tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25300686924362219842024-03-13T18:28:40.077+05:30Athato Ghumakkad JigyasaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-71897114739801035762012-02-19T21:07:00.001+05:302012-02-21T08:24:05.218+05:30A day in Lucknow - The City of Nawabs (Part-3)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
British Residency popularly known as Residency is a historical protected monument maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. This place was used by the British inhabitants as a refuge during the uprising of 1857. It houses various buildings and a museum also. Entrance fee is INR 5 and entry closes by 1630 PM.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Below is a photo journey of the place-</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V1ho0nP75B0/T0Ee1EPwfaI/AAAAAAAAB-w/QrTiS-7OI00/s1600/DSC_1714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V1ho0nP75B0/T0Ee1EPwfaI/AAAAAAAAB-w/QrTiS-7OI00/s640/DSC_1714.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Main Gate and Ticket window</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5NWex9m16g/T0EfUs_vKNI/AAAAAAAAB_A/0fZ1l85cEEc/s1600/DSC_1652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5NWex9m16g/T0EfUs_vKNI/AAAAAAAAB_A/0fZ1l85cEEc/s640/DSC_1652.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Historical Facts</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_grPJKtEBQ/T0EfZt_j9PI/AAAAAAAAB_I/GmiuBrKqero/s1600/DSC_1653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_grPJKtEBQ/T0EfZt_j9PI/AAAAAAAAB_I/GmiuBrKqero/s640/DSC_1653.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Site Plan</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vtrvifTwi1o/T0EgoC-66RI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/EJ593-k7jRw/s1600/DSC_1645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vtrvifTwi1o/T0EgoC-66RI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/EJ593-k7jRw/s640/DSC_1645.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bailley Guard Gate is entrance gate to Residency</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwxxuEsri3o/T0Eg2CzSrgI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/b2vvxmYUv-E/s1600/DSC_1646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwxxuEsri3o/T0Eg2CzSrgI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/b2vvxmYUv-E/s640/DSC_1646.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Notice on Bailley Guard Gate</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fepmOXk48kI/T0EhCJdn15I/AAAAAAAAB_g/2Q1v_ovp7bw/s1600/DSC_1657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fepmOXk48kI/T0EhCJdn15I/AAAAAAAAB_g/2Q1v_ovp7bw/s640/DSC_1657.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Memory of Native officers and Sepoys</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XfUhb31we2g/T0EhHxP2AKI/AAAAAAAAB_o/Tw_GpzBslQc/s1600/DSC_1662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XfUhb31we2g/T0EhHxP2AKI/AAAAAAAAB_o/Tw_GpzBslQc/s640/DSC_1662.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dr. Frayer's House</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAl9iEJ1c84/T0EhPvLYaoI/AAAAAAAAB_w/mYZUS8PKjXQ/s1600/DSC_1665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAl9iEJ1c84/T0EhPvLYaoI/AAAAAAAAB_w/mYZUS8PKjXQ/s640/DSC_1665.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgrrYuctdZQ/T0EhS76oAqI/AAAAAAAAB_4/fgnOArN7oWI/s1600/DSC_1670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgrrYuctdZQ/T0EhS76oAqI/AAAAAAAAB_4/fgnOArN7oWI/s640/DSC_1670.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jWMXVLyIxc/T0EhZRAJY1I/AAAAAAAACAA/y407aXE08WM/s1600/DSC_1671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jWMXVLyIxc/T0EhZRAJY1I/AAAAAAAACAA/y407aXE08WM/s640/DSC_1671.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Begum Kothi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64K7g275OOs/T0Ehfr_U2KI/AAAAAAAACAI/T5l10SEN69w/s1600/DSC_1679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64K7g275OOs/T0Ehfr_U2KI/AAAAAAAACAI/T5l10SEN69w/s640/DSC_1679.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Museum</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QD3_YxyQSMg/T0EhlcuMTfI/AAAAAAAACAQ/jJxage0Z_lk/s1600/DSC_1681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QD3_YxyQSMg/T0EhlcuMTfI/AAAAAAAACAQ/jJxage0Z_lk/s640/DSC_1681.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Museum</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GiZsaXjxl5g/T0EhrBjN5LI/AAAAAAAACAY/9obHusne9bU/s1600/DSC_1684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GiZsaXjxl5g/T0EhrBjN5LI/AAAAAAAACAY/9obHusne9bU/s640/DSC_1684.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khBQ7Pun0mw/T0Ehy_AAVnI/AAAAAAAACAg/stq6vXSSjW4/s1600/DSC_1685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khBQ7Pun0mw/T0Ehy_AAVnI/AAAAAAAACAg/stq6vXSSjW4/s640/DSC_1685.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Main Building</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr2skv0H0YA/T0Eh5eV5iNI/AAAAAAAACAo/0GGEYaF0syo/s1600/DSC_1688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr2skv0H0YA/T0Eh5eV5iNI/AAAAAAAACAo/0GGEYaF0syo/s640/DSC_1688.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Main Building</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNDqN2lZ094/T0Eh_ZXV-mI/AAAAAAAACAw/4msZw7Di_h8/s1600/DSC_1690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNDqN2lZ094/T0Eh_ZXV-mI/AAAAAAAACAw/4msZw7Di_h8/s640/DSC_1690.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Main Building</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZltM727uME/T0EiGyOvsPI/AAAAAAAACA4/rlOqw2gT1nU/s1600/DSC_1691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZltM727uME/T0EiGyOvsPI/AAAAAAAACA4/rlOqw2gT1nU/s640/DSC_1691.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lost Grandeur </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyVjQCUoBaI/T0Ex2_FxC1I/AAAAAAAACC4/sLgq97f6nm0/s1600/DSC_1683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyVjQCUoBaI/T0Ex2_FxC1I/AAAAAAAACC4/sLgq97f6nm0/s640/DSC_1683.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Canons in the lawn in front of Museum</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqUkOFG3vJ8/T0Ex81I_eRI/AAAAAAAACDA/AYn-XRT80GE/s1600/DSC_1692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqUkOFG3vJ8/T0Ex81I_eRI/AAAAAAAACDA/AYn-XRT80GE/s640/DSC_1692.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Residency signature shot</span>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6_i1wTqy30/T0EiMd7-fTI/AAAAAAAACBA/AFvi103MdZg/s1600/DSC_1694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6_i1wTqy30/T0EiMd7-fTI/AAAAAAAACBA/AFvi103MdZg/s640/DSC_1694.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Way to Church and Cemetrery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kWeVXCUwkA/T0E88ilEMpI/AAAAAAAACDk/wupOcubYXbs/s1600/DSC_1697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kWeVXCUwkA/T0E88ilEMpI/AAAAAAAACDk/wupOcubYXbs/s640/DSC_1697.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Church & Graveyard Info</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PoE8EtSPbdA/T0EiXTvLyyI/AAAAAAAACBQ/FakZbv8Qf5c/s1600/DSC_1699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PoE8EtSPbdA/T0EiXTvLyyI/AAAAAAAACBQ/FakZbv8Qf5c/s640/DSC_1699.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPP5-PYuObw/T0EicmPUaXI/AAAAAAAACBY/Y9JCOSAWM9c/s1600/DSC_1703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPP5-PYuObw/T0EicmPUaXI/AAAAAAAACBY/Y9JCOSAWM9c/s640/DSC_1703.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnDJDtAy8OE/T0Eij-B7_2I/AAAAAAAACBg/3XaJhV2w-oA/s1600/DSC_1706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnDJDtAy8OE/T0Eij-B7_2I/AAAAAAAACBg/3XaJhV2w-oA/s640/DSC_1706.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Banquetting Hall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ceqwZCzr-k/T0Eiqc-M6_I/AAAAAAAACBo/D4drgKBIZOU/s1600/DSC_1708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ceqwZCzr-k/T0Eiqc-M6_I/AAAAAAAACBo/D4drgKBIZOU/s640/DSC_1708.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKZoOBCNugM/T0EiwWbFJfI/AAAAAAAACBw/ULUZ2wyATRM/s1600/DSC_1709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKZoOBCNugM/T0EiwWbFJfI/AAAAAAAACBw/ULUZ2wyATRM/s640/DSC_1709.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Banquetting Hall</span>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Residency is spread in a large area and you see only ruins of buildings amidst lush green gardens and old trees with young couples hiding themselves here and there. Earlier a light and sound show was performed here, not sure if it is continue or not. As you come out of Residency, you see a Martyrs Memorial Tower (Shaheed Smarak) and Kargil Martyr Garden (Kargil Shaheed Vatika) on the opposite side of the road on the bank of Gomti river. A few boats are there to give you a ride to a Shiva Temple in the middle of the river, however the bank of the river is filled with filthy garbage flowing into river. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5SSB3sYP6Lk/T0KB5klv4dI/AAAAAAAACE0/eNSuTGd39Zs/s1600/DSC_1750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5SSB3sYP6Lk/T0KB5klv4dI/AAAAAAAACE0/eNSuTGd39Zs/s640/DSC_1750.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kargil Memorial Garden</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwAwFXzEaWs/T0EtA320R6I/AAAAAAAACB4/G8YPTXJq97E/s1600/DSC_1715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwAwFXzEaWs/T0EtA320R6I/AAAAAAAACB4/G8YPTXJq97E/s640/DSC_1715.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Shaheed Smarak (Martyr Memorial)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWDrA9DaB7s/T0EtEg5Lj4I/AAAAAAAACCA/E7qKMf5pOP8/s1600/DSC_1716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWDrA9DaB7s/T0EtEg5Lj4I/AAAAAAAACCA/E7qKMf5pOP8/s640/DSC_1716.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Shiva Temple</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--a0ZF1Q0aKM/T0EtJl92zyI/AAAAAAAACCI/OhU2I1ajOaw/s1600/DSC_1722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--a0ZF1Q0aKM/T0EtJl92zyI/AAAAAAAACCI/OhU2I1ajOaw/s640/DSC_1722.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Boat ride</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMNprNpyGso/T0EtOoyxhtI/AAAAAAAACCQ/6dz5YPU5Bjk/s1600/DSC_1723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMNprNpyGso/T0EtOoyxhtI/AAAAAAAACCQ/6dz5YPU5Bjk/s640/DSC_1723.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Saddening scene - Garbage dump in river Gomti (Hotel Clarks Avadh in backdrop)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-24492239982478441532012-02-19T19:46:00.001+05:302012-02-20T22:40:19.095+05:30A day in Lucknow - The City of Nawabs (Part-2)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><u>Rumi Gate:</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the main road outside the Bara imambara you will see a gateway called Roomi Gate. This is often portrayed as a logo of Lucknow city.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w6adeBYo05k/T0EGXfYl9kI/AAAAAAAAB8w/3p827W8JUSY/s1600/DSC_1641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w6adeBYo05k/T0EGXfYl9kI/AAAAAAAAB8w/3p827W8JUSY/s640/DSC_1641.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Full view of Roomi Gate</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1uQjJ2Pbo8/T0EGnl9z4XI/AAAAAAAAB84/qAFUKKayqy0/s1600/DSC_1642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1uQjJ2Pbo8/T0EGnl9z4XI/AAAAAAAAB84/qAFUKKayqy0/s640/DSC_1642.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Roomi Gate has 3 doorways for passing traffic</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yp6HXp4fUC8/T0J9qU7s0iI/AAAAAAAACEU/fif0e-8MMHA/s1600/DSC_1748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yp6HXp4fUC8/T0J9qU7s0iI/AAAAAAAACEU/fif0e-8MMHA/s640/DSC_1748.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Imambara side of Roomi gate (front)<br />Imambara on left, Naubatkhana on right</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Clock Tower:</u></b>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From here we reach towards Husainabad and see the clock tower and picture gallery. It is an old building with larger than life size portraits of Nawabs of Awadh. We captured some good shots of picture gallery and clock tower.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 67m red-brick clock tower, reputedly the tallest in India, was built in the 1880s in memory of Sir George Couper, a reform-minded Governor of UP (United Provinces in those days).</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j24WP2ecSqc/T0EJJr3siGI/AAAAAAAAB9g/VgetjcTEaEQ/s1600/DSC_1615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j24WP2ecSqc/T0EJJr3siGI/AAAAAAAAB9g/VgetjcTEaEQ/s640/DSC_1615.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Clock Tower</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRoMgxHXYww/T0EI086CMJI/AAAAAAAAB9I/Om88BwLZrKc/s1600/DSC_1625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRoMgxHXYww/T0EI086CMJI/AAAAAAAAB9I/Om88BwLZrKc/s640/DSC_1625.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Clock Tower from Picture gallery building</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6f-9bKd1mE/T0EI2BHS5JI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/6XoAcDMTcOw/s1600/DSC_1628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6f-9bKd1mE/T0EI2BHS5JI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/6XoAcDMTcOw/s640/DSC_1628.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Shadow of clock tower in Husainabad tank</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-diIRcB2TCZE/T0E1ptIn8NI/AAAAAAAACDI/5BvXZYxsAuw/s1600/DSC_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-diIRcB2TCZE/T0E1ptIn8NI/AAAAAAAACDI/5BvXZYxsAuw/s640/DSC_1618.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Close View</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHPna5U58h4/T0EI4irn38I/AAAAAAAAB9Y/L3B2XGcoUu4/s1600/DSC_1630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHPna5U58h4/T0EI4irn38I/AAAAAAAAB9Y/L3B2XGcoUu4/s640/DSC_1630.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Shadow of the time</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Picture gallery:</u></b>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the main road you will see a board of the road named Dara Nawab Road which leads towards Picture gallery building. This building was built by Mohammed li Shah.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nHhPVH854k/T0EJ9rCZc8I/AAAAAAAAB9w/jlHbhmrDsqg/s1600/DSC_1639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nHhPVH854k/T0EJ9rCZc8I/AAAAAAAAB9w/jlHbhmrDsqg/s640/DSC_1639.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dara Nawab Road</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNSyu7ynwMs/T0EKZ9vGaQI/AAAAAAAAB94/4Ox1-p71MQc/s1600/DSC_1616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNSyu7ynwMs/T0EKZ9vGaQI/AAAAAAAAB94/4Ox1-p71MQc/s640/DSC_1616.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Red building is picture gallery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxYRn2pcnv8/T0EKco3hvJI/AAAAAAAAB-A/2Ti-BC_YHNw/s1600/DSC_1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxYRn2pcnv8/T0EKco3hvJI/AAAAAAAAB-A/2Ti-BC_YHNw/s640/DSC_1621.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Entrance</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rs6OgTv5J4M/T0EKf7jrOdI/AAAAAAAAB-I/oHBtUtDEyAk/s1600/DSC_1622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rs6OgTv5J4M/T0EKf7jrOdI/AAAAAAAAB-I/oHBtUtDEyAk/s640/DSC_1622.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Info Notice</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2xdeF48u2G8/T0EKitzAg3I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/cy3cWzk1Cdo/s1600/DSC_1623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2xdeF48u2G8/T0EKitzAg3I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/cy3cWzk1Cdo/s640/DSC_1623.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Inside the gallery (Nawab Wajid Ali Shah on the left)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><u>Satkhanda:</u></b>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other side of this bulding is an incomplete building called 'Satkhanda' built during rule of third king of Awadh (Oudh) Mohammed Ali Shah. This building was planned for 7 floors but could be made only up to 4 floors as </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">construction was abandoned in 1840 when Mohammed Ali Shah died.</span></span>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HkjRb6rg7g/T0E3v34X86I/AAAAAAAACDQ/v8p-lrdxqjk/s1600/DSC_1634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HkjRb6rg7g/T0E3v34X86I/AAAAAAAACDQ/v8p-lrdxqjk/s640/DSC_1634.jpg" width="364" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A stone with Urdu Shayari in devnagri <br />on the gate of Satkhanda</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-UNenLTkVs/T0EKlI7zZnI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/iijtrM_mtWU/s1600/DSC_1633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-UNenLTkVs/T0EKlI7zZnI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/iijtrM_mtWU/s640/DSC_1633.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Satkhanda ruins</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Chota (Small) Imambara:</u></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This beautiful building was built in 1837-40 by Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah, the third Nawab of Avadh to serve as his own mausoleum. Attractive chandeliers brought from Belgium are some of the most appreciated items. The Golden dome, silver throne and gold-edged mirrors makes the Hussainabad Imambara, grander of the two Imambaras. You can view the Central hall of the Chota Imambara where you can notice the graves of Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah and his mother Malika-i-Aliya. The graves are fenced with railings and covered with a embroidered Shamina. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One most attractive monument you see is a replica of Taj Mahal which is built in the Imambara campus and supporting monument - a similar building on either side of the water tank. This attractive building houses the tomb of one of the princesses of the royal family. This is also called Shahjadi ka Maqbara. Opposite to this you can see an identical structure which is a supporting structure but have a decent and attractive look. </span></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-biZJvYcfNls/T0EKpW9uvRI/AAAAAAAAB-o/q--JMF8ovHg/s1600/DSC_1636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-biZJvYcfNls/T0EKpW9uvRI/AAAAAAAAB-o/q--JMF8ovHg/s640/DSC_1636.