Jaipur City Tour

Rajasthan is one such place that has always been my center of attraction. The land of raja-maharajas takes me to the memories of royal past. Assailed by my desire to explore this wonderful destination, we, a group of four friends, embarked on Rajasthan Heritage Tour.

The peaceful destination of India with rippling sand dunes, vibrant culture, majestic forts, heritage palace and varied wild life make Rajasthan altogether a place to visit. As we were moving ahead to visit some magnificent palaces of Rajasthan, we felt ourselves going back in time of Kings.

The wonderful architecture, the beautiful interior of the massive forts reflect the great architectural heritage. Different types of carving, paintings and inscriptions are the real wealth of this princely state. Our Rajasthan Heritage Tour took us to explore the ruins of the desert land of Rajasthan. All the regions have several magnificent forts and palaces.

During my tour, following forts and palaces became a part of my exploration in Rajasthan:

Amber Fort (Jaipur):

This sprawling fort in Jaipur is a classic example of Rajput architecture style. The stern exterior, mighty gates, huge ornate halls, well-built pavilions and beautiful gardens, this is what Amber Fort is all about. The most exciting thing that we enjoyed there was, Elephant Ride.

Hawa Mahal (Jaipur):

This pyramid-shaped monument is popularly known as ‘Palace of Winds.’ There are 953 small windows in which the gentle wind circulates and that is the reason behind it is given the name. Climbing to the top of Hawa Mahal offers an excellent view of the city.

City Palace (Udaipur):

Built by Maharaja Udai Singh, City Palace is situated in Udaipur. There are varied massive gates to lead the palace through elephant gate or hathi pol. From the balcony of this fort, Jag Niwas can be seen. Owing to its cultural and natural beauty, this palace is famous across the country.

Umaid Bhawan Palace (Jodhpur):

Located on Chittar hill, this palace has been constructed with sandstone. Some part of Umaid Bhawan has also changed into museum and hotels. The influence of western and eastern architecture can be seen in the architecture of this palace.

Chittorgarh Fort (Chittorgarh):

Located on a high hill near the Gambheri river, this massive fort covers an area of 700 acres. Its well-built palaces, huge towers and majestic cenotaphs add to the beauty of this palace. Having a colossal structure, the fort boasts a long story of courage, chivalry, romance and sacrifice.

Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur):

It is one of the largest forts of India, boasting of its imposing structure with massive walls which still stand undeterred. Located at a staggering height of 400 feet on a high hill, this amazing fort is really an architectural wonder.

The unmatched beauty, elegance and royal structures of these monuments of Rajasthan make it a place worth to visit.

Rajasthan is a land suitable for all types of tour prorgarmme. If you wish to go for adventure tour and wildlife, it has options like Ranthambhore National Park and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

Enriched with historical palaces, Rajasthan has too many options to go for a historic Rajasthan tour.

Last but not the least, Romantic Rajasthan Tour takes you to the most exotic destinations for a truly romantic experience. You can visit Chokhi Dhani which is an ethnic village resort offers you to stay in a traditional Rajasthani style amidst all the modern amenities. Staying in heritage hotels and spending the whole day with your beloved amidst luxury and comfort will be a unique experience.

At last, we decided to go for a camel safari. It’s the best way to explore Rajasthan. After spending quality time in the wonderful Rajasthan, we came back to Delhi with delightful memories of the tour.

Jaisalmer Fort

Day 5 – Jaisalmer, A Sandy Desert

Our next halt was in Jaisalmer, which lies in the heart of  Thar desert. It was founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 AD. Traveling by palace-on-wheels enabled us to admire the majestic forts, the  ancient havelis and the rich culture of Jaisalmer.

Our first stoppage was made at the massive Jaisalmer fort. This fort is  renowned for being the second largest fort in Rajasthan. Beautifully adorned with exquisite architecture, the fort offers a spectacular view of the desert below.

