Bhubaneshwar - the capital of Odisha

Overview

Renowned for its connection with the Great Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, Bhubaneswar or Bhubaneshwar is the capital city of the eastern Indian state of Orissa. Literally meaning the ‘Lord of the Universe’, Bhubaneswar is dotted with numerous historic temples known for their exquisite architectural styles, related legends or other interesting facts. Often referred to as the ‘Temple City of India’, Bhubaneswar makes the ‘Golden Triangle’ of holy temple cities with Konark (Sun Temple) and Puri (Jagannath Temple). Historically the capital of ancient Kalinga state, Bhubaneswar is now a modern city and a thriving hub for commerce and business in East India. Designed by the German architect Otto Kongisberger in 1946, the modern Bhubaneswar harmoniously blends with the old. The beautifully managed gardens, fun & amusement parks, and world class museums add more charm to the historic city. Traces of Bhubaneswar’s rich cultural heritage can be found in the traditional handicrafts like appliqué work of Pipli, world famous Odissi dance, local delicacies, and colorful festivals and events. Besides these, the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves take you on an amazing journey of rock cut structures dating back to around 1st century B.C.

Bhubaneshwar

Getting There

Air: Biju Patnaik Airport is about 5 km away from the city center. The airport is linked to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore with daily flights. A taxi from the airport to the city costs around Rs. 100.

Rail: Bhubaneswar Railway Station is a major railhead of the East Coast Railway and connected to all major cities by a number of trains.

Road: The OSRTC runs frequent buses between Bhubaneswar and other places of the state such as Konark and Puri. Private operators also offer bus services to and from Bhubaneswar. 

Driving directions: From Kolkata - Start from Jawaharlal Nehru Road and reach NH 6 after crossing Rashmoni Avenue, Dufferin Road, Pranabananda Sarani and Vidyasagar Setu. Further take a left on NH 60 and later on drive onto NH 5 to reach Bhubaneswar (12 hours, 450 km).

Info Zone (When, What, ‘Wear’)

Best time to visit (When to go) – Bhubaneswar boasts of a tropical climate with hot summers (April to June) and cold winters (November to March). The south-east monsoon appears in late June and ends by September. The ideal time to visit Bhubaneswar is from October to March.

Knapsack (What to carry) –

Dress up / down (Wear what) -

Recommended for:

Singles / Friends / Single woman / Senior travellers / Family with children / Couples

Getting Around

Various modes of local transport are available in Bhubaneswar. The government-run city buses are the most convenient and cheap mode of transport. You can hire car or taxis for exploring the major spots of the city. Auto-rickshaws are also available on shared as well as individual basis in Bhubaneswar.

Must See

With a fine collection of old and new attractions, Bhubaneswar offers plenty of sightseeing options. Temples are the major highlight of Bhubaneswar and thronged by devotees in large numbers. Begin you sightseeing trip from Lingaraj Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and dates back to the 10th century. Described as ‘the truest fusion of dream and reality’ by Ferguson – the noted art critic and historian, Lingaraj Temple is a rare masterpiece and known for its excellent sculpture and architecture. Close to Lingaraj Temple is Bindu Sarovara, a large lake, which is believed to have the drop of every holy river. Considered the gem of the Oriyan architecture, Mukteshwara Temple dating back to the 10th century is another important temple of Bhubaneswar. One of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, Parasurameswar Mandir (650 AD) is dedicated to Lord Shiva and also deserves a visit. Vaital Mandir (8th century) dedicated to goddess Chamundi (Kali), Rajarani Mandir, Siddheswar Mandir and Kedaragauri Mandir are other noted old temples in Bhubaneswar, known for their architecture, sculptures or related legends. In addition to these, ISKON temple and Ram Mandir, though comparatively new, have many visitors. Remember, entry to non Hindus is not allowed in all temples, so enquire before you proceed inside any temple. Once you cover all the temples, move further to visit the museums of the city, namely Orissa State Museum and Tribal Museum. While Orissa State Museum has a vast collection of archaeological objects, art and objects, and sculptures, the Tribal Museum houses interesting items of the tribes. You can pass a good time with your family or friends in the beautiful parks of the city like Biju Patanaik Park, Buddha Jayanti Park, Gandhi Park, Ekamra Kanan (Cactus Park) and Forest Park. Also visit the Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC), which is known for maintaining the biggest Rose garden in India.