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Husainabad gate before the Chota Imambara</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">After exploring the grandeur of Awadh, we reached the residency, which is described in next part 3 of this series.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.in/2012/02/day-in-lucknow-city-of-nawabs-part-3.html">A day in Lucknow - The City of Nawabs (Part-3)</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-32283078471784854512012-02-19T17:21:00.001+05:302012-02-20T22:53:34.062+05:30A day in Lucknow - The City of Nawabs (Part-1)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is this famous poetry about Lucknow</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">लखनऊ है तो महज़ गुम्बद-ओ -मीनार नहीं </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lucknow hai to mahaz gumbad-o meenar nahi </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">सिर्फ एक शहर नहीं कूचा-ओ-बाज़ार नहीं </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sirf ek shahar nahi kooch-o bazaar nahi </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">इसके आँचल में मोहब्बत के फूल खिलते हैं </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Iske aanchal mein mohabbat ke phool khilte hain </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">इसकी गलियों में फरिश्तों के पते मिलते हैं </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Iski galion mein farishton ke pate milte hain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Lucknow is not just its domes and minarets, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> not just a city or markets and corridors, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in its lap are grown the flowers of love, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in its alleyways you find the addresses of angels)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are a resident of Lucknow and have seen all the tourist points many time, but we wanted to travel the historical part of the city again in a one day package as an outsider tourist will do. Lucknow has many attractions but most of the historical heritage points are located in the heart of the town on the Mahatma Gandhi Road leading to Husainabad Trust Road. You can visit '<b>Asifi or Bara Imambara</b> (Big shrine)', '<b>Husainabad or Chota Imambara</b> (Small Shrine)', <b>Clock Tower</b>, <b>Picture Gallary</b>, <b>Roomi Gate</b> and <b>British</b> <b>Residency. </b>The heart of Hazratganj (City Center) is also nearby and you can enjoy the Awadhi and Mughlai cuisine in any of the restaurants in this area or in the roadside joints near Tulsi Complex.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7VEzavy5gc/T0DNltIlKxI/AAAAAAAAB14/O-J_sBNHs4o/s1600/lucknow+map.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7VEzavy5gc/T0DNltIlKxI/AAAAAAAAB14/O-J_sBNHs4o/s640/lucknow+map.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">See the red circles for spot locations (Source: Google Map)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bara Imambara:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all we reached the Bara Imambara. Bara means big and Imambara is a shrine for the purpose of Azadari (The processions and ritual performed during the Muharram are known as Azadari). It is a large complex with Main Imambara building, Bhool Bulaiyan (Maze or Labyrinth), Bouli (Step well) and Asifi Masjid inside. It was started in 1783 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula for providing jobs to peaple during a famine in Lucknow. It took 14 years to complete.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has two grand entrance in the shape of triple arch gateways. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnOZkTVtPrM/T0DdSAfuoII/AAAAAAAAB2Y/lqZJkwEkopE/s1600/DSC_1518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnOZkTVtPrM/T0DdSAfuoII/AAAAAAAAB2Y/lqZJkwEkopE/s640/DSC_1518.jpg" width="423" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Introduction Stone</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gAMWxFp0fMw/T0De4hkth6I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/LBVQmCVaGGE/s1600/DSC_1516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gAMWxFp0fMw/T0De4hkth6I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/LBVQmCVaGGE/s640/DSC_1516.jpg" width="423" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Entrance Fee</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The combined entry fee for Bara imambara, Baoli, Chota Imambara and Picture gallary is INR 35 for adults and INR 15 for kids between 5 to 12 years. Entry fee for foreign tourist is INR 350, which in my opinion is exorbitantly high. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGeJJ3igraA/T0De2qapSbI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/L0DzmHPrngA/s1600/DSC_1515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGeJJ3igraA/T0De2qapSbI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/L0DzmHPrngA/s640/DSC_1515.jpg" width="423" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Guide Charges</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guide charges shown above is only for main building and Labyrinth section. For Baoli or Step well, it is negotiable, we paid Rs. 50 extra for showing us the Baoli.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below you can see the official sign of Awadh that was a pair of fishes. The same has been taken by the Government of Uttar Pradesh also in its official seal.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tpd20IzxUPw/T0Dh1HVH0iI/AAAAAAAAB4w/QZAka_s-2l0/s1600/DSC_1594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tpd20IzxUPw/T0Dh1HVH0iI/AAAAAAAAB4w/QZAka_s-2l0/s640/DSC_1594.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One arch of the first gateway</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLwuk7HbDj8/T0DjGV-BY3I/AAAAAAAAB5A/FJZqKBzzcz0/s1600/DSC_1517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLwuk7HbDj8/T0DjGV-BY3I/AAAAAAAAB5A/FJZqKBzzcz0/s640/DSC_1517.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">First gateway and garden from inside</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3AhAsQxQWw/T0Dj-6-n_vI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/8DyeYo3VijA/s640/DSC_1592.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Second Gateway from inside</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3AhAsQxQWw/T0Dj-6-n_vI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/8DyeYo3VijA/s1600/DSC_1592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CtZUzx1jAM/T0Dj7gckjdI/AAAAAAAAB5I/jkTjKL_okvM/s1600/DSC_1581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CtZUzx1jAM/T0Dj7gckjdI/AAAAAAAAB5I/jkTjKL_okvM/s640/DSC_1581.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Second Gateway leading to main building</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKLkJLFroBk/T0DlAeaNp8I/AAAAAAAAB5Y/bZZu3shyZ20/s1600/DSC_1563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKLkJLFroBk/T0DlAeaNp8I/AAAAAAAAB5Y/bZZu3shyZ20/s640/DSC_1563.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Right side of main building with Asifi mosque</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PhwznQsKvU/T0DlGJlP8EI/AAAAAAAAB5o/bcBrz5wemGw/s1600/DSC_1565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PhwznQsKvU/T0DlGJlP8EI/AAAAAAAAB5o/bcBrz5wemGw/s640/DSC_1565.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Left side of main building</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After crossing the two gateways you see the main building of Imambara. It has been divided in 3 halls - named as China hall, Persian hall and Indian hall. The central hall is sized 52 meter long, 16 meter wide and 15 meter high, and is one of the largest hall of its kind in the world, without any column and beam. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The whole building is made of Lucknowi Bricks (sometimes called Lakauri bricks) which are thin bricks. No wood, metal or cement has been used.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The main architect of the building was Kifayatullah. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Central hall has the graveyard of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same roof covers three halls in all, the Persian Hall, the China Hall and the Indian Hall. The Persian Hall is the central hall, which is quite large in size. The China Hall is of an interesting shape, being square at ground level, octagonal at mid-height and 16-sided at the top. The India Hall is in the shape of a watermelon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below are some pictures of inside the main building-</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn2arMZVF6c/T0DpHx1_H6I/AAAAAAAAB5w/vyZTKJOKpFI/s1600/DSC_1522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn2arMZVF6c/T0DpHx1_H6I/AAAAAAAAB5w/vyZTKJOKpFI/s640/DSC_1522.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Central Hall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHBsmUWkyN4/T0DpbgW87sI/AAAAAAAAB54/R6hB3ThO1g4/s1600/DSC_1523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHBsmUWkyN4/T0DpbgW87sI/AAAAAAAAB54/R6hB3ThO1g4/s640/DSC_1523.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Central Hall - the largest unsupported roof</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZGN_H5kxps/T0DpeJRFefI/AAAAAAAAB6A/HvMMBidL-_A/s1600/DSC_1526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZGN_H5kxps/T0DpeJRFefI/AAAAAAAAB6A/HvMMBidL-_A/s640/DSC_1526.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Roof of the Indian Hal</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">l</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dD14--36HMM/T0Dpf4K1tmI/AAAAAAAAB6I/MAZtp54HQSk/s1600/DSC_1527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dD14--36HMM/T0Dpf4K1tmI/AAAAAAAAB6I/MAZtp54HQSk/s640/DSC_1527.jpg" width="423" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtMLQITYaq4/T0DpiX16q_I/AAAAAAAAB6Q/13VAR6pl9R8/s1600/DSC_1528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtMLQITYaq4/T0DpiX16q_I/AAAAAAAAB6Q/13VAR6pl9R8/s640/DSC_1528.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxdLd9m6XaU/T0DplkONkKI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/ZG4P9tVmLY4/s1600/DSC_1536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxdLd9m6XaU/T0DplkONkKI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/ZG4P9tVmLY4/s640/DSC_1536.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the balcony of central Persian hall (Graveyard of Asif-ud-Daula is seen below)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will find some guides burning a matchbox stick at the other end of the balconies that have openings to the Central Hall. In fact, this is another significant and architectural art of the building that has been used in this structure. You can listen the sound of a match stick at the other end of the hall. It is really interesting and seems unbelievable. If you happen to visit this monument, please do observe this uniqueness</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><u>Labyrinth or Bhool Bhulaiyan:</u></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surrounding the main hall is a 3D labyrinth or Bhool Bhulaiyan (भूल भुलैयाँ ), one and only of its kind in India. On left hand side you will see steep chain of stairs going up to the roof of the monument. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2Q2dpm3Pc/T0DrjfsHptI/AAAAAAAAB6g/lDtPnPJt9KU/s1600/DSC_1559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2Q2dpm3Pc/T0DrjfsHptI/AAAAAAAAB6g/lDtPnPJt9KU/s640/DSC_1559.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Way to staircase leading to Labyrinth</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-89z-OXoAxCE/T0Drna9DlQI/AAAAAAAAB6o/mgb_Zx6IZYU/s1600/DSC_1560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-89z-OXoAxCE/T0Drna9DlQI/AAAAAAAAB6o/mgb_Zx6IZYU/s640/DSC_1560.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rules for Labyrinth</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shoes and slippers not allowed inside halls and in the labyrinth. The guide is compulsory if visitor is a couple.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5I34qWbVWU/T0Dr4TPUUJI/AAAAAAAAB6w/muhz0RjkI5I/s1600/DSC_1534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5I34qWbVWU/T0Dr4TPUUJI/AAAAAAAAB6w/muhz0RjkI5I/s640/DSC_1534.jpg" width="423" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Long staircase leading to labyrinth and rooftop</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This amazing maze consists of corridors hidden betwen 20 feet wide walls. It is dark, scary and has dead ends at some points. You can enjoy it if you take services of a guide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some pics of maze corridors and view from rooftop.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJr8770BJkY/T0DutDZdzwI/AAAAAAAAB64/gYjVJvNwDk4/s1600/DSC_1540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJr8770BJkY/T0DutDZdzwI/AAAAAAAAB64/gYjVJvNwDk4/s640/DSC_1540.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Corridor on front side</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWIHBznsy-8/T0Duwx-ECXI/AAAAAAAAB7A/8aeSrQa0aJw/s1600/DSC_1556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWIHBznsy-8/T0Duwx-ECXI/AAAAAAAAB7A/8aeSrQa0aJw/s640/DSC_1556.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Maze has many such similar looking 4 way points</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2BEOmidqH0/T0DuysJYufI/AAAAAAAAB7I/FKy3x3xGSNk/s1600/DSC_1557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2BEOmidqH0/T0DuysJYufI/AAAAAAAAB7I/FKy3x3xGSNk/s640/DSC_1557.jpg" width="423" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Corridor on other side</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Views from rooftop of Imambara:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see the magnificent views from the roof top with River Gomti, Roomi gate, Asifi masjid and 'Teele wali Masjid (Mosque on a hillock)' in view.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fsw3_z2utH4/T0DxWf7rMxI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/ytxlNfWpFRY/s1600/DSC_1543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fsw3_z2utH4/T0DxWf7rMxI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/ytxlNfWpFRY/s640/DSC_1543.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On far distance - River Gomti & White Mosque is Teele wali Masjid</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-107Tm_9IJgw/T0DxZRMM8LI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/uN1UQjj20dg/s1600/DSC_1545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-107Tm_9IJgw/T0DxZRMM8LI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/uN1UQjj20dg/s640/DSC_1545.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Asifi Masjid on left</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdRcKlHJqOA/T0DxcKvVk-I/AAAAAAAAB7g/e4S4eTVo40I/s1600/DSC_1546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdRcKlHJqOA/T0DxcKvVk-I/AAAAAAAAB7g/e4S4eTVo40I/s640/DSC_1546.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Roomi gate in far center and river Gomti</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYVmxJbjuIo/T0Dxfb_zp4I/AAAAAAAAB7o/FLnoRdyaO9g/s1600/DSC_1548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYVmxJbjuIo/T0Dxfb_zp4I/AAAAAAAAB7o/FLnoRdyaO9g/s640/DSC_1548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIxjTcb-teg/T0Dxh0Bm3qI/AAAAAAAAB7w/C-V-2w4XUts/s1600/DSC_1552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIxjTcb-teg/T0Dxh0Bm3qI/AAAAAAAAB7w/C-V-2w4XUts/s640/DSC_1552.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Roof and burj along the sides</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IcTv4zDoZ0/T0DxkDdlGjI/AAAAAAAAB74/_TnCyed99ok/s1600/DSC_1553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IcTv4zDoZ0/T0DxkDdlGjI/AAAAAAAAB74/_TnCyed99ok/s640/DSC_1553.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The back side boundary</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmGoQrCKvGc/T0Dxm7nMAsI/AAAAAAAAB8A/8WHO_hhKaUE/s1600/DSC_1554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmGoQrCKvGc/T0Dxm7nMAsI/AAAAAAAAB8A/8WHO_hhKaUE/s640/DSC_1554.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the back side view you see</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> present Medical college (KGMC, now CSJMMC)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><u><br /></u></span></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lTNsPQ9OB-I/T0KBLAwyVdI/AAAAAAAACEs/8TbgHIjFdbY/s1600/DSC_1745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lTNsPQ9OB-I/T0KBLAwyVdI/AAAAAAAACEs/8TbgHIjFdbY/s640/DSC_1745.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Teele wali Mosque</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><u>Bauli or Stepwell:</u></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The imambara complex has a step well also called Bauli, which is a 5 storied structure. It was made for royal baths and also for taking construction water. It's water source was river Gomti.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_71p5sdafA/T0ECsu8G6tI/AAAAAAAAB8g/d3IxRCeP0Cs/s1600/DSC_1566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_71p5sdafA/T0ECsu8G6tI/AAAAAAAAB8g/d3IxRCeP0Cs/s640/DSC_1566.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Way down to step well</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjS52eV6dOc/T0ECwHzkd3I/AAAAAAAAB8o/9IbOK7sKvNI/s1600/DSC_1573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjS52eV6dOc/T0ECwHzkd3I/AAAAAAAAB8o/9IbOK7sKvNI/s640/DSC_1573.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Renovation is being done, presently well filled with construction garbage</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTIqxc7MzV0/T0ECJLiwqvI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/wJUyfPevN70/s1600/DSC_1579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTIqxc7MzV0/T0ECJLiwqvI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/wJUyfPevN70/s640/DSC_1579.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Asifi Mosque opposite to Bauli entrance</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before exiting the imambara complex I tried my hands to test my photography skill on floral beauty in the garden of the premises. A few shots are here-</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aIH2UWKHvSk/T0FIEWo_j-I/AAAAAAAACDs/9C1Yv4RqMHU/s1600/DSC_1585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aIH2UWKHvSk/T0FIEWo_j-I/AAAAAAAACDs/9C1Yv4RqMHU/s640/DSC_1585.