The Cultural Guide of Golden Triangle

Many people believe in impromptu travelling where they themselves do not know what they’re looking for and prefer the place to surprise them. That, in all ways sounds lot of fun but in my opinion travelling with some purpose makes your holiday more fruitful. I mentioned this point in one of my earlier features and I’ll lay emphasis on that again because once you know what you are going to look for, things on D-day won’t go haywire. After that, you can always celebrate the surprises and unpredictable turns of destiny & life (Ya! Some people get too philosophical). Now, the question is what to look for in a holiday? That obviously depends on your mood or likes & dislikes but what if you want to explore everything in one go. What if you want apples and oranges together?

Okay, this might sound too clichéd but ‘We have answers to all your questions! Ha ha ha.’ (Okay! Back to my normal baritone). There by all means is a holiday you can plan which will give you the tipsy city essence, the soothing scent of ethnic culture and a regal experience of cenotaphs and monuments. The Indian Golden Triangle includes a tour to three enchanting and spellbinding cities all together, a trip to Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Excited? Of course you are.

Delhi, being such a large (population around 14 million) and diverse city, absorbs its tourists with ease. There is so much to see and once you start exploring, you are bound to give up half way. You can always sit and prioritize or go as per the travel guide suggests. Places to visit include
Old Delhi

  • Red Fort
  • Markets of Chandni Chowk
  • Jama Masjid
  • Raj Ghat

New Delhi

  • India Gate
  • Humayun’s Tomb
  • Connaught Place
  • Janpath market
  • Imperial Hotel
  • Khan Market
  • Gandhi Samadhi

South Delhi

  • Hauz Khas village
  • Lotus Temple
  • Qutab Minar

Apart from that these known places, you can go shopping in Connaught Place or Chandni Chowk and enjoy wide range of cuisines in varieties of restaurant.  Do not forget to visit Paranthe Waali Gali else you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Also, pay attention you your dressing style. Girls are advised to covet their legs and shoulders in a mosque and temple.

You don’t visit Delhi – you experience it. And the best way to experience Delhi is with the right attitude- an attitude of openness, trust and surrender. If you view everything that happens as a learning experience, as something meant to teach you about you and about life, you will fare much better than if you try and control your travel experience. Tattoo the words “go with the flow” on your brain and your arm if you have to!

People of Jaipur are a little rugged in their appearance but they are very cheerful and are untouched by the swiftness of urban life. Women like do dress up in Ghagra Choli of dazzling colors like red, blue, orange, green etc with a gota border whereas men wear colorful turbans. Marwari, Hindi and English are primarily spoken there and the main religion followed is Hinduism.

Folk dance & music bring life to the barren and quiet deserts of Jaipur. “Ghoomar” is the main folk dance of Jaipur in which the ladies flaunts their huge ghagras or skirts while dancing. Regarding music, the people of Jaipur share the royal interest of Rajputs in Morchang, Naad, Tanpura, Sarangi and many others.

Agra narrates the beautiful romantic story of Shah-Jahan and Mumtaj Mahal by displaying one of the greatest monuments in the world, Taj Mahal. But apart from Taj, Agra also has spectacular places to visit like Agra Fort, Chini Ka Rauza, Fatehpur Sikri, Itmad-Ud-Daullah’s Tomb, Agra Golg Club etc.

Taj Mahotsav, a ten day festival in February,  is the favorite time of tourists to visit Agra and witness the city in its best colors. The celebration takes place in the laps of Taj Mahal and people enjoy the traditional food, camel rides, folk dances, songs, bejeweled elephants etc. Sadar Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Raja-ki-Mandi, Sanjay Place and the Taj Mahal Complex are the markets where you can find the intricately crafted show-pieces, wall hangings, gif items, handicrafts, leather goods, marble miniatures and a wide range of sandalwood and rosewood items at the best available prices.

Written by Ravi Goel