Auli -> Rishikesh -> Corbett National Park -> Varanasi -> Agra
+Previous: About Varanasi
+Next: Touts at Agra…
+Go to beginning of the series
I took Marudhar express from Varanasi and arrived at Agra next morning. I checked into one of the hotels in Taj Ganj area which was just 5-minute walk from Taj Mahal. I had arrived on a Friday, when Taj Mahal remains closed and Agra was devoid of it’s tourist crowd. But not to worry, I had another day in Agra when I could take a look at the world-famous monument.
So I decided to walk around Taj Mahal and rest of the town. The region around Taj is green and well maintained. In fact it is such a thick forest that I happened to notice some jungle birds like the Rufous Treepie and Indian Grey Hornbill. After wandering around for a while, I decided to take a look at the Agra Fort.
Agra fort
As I arrived at the fort, a guide approached me asking if I needed his help. I wasn’t keen on a guide, but when he downed his rate to half of his initial quote of Rs.200, I decided to hire him. It was well worth getting his services.
Inside Agra fort
As I went around the fort, I could not help but wonder at the plush lives of the Mughal sultans. Marbles were used at every possible place and they were carved and finished to a good taste.
Taj Mahal and Yamuna, seen from Agra Fort
Taj Mahal at distance looked wonderful from the fort, with Yamuna at the backdrop. The next morning, I woke up early and was at the gates of Taj as early as six. But there was already a big queue and a lot of people seemed to be keen to be at Taj during sunrise. As the sun comes up, Taj appears pink and slowly turns white as the sun moves up.
Taj Mahal at sunrise
I spent nearly two hour walking in and around the Taj. It was beautiful and worth its name, but somehow I found the marble work at Agra Fort more intricate and beautiful than the Taj itself.
Agra Information
Most people come to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and return, but Agra has much more to offer. Agra Fort and Fatepur Sikri are places not to be missed. A day-tripper can cover all these three places in a single day, commuting by taxi or rickshaw. But Taj Mahal is best viewed during sunrise. Keep in mind that Taj Mahal remains closed on Fridays.
Most people arrive at Agra by early morning train from Delhi. A Shatabdi leaves early for Agra, and returns back to Delhi in the evening, which makes it ideal for a day-tripper.
For budget traveller, best place to stay is in Taj Ganj area which is just behind Taj Mahal and has some budget hotels. Agra has many hotels for all budgets and finding a place to suit your type and budget should not be difficult.
1. Travelling to Varanasi from Corbett
2. Arriving at Varanasi
3. Many perceptions of Varanasi
4. First day at the ghats
5. Boat ride on the Ganges
6. An encounter on the ghats
7. Photo Essay: Ganga Aarti
8. Life on the ghats
9. About Varanasi
Auli -> Rishikesh -> Corbett National Park -> Varanasi -> Agra
+Previous: Life on the ghats
+Next: At Taj Mahal
+Go to beginning of the series
+ Also see: Varanasi image gallery
Varanasi has much to offer for the tourist – good things and the bad. Good things include a glimpse to the religious India that many foreigners like to see, learn and understand. It is also a center of learning for music and other fine arts. For Hindu pilgrims, it is a must see place in their lifetime to take a dip in the Ganges and visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple. As for the bad things, Varanasi is filthy and takes getting used to, especially around the ghats. Ganges is heavily polluted and the water is not clean enough for a bath.
Best time to be in Varanasi is between October and February when the weather is mild. It can get hot in the summer, and starts raining after July. Ram Navami is one of the important festivals in the city, which falls sometime in April.
THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO SEE
Things to do for the traveller depend on what he or she is looking for. One can wander the ghats and hang around temples watching the people. Early morning boat rides are popular. Most temples allow entry for Hindus only. Kashi is a learning center for Hindustani and instrumental music. It is also a place for those seeking spiritual learning. Pilgrims come here for Ganga snan and darshan at the Kashi Vishwanath temple and other well-known temples, and also to perform shraddha karma.
Things to see, other than the ghats and temples, includes the Ramnagar fort that is just outside the city of Varanasi. Benaras Hindu University is another popular place. Around Varanasi, Sarnath is a place of importance for Buddhists. It is the place where Buddha is known to have taught for the first time after getting enlightenment.
ACCOMMODATION
There are several kinds of places to stay in Varanasi, like the dharmashalas, guesthouses and small hotels near the ghats. Upmarket hotels are located nearer to railway station in the cantonment area. Most backpackers and budget travellers prefer to stay at one of the numerous guesthouses near the ghats. Upmarket hotels are usually taken by people arriving on package tours.
Read more about Varanasi on paintedstork.com
* Images of Varanasi
* Travelling to Varanasi from Corbett
* Arriving at Varanasi
* Many perceptions of Varanasi
* First day at the ghats
* Boat ride on the Ganges
* An encounter on the ghats
* Photo Essay: Ganga Aarti
* Life on the ghats
* About Varanasi