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h68Cc02J_Nk/T0FII5tGWoI/AAAAAAAACD0/SdfFdz2DX68/s1600/DSC_1588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h68Cc02J_Nk/T0FII5tGWoI/AAAAAAAACD0/SdfFdz2DX68/s640/DSC_1588.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz77jCQenqg/T0FIMcjmCZI/AAAAAAAACD8/zkmHVnesp9U/s1600/DSC_1601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz77jCQenqg/T0FIMcjmCZI/AAAAAAAACD8/zkmHVnesp9U/s640/DSC_1601.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zoPy_5eowCw/T0FIUZ1R0pI/AAAAAAAACEE/9zZOodYKyLE/s1600/DSC_1607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zoPy_5eowCw/T0FIUZ1R0pI/AAAAAAAACEE/9zZOodYKyLE/s640/DSC_1607.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">An unusual variety of palm</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ja5oZ62no4E/T0FIv-4dr-I/AAAAAAAACEM/vrwndom9Zrw/s1600/DSC_1599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ja5oZ62no4E/T0FIv-4dr-I/AAAAAAAACEM/vrwndom9Zrw/s640/DSC_1599.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A craftsman selling handmade small Lucknawi Jutis (shoes) for INR 10</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After visit of this place we proceeded towards chota (small) imambara, picture gallary and clock tower, which is in next episode of this series.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.in/2012/02/day-in-lucknow-city-of-nawabs-part-2.html">A day in Lucknow - The City of Nawabs (Part-2)</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-43780179480926381442012-01-21T11:32:00.001+05:302012-02-09T20:46:15.421+05:30Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-X) (End of the trip)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Return Journey via Mathura and Vrindavan:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We checked out our hotel at 11:30 and headed towards mathura on a full day taxi, contracted for showing us the temples and dropping at Mathura Junction railway station. Mathura and Vrindavan are places sacred to Hindus as they are related with Lord Shree Krishna. Temples of Vrindavan and Mathura themselves need 2-3 days as a separate package. Since temples are religious place and not a tourist spots, I was interested in offering my prayers to God than in taking photographs of the temples and also many do not allow the photography inside the premises. However a few shots were taken, which are shown here [Maa Vaishno Temple (</span><a href="http://www.maavaishno.org/">http://www.maavaishno.org</a>)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, Birla Temple and Pagalbaba Temple)-</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYn99-b0Xjg/TxqLVAth82I/AAAAAAAABng/StpJQ4b65kA/s1600/DSC_1244.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYn99-b0Xjg/TxqLVAth82I/AAAAAAAABng/StpJQ4b65kA/s640/DSC_1244.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Maa Vaishno Devi Temple as seen from highway</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g1pgcKNRd44/TxqLXNyKfII/AAAAAAAABno/lAJnWP-is30/s1600/DSC_1246.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g1pgcKNRd44/TxqLXNyKfII/AAAAAAAABno/lAJnWP-is30/s640/DSC_1246.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Birla Temple, Vrindavan</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sffh1-B2dqU/TxqLZPlq4SI/AAAAAAAABnw/zhxeufsVO3M/s1600/DSC_1247.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sffh1-B2dqU/TxqLZPlq4SI/AAAAAAAABnw/zhxeufsVO3M/s640/DSC_1247.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Birla Temple, Vrindavan</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5JRTOI928w/TxqLaY7TJfI/AAAAAAAABn4/tg0iwEcqmik/s1600/DSC_1249.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5JRTOI928w/TxqLaY7TJfI/AAAAAAAABn4/tg0iwEcqmik/s640/DSC_1249.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Birla Temple, Vrindavan</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-88BhfRrLIPk/TxqLbmX2goI/AAAAAAAABoA/JYTxZ4eNY_M/s1600/DSC_1252.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-88BhfRrLIPk/TxqLbmX2goI/AAAAAAAABoA/JYTxZ4eNY_M/s640/DSC_1252.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Pagalbaba Temple, Vrindavan</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LVCdqW0kTQ/TxqLdN9zNEI/AAAAAAAABoI/4wcjvUD54vY/s1600/DSC_1257.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LVCdqW0kTQ/TxqLdN9zNEI/AAAAAAAABoI/4wcjvUD54vY/s640/DSC_1257.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Pagalbaba Temple, Vrindavan</b>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now we were on way back to home Lucknow from Mathura via Mathura Patna Express.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_EI2Hixuj4/TxqLS2Nm9hI/AAAAAAAABnY/D9xuF7NbaX8/s1600/DSC_1258.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_EI2Hixuj4/TxqLS2Nm9hI/AAAAAAAABnY/D9xuF7NbaX8/s640/DSC_1258.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Joy of returning his sweet home</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you will get a feel of the place and some benefit from our experiences. Your valuable comments and queries are invited.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-50597524680630629832012-01-21T01:10:00.001+05:302012-02-21T20:02:31.307+05:30Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-IX) (Agra Day 2 - Continued)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We reached Agra fort at Amar Singh gate after our exit from Taj West gate. This fort has a big area and a lot of history involved, so must be seen with leisure and a guide. It is open from sunrise to sunset like other Agra monuments. Entrance Fee for citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - Rs. 10 per head. and for Others: US $ 5 or Indian Rs. 250/- per head (ASI). children up to 15 years are free. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we tried the audio self guide in place of manual guide and found the experience immersive and worth repeating. Audio guide is a service provided by a company AudioCompass. They provide you an electronic equipment with recorded interactive commentry and a map of the fort with route and points marked on the map. The voice language is English (for INR 105) and many Indian languages (for INR 63). One instrument can handel two headsets. The second headset is provided at the cost of INR 37. If you have your own mp3 or mobile headset with you, you can plug that in for your travel partner for free. They keep your ID proof in original as a security and return it when there equipments are handed over back to them. You can take a look at there site </span><a href="http://audiocompass.in/agra-fort.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">http://audiocompass.in/agra-fort.html</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for more detail. We took 2 equipments with additional headset for total cost of INR 200 which was almost equal to the cost of a good manual guide, but the experience was altogether different and informations authentic. Only drawback is that you can't ask your silly questions from this audio self guide.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DqYbTuvOOCM/TxnIpxCvwjI/AAAAAAAABiw/lcgyERi7mwc/s1600/DSC_1139.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DqYbTuvOOCM/TxnIpxCvwjI/AAAAAAAABiw/lcgyERi7mwc/s640/DSC_1139.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My son with Audio guide gadget and headset</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0HiRnRYvwI/TxnKHOTD4oI/AAAAAAAABi4/9mTrrQUJvc8/s1600/Scan-120112-0001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0HiRnRYvwI/TxnKHOTD4oI/AAAAAAAABi4/9mTrrQUJvc8/s640/Scan-120112-0001.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Audio Guide pamphlet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cazh1kcF1xg/TxnKKmPsqnI/AAAAAAAABjA/ekUfbtYYQyw/s1600/Scan-120112-0002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cazh1kcF1xg/TxnKKmPsqnI/AAAAAAAABjA/ekUfbtYYQyw/s640/Scan-120112-0002.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Audio Guide Map for Agra fort</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Agra Fort:</span></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Agra Fort is situated on the bank of the river Yamuna. It is one of the most important and robustly built fort of the Mughals, with number of richly decorated buildings displaying Mughal art and architecture. It was constructed by the third Mughal emperor Akbar on the remains of an ancient site known as Badalgarh. Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517) was the first Sultan of Delhi to shift his capital from Delhi to Agra. After Sikandar Lodi who died in 1517, his son Ibrahim Lodi held the fort for 9 years until he was defeated and killed in the battle of Panipat in 1526. Several palaces, wells and a mosque were built in the fort during the Lodi period. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We entered the fort from Amar Singh Gate, and walked in following sequence listneing to a quality commentary in our Audio guide -</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Akbari Gate</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Shahjahani Gate</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Akbari Palaces</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Jahangir's Bath</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Jahangir Palace</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Bangla-i-Jahanari</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Khas Mahal</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Anguri Bag</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Musamman Burj (Place where Shahjahan used to look at Taj in his last days)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Pachisi Court</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Mina Masjid</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Deewan-i-khas</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Machchi Mahal</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Deewan-i-Aam</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here are some of the photographs snapped at various stops of the fort:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUtZgBh9y4E/Txo7SJEpp-I/AAAAAAAABko/xm-ZVwWDo4E/s1600/DSC_1141.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUtZgBh9y4E/Txo7SJEpp-I/AAAAAAAABko/xm-ZVwWDo4E/s640/DSC_1141.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Plan Map of the Fort</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qlES6XYnLY/Txo7TXzlIVI/AAAAAAAABkw/aw-TfLein3c/s1600/DSC_1152.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qlES6XYnLY/Txo7TXzlIVI/AAAAAAAABkw/aw-TfLein3c/s640/DSC_1152.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jahangir's Bath</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fBuGexldrUE/Txo7VCycLnI/AAAAAAAABk4/mz_j_oVe53A/s1600/DSC_1153.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fBuGexldrUE/Txo7VCycLnI/AAAAAAAABk4/mz_j_oVe53A/s640/DSC_1153.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Carving on the bath</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rF8kb_qt3iI/Txo7WoKxRqI/AAAAAAAABlA/hDYsWU340HU/s1600/DSC_1154.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rF8kb_qt3iI/Txo7WoKxRqI/AAAAAAAABlA/hDYsWU340HU/s640/DSC_1154.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Jahangir Palace Entrance</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WmDncWwUAvo/Txo7Xpe3WQI/AAAAAAAABlI/40rEb7t_gjU/s1600/DSC_1156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WmDncWwUAvo/Txo7Xpe3WQI/AAAAAAAABlI/40rEb7t_gjU/s640/DSC_1156.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Inside Jahangir's palace</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyCtBED5RhA/Txo7ZXya__I/AAAAAAAABlQ/bt_4fOnQsvU/s1600/DSC_1171.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyCtBED5RhA/Txo7ZXya__I/AAAAAAAABlQ/bt_4fOnQsvU/s640/DSC_1171.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ruins of Akbari Mahal</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJFSYmy8sOU/Txo7alsHmwI/AAAAAAAABlY/QByQKNJqECE/s1600/DSC_1177.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJFSYmy8sOU/Txo7alsHmwI/AAAAAAAABlY/QByQKNJqECE/s640/DSC_1177.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7gVg9ZdPew/Txo7cAFhnyI/AAAAAAAABlg/9rQYAq27aO0/s1600/DSC_1191.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7gVg9ZdPew/Txo7cAFhnyI/AAAAAAAABlg/9rQYAq27aO0/s640/DSC_1191.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Angoori Bagh</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZOenQR61Fc/Txo7djaiKhI/AAAAAAAABlo/VnWyHmOaA6E/s1600/DSC_1199.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZOenQR61Fc/Txo7djaiKhI/AAAAAAAABlo/VnWyHmOaA6E/s640/DSC_1199.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqUbluJf28I/Txo7e52kw-I/AAAAAAAABlw/V7mzhgbnb4U/s1600/DSC_1200.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqUbluJf28I/Txo7e52kw-I/AAAAAAAABlw/V7mzhgbnb4U/s640/DSC_1200.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Musamman Burj</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GouKZVkG6d0/Txo7htlq7qI/AAAAAAAABmA/Gabh9_MyDRM/s1600/DSC_1210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GouKZVkG6d0/Txo7htlq7qI/AAAAAAAABmA/Gabh9_MyDRM/s640/DSC_1210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thEU9BQb0R0/Txo7jAsmRTI/AAAAAAAABmI/-eRlcYEulN8/s1600/DSC_1214.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thEU9BQb0R0/Txo7jAsmRTI/AAAAAAAABmI/-eRlcYEulN8/s640/DSC_1214.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tomb of Sir John Colvin</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Pe01wumIWg/Txo7krWJxUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/1-UT2jeiMOQ/s1600/DSC_1216.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Pe01wumIWg/Txo7krWJxUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/1-UT2jeiMOQ/s640/DSC_1216.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hall of Deewan-e-Aam</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAEuwTNkKEA/Txo8p8sTpnI/AAAAAAAABmY/luxN4_9iguA/s1600/DSC_1142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAEuwTNkKEA/Txo8p8sTpnI/AAAAAAAABmY/luxN4_9iguA/s640/DSC_1142.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Deewan-e-Aam</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PkwvY_ZyoLk/Txo8q9qwk5I/AAAAAAAABmg/3hYEiyuDpgA/s1600/DSC_1188.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PkwvY_ZyoLk/Txo8q9qwk5I/AAAAAAAABmg/3hYEiyuDpgA/s640/DSC_1188.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">See the Taj in center square of the Jaali</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DheRppGleY/Txo8sHJyyyI/AAAAAAAABmo/8q-Oz7hFje8/s1600/DSC_1217.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DheRppGleY/Txo8sHJyyyI/AAAAAAAABmo/8q-Oz7hFje8/s640/DSC_1217.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A squirrel in action in the fort compound</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_OdaupXPrI/Txo8tBq0g9I/AAAAAAAABmw/ygknbNge4mI/s1600/DSC_1220.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_OdaupXPrI/Txo8tBq0g9I/AAAAAAAABmw/ygknbNge4mI/s640/DSC_1220.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Eating 'Kurkure'</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RT2t1mpPkXE/Txo8ucaj13I/AAAAAAAABm4/fFpIqJqVcxY/s1600/DSC_1221.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RT2t1mpPkXE/Txo8ucaj13I/AAAAAAAABm4/fFpIqJqVcxY/s640/DSC_1221.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mechanism of operation of Amar Singh Gate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When roller comes down, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">it closes the huge gate by pulling the chain</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rb2AR5aMezY/Txo8vmGUQ0I/AAAAAAAABnA/LBHOe4kPSKY/s1600/DSC_1222.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rb2AR5aMezY/Txo8vmGUQ0I/AAAAAAAABnA/LBHOe4kPSKY/s640/DSC_1222.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The chain of the gate on other side. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The chain goes in and lifts the gate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> which otherwise acts as a connecting bridge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-429WXjPmWWo/Txo8w77kJYI/AAAAAAAABnI/XP6yjQX3whQ/s1600/DSC_1223.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-429WXjPmWWo/Txo8w77kJYI/AAAAAAAABnI/XP6yjQX3whQ/s640/DSC_1223.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Amar Singh Gate Entrance is entry and exit point for the fort</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was 1730 and we finished the round of the fort and proceed to hotel for a rest after a memorable day at Taj and Fort. The fort organizes 2 light and sound shows in the evening hours, one in Hindi and other in English, but we decided not to see this as the kids were tired and wanted to have rest. It was the end of our Agra trip. We checked out the hotel next morning and took a full day taxi for Mathura and Vrindavan excursion and dropping at the Mathura Railway station.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my opinion if you are interested in historical places, it is must to do some prior reading about the place, always take a guide, watch the monuments in full detail with enough time and take your mind back in the era of the history to get maximum feel. Just a cursory walk without any detailing does not make any purpose for a historical place visit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photographs were taken on Nikon D5100 and are size reduced version of the original.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-nodes-of-golden-triangle-part-x-end.html">Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-X) (End of the trip)</a></span></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-49372794811589668472012-01-04T23:17:00.001+05:302012-01-28T15:12:52.419+05:30Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-VIII) (Agra Day 2)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">We reserved the second day at Agra for a detailed viewing of Taj and the Agra fort along with a morning walk in Taj Nature Walk which is a very large forest area with lot of birds, dancing peacocks, gardens, lake and fresh air. It is situated on the road of East gate to Taj and worth a visit in early morning, If you are staying on East gate side of taj. Entry fee to this costs INR 10 per person. We visited this place from 0700 to 0830 without our kids as they refused to an early rise. I could not take any photos inside as my camera battery was not ready for the shoot.