Must Do

When talked about leisure, Bhubaneswar offers plenty of options to do. From well laid-out parks to adrenaline rushing treks, Bhubaneswar has everything to please all types of travelers. An amusement park, BDA Nicco Park offers a variety of thrilling activities for all age groups. If you are an art lover, then step inside Rabindra Mandap or Soochana Bhavan on Sachivajaya Marg where dance and music programmes are organised almost every day. Visit the Regional Science Centre to watch the ‘Lost World series’ that takes you to the ancient world. At the Science Centre the common principles of Physics are demonstrated through simple experiments from 10.30am to 5.30pm. Get a better understanding about the celestial bodies and see the stars closely at Pathani Samanta Planetarium. The celestial shows are organised in Oriya and English alternatively. If you wish to make your trip more adventurous, then explore the rock cut temples in and around the city on foot. Adventure freaks can explore famous rock cut caves like Udayagiri, Khandagiri, Swagpuri and Hathi (elephant) Gupha.

Eat

From exotic seafood to lip-smacking sweets, Bhubaneswar offers a lot to satisfy the taste buds of die-hard food lovers. Despite being a temple town, Bhubaneswar offers plenty of options for non-vegetarians as well. The local markets in Bhubaneswar sell freshly caught lobsters and crabs each morning. Most restaurants in Bhubaneswar offer fresh seafood along with vegetarian dishes. ‘Dalma’ and ‘pakhal’ are the most famous traditional delicacy of Bhubaneswar and a must try. After spicy fast food like ‘chaat’, ‘dahi bara’, ‘aloo dum’, ‘gol gappas’ and ‘rolls’, try some sweets such as ‘rasagolla’, ‘chennajhilli’ and ‘rasabali’. In addition to traditional Oriyan cuisine, you can find delectable North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Thai and Continental cuisines in the eating joints of Bhubaneswar. Also enjoy the ‘prasad’ offered by the major temples on daily basis to devotees.

Shop

Bhubaneswar is a mainly known for locally manufactured handicrafts including stone and wood carvings, silver filigree work, tie and dye textiles, bamboo basketry, horn work, paper mache mask, brass and bell metal work. Appliqué craft of Pipli and Patta paintings are other must buys of Bhubaneswar. Also buy colourful wooden icons of Lord Jagannath to keep as a souvenir of the trip. Utkalika (a government owned shop run by the Department of Handicrafts) as well as many privately run shops offer the local handicrafts at reasonable rates. Besides the handicrafts, you can buy other interesting items in the local markets of Bhubaneswar. Ekamra Haat, Boyanika, Kalamandir, Sambalpuri Bastralaya, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Bazar Kolkata, Priyadarshani and Vishal Garments are the popular shops in Bhubaneswar. Haggling is common in local markets, but don’t try in fixed-price shops.

Nightlife

Usually temple towns in India offer nothing special in the name of nightlife. However, Bhubaneswar differs from other temple towns and doesn’t disappoint nightlife lovers. You can visit the bars attached to the major hotels and enjoy exhilarating drinks till midnight on the beats of thumping music. Some hotels also offer interesting options and organise special programmes to make the nights happening.  

  

Events

A culturally rich city, Bhubaneswar celebrates a number of festivals every year that showcase the art, artifacts, culture, music and rich tradition. Most of the festivals in Bhubaneswar are connected to the temples. Ashokashtami Festival is an annual temple festival celebrated at Lingaraj Temple in March / April. During the festival the deity is taken out in a massive procession on a huge ‘Ratha’ (chariot) for a ceremonial dip at Bindu Sagar Lake. Bhubaneswar is an abode of Shivite belief of Hinduism, hence Shivaratri (February / March) is an important festival for the temples and people of the city. Ramanavami (March / April), Jhamuyatra (April / May), Anla Navami (October / November), Makal Mela (January), Megha Mela (January / February), Khandagiri Mela (January / February) and Taratarini Mela (March / April) are other noted festivals and events of Bhubaneswar. Besides regional and temples festivals, Bhubaneswar also celebrates religious festivals like Dussehra (Durga Puja), Deepawali, Lakshmi Puja, Christmas and Eid-ul-Fitr.

