Monuments teeming with history, delicious food and a luxurious stay ~ all these made Rakesh Kumar’s weekend trip to Agra an unforgettable experience
Pages of history
Agra, once the Capital city of Mughal India, had played a significant role in Indian history. One can find many descriptions of the city right from Mahabharata era to Mughal or Lodhi dynasty. The different dynasties bestowed on Agra a time graph through its numerous forts, mosques, step wells and gates. Among these some of them like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri come under the ambit of UNESCO world heritage sites.
Our tryst with Agra began on a Saturday morning. Initially we planned to go by the newly launched Gatimaan Express, which reaches Agra in just 100 minutes. However, as tickets were not available, we took to the road and after almost four hours and three toll gates reached the historical city. As we entered the city, images of the Mughal era that we had read or seen in movies, started opening up before us. We imagined Emperor Akbar walking along the congested lanes of Agra, or Shah Jahan walking to the Yamuna Bank to monitor the progress of the Taj Mahal. We pictured how Agra Fort would be abuzz with people.
The hotel
Our first task was to look for a good place to stay and our search ended at Radisson Blu, Agra, which was our home for the next two days. Staying at Radisson Blu, Agra, had its advantages. The foremost was its location. The luxury hotel is conveniently located near the Agra Fort and at walking distance from the Taj Mahal. Apart from this, the property, which is surrounded by 4.5 acres of land with 142 luxury rooms and suites, boasts of many latest amenities like sparkling outdoor pool, the Health Club, Spa, a business centre and restaurants offering the finest world cuisine, traditional culinary and rustic barbeque at the poolside.
Our room was comfortable and well-decorated, including fresh flowers and lovely artwork. But the best part was the fashioning of the towels in the shape of the Taj Mahal. This encouraged us all the more to visit the Taj Mahal as soon as possible.
The city
After lunch and a short rest, we headed out to explore the city. Our first instinct was to head for the Taj Mahal. But the hotel staff advised us not to go in afternoon but early morning. They informed that the white structure looks more attractive in the morning and also changes into a golden colour with the first rays of sunlight.
Taking the staff’s word we then visited the Agra Fort. The fort, also known as Lal Quila, was the abode of the Mughal dynasty and is now known as the sister monument of the Taj. The red sandstone structure was built by Emperor Akbar. It took 4,000 workers to build it in eight years. The fort has four large gates and is divided into different palaces ~ Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jehangir’s Palace and Khas Mahal. Apart from its impressive architecture and design, the fort also bears the fascinating history of the Mughals. Shah Jahan renovated it by adding marble work and converting the raw red sandstone structure into a palace. His son Aurangzeb imprisoned him in the same fort at Mussaman Burj. After exploring the fort, we visited the Sadar Bazar ~ the famous market of Agra and Mehtab Bagh.
Back at the hotel, we were asked by the manager to be ready by 6 am next morning, if we really want to see the Taj Mahal in a golden colour. At the same time, he recommended the Noor-e-Taj show ~ an audio-visual show organised by the hotel, which gives an insider view of the Taj Mahal.
Next morning we were ready by 5.30 am. There was a huge queue outside the main gate of the Taj. Surprisingly, they were mostly foreigners, armed with their mobiles and cameras. After much pushing and shoving, we finally managed to enter. Passing one more red gate, the pure white structure lay before us. Is it the legendary Taj Mahal? For a few moments, everyone kept gazing the structure, which is the most beautiful monument I have ever seen in my life. Now it was a time to steal the moment. Like everyone else, I took out my camera and clicked away. People were jostling to take best shot of the Taj or with the Taj. As the sun rose, with every angle of the sunlight, the Taj Mahal changed its colour from pure white to gold. We lingered there for two hours before returning to the hotel.
Soon it was evening and time to take the Gatimaan Express back to Delhi. Throughout our journey, the only thought running in mind was why we were keen to get back the Kohinoor, when a living Kohinoor is present in Agra ~ the Taj Mahal.
http://www.thestatesman.com/travel/a-living-legend-1485610258.html
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