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7kslutIuBg/Txm8XBLhvOI/AAAAAAAABio/mqT3WU0h3Kg/s1600/DSC_1228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7kslutIuBg/Txm8XBLhvOI/AAAAAAAABio/mqT3WU0h3Kg/s640/DSC_1228.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Entrance gate of Taj Nature Walk</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next thing to explore after our breakfast of hot stuffed paranthas and curd in the chilled morning of Agra, was again the Taj Mahal. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is open from Sunrise to Sunset. Friday closed (open for offering prayer in the mosque between 12 Noon to 2 PM).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Entrance Fee: for Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - INR. 10 per head. INR 10 per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) Others: INR. 250 per head. INR 500 per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) INR 500 ticket of ADA is purchased at Taj is valid for the monuments of Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-daula, Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandara and Fatehpur Sikri (Free entry to children up to 15 years).Tickets on east gate entry are sold only at shilpgram.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uAGApcYfb0Y/TwSS2m5jLaI/AAAAAAAABf8/SRk8VJ_Fjt4/s1600/DSC_1081.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uAGApcYfb0Y/TwSS2m5jLaI/AAAAAAAABf8/SRk8VJ_Fjt4/s640/DSC_1081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_iuNfNpYho/TwSRXyf8SOI/AAAAAAAABe4/feCxaNktcyA/s1600/DSC_1078.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_iuNfNpYho/TwSRXyf8SOI/AAAAAAAABe4/feCxaNktcyA/s1600/DSC_1078.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Important notice for viewing the Taj</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3cSbBR1BdY/TwSRZQqVD_I/AAAAAAAABfA/MHeRynwFJ18/s1600/DSC_1080.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3cSbBR1BdY/TwSRZQqVD_I/AAAAAAAABfA/MHeRynwFJ18/s1600/DSC_1080.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Notice about night viewing of Taj</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--RJditq_YJk/TwSRdS1lMAI/AAAAAAAABfY/1bvRe_deeeI/s1600/DSC_1087.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--RJditq_YJk/TwSRdS1lMAI/AAAAAAAABfY/1bvRe_deeeI/s1600/DSC_1087.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Battery operated cabs from Shilpgram to Taj east gate (INR 10 per person)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX1e53wyG_U/TwSRejBCkwI/AAAAAAAABfg/jF8siteQByI/s1600/DSC_1089.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX1e53wyG_U/TwSRejBCkwI/AAAAAAAABfg/jF8siteQByI/s1600/DSC_1089.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Battery operated cabs at Hotel Taj Khema for back to parking at shilpgram</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bB7YAjnH_lc/TwSRgbUCvoI/AAAAAAAABfo/o1gbDp-OJRI/s1600/DSC_1095.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bB7YAjnH_lc/TwSRgbUCvoI/AAAAAAAABfo/o1gbDp-OJRI/s1600/DSC_1095.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Introduction stone of Taj</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30f5Zx6_EC4/TwSRhWl6CsI/AAAAAAAABfw/ImOgsvlyQWM/s1600/DSC_1098.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30f5Zx6_EC4/TwSRhWl6CsI/AAAAAAAABfw/ImOgsvlyQWM/s640/DSC_1098.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Plan of the Taj Complex</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Taj is the most photographed thing in the world. We took a lot of photographs almost from all angles and corners but some typical shots, which are a kind of cliche shots, are being shown below. Actually you are so much mesmerized as you enter the premises that you lose all your creativity for shooting the Taj.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S8GIqw7ACpA/Txm1RgKasFI/AAAAAAAABg4/UQIRMzjzg1E/s1600/DSC_1103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S8GIqw7ACpA/Txm1RgKasFI/AAAAAAAABg4/UQIRMzjzg1E/s640/DSC_1103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Sg1ycPUfws/Txm1SxjkpBI/AAAAAAAABhA/EVIxQOYNrqI/s1600/DSC_1104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Sg1ycPUfws/Txm1SxjkpBI/AAAAAAAABhA/EVIxQOYNrqI/s640/DSC_1104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXj41sxqYGQ/Txm1UA5o4II/AAAAAAAABhI/x_yytlQ59ss/s1600/DSC_1105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXj41sxqYGQ/Txm1UA5o4II/AAAAAAAABhI/x_yytlQ59ss/s640/DSC_1105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following picture shows the famous 'Lover's bench' or 'VIP bench' or 'Diana bench' as it is popularly known. It is one of the most crowded spot inside the Taj and is surrounded by lot of photographers and their tourist clients. These photographers won't let you take possession of the bench for self photography and you may keep on waiting for your turn to come. We could get that seat after a lot of efforts and time as at that time the place was filled with a lot of people and their photographers. If you are there at early hours you may get it easily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3h5aF9sw70/Txm1VoXie2I/AAAAAAAABhQ/QAPxYgIAgDc/s1600/DSC_1116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3h5aF9sw70/Txm1VoXie2I/AAAAAAAABhQ/QAPxYgIAgDc/s640/DSC_1116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SA1kFKk-M1Y/Txm1XP5TlvI/AAAAAAAABhY/eSyxjtGZ-LU/s1600/DSC_1119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SA1kFKk-M1Y/Txm1XP5TlvI/AAAAAAAABhY/eSyxjtGZ-LU/s640/DSC_1119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzquuZyzRxo/Txm1YN0QZiI/AAAAAAAABhg/vGAw7jPsC_I/s1600/DSC_1130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzquuZyzRxo/Txm1YN0QZiI/AAAAAAAABhg/vGAw7jPsC_I/s640/DSC_1130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3F8TW7_2Qg/Txm2wBn-ICI/AAAAAAAABho/D_hHMopzBAs/s1600/DSC_1128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3F8TW7_2Qg/Txm2wBn-ICI/AAAAAAAABho/D_hHMopzBAs/s640/DSC_1128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jGgQFmPIN78/Txm2xMT0gqI/AAAAAAAABhw/j8EEPlG-8sU/s1600/DSC_1129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jGgQFmPIN78/Txm2xMT0gqI/AAAAAAAABhw/j8EEPlG-8sU/s640/DSC_1129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Mt2-g557D4/Txm3txgNqjI/AAAAAAAABh4/OV9bMKxgF9I/s1600/DSC_0788.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Mt2-g557D4/Txm3txgNqjI/AAAAAAAABh4/OV9bMKxgF9I/s640/DSC_0788.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGuWunGg0vs/Txm3vHL59lI/AAAAAAAABiA/FVPwB6-o5TA/s1600/DSC_0815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGuWunGg0vs/Txm3vHL59lI/AAAAAAAABiA/FVPwB6-o5TA/s640/DSC_0815.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KG6vac7AYwY/Txm3wUJPtBI/AAAAAAAABiI/UoYltSQAb4Y/s1600/DSC_0818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KG6vac7AYwY/Txm3wUJPtBI/AAAAAAAABiI/UoYltSQAb4Y/s640/DSC_0818.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RdN4wLF1ic/Txm3xgpMt3I/AAAAAAAABiQ/w_5k5sih1QE/s1600/DSC_0832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RdN4wLF1ic/Txm3xgpMt3I/AAAAAAAABiQ/w_5k5sih1QE/s640/DSC_0832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5PI0dt5xnM/Txm3zW7GMrI/AAAAAAAABiY/YnF62r16VFo/s1600/DSC_0836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5PI0dt5xnM/Txm3zW7GMrI/AAAAAAAABiY/YnF62r16VFo/s640/DSC_0836.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A pair of parrot on a tree in the monument of love</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uHlNWJmBVAY/Txm30nUTK8I/AAAAAAAABig/nhku7gV20Gw/s1600/DSC_0837.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uHlNWJmBVAY/Txm30nUTK8I/AAAAAAAABig/nhku7gV20Gw/s640/DSC_0837.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We stayed at Taj till 1300 hrs, enjoyed its beauty and charm from all points, also visited a museum on the left court after main entrance and came out of the complex from Taj West gate for visiting the Agra Fort or Red Fort. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-nodes-of-golden-triangle-part-ix.html">Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-IX) (Agra Day 2 Continued)</a></span></strong></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-8830059426300387132012-01-04T00:27:00.000+05:302012-02-17T22:24:57.939+05:30Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-VII) (Agra Day 1 - Continued)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Akbar's Tomb (Sikandara):</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We reached Sikandara in approximately one hour drive from Fatehpur Sikri. It is a suburb in Agra on Agra-Mathura Road (NH-2). The Tomb </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of 'Akbar the Great' is situated here and it is an important mughal architectural masterpiece, built in 1605-1613. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it, to be constructed after his death, Akbar's son</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jahangir completed the construction in 1605-1613. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Monument is open from Sunrise to Sunset. Entrance </span><span style="color: #666666; text-align: left;">Fee: for Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - INR. 5 per head. INR 10 per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) Others: US $ 2 or Indian INR. 100 per head INR. 10 per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) (Fridays free entry by ADA) INR. 500/- ticket of ADA is valid for the monuments of Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-daula, Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandara and Fatehpur Sikri (Free entry to children up to 15 years).</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Various designs on the building worth praising as there are beautiful collection of floral and geometrical patterns. Work of calligraphy is also seen inside. You can also see a lot of deer and black buck on the green lawns on both the side of the entrance pathway. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Corridors across main building have some acoustical properties like - echo and vibration generated if you clap at the center of a corridor block AND whispering at two opposite corners of a block can be heard like a telephonic talk. These are explained by the local guides at the tomb. We did not hire a guide here but witnessed these with another group of tourist with a guide demonstrating the same. Minimum time required to see it properly is 45 minutes which can go up to 90 minutes as per your liking, availability of time and convenience. Below are some snaps of the site to give you a glimpse.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MpTV_SR1yd4/TwNTR12gvQI/AAAAAAAABZw/FWDXn4P2IuM/s1600/DSC_0970.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="423" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MpTV_SR1yd4/TwNTR12gvQI/AAAAAAAABZw/FWDXn4P2IuM/s640/DSC_0970.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Outside main Entrance</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmJiG05gxZ0/TwNTsiXQ3iI/AAAAAAAABZ4/wJlN7PIX8Kw/s1600/DSC_0972.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="423" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmJiG05gxZ0/TwNTsiXQ3iI/AAAAAAAABZ4/wJlN7PIX8Kw/s640/DSC_0972.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>At the entrance</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CUZveIV7zA/TwNT639XWoI/AAAAAAAABaA/TVSQ4nZ7eSc/s1600/DSC_0978.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="423" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CUZveIV7zA/TwNT639XWoI/AAAAAAAABaA/TVSQ4nZ7eSc/s640/DSC_0978.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">View of main building after entry</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T2GXDj7yJO8/TwNUR-14f6I/AAAAAAAABaI/2gh6kXFy03s/s1600/DSC_0982.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T2GXDj7yJO8/TwNUR-14f6I/AAAAAAAABaI/2gh6kXFy03s/s640/DSC_0982.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Beautiful patterns on the wall</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piyu-F6YzVc/TwNUoZnZpiI/AAAAAAAABaQ/wWOkv928CM0/s1600/DSC_0983.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piyu-F6YzVc/TwNUoZnZpiI/AAAAAAAABaQ/wWOkv928CM0/s640/DSC_0983.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Beautiful flowers on the wall</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0Dp8SeTl00/TwNVB_9I9qI/AAAAAAAABaY/gWMCB5-BXJc/s1600/DSC_1006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0Dp8SeTl00/TwNVB_9I9qI/AAAAAAAABaY/gWMCB5-BXJc/s640/DSC_1006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Deer wandering in the park inside</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmVKj4f7nPY/TwNVZ1oszAI/AAAAAAAABag/3NsGaX_qnKY/s1600/DSC_1008.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmVKj4f7nPY/TwNVZ1oszAI/AAAAAAAABag/3NsGaX_qnKY/s640/DSC_1008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Beautiful art workon the wall before the entry to tomb</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1RB94vgl2g/TwNV_Gb1jhI/AAAAAAAABao/rCqgRUfh43c/s1600/DSC_1009.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1RB94vgl2g/TwNV_Gb1jhI/AAAAAAAABao/rCqgRUfh43c/s640/DSC_1009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Entry to tomb of Akbar the Great</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXE1t-IoO6Y/TwNWRAy40kI/AAAAAAAABaw/ZcE1bMBTqlw/s1600/DSC_1013.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXE1t-IoO6Y/TwNWRAy40kI/AAAAAAAABaw/ZcE1bMBTqlw/s640/DSC_1013.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Corridors, where you can observe acoustic effects</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzeQwAe8ia4/TwNWlIfnvqI/AAAAAAAABa4/GL3_SShtYJ4/s1600/DSC_1018.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzeQwAe8ia4/TwNWlIfnvqI/AAAAAAAABa4/GL3_SShtYJ4/s640/DSC_1018.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Another view of art work</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A2vOpbCOp2A/TwNW663KC2I/AAAAAAAABbA/42ginFjjoB4/s1600/DSC_1019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A2vOpbCOp2A/TwNW663KC2I/AAAAAAAABbA/42ginFjjoB4/s640/DSC_1019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Rambabu Parathe Wale:</span></strong></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">On the same highway is situated a very old and famous Rambabu Paranthe Wale (RBPW) at a distance of approximately 100 meters from Akbar's tomb towards Mathura side. The joint and its food may not be suitable for people with weak digestion or foreigners as the Paranthas are deep fried Indian bread and these are served here with 3 different kinds of spicy vegetables and pickles, but those who enjoy spicy or 'Chatpata' street food would like them. The restaurant is not the original one (it is situated in Belanganj area in Agra city) and like a road side joint, however their rates are exorbitantly high, as the cheapest parantha costs INR 70 (Plain Parantha) and costliest is INR 160 (RBPW special sweet parantha). You might not have heard about some unusual paranthas in their premium category like Apple Parantha,Banana Parantha and Mewa Parantha. We had our lunch at RBPW and liked the spicy taste.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7E2AIKObeU/TwSKoRPxGAI/AAAAAAAABbM/N1fyrtxSUtI/s1600/DSC_1023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7E2AIKObeU/TwSKoRPxGAI/AAAAAAAABbM/N1fyrtxSUtI/s640/DSC_1023.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">RBPW Menu card</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Itmad-Ud-Daulah:</span></strong></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">After having our lunch at RBPW we proceed towards the Dayal bagh temple, which is a sacred place for the followers of Radhasoami sect. It is a place where last rites of Swamiji were performed and a big temple is being constructed here. The temple is still not complete, but worth a short visit as you can see some intricate work on marble, which appeared cluttered to me.If you have shortage of time you can skip Dayal bagh and directly reach to Itmad - ud - daulah as the entry closes before the sunset. It is one of the most beautiful of Mughal tombs, stands across the river Yamuna on other side of the Taj Mahal, sometimes known as 'Baby Taj'. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Belonging to the age of Jahangir, it contains cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas and Asmat Begum, parents of the powerful Mughal Empress Nur Jahan, queen of Jahangir. In my opinion if some one is visiting Taj for first time he must visit Itmad-ud-daulah first and then the Taj.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">It is open from Sunrise to Sunset. Entrance Fee: for Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries(Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - INR. 5 per head.INR 10 per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) Others: US $ 2 or Indian INR. 100 per head INR. 10 per head as Toll Tax (Agra DevelopmentAuthority) (Fridays free entry by ADA) INR. 500/- ticket of ADA is validfor the monuments of Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-daula, Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandara andFatehpur Sikri (Free entry to children up to 15 years)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QDm-xXUr64Q/TwSKp2NVvnI/AAAAAAAABbU/3IakbB1m3uY/s1600/DSC_1025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QDm-xXUr64Q/TwSKp2NVvnI/AAAAAAAABbU/3IakbB1m3uY/s1600/DSC_1025.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahlSJ4pwT3I/TwSK0g5rxCI/AAAAAAAABbc/9md9Tl8_lS0/s1600/DSC_1024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahlSJ4pwT3I/TwSK0g5rxCI/AAAAAAAABbc/9md9Tl8_lS0/s1600/DSC_1024.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scX1lRByKgA/TwSK1uSzhFI/AAAAAAAABbk/mJjxHJc8nWA/s1600/DSC_1036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scX1lRByKgA/TwSK1uSzhFI/AAAAAAAABbk/mJjxHJc8nWA/s1600/DSC_1036.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The main chamber is richly decorated with mosaics and semi-precious stones inlaid in the white marble. This art work is named as 'Pietra Dura'.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4eZLIwu9j8/TwSK8EN7MPI/AAAAAAAABbs/UsOLn3XUm64/s1600/DSC_1032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4eZLIwu9j8/TwSK8EN7MPI/AAAAAAAABbs/UsOLn3XUm64/s1600/DSC_1032.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZYC53Z0Nw8/TwSK9HZwkxI/AAAAAAAABb0/XfnKciIWmZc/s1600/DSC_1033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZYC53Z0Nw8/TwSK9HZwkxI/AAAAAAAABb0/XfnKciIWmZc/s640/DSC_1033.