After that, we got to see some of the finest examples of stone architecture through The Nathmalji-ki-haveli, Salim Singh-ki-haveli and Patwon-ki-haveli. All of them showcase the outstanding craftsmanship of the skilled stone carvers.

Nearby there is a Government-run emporium where we stopped for some shopping. This emporium has something for everyone. We had our lunch and rest for sometime, while some tourists enjoyed shopping. The popular shopping items include pattu shawls, wooden boxes, trinkets, silver jewellery, mirror work and embroidered articles.

After lunch, we decided to go for camel ride on the sand dunes of amazing Sam. It was really exciting and enjoyable too. We enjoyed the dinner with the cultural porgramme and at night, the train left for Jodhpur.

Day 6 – Jodhpur, the second largest city of Rajasthan

Jodhpur City

Next morning, we were in Jodhpur, the sun city of Rajasthan. We were amazed to see the mesmerizing landscapes and magnificent monuments. As we entered the Mehrangarh Fort, we could realize how rich India was in its architecture. The guide told us that it was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459. We visited the palaces, museum and galleries of this majestic fort. Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana are some remarkable examples of architectural excellence.

Near the fort, Jaswant Thada lies with a group of royal cenotaphs, carved out of white marble.

We relished our lunch at Palace hotel and then planned for shopping. While shopping in Jodhpur, we come across some exquisite handicraft items such as metal curios, silverware, paintings, embroidered shoes and tie and dye fabrics. Thinking of the marvel of architecture that we saw in Jodhpur, we returned to the train.

Day 7 – Bharatpur / Agra

Bharatpur – A Beautiful City

After bidding good-bye to Jodhpur,  the Palace on Wheels arrived at Bharatpur in the morning. The city is an avian paradise. We heard a lot about the bird sanctuary in Bharatpur and after breakfast, we were there. Known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the sanctuary is a nesting place for thousands of Egrets, migratory Water Fowl, Siberian Cranes and many other species of birds.

We also had enjoyed there the park trails by walk and then left for Bharatpur Palace.

Bharatpur Palace is the another attraction of the city. This palace is a fusion of the Mughal and Rajput art which has now become a museum presenting collections dating back to the second century AD. We had our lunch and headed towards Agra.

Agra- The City of Architectural Marvel

Upon arrival, we left for the famous Agra Fort. We all were eagerly waiting to visit  Taj Mahal which is known as one of the seven wonders of the world. It was as marvellous as we had heard. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Taj Mahal is truly an architectural wonder. Agra is also known for its outstanding marble inlay work such as the Pietra Dura work on the Taj, leather goods and jewellery items.

Day 8: Back to Delhi

In the late evening we left for Delhi. Upon arrival at Safdarjung Railway station, we had breakfast on board. Collecting the pleasant memories of the wonderful week, we came back. It was indeed a lifetime experience.

India, the kaleidoscopic land is known throughout the world for its unique cultural, natural, regional, religious and geographical diversities. I always dreamed to explore incredible beauty of India in a royal manner. I have heard and read about this mesmerizing land several times which inflamed my curiosity of India visit. Basically I belong from Australia so I have planned my India tour during vacations and fortnight Christmas vacation was the most ideal time.

After lot of internet surfing I decided that Palace on Wheel Train Tour is the most royal and regal way to explore enchanting and heritage destinations of India. This train tour is the best way to feel the glory of Indian royalty and experience the interwoven charm of India scenic beauty and cultural heritage.

While booking Palace on Wheel train tour I contacted several India tour operators but the most affordable rate was provided to me by the Caper Travel Company Pvt. Ltd. I with my wife arrived Delhi a night before our luxurious journey was to begin. On the morning via complementary taxis courtesy of the Taj we reached the Delhi cantonment station where we have to embark our journey.

When we arrived the station we were received by the attendants of Palace of Wheel (POW). They garland us and apply the large red mark on our foreheads. This is a way in Indian culture to welcome guests.

