FATEHPUR SIKRI

Enroute to Arga is Fatehpur Sikhri. After crossing the Rajashtan border you enter the state of Haryana and then Uttar Pradesh. The minute you enter U.P you know that your are in wellU.P. The people, the un-organised traffic, the spitting on the roads, the over packed tempos and a lot more until you finally shut your eyes. We were stuck in a traffic Jam for over an hour mainly because there were no policemen. Vehicles jammed the road from all side. The intersection looked as if an earthquake had hit the place. The foreigner in the car besides me, looked at the traffic, then me and smiled. Is this the picture of India we want to project to the world?

Pigeon Post Office in a Market Place inside Fatehpur Sikri

We finally reached Fatehpur Sikhri. Now this place was no better then the one we left. While the palace on the left was clean, the area near the Buland Darwaza was horrible.

While the TV ads show Athiti Devo Bhava, the picture in reality is completely different. Just like in the Advertisement, I saw a bead seller pestering a lady foreigner for nearly 10 minutes. If it where some other state, Id have tried to interfered but I was in U.P, it was better to keep quite there. Local boys follow you saying they are guides. They charge just Rs.20. Beware of them. Theyll promise the Sun and the Moon and wont even show you the dust on the roadside. One such couple we meet said, that these guides just take you to the door, say its Buland Darwaza and ask for money. There are government approved guides inside whom you can hire for Rs. 100 (after bargaining). I cant stress this enough, unless you scored a 100 in History back in school, its always advisable to hire a guide. Since these are historical places, only information will make you appreciate the magnificence of the structures.

Birbal's Palace

Its interesting how the Government of India has smartly linked all these places as part of the Golden Triangle. The history that started in Jaipur, continues here. Sawai Maan Singhs sister was Jodha Bai, whom Akbar married. He actually had three wives, a Hindu, Muslim and Christian. Interesting ah?

Jodhabai's Palace

The Jodhaibai's Palace is magnificient with seperate areas for summer and winter. What luxury. Watch out for Aishwarya Rai playing Jodhabai, which I think has started production.

A floor for each of Abkar's Wife

Akbar used to discuss with Navratna's here

The pillar above had architecture from Jain, Muslim, Hindu and Chritian cultures. Abkar used to sit above it in the center with his Navratna's all around discussing important state matters.

Salim Chisti Dargah

Right besides the palace is the Dargah of Sufi saint Salim Chisti. When Akbar couldnt have a kid for long, he went to this saint and then Jehangir was born. You can buy a thread and a piece of cloth depending upon your capability. Inside you tie the thread and make a wish. A person is allowed 3 wishes and it is believed that they all come true. The cloth seller showed me a pic of Tina Ambani tying a thread. Since we were traveling the whole da, the heat and crowd was too much for us, so we couldnt go inside.

Fathepur Sikhri was abandoned because there was not water in the area.

AGRA FORT & TAJ MAHAL

After seeing Fatehpur Sikri, we checked into a hotel near the Taj Mahal. This was my most eagerly awaited moment and I casually asked the boy from room service, how far is the Taj from here. He simply smiled and said its nearby, you want to see? I asked from here?, he just took me to the balcony and there it was, the backside of the Taj, half visible. My joy had no bounds, Id finally seen the Taj, even if it was from a distance. That first view will always remain etched in my memory.

Agra Fort

The Red Fort of Agra is also an interesting monument from the historical point if view. Shahjahan was imprisoned here by his son Aurangazeb. A spectacular view of the Taj can be seen from this fort, although the sad state of the river Yamuna reduces the pleasure.

The Taj Mahal in one word can be described as Keechad mein Kamal. Rabindranath Tagore, had described the Taj as "a teardrop on the cheek of eternity". Vehicles are not allowed 1.4Kms from the Taj. Battery operated Rickshaws and Buses are only permitted. Bus is a better option as it charges only Rs.5 whereas a Rickshaw charged Rs.50. Despite reaching early at 7Am , we were told that the president of Rome was to visit and hence the Taj would be closed in an Hour. Frustrations disappeared once we were inside. Seeing the Taj is something that I could do everyday for the rest of my life. There arent words to describe this Extravagant M onument of Love .

Taj Mahal

In the picture above, the letters look equal. As things move away they appear small. The letters increase in size as they go up. This is why the writings in the picture above look of equal size. What brains!!!

Taj Mahal - Pillar

The Pillar above is actually 3 sided but gives an optical illusion that its 6 sided. Smart thinking.

Area marked for Black Taj Mahal

Shahjahan wanted to build a Black Taj Mahal besides the White one but was imprisoned by his son because if built it would empty the state treasury.

Taj Mahal

Also the 4 pillars of the Taj are built slightly tilted facing the outside so that even if the pillars fall they wont damage the main building.

Around 8:30Am , security guards marched in to clear the people. I wondered if our President would get the same respect if he were to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We stayed back as people started moving back. It gave us a non-cluttered view of the splendid monument.