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnvDUsEnOZY/TwSK-WqYC4I/AAAAAAAABb8/Npr-Rmveb6M/s1600/DSC_1034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnvDUsEnOZY/TwSK-WqYC4I/AAAAAAAABb8/Npr-Rmveb6M/s640/DSC_1034.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Mehtaab Bag (Moonlight Garden):</u></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Garden complex, situated on the opposite bank of the Taj Mahal, is known as Mehtab Bagh, or “The Moonlight Garden”. Recent excavations revealed a huge octagonal tank furnished with 25 fountains, a small central tank and a baradari on the east. The site is also associated with the myth of black Taj, but the excavations have provided ample evidence for a garden complex. You get another feel and dimension of Taj from this garden. Best time to visit is in evening up to sunset. We were there till the security guards chased every one out after dark.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is open from Sunrise to Sunset. Entrance Fee: for Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal,Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries(Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - INR 5 per head.Others: US $ 2 or INR 100 per head (Free entry to children upto 15 years)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ7kXMOH0rE/TwSLLvqia4I/AAAAAAAABcE/s9g0doG-SNg/s1600/DSC_1039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ7kXMOH0rE/TwSLLvqia4I/AAAAAAAABcE/s9g0doG-SNg/s1600/DSC_1039.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dsFVpM49iDE/TwSLM7tIxgI/AAAAAAAABcM/k_k7buhl3ks/s1600/DSC_1040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dsFVpM49iDE/TwSLM7tIxgI/AAAAAAAABcM/k_k7buhl3ks/s1600/DSC_1040.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8T23CXNs2mA/TwSLPbtxlRI/AAAAAAAABcc/oetbtMaNAKU/s1600/DSC_1042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8T23CXNs2mA/TwSLPbtxlRI/AAAAAAAABcc/oetbtMaNAKU/s1600/DSC_1042.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXqm5rRdbg8/TwSLRY4wsKI/AAAAAAAABco/QyMi6wttNBk/s1600/DSC_1044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXqm5rRdbg8/TwSLRY4wsKI/AAAAAAAABco/QyMi6wttNBk/s1600/DSC_1044.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDDMUbMlzCE/TwSLTTxHqOI/AAAAAAAABc8/S3S9GXTjlo8/s1600/DSC_1050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDDMUbMlzCE/TwSLTTxHqOI/AAAAAAAABc8/S3S9GXTjlo8/s1600/DSC_1050.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXpsrFuSHbE/TwSLUhn65MI/AAAAAAAABdE/yq5NAB5nM00/s1600/DSC_1057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXpsrFuSHbE/TwSLUhn65MI/AAAAAAAABdE/yq5NAB5nM00/s1600/DSC_1057.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki0uEog8nDo/TwSLca-WSaI/AAAAAAAABd8/tvU49UIDTok/s1600/DSC_1065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki0uEog8nDo/TwSLca-WSaI/AAAAAAAABd8/tvU49UIDTok/s1600/DSC_1065.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C-L86pdaUUU/TwSLdjmy_wI/AAAAAAAABeE/S_CAj4E22Jk/s1600/DSC_1068.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C-L86pdaUUU/TwSLdjmy_wI/AAAAAAAABeE/S_CAj4E22Jk/s1600/DSC_1068.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BF7iRDOVWHg/TwSLeyfBgsI/AAAAAAAABeM/Zvp3kBnkn84/s1600/DSC_1069.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BF7iRDOVWHg/TwSLeyfBgsI/AAAAAAAABeM/Zvp3kBnkn84/s1600/DSC_1069.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuyn8q62cUg/TwSLjnorfnI/AAAAAAAABes/T-Sz9WKmkuo/s1600/DSC_1076.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuyn8q62cUg/TwSLjnorfnI/AAAAAAAABes/T-Sz9WKmkuo/s1600/DSC_1076.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From here we returned to our hotel and day 1 at agra ended with an amazing journey into history of Mughal empire. However we skipped Mariam's Tomb (near Sikandara), Chini ka Rauza and Rambagh (on the same side of Yamuna opposite the Taj) due to lack of time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-nodes-of-golden-triangle-part-viii.html">Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-VIII) (Agra Day 2)</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-87335045364989139222012-01-03T00:08:00.001+05:302012-02-03T23:55:52.071+05:30Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-VI) (Agra Day 1)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On 22 Dec 2011, we boarded our train to Agra and reached Agra Fort railway station at 1540 hours. We proceed towards our hotel Taj Plaza, situated on the East gate side of Taj. This hotel is midway between Taj East gate and Shilpgram and at a 5 minutes walk from both. Taj has three entry gates - West gate, South gate and East gate. Of these east gate side is least crowdy, peaceful and better area. It also has some good hotels and one natural forest area known as Taj Nature walk. If you are a morning walker, prefer cleaner and less noisy area and want to see Taj multiple times, east gate side is for you.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Review of Hotel Taj Plaza, Agra:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This hotel is very comfortable, neat and clean and very well located on east gate side of Taj. We booked an AC family room with four beds. It appeared that hotel has invested good amount on all areas except the rooms. You may find a few glitches like heater not running, paint/plaster peeling off the wall, old plastic trays, problem in getting hot water quickly etc which if tackled properly, may enhance the coziness of the room. Also the bathrooms attached to family room are very small and not comfortable. We did not like the bathroom at all. Apart from these location is an important criteria where hotel wins many points. It has two restaurants, one on the ground floor and another on rooftop. The food quality is overall above average and service is good. Below are some of the images of our hotel. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5THCmI9VKE/TwIF0uw8O-I/AAAAAAAABT4/PYT_Wl22HTY/s1600/DSC_0773.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Family room (4 beded) in Hotel Taj plaza</b></span>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zimbtVkKnjg/TwIF2NNUynI/AAAAAAAABT8/PIK_u8SaaXU/s1600/DSC_0775.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Hotel view outside our room</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lMAGdLqU_Qg/TwIF3KoaguI/AAAAAAAABUI/jMdO6UUPwCk/s1600/DSC_0778.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lMAGdLqU_Qg/TwIF3KoaguI/AAAAAAAABUI/jMdO6UUPwCk/s1600/DSC_0778.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Taj as seen from hotel Taj Plaza</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ekHuEAHWh0/TwIF4X1GokI/AAAAAAAABUQ/EZ5O4iTTdtk/s1600/DSC_0780.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Another view of hotel outside our room</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we settled in our room it was already 1630. So I quickly rushed towards Shilpgram (East gate ticket window is situated here) to buy tickets as tickets are not sold after 1700 and entry also closes by that time. Entry tickets to Taj is INR 20 for Indian tourists (INR 750 for foreigners). Still camera entry if free. We were inside Taj before 1700, courtesy the location of our hotel. We wanted to use this evening by viewing the Taj this day as next day was Friday and Taj closing day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next day (23 December 2011, Friday) we booked a full day taxi to cover following points in the described sequence:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fatehpur Sikri</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sikandara (Akbar's Tomb)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lunch at Rambabu Paranthewala (at Sikandara)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dayalbag Temple</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eaitmad-ud-daula</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mehtab Bag</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to hotel</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Agra fort was also included in above but we excluded it and planned to cover it on 24 december along with second visit to Taj, as we wanted to devote sufficient time for these two monuments. These are prime and bigger ones, so need enough time.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Fatehpur Sikri:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started towards Fatehpur Sikri at around 1000 hours and reached there by 1100. Taxi dropped us at vehicle parking. Fatehpur Sikri comprises of two sections which are adjacent and situated on a small hillock. These are called "Palace's area" and "Religious/dargaah area". CNG Buses of Agra Development Authority ply from parking and charge INR 5 per person and drop you either at "Deewan-i-Aam" side entry OR "Badshahi gate" side entry. It is a 4-5 minute journey by bus. You can see the two sections in any sequence and again return to the parking by the CNG bus from any of the two points.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monument is open from Sunrise to Sunset. Entrance Fee: for Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - INR. 10 per head. INR 10 per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) Others: US $ 5 or Indian INR. 250 per head. INR 10 per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) INR 500 ticket of ADA is purchased at Taj is valid for the monuments of Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-daula, Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandara and Fatehpur Sikri (Free entry to children up to 15 years).<b>Dargah Complex has 'NO' entry fee.</b></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DgmITlgIEG8/TwM9NyZi2FI/AAAAAAAABUs/1E5Nw01wAmU/s1600/DSC_0860.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DgmITlgIEG8/TwM9NyZi2FI/AAAAAAAABUs/1E5Nw01wAmU/s1600/DSC_0860.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Notice board at 'Deewan-i-Aam' side entry showing fee and timings</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gau-Xef0apw/TwM9aNI628I/AAAAAAAABU8/eQ3pVVgCeUc/s1600/DSC_0966.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gau-Xef0apw/TwM9aNI628I/AAAAAAAABU8/eQ3pVVgCeUc/s1600/DSC_0966.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Board showing Palace and Dargah Complex directions at Badshahi gate side </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-05tx9xpnIA8/TwM_jZXfsLI/AAAAAAAABVQ/2KvhTDHBlfA/s1600/DSC_0967.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-05tx9xpnIA8/TwM_jZXfsLI/AAAAAAAABVQ/2KvhTDHBlfA/s640/DSC_0967.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Map of Fatehpur Sikri at Badshahi gate side</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Point number 1 to 8 are inside 'Dargah Complex' and point number 16 to 36 are called 'Palace complex' as marked in following figures point 40 is the ticket window and entry at Diwan-i-aam. All other points are out of these 2 main complexes and can be over-viewed from the palace area. CNG buses start near Gulistan Tourist complex/Parking area (Point 47, 48) and drop either at near point 4 (Badshahi gate) or near point 40 (Deewan-i-Aam).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GmfO-uJwF94/TwNCCc1XLDI/AAAAAAAABVc/d-LzevEv0Y8/s1600/DSC_0967.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GmfO-uJwF94/TwNCCc1XLDI/AAAAAAAABVc/d-LzevEv0Y8/s640/DSC_0967.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_U1AfvMAKE/TwNCEMETrHI/AAAAAAAABVk/w88sFMr13RY/s1600/DSC_0967-crop.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="316" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_U1AfvMAKE/TwNCEMETrHI/AAAAAAAABVk/w88sFMr13RY/s640/DSC_0967-crop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many young boys claiming them as guide will start chasing you at parking and will narrate you many stories for not boarding the CNG bus, taking you free, a shortcut route etc. But do not fall in their trap and go to Ticket windows by official CNG bus only. After taking tickets you must hire an experienced guide at entry point. You may also get Self Audio Guide as this is a UNESCO world heritage site. Selection of guide must be done carefully as it is the only thing which will enhance/spoil your whole experience. We got a guide named Fateh Muhammad, who gave us time of more than 2 hours explaining every point in detail. He agreed to offer his services at INR 200 after a bargain on first quoted rate INR 300. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As far as Dargaah area is concern, people offer "Chaadar (a sheet of cloth)" at tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, which you can buy there or you can take your own purchased beforehand according to your wish and capability, however it is not mandatory and depends on your religious belief.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzlsSaogjuo/TwNNNgBpMuI/AAAAAAAABZk/jwZYmO94RCc/s1600/100_3069.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzlsSaogjuo/TwNNNgBpMuI/AAAAAAAABZk/jwZYmO94RCc/s640/100_3069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Booking window at Deewan-e-aam</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwEoXOEJY6A/TwNFQ7zzKII/AAAAAAAABVw/WEmyU2miL9s/s1600/DSC_0863.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwEoXOEJY6A/TwNFQ7zzKII/AAAAAAAABVw/WEmyU2miL9s/s1600/DSC_0863.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I<strong>nside Diwan-e-aam area</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1oitdrfOSiU/TwNFSATSbbI/AAAAAAAABV4/Zm4XCrWP6Bs/s1600/DSC_0864.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1oitdrfOSiU/TwNFSATSbbI/AAAAAAAABV4/Zm4XCrWP6Bs/s640/DSC_0864.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After entry door from Deewan-e-aam to Deewan-e-khas</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifXTixp66z8/TwNFTlFezcI/AAAAAAAABWA/G7HT7v72O1w/s1600/DSC_0865.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifXTixp66z8/TwNFTlFezcI/AAAAAAAABWA/G7HT7v72O1w/s1600/DSC_0865.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">the patterns on the floor</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83w906J7o4Y/TwNFVE5josI/AAAAAAAABWI/89wX7E8JAuA/s1600/DSC_0866.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83w906J7o4Y/TwNFVE5josI/AAAAAAAABWI/89wX7E8JAuA/s1600/DSC_0866.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpk5DGCIuVE/TwNFWyemG7I/AAAAAAAABWQ/owhXpXJ0tpw/s1600/DSC_0870.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpk5DGCIuVE/TwNFWyemG7I/AAAAAAAABWQ/owhXpXJ0tpw/s1600/DSC_0870.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcBXhG-ono0/TwNFYEEMGkI/AAAAAAAABWY/mJ-u-saXCE4/s1600/DSC_0874.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcBXhG-ono0/TwNFYEEMGkI/AAAAAAAABWY/mJ-u-saXCE4/s1600/DSC_0874.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Deewan-i-khaas : Akbar used to sit here with his Navratnas</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZM7rf3pFy0/TwNFZSiRbiI/AAAAAAAABWg/9ZDk6DQ0tmg/s1600/DSC_0875.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZM7rf3pFy0/TwNFZSiRbiI/AAAAAAAABWg/9ZDk6DQ0tmg/s1600/DSC_0875.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Water Tank (Our guide seen on the side, in cap)</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_gnBGVZZfI/TwNFax66QmI/AAAAAAAABWo/r8_l0i2_zu4/s1600/DSC_0877.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_gnBGVZZfI/TwNFax66QmI/AAAAAAAABWo/r8_l0i2_zu4/s1600/DSC_0877.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hiran Minar (Tomb of Akbar's Elephant)</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qm3zHJ43JQ/TwNFcESxyLI/AAAAAAAABWw/GUe1RsjuHMU/s1600/DSC_0878.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qm3zHJ43JQ/TwNFcESxyLI/AAAAAAAABWw/GUe1RsjuHMU/s1600/DSC_0878.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LGpJFdrYcY/TwNFdgOBCJI/AAAAAAAABW4/ZK6bLcBpVBE/s1600/DSC_0881.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LGpJFdrYcY/TwNFdgOBCJI/AAAAAAAABW4/ZK6bLcBpVBE/s1600/DSC_0881.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">'Hide and seek' is a place used to secure the treasure or Khazana</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5BQ5281v-k/TwNFfPucTzI/AAAAAAAABXA/mJAsXuXYEHc/s1600/DSC_0882.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5BQ5281v-k/TwNFfPucTzI/AAAAAAAABXA/mJAsXuXYEHc/s1600/DSC_0882.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pachisi court (see chaupar game grid on the floor) and Panch Mahal</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ukDpWA2KXNQ/TwNFiLpgdbI/AAAAAAAABXQ/Ljsff9mnD0s/s1600/DSC_0886.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ukDpWA2KXNQ/TwNFiLpgdbI/AAAAAAAABXQ/Ljsff9mnD0s/s1600/DSC_0886.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiruWYtvT0c/TwNFjeYvo3I/AAAAAAAABXY/OclVPyGi39Q/s1600/DSC_0891.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiruWYtvT0c/TwNFjeYvo3I/AAAAAAAABXY/OclVPyGi39Q/s1600/DSC_0891.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Inside palace of Turki Sultana (Big spaces had mirrors)</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ycd3FTOaJs8/TwNFkpWRQpI/AAAAAAAABXg/avYuafaEORw/s1600/DSC_0892.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ycd3FTOaJs8/TwNFkpWRQpI/AAAAAAAABXg/avYuafaEORw/s1600/DSC_0892.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Work in palace of Turki Sultana</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMRPXISV0FI/TwNFlxZWAHI/AAAAAAAABXo/d-sZyFKgSgw/s1600/DSC_0895.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMRPXISV0FI/TwNFlxZWAHI/AAAAAAAABXo/d-sZyFKgSgw/s640/DSC_0895.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stone work inside palace of Turki Sultana</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkNgUParkNA/TwNFnOFMLwI/AAAAAAAABXw/QWguM-eFOS4/s1600/DSC_0902.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkNgUParkNA/TwNFnOFMLwI/AAAAAAAABXw/QWguM-eFOS4/s1600/DSC_0902.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Anoop Talab (pond) where Tansen performed music concerts</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cM_wswHp_Mc/TwNFoiEc3KI/AAAAAAAABX4/NXqYd89M5lw/s1600/DSC_0904.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cM_wswHp_Mc/TwNFoiEc3KI/AAAAAAAABX4/NXqYd89M5lw/s1600/DSC_0904.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Akbar's water pot assembled from the existing pieces</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vG_vNF-T2bQ/TwNFp9lVh5I/AAAAAAAABYA/fHXdUUrBElY/s1600/DSC_0911.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vG_vNF-T2bQ/TwNFp9lVh5I/AAAAAAAABYA/fHXdUUrBElY/s1600/DSC_0911.