Palace on Wheels is the epitome of luxury and comfort which beckons you to travel back in time to the era of raja-maharajas. It is one of the most luxurious trains in the world reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan. This train was once the personal railway coaches of the Maharajas of the princely states of Rajasthan, Gujrat and the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Every Wednesday, from September to April, 14 carriages Palace on Wheel leave New Delhi and make their way westwards into the deserted land of Rajasthan. The enchanting journey of 7 nights/ 8 days covers Jaipur (the Pink city), Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ramthambhor National Park, Chittorgarh, Udaipur (the city of Lakes), the Bharatpur bird sanctuary and the symbol of love and romance, Agra, before returning to Delhi, the capital of India.

The 14 air-conditioned saloons of this train are equipped with all the facilities to ensure a comfortable time in the train. The elegant furnishings are specially created to appease the travellers with an imperial feel. I like everything at the first glance. The lounge is nice and cozy, and the cabin too. Here we met our cabin stewards Hari Nath and Sambhu. These guys will be at our service for the entire 7 days. Sambhu provides us all the basic information about this train and its time table. He narrated it so nicely that we don’t required to ask again regarding anything.

The Maharaja and the Maharani are the two restaurant where you can gorge on a variety of Rajasthani, Indian, Continental and Chinese dishes. There is a bar too where you can taste several Indian and International alcohol brands.

Day 2 – Jaipur
The highlight of today is the sprawling Amber fort and palace complex which is reached by a twenty minute elephant ride through a cobblestones and snaky pathways. It was the thrilling ride which gave us a majestic feeling of royalty. The fort is the architectural splendor made up of white marble and red sandstone. Maharaja Man Singh constructed this fort by combining the Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. This fort is known worldwide for its architectural beauty, exterior as well as interior decorations, frescoes, paintings and murals based on various themes. Intricate carvings, mosaic work and minute mirror work are the most charismatic features of this imposing structure. The other captivating chambers of this fort are Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas, Diwan-e-Aam and Ganesh Pol which will surely leaves you spellbound.

Other such arresting historic establishments which I visited in Jaipur were:

City Palace

Once the abode of the erstwhile rulers, City Palace is an outstanding architectural piece reflecting a perfect blend of the traditional Rajasthani and Mughal style of architecture. Done to perfection, the interiors of the palace are adorned with mesmerizing mirror work and beautiful paintings. The courtyards, gardens and structures of the Palace have their own unique charm. Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza is the fabulous gateway of the palace which is adorned with stone elephants. The other well known attractions of this fort are Mubarak Mahal, Diwan-I-Khas, Diwan-I-Aam, Chandra Mahal, Chavi Nivas, Badal Maha Shobha Nivas.

Jantar Mantar

This is among the five astronomical observatories of India which was constructed by Maharajah Jai Singh II in between 1727 to 1734. It was used for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits and determining the celestial altitudes of various heavenly bodies. The grand construction of this structure will surely a true feast for visitors eye.
Soon I will share my Day 3: Sawai Madhopur …

A trip to Jaipur was tantamount to a journey back in time to the era of raja-maharajas. This princely city is one of the most famous tourist destinations of Rajasthan. It boasts of rich history and culture which beautifully reflects in its attractions. It is frequented by many tourists throughout the year. Most of the city is painted in pink which gives this city the title ‘Pink City’. This city boasts of amazing attractions like stunning palaces, majestic forts, monuments, heritage hotels, gardens, handicrafts, cuisine and precious and semi-precious stone.

One of the striking features about Jaipur is that it was constructed on the principles of Vastu Shastra. Which is a traditional Hindu system of design based on directional alignments. This royal destination is also a part of the famous Golden Triangle Tour of India. The other two destinations covered under this tour are Agra and Delhi. Jaipur was established in the year 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II. He built this city in the form of a nine-part Mandala known as the Pithapada. Here nine signifies the nine planets of the ancient astrological zodiac.

