deserted city Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of
the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1585. It was built under the
personal supervision of the Emperor Akbar; he was childless and,
having tried all sorts of solutions to his plight, visited a Sufi
saint, Sheikh Salim Chishti, for help. Soon a son was born and,
impressed and overjoyed, he started building on the site where he
had met the saint. However due to a severe shortage of water the
city was abandoned after only fifteen years and the capital was
relocated back to Agra. As a result Fatehpur Sikri stands untouched
and perfectly preserved; a complete medieval fortress of red
sandstone, with vast central squares, exquisitely carved
multi-tiered pavilions, cool terraces and formal gardens. Fatehpur
Sikri is a 25 mile (40km) journey west of Agra, on the way to
Jaipur.Haji Ali DargahThe Haji Ali Dargah is both a mosque and tomb located
in south-western Mumbai on an islet off the coast of Worli. The
dargah (tomb) was built in memory of Muslim preacher, Syed Peer
Haji Ali Shah Bukhari in 1431, who was inspired to change the
course of his life after embarking on the Hajj to Mecca. Haji Ali
is only accessible by a 1500-foot (457 metre) long walkway during
low tide and Thursdays and Fridays see thousands of pilgrims
flocking to Haji Ali to receive blessings from the dead
saint.Nehru CentreThe exciting Nehru centre, which looks like a UFO,
features a planetarium, an art gallery, a culture wing and a
discovery centre which features 14 galleries highlighting human
sciences and the evolution of man. The Discovery of India building,
which looks like a honeycomb, features historical exhibits and is
bound to captivate all who visit.Prince of Wales MuseumThe Prince of Wales Museum, now known as the
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya was founded in the
early 20th century to commemorate the visit of the then Prince of
Wales. The museum houses over 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian
history as well as artefacts from other lands, pertaining to art,
archaeology or natural history.Mani Bhavan Ghandi museumThe former home of Mahatma Gandhi, the Mani Bhavan
Ghandi Museum is a Gujarati-style house featuring three floors for
visitors to explore. The museum houses a library full of
Gandhi-related works, photographs, posters and even Gandhi's old
charkha (spinning wheel).Dhobi GhatKnown as the world's largest Laundromat, the Dhobi
Ghat is a scene many travellers might have already seen in movies.
Every day, thousands of 'dhobis' collect dirty laundry and descend
upon the concrete washing areas, all fitted with their own flogging
stones, to wash the garments. To the dhobis themselves, the washing
and drying of clothes is their daily work, but to inquisitive
tourists, this practise is fascinating.Elephanta CavesLocated on Elephanta Island in the Arabian Sea off the
coast of Mumbai, the Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and an absolute must for visitors in Dubai. The caves feature
Shaivistic (the oldest of the four sects of Hindusm) stone
sculptures of Hindu deities important to worshipers of Shiva. Many
of the sculptures in the caves were unfortunately defaced by the
Portuguese who, in the 17th century, used the sculptures as target
practice.TitwalaLocated around 46 miles (75km) outside of Mumbai,
Titwala is a sacred and ancient town which is home to one of the
most respected temples of Ganesha. The Siddhivinayaka Temple in
Titwala is also located here and is a highly popular temple with
Pilgrims flooding in lakhs here on the Holy Hindu day of 'Angarika
Chaturthi'. A visit to this religious and sacred town is a must for
all culture vultures and anyone with an interest in
Hinduism.
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Main Locations:
| Delhi |
Flight Shops in India
Great India Place Mall, Noida
Shop No-164, First Floor,
Sector 38A Noida
Call
0120 422 7951-58
or
email
City Square Mall, Rajouri
UGF-09 City Square Mall,
Raja Garden New Delhi
Call
011 4351 3720-26
or
email
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