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Akbar's place of sitting at Khas Mahal for listening the music concerts</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hi2XzaHs4o/TwNFrOZaFqI/AAAAAAAABYI/WaAUwibbepQ/s1600/DSC_0913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hi2XzaHs4o/TwNFrOZaFqI/AAAAAAAABYI/WaAUwibbepQ/s640/DSC_0913.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtLA-IKSsUw/TwNFsopsUCI/AAAAAAAABYQ/ufiaYjLso04/s1600/DSC_0933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtLA-IKSsUw/TwNFsopsUCI/AAAAAAAABYQ/ufiaYjLso04/s640/DSC_0933.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bD24Yw3zuSA/TwNFt-IiuYI/AAAAAAAABYY/M-bCL3Hcmu4/s1600/DSC_0949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bD24Yw3zuSA/TwNFt-IiuYI/AAAAAAAABYY/M-bCL3Hcmu4/s1600/DSC_0949.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_X6wFsrRDJI/TwNFvDKZ5kI/AAAAAAAABYc/gypeNGKOBi8/s1600/DSC_0952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_X6wFsrRDJI/TwNFvDKZ5kI/AAAAAAAABYc/gypeNGKOBi8/s1600/DSC_0952.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Inside Dargah area (White marble building is shrine of Sheikh Salim Chishti)</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-ifcVBms1E/TwNFwn-MuBI/AAAAAAAABYo/2weI8huaXo0/s1600/DSC_0954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-ifcVBms1E/TwNFwn-MuBI/AAAAAAAABYo/2weI8huaXo0/s1600/DSC_0954.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQZasMWdU10/TwNFx66EmrI/AAAAAAAABYw/ODIlGqopIeM/s1600/DSC_0962.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQZasMWdU10/TwNFx66EmrI/AAAAAAAABYw/ODIlGqopIeM/s640/DSC_0962.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Asia's largest doorway - Buland Darwaza</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vfPlkuoYyAU/TwNFyxevPOI/AAAAAAAABY4/W8YXgv0OH0U/s1600/DSC_0965.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vfPlkuoYyAU/TwNFyxevPOI/AAAAAAAABY4/W8YXgv0OH0U/s640/DSC_0965.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Arabic embossed carving - Buland Darwaza</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wer here for 2 hours and after enjoying the mystique and beauty of this ghost city we proceed towards Sikandara - Akbar's Tomb. For remaining points of visit of this day 1 trip click on the link to part - VII below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-nodes-of-golden-triangle-part-vii.html">Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-VII) (Agra Day 1 Continued)</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-56340464217918003212012-01-03T00:05:00.002+05:302012-02-03T23:44:37.021+05:30Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-V) (Jaipur Day 2 - Continued)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After departure from Amer we reached Jaigarh fort within next half an hour. Entry ticket to Jaigarh costs INR 35 per person and Still camera fee is INR 50. It issituated on the premonitory called the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) of the Aravali hill ranges. You can see the Amer fort and the Moata Lake from this fort. The fort was built by Sawai Jai Singh III in 1726 to protect the Amer Fort and the palace complex within it and was named after Jai Singh II. It is 15 km from Jaipur city on a road diversion on the way to Amer.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3R96rA7I2QY/TywiHnChONI/AAAAAAAABws/JKOPaBU3grQ/s1600/DSC_0665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3R96rA7I2QY/TywiHnChONI/AAAAAAAABws/JKOPaBU3grQ/s640/DSC_0665.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Jaigarh Fort as seen from the Amer Fort</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jaigarh Fort was a centre of artillery production for the Rajputs. It is now home to the Jaivana - world's largest canon manufactured in 1720. It was the cannon on wheels. The foundry where it was manufactured is also located here.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DXpk8gkUJcg/TywilJzZ-lI/AAAAAAAABw0/o8wOqtr9VKM/s1600/DSC_0691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DXpk8gkUJcg/TywilJzZ-lI/AAAAAAAABw0/o8wOqtr9VKM/s640/DSC_0691.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUnFm-8v8xI/TwH0UrLcXXI/AAAAAAAABSY/GQs9mqIVRiY/s1600/DSC_0683.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUnFm-8v8xI/TwH0UrLcXXI/AAAAAAAABSY/GQs9mqIVRiY/s1600/DSC_0683.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">World's Largest Cannon</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHH1GjNMawk/TwH0V3pwsmI/AAAAAAAABSg/Li_CubR5aqw/s1600/DSC_0685.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHH1GjNMawk/TwH0V3pwsmI/AAAAAAAABSg/Li_CubR5aqw/s1600/DSC_0685.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9_CcK3yvJg/TwH1G9OBbaI/AAAAAAAABSs/RY4PtnSGpdY/s1600/DSC_0694.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9_CcK3yvJg/TwH1G9OBbaI/AAAAAAAABSs/RY4PtnSGpdY/s1600/DSC_0694.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTVxDEOYAaQ/TwH1IYvclqI/AAAAAAAABS0/GYVAh_1fE4U/s1600/DSC_0696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTVxDEOYAaQ/TwH1IYvclqI/AAAAAAAABS0/GYVAh_1fE4U/s1600/DSC_0696.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3eXG4c9UGCI/TwH1JWQZMNI/AAAAAAAABS8/9rx45IEFRlA/s1600/DSC_0699.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3eXG4c9UGCI/TwH1JWQZMNI/AAAAAAAABS8/9rx45IEFRlA/s1600/DSC_0699.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpAOSvZTuSs/TwH1Kl1Y9FI/AAAAAAAABTE/0xHFPfVSMDo/s1600/DSC_0701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpAOSvZTuSs/TwH1Kl1Y9FI/AAAAAAAABTE/0xHFPfVSMDo/s1600/DSC_0701.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ-sQfFuRyY/TwH1MIBZ_QI/AAAAAAAABTM/juLHKnMcxSw/s1600/DSC_0713.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ-sQfFuRyY/TwH1MIBZ_QI/AAAAAAAABTM/juLHKnMcxSw/s1600/DSC_0713.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Water reservoir made initially for construction of fort</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQ4St1qhjYI/TwH1NftLfSI/AAAAAAAABTU/k-yek1pQa7Q/s1600/DSC_0720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQ4St1qhjYI/TwH1NftLfSI/AAAAAAAABTU/k-yek1pQa7Q/s1600/DSC_0720.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olPd8uwbzoU/TwH1OmKDPGI/AAAAAAAABTc/edeTrhYAgbU/s1600/DSC_0725.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olPd8uwbzoU/TwH1OmKDPGI/AAAAAAAABTc/edeTrhYAgbU/s1600/DSC_0725.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Amer Fort (below) as seen from Jaigarh Fort</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4rARY5lVqc/TwH1QEnCL3I/AAAAAAAABTk/CJJkh-Y7qIg/s1600/DSC_0726.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4rARY5lVqc/TwH1QEnCL3I/AAAAAAAABTk/CJJkh-Y7qIg/s1600/DSC_0726.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A garden in the fort</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61oaSOkhlY0/TwH1RpqOe3I/AAAAAAAABTs/j4pdZZuQ_-U/s1600/DSC_0727.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61oaSOkhlY0/TwH1RpqOe3I/AAAAAAAABTs/j4pdZZuQ_-U/s1600/DSC_0727.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Corridor over a fort wall</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also took services of one of the fort guard who showed us all the parts of the fort in detail and explained the authentic information. It enhances our experience of visiting any historical place when a guide takes us to past and recreates the scene of history in our mind. So I always prefer to take a guide in a historical place, but selection of the right guide is the most important factor. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After visit of the Jaigarh we returned to our hotel, took some rest and again went for some shopping in the walled city. We skipped some points like Nahargarh fort, Galta Ji, Gatore, Rani Sisodia Garden etc due to paucity of time, and left them for next visit. Our next stop after Jaipur was Agra - the city of Taj.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-nodes-of-golden-triangle-part-vi.html">Next: Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-VI) (Agra Day - 1)</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-64560493441399369682012-01-02T21:21:00.001+05:302012-01-28T13:39:26.379+05:30Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-IV) (Jaipur Day 2)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second day we planned for a visit to forts of Jaipur. There are three forts around Jaipur city - Amer, Jaigarh and Nahargarh. Initially we planned to see them all, but due to loss of 1 day, we finally decided to see Amer and Jaigarh fort only. The rest of the day was planned for random walks in the city markets. You need a taxi to visit these forts, so we booked an Indica taxi for visiting the two forts, and it was arranged by the Aryaniwas.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Amer Fort:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">This is also known as Amber Fort. This is situated at a distance of 11 km from Jaipur city. It is one of the main tourist attractions in Jaipur area. The for located on a small hill, was made by Meenas King Raja Alan Singh Chanda and later occupied by Kachhwa rajputs. Most of the present fort and palace buildings are built by Raja Maan Singh who ruled from 1590-1614 CE.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you reach the Amer you get some magnificent views of the fort from the road. </span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUqQhQedcKs/TwHdchGrVXI/AAAAAAAABKs/H8dHISxTTiA/s1600/DSC_0536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUqQhQedcKs/TwHdchGrVXI/AAAAAAAABKs/H8dHISxTTiA/s1600/DSC_0536.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9c3l-TVxlTw/TwHdeQ1TyfI/AAAAAAAABK0/kRC6cLH0uN4/s1600/DSC_0540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9c3l-TVxlTw/TwHdeQ1TyfI/AAAAAAAABK0/kRC6cLH0uN4/s1600/DSC_0540.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AE6QJyJ-sK8/TwHdfc1HbWI/AAAAAAAABK8/LcitkYmKhQ8/s1600/DSC_0545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AE6QJyJ-sK8/TwHdfc1HbWI/AAAAAAAABK8/LcitkYmKhQ8/s1600/DSC_0545.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCbP1IWZMDw/TwHdg8F8ZTI/AAAAAAAABLE/TDnhthK5NLM/s1600/DSC_0546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCbP1IWZMDw/TwHdg8F8ZTI/AAAAAAAABLE/TDnhthK5NLM/s1600/DSC_0546.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YRUX6fUDqA8/TwHdiV2XJkI/AAAAAAAABLM/0-9Qiq08ajo/s1600/DSC_0548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YRUX6fUDqA8/TwHdiV2XJkI/AAAAAAAABLM/0-9Qiq08ajo/s1600/DSC_0548.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyNHDjyidiU/TwHdjUQwBKI/AAAAAAAABLU/7OwreC6ld_A/s1600/DSC_0553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyNHDjyidiU/TwHdjUQwBKI/AAAAAAAABLU/7OwreC6ld_A/s1600/DSC_0553.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--7TuPhq4Y_k/TwHdkjicxxI/AAAAAAAABLc/QEUDQt5k3-8/s1600/DSC_0556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--7TuPhq4Y_k/TwHdkjicxxI/AAAAAAAABLc/QEUDQt5k3-8/s1600/DSC_0556.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XiUIRJqJPDI/TwHdlnYdvvI/AAAAAAAABLk/K6ON8ExTWaU/s1600/DSC_0557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XiUIRJqJPDI/TwHdlnYdvvI/AAAAAAAABLk/K6ON8ExTWaU/s1600/DSC_0557.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From pedestrian path to the fort you reach inside Jaleb Chowk from Singh Pol (Lion Gate). Jaleb Chowk is an Arabic language word, which means a central place for soldiers to assemble. This is one of the four courtyards of the Amer Palace, built during reign of Sawai Jai Singh (1693-1743 CE).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the right side of Jaleb Chowk you see a passage adjacent to the staircase leading to Sila Mata temple. Different view inside the first courtyard are shown below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaQ5KsXMQgY/TwHgbxqcl4I/AAAAAAAABL4/YDIrrEVTvzU/s1600/DSC_0579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaQ5KsXMQgY/TwHgbxqcl4I/AAAAAAAABL4/YDIrrEVTvzU/s1600/DSC_0579.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr2zm2dOfFY/TwHg0qmIWMI/AAAAAAAABMA/DOy4ymKzBz0/s1600/DSC_0574.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr2zm2dOfFY/TwHg0qmIWMI/AAAAAAAABMA/DOy4ymKzBz0/s1600/DSC_0574.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Elephants in Jaleb Chowk</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1GwbwhWHTl8/TwHg10j_gOI/AAAAAAAABMI/smDuqOeUvoE/s1600/DSC_0576.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1GwbwhWHTl8/TwHg10j_gOI/AAAAAAAABMI/smDuqOeUvoE/s1600/DSC_0576.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After entrance from Singh Pol</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AIVw3Z3n9w/TwHg3O_ad9I/AAAAAAAABMQ/DtsIeMJtCmg/s1600/DSC_0577.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AIVw3Z3n9w/TwHg3O_ad9I/AAAAAAAABMQ/DtsIeMJtCmg/s1600/DSC_0577.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XyUpCGyzEF0/TwHg4SBf-kI/AAAAAAAABMY/UQZop195l3U/s1600/DSC_0582.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XyUpCGyzEF0/TwHg4SBf-kI/AAAAAAAABMY/UQZop195l3U/s1600/DSC_0582.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnDi2TgxrJc/TwHg5VU2RPI/AAAAAAAABMg/8zV2x0I9iZc/s1600/DSC_0586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnDi2TgxrJc/TwHg5VU2RPI/AAAAAAAABMg/8zV2x0I9iZc/s1600/DSC_0586.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1JVvFuxTJPw/TwHg6huZ6ZI/AAAAAAAABMo/_Yo2zvGitQg/s1600/DSC_0587.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1JVvFuxTJPw/TwHg6huZ6ZI/AAAAAAAABMo/_Yo2zvGitQg/s1600/DSC_0587.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A view of Jaleb Chowk</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87rhKVScBIs/TwHg7xCaJGI/AAAAAAAABMw/uSThpcaiqAc/s1600/DSC_0588.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87rhKVScBIs/TwHg7xCaJGI/AAAAAAAABMw/uSThpcaiqAc/s1600/DSC_0588.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Staircase from the Jaleb Chowk takes you to second courtyard. Here you see Deewan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience, Another gateway called Ganesh Pol leading to thirt courtyard is visible here. Various points inside second courtyard are shown here.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmtpJZ6xksY/TwHg9HZWtGI/AAAAAAAABM4/khcXUR-_lqs/s1600/DSC_0594.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmtpJZ6xksY/TwHg9HZWtGI/AAAAAAAABM4/khcXUR-_lqs/s1600/DSC_0594.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RKv0vXb7ppk/TwHg-Xdo9II/AAAAAAAABNA/xDU6go_o3eQ/s1600/DSC_0595.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RKv0vXb7ppk/TwHg-Xdo9II/AAAAAAAABNA/xDU6go_o3eQ/s1600/DSC_0595.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Deewan-e-Aam in left and Ganesh Pol in front</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw0Edd919Bg/TwHj_utb_DI/AAAAAAAABNU/t8p4KYVz2x8/s1600/DSC_0597.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw0Edd919Bg/TwHj_utb_DI/AAAAAAAABNU/t8p4KYVz2x8/s1600/DSC_0597.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--uEIYe2EBk8/TwHkBfpYSlI/AAAAAAAABNc/6t0IuKN7k8w/s1600/DSC_0599.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--uEIYe2EBk8/TwHkBfpYSlI/AAAAAAAABNc/6t0IuKN7k8w/s1600/DSC_0599.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ganesh Pol</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdHFqntnGcs/TwHkCgP6sWI/AAAAAAAABNk/4x45oapllBA/s1600/DSC_0605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdHFqntnGcs/TwHkCgP6sWI/AAAAAAAABNk/4x45oapllBA/s1600/DSC_0605.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc1XVo1yHqE/TwHkD7iC8AI/AAAAAAAABNs/FNQ3AGtdRXA/s1600/DSC_0615.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc1XVo1yHqE/TwHkD7iC8AI/AAAAAAAABNs/FNQ3AGtdRXA/s1600/DSC_0615.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Art work on Ganesh Pol</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z68jQM8JaW8/TwHkFZLgWLI/AAAAAAAABN0/pDkyydMNXio/s1600/DSC_0617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z68jQM8JaW8/TwHkFZLgWLI/AAAAAAAABN0/pDkyydMNXio/s1600/DSC_0617.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xU60cF0Ju40/TwHkG2x8jTI/AAAAAAAABN8/WVi3klkms4k/s1600/DSC_0618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xU60cF0Ju40/TwHkG2x8jTI/AAAAAAAABN8/WVi3klkms4k/s1600/DSC_0618.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3fVJQ9HUDI/TwHkIB8ZTjI/AAAAAAAABOE/V_lTqDOt09g/s1600/DSC_0619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3fVJQ9HUDI/TwHkIB8ZTjI/AAAAAAAABOE/V_lTqDOt09g/s1600/DSC_0619.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WSOgPbdwe8/TwHkJokouMI/AAAAAAAABOM/mqIQM3NPl9Q/s1600/DSC_0621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WSOgPbdwe8/TwHkJokouMI/AAAAAAAABOM/mqIQM3NPl9Q/s1600/DSC_0621.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuOENBBJWlU/TwHkK5rInPI/AAAAAAAABOU/dotlm-_qvj0/s1600/DSC_0622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuOENBBJWlU/TwHkK5rInPI/AAAAAAAABOU/dotlm-_qvj0/s640/DSC_0622.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drRJhkIYveo/TwHkNLl3ZTI/AAAAAAAABOk/gViKxZSEnTI/s1600/DSC_0624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drRJhkIYveo/TwHkNLl3ZTI/AAAAAAAABOk/gViKxZSEnTI/s1600/DSC_0624.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6E_TuVHcC8Q/TwHkOTDBpmI/AAAAAAAABOs/Z54siF3mWDw/s1600/DSC_0625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6E_TuVHcC8Q/TwHkOTDBpmI/AAAAAAAABOs/Z54siF3mWDw/s1600/DSC_0625.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIQSnq9QVi4/TwHkPTxwpHI/AAAAAAAABO0/hxrcM4Me1rw/s1600/DSC_0626.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIQSnq9QVi4/TwHkPTxwpHI/AAAAAAAABO0/hxrcM4Me1rw/s1600/DSC_0626.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ceiling painting displaying Golden colour from one side</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Su29TgykHqg/TwHkQsVs86I/AAAAAAAABO8/Jre3TORDh60/s1600/DSC_0627.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Su29TgykHqg/TwHkQsVs86I/AAAAAAAABO8/Jre3TORDh60/s1600/DSC_0627.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Same ceiling painting from other side (No Golden colour visible from this side)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5PaOf9g7vY/TwHkR0kMCnI/AAAAAAAABPE/PQLBshkrr40/s1600/DSC_0628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5PaOf9g7vY/TwHkR0kMCnI/AAAAAAAABPE/PQLBshkrr40/s1600/DSC_0628.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ganesh Pol you enter the third courtyard where the private quarters of the Maharaja, his family and attendants were built. The courtyard has two buildings, one opposite to the other, separated by a garden laid in the fashion of the Mughal Gardens. The building to the left of the entrance gate is called the Jai Mandir, which is beautified with glass inlaid panels and multi-mirrored ceilings. The mirrors are of convex shape and designed with coloured foil and paint which would glitter bright under candle nights at the time it was in use. This is known as Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) and Deewan-i-khas (Hall of Private audience). The other building seen in the court yard is opposite to the Jai Mandir and is known as the Sukh Niwas or Sukh Mahal (Hall of Pleasure).