Attractions of Jaipur

Jaipur Palaces

The palace of Jaipur are renowned the world over for their architectural beauty, stunning interiors and glorious history. Most of the palaces of the city have been converted into heritage hotels to offer royalty to tourists. The palaces house the museums where a wide variety of royal belongings are on display. The City palace and Hawa Mahal are the most famous palaces of Jaipur.

Jaipur Forts

Testimony to the glorious history of the city, the forts are amazing attractions. Amber Fort is a must-visit destination of jaipur. Built in 1592, this fort boasts of exquisite carvings, huge courtyards, beautiful mosaic work and mirror work. The fort is located on a hill and can be reached by an elephant ride.

Jaipur Wildlife

Located just a few kilometres from Jaipur is the famous Ranthambore National Park. This park is famous for its tigers and a wide variety of other wildlife. Several bird species are also spotted here. The park also has a historic fort called Ranthambore Fort.

Jaipur tour is incomplete without going on a shopping spree in its colourful markets. The famous handicrafts of Jaipur are blue pottery, embroidered juttis, tie and dye fabric, precious and semi-precious stones, silver jewellery, miniature paintings and leather crafts.

Uttaranchal is a wonderful tourist destination of North India where tourists come from across the globe. It is a land of mountain beauty and adventure sports activities. This land is affectionately dubbed as ‘Dev Bhumi’. It is endowed with sheer natural beauty and salubrious climate. It is also known for its rich flora and fauna. Tourists can indulge in a variety of adventure sports such as river rafting, boating and trekking. Uttaranchal tourism boasts of mesmerizing attractions such as mountains, rivers, wildlife, glaciers, valley of flowers, forests and pilgrimage sites. There are several famous tourist destinations in Uttaranchal. Almora, kasauni and Mukteshwar are some of them.

Almora

Almora

It is a fascinating hill station of Uttaranchal. Attracting tourists from far and wide, it is a perfect holiday destination. It is located at an altitude of 1,650 m above sea level. It is popularly known as the cultural capital of Uttaranchal. The forests of pine and fir against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks makes this destination look like a fairyland.Its scenic beauty never fails to capture the hearts of tourists. Several colorful fairs and festivals are celebrated here every year. It is also a home to 1000 year old Nanda Devi temple. Almora can be visited from March to June or September to November. Some of the famous attractions of Almora are Bright End corner, State museum, Chitai temple, Siyahidevi temple, Katarmal temple, Deer park and Simtola.

Kausani

Kausani

Nestled in the Kumaon hills, Kasauni is located at an altitude of 6,075 feet above sea level. It is a small hill station soaked in sheer natural beauty. It offers breattaking views of the snow-capped peaks. It is also the place where Mahatama Gandhi lived for a long time in the year 1929. It is the birthplace of the famous poet Sumitra Nandan Pant. This picturesque hill station is dominated by dark pine forest. It is popularly known as the jewel of the Himalayas. It is located only 53 km from Almora. Kasauni attractions include Oant museum, Lakshmi ashram, Pinakeshwar (trekking area), Baijnath, Someshwar, Anasakti ashram and tea gardens.

Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar

Located in the enchanting Nainital district, Mukteshwar is a wonderful destination. It offers captivating views of the Himalayas. Its serene environment, pleasant climate and natural beauty will surely leved you spell bound. You can enjoy trekking, mountain climbing and rock climbing in Mukteshwar.

Uttranchal

Uttaranchal is a wonderland of India where tourist attractions galore. It is a beautiful state where tourists come from across the globe. This destination is a big hit with adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is famously known as the land of Gods as it is peppered with many pilgrimage centres. The major attractions of Uttaranchal are staggering natural beauty, snow-covered mountains, beautiful valleys and enchanting wildlife. A variety of adventure sports can be enjoyed here.

