Monday, August 17, 2009

Visiting India`s Golden Triangle

Visiting India`s Golden Triangle

India`s famous `Golden Triangle` takes in three of the country`s most breathtaking and exciting cities - the capital, Delhi; along with Agra and Jaipir. Together, they form a rich and culturally diverse experience that takes in exquisitely-crafted architecture, fascinating history and culture, colourful wildlife and delicious cuisine. The cities all lie within a radius of 250 kilometers of one another and travelling between them provides and opportunity to take in the landscapes of this captivating country.

Buzzing Delhi is an explosion of sight and sound that combines fascinating local cultures with the sophistication of a modern metropolis. Split into New Delhi and Old Delhi, the city is home to sights such as the India Gatre, Red Fort and the Raj Ghat and boasts hotels and restaurant to suit every taste and every pocket. Less than 200 kilometers from here lies the Sariska Sanctuary, where jeep tours allow visitors to view all manner of beautiful birds and animal, including magnificent Indian tigers.

At Agra, meanwhile, visitors will find themselves in an opulent city that was the capital of the Mughal Emperors during the years 1526 to 16 58. The city is home to many spectacularly beautiful buildings, the most famous of which is the legendary Taj Mahal - one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built for the emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, it is undoubtedly one of the world`s best-known buildings. The city is home to many other architectural wonders, not the least of which are Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ask your tour guide or holiday operator for details of local festivals and events, as these are riots of music, costume and dance and will leave a lasting memory of your holiday in beautiful India.

The colourful city of Jaipur is a great place to soak up the local culture and will provide travel memories to last a lifetime. Here, visitors can stroll through beautifully designed and maintained parks and gardens, take in imposing forts and historic monuments and even take a ride on board an elephant or camel. Known as the `Pink City` in India, the city boasts striking coloured buildings many of which date back to 1727 - the year Jaipur was founded by the Maha Raja Sawai Jai Sing II. Among the sights that can`t be missed on a visit to Jaipur are the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and the Hawa Mahal - or Palace of the Winds. The city`s bazaars are a right of colour, sound and smell and are a great way to pick up local handicrafts and artisan pieces as mementoes of your Golden Triangle adventure.

Take a rickshaw ride through the city during the afternoon or evening to see Jaipur at its liveliest, with street sellers hawking their colourful wares on every corner and the lively local shops and restaurants all open for business.

Nature lovers shouldn`t miss a visit to Bharatpur, which is home to Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary. The dense woodlands and shallow waters of this wildlife sanctuary are home to countless numbers of birds, many of which are native to India while others are migratory birds that have made their way here from Central Asia and Siberia.

With so much to take in by way of culture, architecture, tradition and wildlife, why not visit last minute holidays to book your Golden Triangle adventure?

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