</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ug-b5LwgKEY/TwHnMXCoVLI/AAAAAAAABPY/1JRsWyWpGiY/s1600/DSC_0630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ug-b5LwgKEY/TwHnMXCoVLI/AAAAAAAABPY/1JRsWyWpGiY/s1600/DSC_0630.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-_bA2zvzo0/TwHnN80D1WI/AAAAAAAABPg/-5qldye2O5I/s1600/DSC_0635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-_bA2zvzo0/TwHnN80D1WI/AAAAAAAABPg/-5qldye2O5I/s1600/DSC_0635.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAHgdfh8ZG8/TwHnPN5hKwI/AAAAAAAABPo/digG5zyLmCQ/s1600/DSC_0636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAHgdfh8ZG8/TwHnPN5hKwI/AAAAAAAABPo/digG5zyLmCQ/s1600/DSC_0636.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSujd0Y7UKw/TwHnQs5hBgI/AAAAAAAABPw/W6D-FeHJCTg/s1600/DSC_0637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSujd0Y7UKw/TwHnQs5hBgI/AAAAAAAABPw/W6D-FeHJCTg/s1600/DSC_0637.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqh4LGo8Xdw/TwHnR2QU9yI/AAAAAAAABP4/PKJWu1kc6wk/s1600/DSC_0638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqh4LGo8Xdw/TwHnR2QU9yI/AAAAAAAABP4/PKJWu1kc6wk/s1600/DSC_0638.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-no5TmJGSdYM/TwHnTAcW_aI/AAAAAAAABQA/H-NBCuOzD0I/s1600/DSC_0640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-no5TmJGSdYM/TwHnTAcW_aI/AAAAAAAABQA/H-NBCuOzD0I/s1600/DSC_0640.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHDv4CfhzL8/TwHnUU1xz2I/AAAAAAAABQI/z4FISt7z8ks/s1600/DSC_0641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHDv4CfhzL8/TwHnUU1xz2I/AAAAAAAABQI/z4FISt7z8ks/s640/DSC_0641.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp26_dC43ts/TwHnVvjlP6I/AAAAAAAABQQ/xmJn97G8G3g/s1600/DSC_0648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp26_dC43ts/TwHnVvjlP6I/AAAAAAAABQQ/xmJn97G8G3g/s1600/DSC_0648.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKEzjq8hIiQ/TwHnW_kiK-I/AAAAAAAABQY/rK4Rg-mYYUo/s1600/DSC_0650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKEzjq8hIiQ/TwHnW_kiK-I/AAAAAAAABQY/rK4Rg-mYYUo/s1600/DSC_0650.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3-O3GCpm1Q/TwHnYbHmV8I/AAAAAAAABQg/0Pz8x1HCjgQ/s1600/DSC_0659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3-O3GCpm1Q/TwHnYbHmV8I/AAAAAAAABQg/0Pz8x1HCjgQ/s1600/DSC_0659.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3NZsnZebKI/TwHnaJotneI/AAAAAAAABQo/F-KmvGQwhYY/s1600/DSC_0661.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3NZsnZebKI/TwHnaJotneI/AAAAAAAABQo/F-KmvGQwhYY/s1600/DSC_0661.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqlWZOTu1V8/TwHnbP76v6I/AAAAAAAABQw/NaVflMbZh9U/s1600/DSC_0662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqlWZOTu1V8/TwHnbP76v6I/AAAAAAAABQw/NaVflMbZh9U/s1600/DSC_0662.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fourth courtyard leads to Ladies Apartments. This courtyard has many living rooms where the queens resided and who were visited by the king at his choice without being found out as to which queen he was visiting, as all the rooms open into a common corridor.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JmKabqejsX8/TwHqcqV4j_I/AAAAAAAABRE/TjM6K4PTQ6k/s1600/DSC_0669.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JmKabqejsX8/TwHqcqV4j_I/AAAAAAAABRE/TjM6K4PTQ6k/s1600/DSC_0669.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXcoAYm12AI/TwHqd32tCeI/AAAAAAAABRM/XuWfq_rPX6Y/s1600/DSC_0670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXcoAYm12AI/TwHqd32tCeI/AAAAAAAABRM/XuWfq_rPX6Y/s640/DSC_0670.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Eoky3jYv8M/TwHqfDvKwzI/AAAAAAAABRU/LXS8LunaRIU/s1600/DSC_0671.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Eoky3jYv8M/TwHqfDvKwzI/AAAAAAAABRU/LXS8LunaRIU/s1600/DSC_0671.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_goSQFdlcSI/TwHqgQfk-aI/AAAAAAAABRc/kI66r-u478c/s1600/DSC_0673.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_goSQFdlcSI/TwHqgQfk-aI/AAAAAAAABRc/kI66r-u478c/s1600/DSC_0673.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aawNZS7ER1Y/TwHqifeaojI/AAAAAAAABRs/ZENZsYKuJ48/s1600/DSC_0677.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aawNZS7ER1Y/TwHqifeaojI/AAAAAAAABRs/ZENZsYKuJ48/s1600/DSC_0677.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><strong>Exit from fort</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the exit route you can see a Tunnel which goes up to the Jaigarh fort.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5LV1ULQVsE/TwHqjgywdFI/AAAAAAAABR0/Nx8n6JxUKEo/s1600/DSC_0681.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5LV1ULQVsE/TwHqjgywdFI/AAAAAAAABR0/Nx8n6JxUKEo/s1600/DSC_0681.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fort is very big inside and you need to devote 2-4 hours according to your interest in the details of the fort. An experienced guide would enhance the viewing pleasure. Our trip to Amer ended here and we were on our way to next fort called Jaigarh.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-nodes-of-golden-triangle-part-v.html">Next: Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-V) (Jaipur Day - 2 Continued)</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-26568729526400687412011-12-31T01:46:00.003+05:302012-02-03T00:43:46.625+05:30Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-III) (Jaipur Day 1 - Continued)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><b><u>Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds):</u></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">Hawa Mahal is a 5 story lattice structured pyramid shaped building that is 15 meter high from its base.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> Entrance to Hawa Mahal is not from the front side which is shown in pictures but from a side road approaching towards backside of the building. Entry fee is Rs. 10 per person. Most of the local people discourage you to go on top of the building stating that there is nothing inside the building. They say that it is not worth spending time by going inside. But on the contrary I found this building a marvelous architecture which is worth a visit up to the top floor. From the top you also get a 360 degree view of the city and an ariel view of Jantar Mantar, Pink City, Nahargarh etc. So do not hesitate and devote at least an hour or more to explore the building.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gl9MYVYq6M/TyWUEBzuyNI/AAAAAAAABow/TIa9SwwnTD8/s1600/DSC_0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gl9MYVYq6M/TyWUEBzuyNI/AAAAAAAABow/TIa9SwwnTD8/s640/DSC_0363.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Hawa Mahal Introduction</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd2p8efIoMo/TwGzWZAJAiI/AAAAAAAABGI/nwce8r5sQ6w/s1600/DSC_0364.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd2p8efIoMo/TwGzWZAJAiI/AAAAAAAABGI/nwce8r5sQ6w/s640/DSC_0364.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Entrance of Hawa Mahal</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gM3apm1Ll3E/TwGzXzvagFI/AAAAAAAABGQ/6cOBUaJ0a2c/s1600/DSC_0365.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gM3apm1Ll3E/TwGzXzvagFI/AAAAAAAABGQ/6cOBUaJ0a2c/s1600/DSC_0365.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Inside court</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INI8hf8Nmho/TwGzZMlmxEI/AAAAAAAABGY/mnU_WVtT9y4/s1600/DSC_0377.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INI8hf8Nmho/TwGzZMlmxEI/AAAAAAAABGY/mnU_WVtT9y4/s1600/DSC_0377.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">View from the Top</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-882UO2_xbms/TwGzaTaqSiI/AAAAAAAABGg/ytlv8PVmfew/s1600/DSC_0380.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-882UO2_xbms/TwGzaTaqSiI/AAAAAAAABGg/ytlv8PVmfew/s1600/DSC_0380.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nahargarh fort on the far hill as seen from Hawa Mahal Top</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gDrHwMTKmY/TwHG-dohMxI/AAAAAAAABII/xhLhjBhAEW4/s1600/DSC_0379.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gDrHwMTKmY/TwHG-dohMxI/AAAAAAAABII/xhLhjBhAEW4/s1600/DSC_0379.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Inside view from top floor</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TEiGG1fisSU/TwGzbmLAxPI/AAAAAAAABGo/igdNMeCr1L8/s1600/DSC_0382.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TEiGG1fisSU/TwGzbmLAxPI/AAAAAAAABGo/igdNMeCr1L8/s1600/DSC_0382.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Badi Chaupar from top</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVuoIOuFpdA/TwGzc7fxbWI/AAAAAAAABGw/Re7plsy9T54/s1600/DSC_0393.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVuoIOuFpdA/TwGzc7fxbWI/AAAAAAAABGw/Re7plsy9T54/s1600/DSC_0393.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Front view from the Road</b></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<span style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Govind Dev Ji Temple:</u></span></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">It was around 0400 PM and we spend around six hour in three monuments namely City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal including intermediate rests. Now we inquired about the old temple of Govind Dev Ji which is in the same campus of City Palace near Jaleb Chowk. But we were told that the temple will be closed now and can be visited after 1745 hrs. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. This temple is must visit place due to several reasons. It is very old temple and considered an important temple of Lord Krishna outside Vrindavan. Also it is mentioned in Guinness Book for the largest RCC roof span in the world without any pillar.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1YQ5ZX3wm4/Tv4YJogOaVI/AAAAAAAAArc/i7DTqCLqq6M/s1600/Guinness-Record-govind-dev-ji.jpg.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1YQ5ZX3wm4/Tv4YJogOaVI/AAAAAAAAArc/i7DTqCLqq6M/s1600/Guinness-Record-govind-dev-ji.jpg.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Guinness Record</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Prasad of Halwa and Pakodi is distributed at the exit gate of temple. Timing for Aarti are 0430 to 0500, 0730 to 0845, 0930 to 1015, 1100 to 1130, 1745 to 1815, 1830 to 1945 and after 2130 to 2200 hrs. Timings change as per seasons also, so it is better to know the timings beforehand. </span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dklEjfeR6sI/Tv4R93ELAFI/AAAAAAAAArQ/JBZ_kYSDYdo/s1600/How+to+reach+govind+devji+Temple.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dklEjfeR6sI/Tv4R93ELAFI/AAAAAAAAArQ/JBZ_kYSDYdo/s1600/How+to+reach+govind+devji+Temple.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>How to reach temple</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b><u>Albert Hall Museum:</u></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">As the temple was closed we planned to visit </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">immediately</span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> the
Albert Hall Museum, which closes by 1730 hrs. We reached there by a
paddle rickshaw within 10 minutes. It is situated outside walled city on
the road in front of New Gate. It is a historical museum displaying
Royal collections, artifacts and a 4000 years old mummy too. Images of
some artifacts are here for a feel of the museum. The place is worth
devoting 1-2 hour if you are interested in historical time-travel.
Photographs of the museum building and some of the displayed artifacts
are shown below.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj0QQ_ohLFw/TwG021DBJGI/AAAAAAAABG8/uwbFrzlmAUI/s1600/DSC_0400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj0QQ_ohLFw/TwG021DBJGI/AAAAAAAABG8/uwbFrzlmAUI/s1600/DSC_0400.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65TxRxnzJGY/TwG04Y8O3-I/AAAAAAAABHA/b_jsRiYCUog/s1600/DSC_0404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65TxRxnzJGY/TwG04Y8O3-I/AAAAAAAABHA/b_jsRiYCUog/s1600/DSC_0404.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpvtyT3dA6c/TwG05U91awI/AAAAAAAABHI/meStJwGYMAQ/s1600/DSC_0421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpvtyT3dA6c/TwG05U91awI/AAAAAAAABHI/meStJwGYMAQ/s1600/DSC_0421.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea9fbc2Un0s/TwG06sLQSuI/AAAAAAAABHQ/dweDFND-bOY/s1600/DSC_0423.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea9fbc2Un0s/TwG06sLQSuI/AAAAAAAABHQ/dweDFND-bOY/s1600/DSC_0423.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Handmade statue of artist making lac bangles</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VB3flPRV5r4/TwG08C0BRTI/AAAAAAAABHc/-dl92oPPfak/s1600/DSC_0432.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VB3flPRV5r4/TwG08C0BRTI/AAAAAAAABHc/-dl92oPPfak/s1600/DSC_0432.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Display of string instruments</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIgihCbL-oc/TwG09dmUcoI/AAAAAAAABHk/qIvqqjuTrvg/s1600/DSC_0433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIgihCbL-oc/TwG09dmUcoI/AAAAAAAABHk/qIvqqjuTrvg/s1600/DSC_0433.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Musical instrument in larger than life size</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56Ie1k8BlGo/TwG0-ZgjiWI/AAAAAAAABHs/b-pZV7-iJvA/s1600/DSC_0438.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56Ie1k8BlGo/TwG0-ZgjiWI/AAAAAAAABHs/b-pZV7-iJvA/s1600/DSC_0438.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bal Ganesha made of marble</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BeLDOBQl40E/TwG1ALFMuPI/AAAAAAAABH0/PfXVmH7kL1k/s1600/DSC_0441.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BeLDOBQl40E/TwG1ALFMuPI/AAAAAAAABH0/PfXVmH7kL1k/s1600/DSC_0441.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wood Carving on door panel</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EAOcLMn17g4/TwG1BmlbiuI/AAAAAAAABH8/JdDkVc9KT8k/s1600/DSC_0459.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EAOcLMn17g4/TwG1BmlbiuI/AAAAAAAABH8/JdDkVc9KT8k/s1600/DSC_0459.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pigeons outside Albert Hall </span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Birla Temple:</span></u></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">After visiting the Albert Hall Temple we proceed towards Birla Temple (Laxmi Narayan Temple) which is situated on the same road ahead at a 10 minutes paddle rickshaw drive. It is a Hindu temple among many such Birla Temples across the country and is built by finest quality marble. You may also see mythological scenes on stained window glass. It is situated at the bottom of the Moti Dungari fort, which forms a nice backdrop for temple in the night. After sunset this complex provides stunning views. Moti Dungari fort at the top of the hill is like any Scottish fort and is opened only once in a year (on the day of Shivratri, as per hindu calendar) for public viewing. An added attraction is another temple dedicated to lord Ganesha, at the bottom of the Dungari fort. You may find some foreigners also visiting the Birla Temple. Here are some pictures of the place.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMlE-mp3DS4/TwHPTKSkWcI/AAAAAAAABKI/1JXnAaJor1M/s1600/DSC_0470.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMlE-mp3DS4/TwHPTKSkWcI/AAAAAAAABKI/1JXnAaJor1M/s1600/DSC_0470.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Side view of Birla Temple</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lm5SYd61XL0/TwHMhbEQEtI/AAAAAAAABIk/CWar0hfwjxE/s1600/DSC_0478.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lm5SYd61XL0/TwHMhbEQEtI/AAAAAAAABIk/CWar0hfwjxE/s1600/DSC_0478.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Front view Birla Temple</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8PNi0yNoId0/TwHOXbc6_1I/AAAAAAAABJw/tTjf1cHOIdQ/s1600/DSC_0462.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8PNi0yNoId0/TwHOXbc6_1I/AAAAAAAABJw/tTjf1cHOIdQ/s1600/DSC_0462.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Way to Ganesha Temple and Moti Dungari Fort </span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-UgyYWb19k/TwHMk41VAeI/AAAAAAAABI8/lEAh-NHGvPY/s1600/DSC_0491.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-UgyYWb19k/TwHMk41VAeI/AAAAAAAABI8/lEAh-NHGvPY/s1600/DSC_0491.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Moti Dungari Fort in night</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtN2kRWAhek/TwHMmI5DH0I/AAAAAAAABJE/fCuY8i-qQJ8/s1600/DSC_0494.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtN2kRWAhek/TwHMmI5DH0I/AAAAAAAABJE/fCuY8i-qQJ8/s1600/DSC_0494.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stained glass window depicting Lord Shiva's family</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUEKdHHWiKo/TwHMnV3E6FI/AAAAAAAABJM/-EtemYecwsw/s1600/DSC_0500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUEKdHHWiKo/TwHMnV3E6FI/AAAAAAAABJM/-EtemYecwsw/s1600/DSC_0500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lord Shiva's Temple in the campus</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aa5ID6fxt8/TwHMrV0-97I/AAAAAAAABJk/LiW5w0mDLFE/s1600/DSC_0503.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aa5ID6fxt8/TwHMrV0-97I/AAAAAAAABJk/LiW5w0mDLFE/s1600/DSC_0503.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lord Ganesha temple at Moti Dungari base</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DU3lcyWiGFE/TwHPweQnehI/AAAAAAAABKg/A5T7nmchFX8/s1600/DSC_0502.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DU3lcyWiGFE/TwHPweQnehI/AAAAAAAABKg/A5T7nmchFX8/s1600/DSC_0502.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Full view of Ganesha Temple</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Birla Temple complex gives you best feel if you visit it in evening and see it before sunset and after sunset lighting. After this we again took an auto rickshaw back to Govind Dev Ji Temple and had a darshan. After offering our puja to Lord Krishna, we returned back to the hotel. It was 2000 hrs and time for dinner. Next day i.e. 21 December 2011 was scheduled for visiting the forts of Jaipur, which is covered in next part of the article.