Some of the famous attractions of Uttaranchal Tourism are:

Rishikesh
It is one of the holy cities of India which is blessed with sheer natural beauty. Located on the banks of the holy river Ganga, this city is famous for yoga and meditation and adventure sports. It is popularly known as the place of sages. It boasts of glorious history. It is known for adventure sports activities such as river rafting, trekking, mountaineering and canoeing. The beautiful temples and ghats are among its major attractions.

Joshimath
It is another enchanting destination of Uttarnachal. It is a wonderful hill station where nature lovers come from far and wide. It offers pleasant climate and sheer natural beauty. The legend goes that the sage Shankaracharya established one of the four piths (centres) for sanyasis at this destination. It is believed that lord Vishnu resides in Joshimath during winters. The temple of Narshimha and Naina Devi national park are the must-see attractions of Joshimath.

Valley of flowers
Visiting the valley of flowers in Uttaranchal is like visiting heaven on earth. It is extremely fascinating and refreshing. It is a famous national park roosted in the Himalayas. It is known for arresting meadows of endemic alpine flowers and sheer natural beauty. It boasts of more than 500 species of flowers. It is also a home to a variety of wildlife including some endangered species such as Asiatic black bear, snow leopard and blue sheep.

Nainital
It is a renowned hill station of North India steeped in mesmerizing natural beauty. Located in the Himalayan foothills, it is popularly known as lake paradise. Nainital attractions include Naini lake, Bhim Tal, Naini peak and snow view point.

Mussoorie
It is another famed hill station of North India. Gifted with picturesque surroundings, it is located at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is very popular among honeymooners. Kempty Fall, Gun hill, Lake Mist and camel’s back road are some of the famous attractions of Mussoorie.

Uttaranchal tour is the best bet for rejuvenating holidays. Travel to Uttaranchal and you are bound to come back completely mesmerized.

The incredible country like India can be best described by the phrase ‘Unity in Diversity’. India is a land of rich cultural heritage which beautifully reflects in its various attractions. The various states of India have their own unique culture. Although there is so much diversity in culture of India but still there is unity among Indians. Fairs and festivals are among the most colorful part of Indian culture. They are also the perfect means of getting acquainted with the culture of India.

It would be no exaggeration to say that India is a land of fairs and festivals as its calender is full of various fairs and festivals commemorating various occasions. Fairs and festivals of India attract tourists from across the globe.

Some of the most famous fairs and festivals of India are:

Diwali
It is the festival of lights which is celebrated with great flavor

Diwali

throughout India. Symbolizing the victory of good over evil, this festival commemorates Lord Rama’s return to his kingdom after 14 years of exile. On this festival people illuminate their houses with earthen lamps and lights, distribute sweets, burn crackers and worship Goddess Lakshmi. This festival falls in the month of October or November.

Navratri
This festival is celebrated for nine days in honour of the goddess. The goddess symbolizes power. During these nine days nine forms of the goddess are worshipped and devotees observe fast for nine days. The goddess is known by several names like Durga, Laxmi, Bhavani, Kali, chandika, Maha gauri, Ashtabhuja and Siddhiratri. All the nine forms signify various traits that the goddess influences us with.

Holi

It is a festival of colours which is celebrated with great enthusiasm

HOli

especiallyin North India. During this festival people play with powdered colours and water. Huge bonfires are lit on the evening of Holi. This festival also symbolizes the victory of good over evil. There is an interesting legend associated with it.

Pushkar Fair
It is the largest cattle fair in the world. Held in Pushkar City of Rajasthan it is marked with several cultural activities like dance, music, competitions and many more. It is celebrated in October/November.

Pongal
It is an important festival of South India which is celebrated for four days. It is a harvest festival. During the festival cattle, Sun god and Rain god are worshiped.

Eid-ul-Fittr
It is an important festival of Muslims which marks the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting. During the festival people exchange greeting and sweets and offer prayer in mosques. Feasting is the main feature of this festival.

