"After all, one of the seven wonders in the world. It does not need my certificate!"
Written on : 26-February-2016
Visted During : December 2015
Some more Information
There are a number of Leather showrooms and Agra is famous for export of leather products. But, it is really really hard to find who is genuine and who is not. Do not fall into the trap of demo by lighting a cigarlight into the jacket. There are government approved guides and others too. But, hire a guide if you are visiting for the first time. It is good to know about Taj and the Fort while visiting. You will be able to appreciate it more when guide explains the specialities.
My Experience and Opinion
As a traveller, I was eager to visit Agra from long time. I had missed visiting Agra during my last year's (2015) North India trip. Being in India, not visiting the only one of 7 wonders of the world was haunting me from long. So, this time decided to visit Agra at any cost and luckily could fit this in our plan. After visiting some wonderful during the trip, we headed to Agra from Delhi as our last destination for the trip. With that, we ended our trip on a good note. Everyone of us were happy to the contentment of our heart.
The previous evening of travelling to Agra, we were in Delhi. We visited Karol Bhag and in the evening went to Akshardham. Our driver was totally pissed off with us for being late to come back from Akshardham. But, we were cool since we knew he will also be cool in some time. Finally in a while we hit the Yamuna Express highway and drive in that road itself is a delight. But, our driver being a very strict guy, never crossed 100kmph. Yet, the drive was good. Reached Agra by 11 and had dinner, and had a good sleep!
Be informed that the water in Agra is pathetic and even if you wish, it is hard to get some lather. The water is very hard. Had no other option than taking bath in that hard water itself. By then, our driver had arranged some guide even without asking us. Since he was very good in all other aspects, we had to accept some of his nuisance like these.
For all South Indians who want to visit Agra, there are 3 Udupi Hotels. Dont miss to go there. It is a different level of happiness to get some authentic South Indian food in North India.
After our breakfast in one of the Udupi Hotels, we headed to The Taj Mahal. It was already crowded by 10.00 am and our so called guide bought ticket for us and took us inside. It is better to avoid any kind of luggage while going to Taj Mahal since there will be a security check and it is hard to bypass them. Carry only mobile phones and camera
Before entering Taj, buy shoe cover which is sold for some INR 10. You need to wear shoe cover or keep the shoes away while entering the Taj since they have made it mandatory in order to keep it clean. Our guide explained a few things about Taj Mahal which probably we would not have noticed if he was not there. If you are not hiring a guide, then do not miss to pass light through the marbles of Taj Mahal to see the transparency of the white marble present. art work in Taj Mahal is something that cannot be explained in a few words. A lot of work has gone in to make it beautiful and today, a lot of effort is going in to maintain it. When we visited, cleaning activity was going on to clean 2 of the pillars.
Getting a photo in Taj Mahal without any junk is very difficult. There will be thousands of people and hence it is almost impossible to get an angle where there are no people. We clicked some typical Indians' pose just as a mockery. Those photos are funny and we look like any other Idiot who poses that way. We saw some extreme poses there where some guy was trying to get a pic which looks like as if he is kissing the peak of Taj Mahal. It was fun to watch such people there.
Shopping in Agra
After Taj Mahal, we went for some shopping to buy leather wears since Agra is famous for that. People do lot of gimmik and we were fed up of judging if they were genuine or not. Finally even at the end of the day, we did not buy any. Just bought some Agra Petha (Do not miss buying different flavours like Butterscotch,pan etc.)
Agra Fort
Agra Fort is similar to most other forts in North India and if you have not visited to any, then this probably will fall into must visit ones. Its vast and from one point, you can see the Taj Mahal. But due to pollution, the view is not clear and I feel sad for what Agra and Delhi have become in past couple of years! Agra Fort is where Shah Jahan was kept captive by his son and the fort has a lot of History.
And Final few hours of our Trip...
After seeing the Agra Fort, again we started hunting for leather wears and finally failed to get any. Some of us bought the "Taj Mahal" model made of Marbal from Agra as a memory. Had our dinner again in a Udupi hotel and left to Delhi with lot of memories. Our flight was scheduled at 6am and we reached Delhi Airport at 2.00am. Gave a big hug to our driver, finished the settlement part, gave him the tips and bid good bye to him.
Photos
Taj Mahal Main Enterance
The Art work in the walls is something which us amazed!
A pic every group would take here
Agra Fort
Agra Fort Architecture. Very less Mughalian style here.
Agra Fort - Similar Art work like Taj Mahal
The Most Important asset while travelling - Google Maps