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-nodes-of-golden-triangle-part-iv.html">Next: Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-IV) (Jaipur Day - 2)</a></span></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-59330214908286883902011-12-30T21:35:00.002+05:302012-02-03T23:27:37.100+05:30Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-II) (Jaipur Day 1)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After loss of one complete day due to train delay, we were forced to curtail some points in Jaipur and covered only important destinations in 2 days stay at Jaipur. First day we decided to cover the main points in city by ourselves without any travel assistance. First of all we reached the City Palace complex, which is situated inside walled pink city, by an auto-rickshaw. Actually you do not need to hire a taxi for the city part of your tour as all the points are nearby and can be easily and quickly covered by auto-rickshaw. City palace complex has Main City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of wind), Jantar-Mantar (Observatory) and Govind Dev Temple (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deity of Jaipur).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">City Palace:</span></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Entry to City Palace can be made by two gates i.e. either from Virendra Pol or from Udai pol. Entry tickets to City Palace cost INR 75 (for an adult), INR 35 (for a child) and still camera charge INR 75. Photography is allowed only outside, display galleries and exhibits can not be photographed. You can have a feel of various beautiful buildings inside the complex in following photographs.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AREdxFE4gp4/Tv3xMpCICCI/AAAAAAAAAmk/wA8HUuFDl-s/s1600/DSC_0275.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AREdxFE4gp4/Tv3xMpCICCI/AAAAAAAAAmk/wA8HUuFDl-s/s1600/DSC_0275.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Map of City Palace Complex</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l12tTxNOfcc/Tv3x9aL9tAI/AAAAAAAAAm4/uMEhFNjSLzU/s1600/DSC_0268.jpg" /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3LJbD2NTBA/Tv3x8FAfbBI/AAAAAAAAAmw/njE3ZNl7NpE/s1600/DSC_0265.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3LJbD2NTBA/Tv3x8FAfbBI/AAAAAAAAAmw/njE3ZNl7NpE/s1600/DSC_0265.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">World's Largest Silver object</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9h3njxj6Pw8/Tv3x-rhDFiI/AAAAAAAAAnA/NlWkG7ZBtjU/s1600/DSC_0272.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9h3njxj6Pw8/Tv3x-rhDFiI/AAAAAAAAAnA/NlWkG7ZBtjU/s1600/DSC_0272.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQHtcNdwJ_g/Tv3yAY1FPdI/AAAAAAAAAnI/13GHndTkMEY/s1600/DSC_0276.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQHtcNdwJ_g/Tv3yAY1FPdI/AAAAAAAAAnI/13GHndTkMEY/s1600/DSC_0276.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Artistic work on a metal door</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YboSnA02IWw/Tv3yBszDngI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/RBj-VFSkXHg/s1600/DSC_0279.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YboSnA02IWw/Tv3yBszDngI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/RBj-VFSkXHg/s1600/DSC_0279.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Decorated doorway</span></span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWzo3MPEMho/Tv3yEZIgPLI/AAAAAAAAAng/5RM8W4m_STk/s1600/DSC_0292.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWzo3MPEMho/Tv3yEZIgPLI/AAAAAAAAAng/5RM8W4m_STk/s1600/DSC_0292.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">My Wife Ragini trying hands at Rolls Royce Phantom</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eesA-xmus9M/Tv3vJco6uhI/AAAAAAAAAko/sd9moxXgjS8/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eesA-xmus9M/Tv3vJco6uhI/AAAAAAAAAko/sd9moxXgjS8/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Mubarak Mahal</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jzmFJW_nr0/Tv3vKhnLf-I/AAAAAAAAAkw/4mZT6f3oLZg/s1600/DSC_0245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jzmFJW_nr0/Tv3vKhnLf-I/AAAAAAAAAkw/4mZT6f3oLZg/s1600/DSC_0245.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Mubarak Mahal</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-20YvyTea19Y/Tv3vL9C-V6I/AAAAAAAAAk4/_RUMVB9iavg/s1600/DSC_0251.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-20YvyTea19Y/Tv3vL9C-V6I/AAAAAAAAAk4/_RUMVB9iavg/s1600/DSC_0251.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">view after entry from Virendra Pol</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CsV_gqAn6Q8/Tv3vmRrZkrI/AAAAAAAAAmY/tsR78Y2EJJ4/s1600/DSC_0306.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CsV_gqAn6Q8/Tv3vmRrZkrI/AAAAAAAAAmY/tsR78Y2EJJ4/s1600/DSC_0306.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jantar-Mantar (Observatory):</span></strong><br />
<div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Jantar Mantar is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Sawai Jai Singh II, the king of Jaipur. These were built at 5 places but the observatory at Jaipur is largest and in best condition. Jantar and Mantar are Hindi language words meaning Instrument and Formula respectively. This is at two minutes walk from City Palace gate. There are lot of instruments for different astronomical purposes and their accuracy is mind boggling. You can avail a guide as well as self audio guide to understand functions of each instrument. It has been declared a world heritage center by UNESCO. There are approximately 20 sets of fixed instruments. Entry fee is INR 20 and Still camera fee is INR 20.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lik-QavdGyQ/TywcZaLcALI/AAAAAAAABvE/EU-RU87U_94/s1600/DSC_0310.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lik-QavdGyQ/TywcZaLcALI/AAAAAAAABvE/EU-RU87U_94/s640/DSC_0310.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPa6awxubS4/TywcblNuUCI/AAAAAAAABvM/EGu6aLkKgjU/s1600/DSC_0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPa6awxubS4/TywcblNuUCI/AAAAAAAABvM/EGu6aLkKgjU/s640/DSC_0317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9FqFAEC3Yg/TywcdcHocWI/AAAAAAAABvU/dBUZ1yYMW1w/s1600/DSC_0318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9FqFAEC3Yg/TywcdcHocWI/AAAAAAAABvU/dBUZ1yYMW1w/s640/DSC_0318.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHhya2vLpho/Tywcem17saI/AAAAAAAABvc/AvS_ZLCmM88/s1600/DSC_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHhya2vLpho/Tywcem17saI/AAAAAAAABvc/AvS_ZLCmM88/s640/DSC_0321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcTw77Kw0O0/TywcgOdDEcI/AAAAAAAABvk/ABCv2y7R58U/s1600/DSC_0325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcTw77Kw0O0/TywcgOdDEcI/AAAAAAAABvk/ABCv2y7R58U/s640/DSC_0325.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf7MDuBfyXE/TywchLy-WhI/AAAAAAAABvs/XlD34LxIxfg/s1600/DSC_0327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf7MDuBfyXE/TywchLy-WhI/AAAAAAAABvs/XlD34LxIxfg/s640/DSC_0327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RAUAHzOK26o/TywckEXq1oI/AAAAAAAABv8/uakMaKPlH_M/s1600/DSC_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RAUAHzOK26o/TywckEXq1oI/AAAAAAAABv8/uakMaKPlH_M/s640/DSC_0332.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GBisOHv4dc/Tywcl4mNMbI/AAAAAAAABwE/9QUvZmdEURA/s1600/DSC_0334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GBisOHv4dc/Tywcl4mNMbI/AAAAAAAABwE/9QUvZmdEURA/s640/DSC_0334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFqAPUoKl-8/TywcoxdxadI/AAAAAAAABwU/NPPvnKwIEK0/s1600/DSC_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFqAPUoKl-8/TywcoxdxadI/AAAAAAAABwU/NPPvnKwIEK0/s640/DSC_0350.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEs0ZN8xn2M/Tywcq8yMBTI/AAAAAAAABwc/ksUPRCrlaxs/s1600/DSC_0359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEs0ZN8xn2M/Tywcq8yMBTI/AAAAAAAABwc/ksUPRCrlaxs/s640/DSC_0359.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">After visiting Jantar Mantar, we walked towards Hawa Mahal (Palace of wind) which was at a 10 minutes walk. It has been described in Part III of this series.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Next: </span><strong style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.com/2011/12/hawa-mahal-palace-of-wind-hawa-mahal-is.html">Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-III) (Jaipur Day -1 Continued)</a></span></strong></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530068692436221984.post-7556192807435694532011-12-30T02:06:00.002+05:302012-02-03T00:17:14.373+05:30Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-I) (Journey Begins)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">We planned for a trip to the Golden Triangle circuit of Indian tourism sans Delhi, on long pending demand of our kids to visit some historical place. We planned to mature it this winter vacation of schools. I could not think of any other historical place better than the world famous 'Indian Golden Triangle Circuit' and place suitable for a week's holiday. As you might be aware that Delhi, Agra and Jaipur form the famous Golden Triangle of tourism, as depicted in following picture.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJJqhjbHw_o/Tv26_Q7eB5I/AAAAAAAAAi4/0byL0jp3jCo/s1600/India_map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJJqhjbHw_o/Tv26_Q7eB5I/AAAAAAAAAi4/0byL0jp3jCo/s1600/India_map.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Golden Triangle</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Total 6-7 days are sufficient for exploring the Golden Triangle circuit if you want to see all the places with due detail and comfort. As we had already traveled Delhi, we excluded it and covered only Agra and Jaipur in this trip and added a day's trip to Vrindavan and Mathura on the last day, the reason being the unavailability of return reservation from Agra to Lucknow. Last</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> two places are related to the Lord Krishna and are one of the sacred places of Hindus, however the whole Mathura Vrindavan circuit needs 2-3 days for a proper visit and feel of the place.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The itinerary for this trip was designed as mentioned below:</span><br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">19 Dec 2011 : Departure from Lucknow at midnight 00:25 Hrs by Marudhar Express (Train No. 14863)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">19 Dec 2011: Arrival at Jaipur at 12:00 noon (Stay at Hotel Arya Niwas) and visit Jaipur</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">20 Dec 2011: Visit Jaipur</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">21 Dec 2011: Visit Jaipur</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">22 Dec 2011: Departure from Jaipur at 11:45 Hrs by Bikaner Kolkata Express (Train No. 12495) and arrival at Agra at 15:40 Hrs (Stay at Hotel Taj Plaza on East gate side of Taj)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">23 Dec 2011: Agra/Fatehpur Sikri</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">24 Dec 2011: Agra</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">25 Dec 2011: </span></span><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Departure from Agra at 11:30 Hrs and visit Vrindavan and Mathura and board the train to Lucknow i.e. Patna Mathura Express (Train No. 14863) at 22:00 Hrs.</span></li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is not possible to get train tickets and </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">accommodation</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> in good hotels in this region at the eleventh hour during November to February, as it attracts maximum number of tourist in this time period. Therefore, all </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the train tickets and hotel reservations were booked online, well in advance, to avoid any last time hassle, as this is a peak period for Indian as well as foreign tourists. As this time is peak winter in the north India, we preferred AC coaches in train to make our journey comfortable and to reduce the size of our baggage by eliminating the heavy blankets/quilts. I personally like sleeper class in long train journeys as this ensures maximum feel of the route in contrast to AC couches which gives you more comfort but isolation from the local feel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few days before our day of start, fog started increasing day by day, making the trains delayed by several hours including cancellation of few trains. This created a fear in our mind that if our trip will be matured or not? On the scheduled day we reached the Charbagh Railway Station, Lucknow and found that our train is just half an hour late. But our happiness could not continue longer as railway authorities started declaring further delay in arrival of train which rose up to 7 hours. Ultimately our train arrived at 0700 hours in the morning against the scheduled arrival of 0005 hours, making it late by 7 hours and we reached at our first destination Jaipur in midnight at 2355 hours of 19 December 2011, approximately 12 hours late than schedule. So our first day scheduled for Jaipur was spoiled in train journey. All we did was sleeping and praying for the train to reach Jaipur as early as possible. Fortunately this was the first and last hiccup in our trip and on the next morning of 20 December 2011, we found weather at Jaipur very clear, sunny, pleasant and not so cold as in Lucknow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jaipur (20 December 2011):</span></span></b><br />
<b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Review of Hotel Arya Niwas, Jaipur:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Our booking for stay was in Hotel Arya Niwas (</span><a href="http://www.aryaniwas.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">www.aryaniwas.com</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">), which is a mid range hotel located at Sansar Chand Road, approximately 2 km from Jaipur Railway Station. Check in was quick and smooth and we were relaxing in our room within 5 minutes. It is a very nice, clean and comfortable hotel run by a family and has a pleasant and calm environment everywhere. However if you are fond of non-veg food and a few drinks in the comfort of your room, this is not a hotel for you as they are vegetarian/no bar and have limited room service hours and that too for some selected items only. They have a good hygienic restaurant (Chitra Cafe) which serve homely and healthy food from 0600 to 2200 hrs. In the night hours they run a small pantry which serves tea, coffee and some ready-made items for late night requirements. They have a big green lawn and a long corridor equipped with furniture to enjoy your meals in open air. Hotel also has a souvenir shop, small business center, Library lounge, WIFI Internet (paid) and a travel desk, all these to make your stay and travel comfortable. We would love to stay again in this hotel as this was a safe and clean place for the kids to wander here and there in the hotel, to order a few things themselves and enjoy it. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZSkmDyDuuI/TyrXxw5Ev7I/AAAAAAAABu0/t7D9GzNeSSM/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZSkmDyDuuI/TyrXxw5Ev7I/AAAAAAAABu0/t7D9GzNeSSM/s640/DSC_0231.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enjoying Breakfast in lawn of Hotel Arya Niwas</span></span></b> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVG-Q2jpJW4/TyrYrNqB5jI/AAAAAAAABu8/PkzjZt0SKBc/s1600/DSC_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVG-Q2jpJW4/TyrYrNqB5jI/AAAAAAAABu8/PkzjZt0SKBc/s640/DSC_0236.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My Younger Son Pradyumn</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYeJP7tg0NE/Tv3BeQQnrtI/AAAAAAAAAjE/I1ZPnJthN5A/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYeJP7tg0NE/Tv3BeQQnrtI/AAAAAAAAAjE/I1ZPnJthN5A/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Enjoying breakfast in the lawns of Hotel Arya Niwas</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GEwFvLp_5pc/Tv3DCCKteLI/AAAAAAAAAjg/zg0Lk6de5Cg/s1600/DSC_0770.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GEwFvLp_5pc/Tv3DCCKteLI/AAAAAAAAAjg/zg0Lk6de5Cg/s640/DSC_0770.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A view of our hotel room</span> </span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jwAnd5EEuA/Tv3EyWPADCI/AAAAAAAAAj0/VEb_aLlH430/s1600/DSC_0510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jwAnd5EEuA/Tv3EyWPADCI/AAAAAAAAAj0/VEb_aLlH430/s640/DSC_0510.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rooms
are neat and tidy, equipped with all amenities </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">and with simple decor.
One extra bed was provided </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">for elder son and the room was big enough for
accomodating it.</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWQF0ZhUI-s/Tv3Ez44fUgI/AAAAAAAAAj8/AmdQjw7fX9U/s1600/DSC_0511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWQF0ZhUI-s/Tv3Ez44fUgI/AAAAAAAAAj8/AmdQjw7fX9U/s1600/DSC_0511.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kids enjoying their favorite channel on Hathway digital cable</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kfed3gQYp40/Tv3YF-i3NtI/AAAAAAAAAkI/_lQLYz6v9JI/s1600/DSC_0740.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kfed3gQYp40/Tv3YF-i3NtI/AAAAAAAAAkI/_lQLYz6v9JI/s1600/DSC_0740.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Beautiful indoor lounge and mini library in the hotel</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">If you give importance to cleanliness, </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">hygiene</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">, calm and peaceful stay, this h</span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">otel is for you and wo</span></span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">rth the money. We got a good sleep quality in this hotel. I am recommending this hotel for those who prefer these parameters but there are many other good hotels on similar pattern, built on a heritage property, and you can search them on <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g304555-Jaipur_Rajasthan-Hotels.html" target="_blank">www.tripadvisor.com</a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Next : </span><b style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://uttamtravelogue.blogspot.com/2011/12/two-nodes-of-golden-triangle-part-ii.html">Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-II) (Jaipur day-1)</a></span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com39