Hey Travellers,
I am Gagan, your travel buddy. Recently I got a chance to enjoy a nearby travel destination from Delhi – Agra ” ‘the city of love’. It was the mind-blowing experience of visiting Agra on a two-day group trip.
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On-spot plans turned into a great adventure for us. Booking general train tickets from Delhi and reaching Agra at 3:00 a.m. was quite tiring but we were excited.
After reaching the Station, we came across government-approved car operators, offering passes for just Rs.50. We quickly hopped in to get the best accommodations. After exploring many options, we settled on a 2-night stay in a double room for Rs.1300. We were relaxing while having good food. After that we took short naps until 5:00 a.m.
DAY 1: Visiting the iconic Taj Mahal- Story of love
We got ready quickly and set out to view the Taj Mahal’s majestic beauty at dawn. Since we had already purchased our tickets online for Rs. 50 / per person, there was no need to stand in the queue.
Before heading towards the Taj Mahal, we decided to have breakfast first. On our way, we noticed many restaurants like :
- Login Restaurant & Rooftop Cafe
- Good Vibes Cafe
- Hotel & Restaurant Saniya Palace Inn
- Taj Bano
- Dostea Cafe
All these cafes looked appealing from the outside due to their aesthetics. We didn’t have enough time to explore them, so we opted for street food instead.
Since reading about it in our textbooks, the Taj Mahal has been regarded as the “Symbol of Love,” built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz. Seeing it live felt like a dream had come true, when the sunbeams touched the ivory marble.
Upon reaching the Taj, there was a slight hiccup regarding an additional fee of Rs. 250 per person to view the exquisite interior of the mausoleum. Despite being short on cash, we managed the funds and enjoyed the dramatic surroundings, taking multiple photos. We were greeted with an amazing glimpse of this architectural marvel at the entrance.
After exploring the mausoleum and the Taj Mahal complex, we saw a lovely market nearby where we shopped and relished local treats. There were a variety of leather goods, handicrafts, a Taj Mahal miniature replica made of marble, fine marble vases, and ornamental boxes, in this vibrant market.
It was evening by then so we took an auto to find a good place to eat, at last we found a Dhaba that served wholesome meals. Then we returned to the hotel and decided to visit Agra Fort.
Day 2: Mughlai Marvels at Agra Fort
The next day we had to go back to Delhi so we checked out from the hotel and headed to see another limelight of Agra city, the “Lal-Qila”.Before going to Lal Qila we had breakfast at the local market.
Starting our Journey to the awe-inspiring Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reaching Agra Fort by auto-rickshaw, we were blissful to see Agra Fort’s grandeur. We had pre-purchased our tickets for Rs. 50 each. Walking in the rich heritage of the Mughals -ornate architecture, secret passageways, and soothing views of the Taj Mahal from the Agra fort’s walls was a great exposure for us. And it’s a perfect way to bid farewell to this city of love, capturing one last memory of its enchanting beauty.
After thoroughly exploring Agra Fort, we left at around 4 PM. We opted for an auto-rickshaw and enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the station.
Best Food in Agra
Agra’s famous food items are biryanis, tantalizing kebabs, and delicious desserts like petha and gajak. Do visit Panchi Peetha, it is a famous mithai of agra.There are many branches of Panchi Peetha in Agra.
Even though the iconic Taj Mahal is the focus, Agra has a lot more to offer from its delicious cuisine to its exquisite monuments. The best time to visit Agra is in July, so if you’re going, I advise buying all of your tickets online.So, pack your bags and get ready to watch historical romance in the center of India.
Agra awaits, and it’s more fascinating than you could ever imagine !!!