India’s Golden Triangle (don’t confuse it with Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle) is a term refers to a famous tourist circuit consists of three cities (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) rich of culture and history. If we look at the map, those cities indeed form a rough triangle.
As the world’s second most populous country, India is amazingly diverse, vibrant and sometimes overwhelming. ‘On the roads of India, good horn, good brakes and good luck are all you need.’ I read this catchy line sometime before my visit and apparently it’s true. The traffics in Jakarta is frustrating, but the roads in India are like no other. Not only you’ll see an excessive number of motorbikes, rickshaws, cars, but also herds of cows and other objects you never thought of.
27 December 2017, Singapore-New Delhi
After six hours flight from Changi Airport, we landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). We’re excited to explore the capital city but our plan to visit the Lotus Temple didn’t go well because of long queue. I know it shouldn’t have been an issue because clearly we’re not the only ones who traveled all the way from the other side of the world to see it. But somehow everyone agreed to just had a glance from afar and went to an Indian garments store instead. My mom ended up buying some saris because she couldn’t avoid the shopkeepers, for they would follow you around until you bought something or left.
On our way to the hotel, we passed the India Gate. Completed in 1931, it commemorates 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in WW I. We didn’t do much that day because we had another flight to catch in the following day (click here and here to see where we went).
1 January 2018, Delhi-Agra
We planned to explore Delhi once again before going to Agra. Delhi is home to more than 20 million people, so of course the people caught my attention first. Many people lived on the roadside without shelters, women held their babies in their arms, trying to protect them from cold. Later I found out that they were the refugees. A sight that makes you wonder how come it happens in the century where everyone seems to be talking about human rights. After that, we strolled in front of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s home), Sansad Bhawan (Parliament House), and Secretariat Building.
One thing to be thankful for a visit in winter is the temperature but it’s also foggy. We took 6 hours to reach Agra because of poor visibility (normally 4 hours). Agra used to be the capital of Mughal Emperor, the golden age of Muslim architecture under the reign of Akbar the Great. We stayed in Jaypee Palace Hotel with impressive architecture that matched the city’s image. At night, we watched a musical show called Mohabbat-the–Taj, preparing ourselves with some knowledge before visiting the real Taj Mahal.
2 January, Agra-Jaipur
We arrived around 8 AM that morning and because vehicles aren’t allowed within 500 m from Taj Mahal, we rode an electric car and walked to the South Gate (others are the East and West Gate). After buying tickets (free for children under 12), we got in lines and went through security check. Food, metal objects or anything that might scratch the buildings—tripod or drone—aren’t allowed, so bring only important documents, wallet, phone and camera.
Inside the complex, even the gate will impress you. Numerous calligraphies decorate places like one in the gate: ‘O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with him and He at the peace with you’.
Entering the gate, we soon saw the majestic Taj Mahal surrounded by thick fog and thousands of visitors. The closer we got, the clearer we could see the semi-translucent white marble that constructed the building, inlaid with semiprecious stones in beautiful details. I’m running out of words to describe it, but words won’t do it justice either.
I’m sure you’ve heard of the story how Shah Jahan, the mastermind of Taj Mahal, commissioned over 20,000 craftsmen to enshrine his favorite wife’s body—Mumtaz Mahal—in a lavish tomb. The construction that took place in the bank of Yamuna River started in 1631 and was completed 22 years later. Before entering the mausoleum, we had to wear shoe covers. Inside the mausoleum, an octagonal marble chamber adorned with carvings houses two cenotaphs of Taj Mahal and Shah Jahan. People shamelessly took pictures with flash on in the dark room although it’s prohibited.
Ten minutes drive from Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort or the Red Fort stands in another side of Yamuna River. The fort was designed for military purpose but Shah Jahan transformed it into a palace and eventually became his prison after his son overthrown him. On a clear day Taj Mahal can be seen from the fort, makes you imagine how the Emperor used to desolately look on to his love’s tomb in the distance.
We ended our trip in Agra after purchasing some marble handicrafts and had another six hours drive to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan (the land of kings). I saw many things I never imagined to see from a highway: green expanses cloaked by mist, peacocks (India’s national bird) running wild in the farms, herds of cows, goats, pigs even camels, and the people who somehow looked different in each states. We also stopped in some places for Chai and Naan.
3 January, Jaipur-Singapore
It’s our last day in India so it’s time to make the most of it. Founded in 1727, Jaipur’s celebrated ‘Pink City’ is where all buildings were painted pink, representing generosity and hospitality. One of the most impressive thing to see there was Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds), a five-story facade decked with hundreds of tiny windows and balconies, built so the royal females could watch the city’s festivities in private.
The Amber or Amer Fort was our next destination. Once home to the Rajput Maharajas in 1600s, it’s a marvelous example of Hindu architecture. What we could see inside were also very indulging, rooms adorned with marble carvings, gilded ceilings, intricately painted doors and mirror room.
I had my very first elephant ride in between the impregnable brown walls (sounds fun but not really). Don’t worry though, each elephant is only allowed to do 5 journeys per day.
We passed the small yet populous streets of Amber Village with a jeep on our way back. The sights of camels pulling carts, elephants taking tourists, women wearing colorful clothes were my favorite. We also passed a place called the Floating Palace in a lake near the fort.
Summoning my fellow astronomy geek, you’ll find this place called Jantar Mantar attractive (no picture bcs I was too busy woow-ing). Built in 1726 AD, it now hosts complex and accurate stone astronomical devices built for naked-eye observations of the celestial bodies.
Not far from there was the complex of Jaipur’s City Palace, an admirable blend of Rajasthani and Mughal Art. With numerous collection of royal robes, carpets, weapons, paintings and other instagram-able spots, you’ll need hours to see everything. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that much time because we’d fly back home that night.
Overall, my Golden Triangle experience was far beyond my expectation. But things aren’t always as fun as they sound. Traveling in India can be tricky, and if you’re not prepared enough you might go back home regretting the trip. I’ve shared some tips for India first timers that (hopefully) can help those who plan to go.
Disoriented Traveller 
[…] on your first visit. For the sake of this post, I’ll admit that although it’s not mentioned in my last post, I complained a lot on our first day in New Delhi. I am no expert but as a person who has been […]
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