Desert Festival
This is a famous festival of Rajasthan which is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the city of Jaisalmer. During the celebration the desert comes alive with cultural activities. Folk dance, puppet shows, turban-tying competition, camel race etc are the main highlights of the festival.

River Rafting

Adventure means different things to different people. For me exploring any part of this world is in itself an adventure and for my best friend Shivani adventure is synonymous with adventure sports like river rafting, trekking, biking and much more. So we decided to take an adventure tour of India to enjoy the beauty and adventure of several tourist destinations of India. We enjoyed river rafting, trekking, skiing and many more activities. We were rejuvenated to the hilt.

India is an incredible land offering a slew of adventure sports facilities for adventure lovers who come here from across the globe. Some of the famous adventure sports of India are:

Rock climbing
This interesting adventure activity can be best enjoyed at Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Mysore, Ramanagram in Karnataka, Bangalore, Mount Abu in Rajasthan, Panchmarhi in Madhya Pradesh and Gangotri gorge in Uttar Pradesh.

Mountaineering
This challenging activity is meant only for the brave hearts and physically fit people. The Himalayan range of India is perfect for this sport and several other adventure sports. Kamet and Dunagiri (7088) and Nanda Devi (7800 m) are the most popular destinations for mountaineering in India.

White water rafting
Full of thrill and adventure this adventure sport can be best experienced at the following destinations- River Ganges,tons, Bhilangana, Yamuna, Mandakani, Kalisor, Zanskar, Beas, Alaknanda and Mandakani.

Trekking
This is one adventure activity which can be enjoyed by almost all tourists. Some of the best places for trekking are Kullu, Kinnaur, Ladakh, Spiti, Lahaul, Garhwal, Kumaon and Sikkim.

Angling and Fishing
The lakes of Kashmir, streams of Kerala and the lakes of the upper Himalayas offer great opportunities for fishing and angling.

Safaris
Travel to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan for enthralling camel safari on the unfathomable sand dunes. And if you wish to enjoy elephant safari, Kerala is the best place. The wildlife destinations of India also provide facilities for elephant safari.

Paragliding
For enjoying the thrill of paragliding visit the places such as Darjeeling, Solang valley, Auli, Gangtok, Sansar and Goa.

Skiing
A big hit with tourists skiing can be best enjoyed at Gulmarg, Kufri, Manali and Mundali.

Motor biking
It is an interesting way of exploring some tourist destination of India like Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Bikaner and Mandawa.

There are several more adventure sports and activities which India offer. Adventure sports options galore here!

Gangotri

Early morning we set out on our journey to Gangotri. After reaching there we went for a holy dip in the holy river Ganga which is known as Bhagirathi at its origin. Gangotri is a revered Hindu pilgrimage which is also a source of sacred river Ganga. According to the legend king Bhagirathi spent several years in penance of Goddess Ganga to land on the earth. Hence the origin of river Ganga is called Bhagirathi.

We were completely mesmerized by the pristine beauty of Gangotri. Its beautiful and peaceful aura captured our hearts. Our guide told us that this destination is at an altitude of 3140 m above sea level. After Gangotri darsham we came back to Uttarkashi.

The next morning we drove to Rudraprayag and on the way we stopped at Tehri Dam where we enjoyed for some time. Rudraprayag is around 175 km from Uttarkashi. Rudraprayag is the confluence of river Mandakani and Alaknanda. We also visited the Chamunda Devi temple and Koteshwr temple which are 3 km from Rudraprayag. In the evening we checked in the hotel for a night stay.

The next morning we headed towards Kedarnath which is 75 km from Rudraprayag. We reached Gaurikund and from here one can either go on foot or by pony/Doli to Kadarnath. We opted to go by pony and the ride was enjoyable. At Gaurikund we took bath in the hot water pond and visited the Gauri temple. Gaurikund is the place where Goddess Parvati meditated to attain Lord Shiva.

