TAJ MAHAL AND TEMPLES TOUR

Attractions, Festivals, Things to Do and See

Delhi - Agra - Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi

Delhi

The list of things to do in Delhi is endless and you'll surely discover many interesting things to do on your own. Here's an abbreviated list of some of the most popular tourist activities:

Eat Dilli-ki-Chaat – Delhi’s tangy local street food in Old Delhi

Visit the Red Fort - a great sandstone carcass of the last days of the Mughal empire and the British era

For a modern architectural marvel completed in 1986, visit the Lotus Temple (Bahai House of Worship), constructed out of marble and in the shape of a lotus flower. It remains one of the most visited sites in the entire world.

Stroll through Humayun’s Tomb which combines Persian style with local craftsmanship, encircled by the symmetrical Mughal gardens

Hear Qawwalis (devotional music) sung at dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya (one of Islam’s holiest tombs) at around sunset

Visit the Imperial Hotel - it's like taking a voyage back into the days of the Raj, with polished hallways hung with chandeliers and works of art

Explore the confusing and narrow streets of the Old Delhi bazaars

Get your clothes tailor-made in Khan Market – a fraction of the cost of the West with emphasis on quality

Visit the former home of Indira Gandhi and learn about India’s most powerful dynasty

Wander around Lodhi Gardens on a Sunday afternoon - a people-watchers paradise

Discover the district of Hauz Khas - crumbling Mughal tombs and tempting art, antique and fashion boutiques

Ride out to peaceful Qutb Minar - well-known and easily spotted for its towering minaret resembling an ornate factory chimney

Visit the Jama Masjid, climb the mosque’s minaret, then enjoy a classic non-veg meal at nearby culinary institutions Karim’s or Al-Jawahar, famous for their roasted meat kebabs

Feast your eyes on the wealth of Indian Art at the National Museum

Visit Gandhi’s simple tomb in its tranquil gardens – said to be the most peaceful place in all Delhi

Agra

Taj Mahal

Agra Fort - this majestic fort has sixteen palaces, has served as a home to six Mughal Emperors and offers a breathtaking view of the dominant Taj. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site

Itmad-ud-dualah - known as the ‘Baby Taj’. This look-alike was commissioned by Queen Noor Jahan as a tribute to her father

Fatehpur Sikri - another UNESCO World Heritage Site - you will find the highest gateway in the world, Buland Darwaza (Grand Entrance) and the Tomb of Salim Chishti. The Sufi Saint’s revered resting place attracts millions of people every year. It is widely believed that all your prayers will be answered here. And when one day they are, you must return to the shrine to perform a small ritual.

Dhobi Ghat - carpeted with yards of fabric in more colours known to man, it is an unlikely but popular destination. This part of the river, where washer-folk scrub their laundry, attracts photographers as well as filmmakers from all across the world. Locations in and around it were recently seen in Slumdog Millionaire.

Agra served as a home to the Mughal Dynasty and next to architecture their influence had the greatest effect on the cuisine. Don't miss out on authentic Mughali dishes - famous the world over for a very good reason

Gwalior

Gwalior Fort - the primary tourist spot
Tansen Music Festival - held in the winter months
Ghaus's Tomb
Tansen's Tomb
Jai Vilas Palace
Tighra Dam
Gwalior Zoo

Orchha

Jahangir Mahal - don't miss the King & Queen's quarters wall paintings

Raja Ram Mandir - evening temple prayer singing - very nice

Untah Khana/Camel House - where the Bundela Army used to house their camels

Dinman Hardaul's Palace - Hardaul died to prove his innocence to his elder brother Jhujhar who accused him of adultery with his wife. After his martyrdom, he was and always has been worshipped as a god. Bundelkhand villages contain platform like shrines to Hardaul.

Jujhar Singh Palace - this 3-story rectangular palace has three square rooms topped with ribbed domes on the top floor. The inverted lotus shaped domes are typical features of the Bundela style of architecture.

Palaki Mahal - named for its large palanquin roof. A rectangular construction, it has three arched door verandahs which have rectangular rooms on both sides. Tiled stone pillars and the first floor with palanquin roof were added in late 17th century when the pavilion of Hardaul was constructed.

Phool Bagh Palace - has a pillared hall on the ground floor in front of which decorated fountains were built, and squarish large rooms topped with ribbed domes on the first floor. The peacock shaped brackets, pillars, ribbed dome and niches are typical of Bundeli architectural style. Below the main building is an extensive Thakhana (basement) for use in hot weather ventilated by two tall shafts which are perforated to provide ventilation for cooling.

Khajuraho

Western Group of Temples - the richest and largest of all the Khajuraho temple groups

Lakhmana Temple - the horizontal beam over the entrance of this beautiful Vaishnavite temple shows the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Lakshmi, Vishnus consort.
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple - decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art
Devi Jagdamba Temple - smaller and much more delicately proportioned temple and is home to some of the finest sculptures of Khajuraho. It has the usual three bands of sculptures, but the third and most uppermost of these houses some of the most erotic sculptures
Chaunsat Yogini - the only granite temple in the Khajuraho group
Chitragupta Temple - dedicated to the Sun God (Surya)
Matanageswara Temple - dedicated to Shiva, a huge 8ft Lingam adorns the temple

Eastern Group of Temples

Parsvanath Temple - largest among the group, with exquisitely detailed carvings. The sculptures on the northern outer wall are the highlights of this temple. The image was installed in 1860
Ghantai Temple - has a frieze which depicts the 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother, and a Jain goddess on a winged Garuda
Adinath Temple - lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including yakshis
Hanuman Temple
Brahma Temple - dedicated to Vishnu and considered to be one of the oldest temples of Khajuraho made entirely in granite and sandstone
Vamana Temple - is the dwarf form of Lord Vishnu, located in a secluded place and appreciated for the simplicity of its architecture
Javari Temple

Southern Group of Temples

Dulhadev Temple - the last temple of Khajuraho, lies to the south of Ghantai temple. The temple enshrines a Shivalingam. The apsara and ornamented figures are the temple's most striking features
Beejamandal Temple - a ruined temple near the Chattarbhuj Temple
Chattarbhuj Temple (Jatkari Temple) - built in 1100 AD, well-known for its architecture, and is also the only temple to be devoid of any erotic sculpture. Easily identified by the massive 9 feet high intricately carved four-armed Vishnu

Light and Sound Show at the Western Group

Shown nightly and narrated by the Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachhan

Varanasi

Bathe - Over 60,000 people come down to the waters edge every day to take a dip in the sacred waters of the Ganges.

Boat Rides - very popular at sunrise and sunset. The most popular sunset ride is to start at Dasaswamedh Ghat and head up to Manikarnika Ghat to see the cremations in progress, and then return to Dasaswamedh and watch the evening aarti from the boat. Sunrise is another magical time for a ride, when the ghats are filled with Hindus bathing and starting their day - one of the most famous sights in India.

During the trip "market boats" will float up to you selling overpriced trinkets which can be bought much cheaper on land. Any offers of flowers for puja will definitely not be free; Rs 2 per flower bowl and Rs 5 per candle bowl are the going rates, though as a tourist you might be asked for as much as Rs 100 each.

Get lost in the alleyways - the sounds, sight and smells are just unbelievable!

Kriti Gallery (opposite All India Radio Station) - a place to interact with contemporary art in the city of Varanasi edit

Mehrotra Silk Factory - Government Approved. Has set, reasonable prices and a good selection of handwoven pure silk sarees, dress materials, bedcovers and other silk materials. A little out of the way, but worth the trip