From the tourism point of view, Delhi,
Agra and Jaipur consist the Great Golden Triangle. Delhi is the capital city
of India while Agra and Jaipur are located in the states of Uttar Pradesh
and Rajasthan respectively. In the political map of India, they resemble a
triangle if connected and hence the name Great Golden Triangle.
Delhi : Delhi , the capital of India is a
symbol of pride and strength for every Indian. Delhi is witness to all the
major historical events in India. Delhi has been the administrative seat of
many powerful rulers in India. Every monument of Delhi mutely tell some
story of the historical past. India Gate, right in the heart of Delhi is a
war memorial paying tribute to the unknown soldiers who laid down their
lives for motherland. The mammoth gate is surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of President of India is a
masterpiece of the architecture of the colonial period. The Mughal gardens
of Rashtrapati Bhavan are regarded as one of the best botanical gardens of
India. Rajghat and Shanti Van are the places where the samadhis of Father of
the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru are
located in serene ambiences. Two of the most beautiful temples of India-the
Lotus temple and Laxminarayan temple also dot the landscape of Delhi. Delhi
also has many attractive monuments belonging to the Mughal period. Red Fort
built in red sandstone stands as evidence to the architectural genius of
Mughal period. The interiors of this huge fort are built very meticulously.
Qutab Minar standing at 72.5 metres is the highest stone tower in India.
Other brilliant monuments in Delhi include Jantar Mantar, Old Fort,
Safdarjung Tomb, Humayun's Tomb and Jama Masjid.
Agra : Located at a distance of some 203
kms from Delhi, Agra is a beautiful city in western Uttar Pradesh famous for
that magnificent white monument of love-Taj Mahal. Arguably the most
beautiful architectural delight of the world, the Taj was painstakingly
built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan using twenty thousand workers over a
period of seventeen years. The beauty and grandeur of this rare
architectural marvel could hardly be surpassed by any other monument in this
world. Tourists from all parts of the world come to Agra to have a glimpse
of Taj Mahal's magnificence. A place nourished by the Mughals for a very
long period, other attractions of Agra include the Agra Fort and
Itmad-ud-Daulah's tomb. The Agra Fort was built by emperor Akbar in red
sandstone and known for its intricate carvings and inlay works. Fatehpur
Sikri and Sikandra are two other places near Agra housing some other
beautiful monuments of the Mughal period.
Jaipur : The pink city of Jaipur having
some of the most magnificent palaces could very well be regarded as an oasis
in the midst of a desert. Situated at a distance of 261 kms from Delhi,
Jaipur is surrounded by a 20 feet high wall with eight gates. Hawa Mahal is
the most beautiful building of Jaipur. Literally meaning Palace of the Wind,
this beautiful palace was built by Sawai Pratap Singh for the ladies of
royal family. Another magnificent palace of Jaipur is the City Palace that
houses a museum displaying the costumes and armoury of the great Rajputs.
The palace is a wonderful blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The
picturesque Jal Mahal was built in the middle of Man Sagar lake to host
royal duck shooting parties. The Jaigarh Fort of Jaipur is a fantastic
example of medieval military structure. It houses 'Jai Ban', the largest
cannon in Asia. Other forts of significance in Jaipur are Nahargarh and
Amber forts. Jaipur houses many of the legacies of the great Rajputs and the
later rulers of princely states.