Kedarnath Yatra

Kedarnath Shrine is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It offers breathtaking views of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedarnath town is staggeringly beautiful place flanked by snow-capped mountains. In the early morning we visited the Kedarnath shrine and then trekked down to Gaurikund. Then we drove to Rudraprayag via Guptkashi and stayed in a hotel at Rudraprayag.

The next morning we drove to Badrinath via Joshimath. It took us around 9 hours to reach Badrinath. At one point of time Badrinath was dotted with wild berries. Thus it got the name Badri Van meaning forest of berries. The next morning after taking a bath in the Taptkund at Badrinath we went for darshan of Lord Badrinarayan at Badrinath temple. It is a mesmerizing pilgrimage center located at an average elevation of 3,415 m. After attending the puja we took a stroll around the temple and photographed the blissful surroundings. The other nearby attractions (within the range of 3 km) here are Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the ‘Mukh’ of the Saraswati River.

After covering the Char Dhams we returned to Delhi with golden memories in our heart and peace in our mind. We were completely mesmerized by the celestial beauty of these four destinations. They are beautiful beyond words.

Red Fort, Delhi

One of my friends from New York had come to India for her cousin sister’s marriage. I was so delighted to see her after almost 20 years. She is an Indian but went to New York when she was only 10. She has always been fascinated by the cultural heritage of India and wanted to explore its attractions, especially its forts and palaces. The day after the wedding ceremony I and my friend set out on the Indian Forts and Palaces tour. Visiting all the forts and palaces of India was not feasible in such a short span of time so we visited the famous forts and palaces of North India and South India.

The forts and palaces of India which we covered in North India are:

Red Fort in Delhi
It is a major attraction of Delhi steeped in glorious history. Built in red sandstone by great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, the fort is a marvelous architectural piece. The fort boasts of huge audience halls, stunning marble palace once studded with precious stones, a bustling bazaar where the royal ladies used to shop, a mosque and refreshing gardens with fountains and flowers.

Red Fort in Agra
A wonderful attraction of Agra, this fort houses amazing structures such as Jahangir Palace, Khas Mahal, Diwan-e-aam, Diwan-e-Khas and two beautiful mosques. This magnificent fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar as a stronghold of the Mughal Empire. This majestic red sandstone structure has 2.5 km long enclosure walls. Located at a close distance from this fort is the world famous Taj Mahal. We also visited Taj Mahal which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This stupendous white marble structure is a mausoleum built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal in the 17th century. Representing the perfect combination of different architectural styles, it mesmerizes the onlookers with its architectural beauty.

City Palace in Jaipur
This splendid palace, the landmark of Jaipur, is located in the capital city of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is the most colorful and culturally rich destination of India. One must visit Rajasthan to get the real taste of India. Aptly called the land of raja-maharajas, this destination boasts of the best palaces and forts in the country. The City Palace is a fine blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. Located on a hill it is famous for its architecture, lavish use of marble and mirror work, frescoes, wall paintings, silver doors and crystal gallery.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
It is the famous landmark of Jaipur known for its unique architectural design. Built in 1799 in red sand stone it is pierced with more than 900 small windows. Representing a honeycomb structure it was especially built to allow the royal ladies to see the street processions through the windows without themselves being seen.

Lake Palace, Udaipur
Udaipur is an enchanting city of Rajasthan and Lake Palace is the most enchanting attraction of Udaipur. Located amidst the Lake Pichola, this palace is built in white marble boasting of several royal apartments inside it. It is one of the finest heritage hotels of India.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Once the largest royal residence in the world, Umaid Bhawan Palace is now a famous heritage hotel. Its stunning architectural beauty will surely sweep you off your feet. Sprawling across acres of land, it is a magnificent structure. It has 98 rooms offering royal facilities and services. Once can see period furniture here. There is a museum here which displays a variety of articles belonging to the erstwhile royal families.