Excursions

After exploring the temples and other tourist spots of Bhubaneswar, you can take short excursions to nearby places. Just 2 km from Lingaraj Temple lie the ruins of Sisupalgarh dating back to the around 3rd century B.C. The ruins of Sisupalgarh indicate that the Orissan civilization has ancient roots and there was a well-fortified city at the site. Situated 8 km from Bhubaneswar, Dhauli hill is a quaint place and reminds about the historic ‘Kalinga War’ that was fought here between the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and the state of Kalinga. You can see the rock edicts of Ashoka on the foot of Dhauli hill. Shanti Stupa and the old temple of Lord Dhavaleswar are other attractions of Dhauli. Hirapur, approximately 15 km away from Bhubaneswar is known for the 11th century Hypaethral Temple of 64 Yoginis, only second of its type in Orissa and one of the four such temples in India. Further move towards Nandankanan (20 km) Park to see a wide variety of floral and faunal species. Carved out of the Chandaka forest, the biological park houses tigers, bears, crocodiles and varieties of indigenous plants. Renowned for its hot Sulphur water spring, Atri (42) is a holy place and home to the shrine of Hatakeswar. Devotees take a dip in the water of the spring, which is believed to have the potential to cure skin diseases.

Top 5 Must See

• Lingaraj Temple - an ancient temple dating back to 7th century AD
• Bindu Sarovara - a sacred lake located close to Lingaraj Temple
• Mukteswara Temple – a real and rare specimen of Kalinga School of architecture
• Dhauli Hill – the historic site of Kalinga War
• Khandagir & Udaygiri hills – home to rock cut caves carved out around 1st and 2nd century B.C.

Top 5 To Do

• Watch celestial show in Pathani Samanta Planetarium
• Attend demonstrations at the Science Centre
• An excursion to Dhauli, Hirapur, Sisupalgarh, Atri and Nandankanan Park
• Attend tribal fairs (mela) especially Adivasi Mela in January / February
• Attend a show of world famous Odissi dance

Belur and Halebid

Overview

Situated in the Hassan district of Karnataka, the twin towns of Belur and Halebid (about 16 km from each other) are favoured destinations for discerning travellers, historians, architecture lovers as well as art and crafts lovers. Belur and Halebid are linked with great Hoysala Kingdom of South India that was famous for its temple architecture. The Hoysala rulers have built a number of massive temples in the region of Belur and Halebid. Highlights of Hoysala period temples are exquisitely carved sculptures and pillars. Besides mythological tales, you can see the beautiful figures of elephants, lions, horses, dancing ladies on the temple walls.

Belur and Halebid

A visit to the towns of Belur and Halebid provides you a fine opportunity to see some of the finest old temples of India. In fact, the temples of the area have been proposed for listing in UNESCO’s world heritage sites. While Chennakeshava Temple complex is the prime attraction of Belur, Halebid is renowned for Hoysalehwara Temple complex. In addition to these, Sravanabelagola (Gomateshwara Temple), a noted Jain pilgrimage centre fascinate the visitors a lot. Plan a trip to the quaint towns of Belur and Halebid to enjoy a relaxing vacation and see architectural jewells of the bygone era. Make the city of Hassan your base to visit Belur and Halebid, as the district headquarters has plenty of good accommodation options.

Fast Facts

Main Languages: Kannada is widely spoken and used by the people of the towns. Basic English and Hindi are also spoken by the locals.

When to Go: The climate of Belur and Halebid usually remains pleasant most of the year expect the summers (April to May) when the mercury soars above 40 degree Celsius. The monsoon season brings rain in the towns during June to September. October to March is considered the best time to visit Belur and Halebid.

Local Transport: Generally tourists cover the temples and other attractions of Belur and Halebid on foot. Any defined mode of local transport such as auto-rickshaw is not available in these towns. Hire a private vehicle like car or taxi to explore the towns of Belur and Halebid.

Currency: Indian Rupee (INR) 1 USD is approximately 48 INR

Voltage: 230V / 50Hz

Time Zone: Indian Standard Time (UTC +5:30)

Location: Hassan district in the state of Karnataka

Nearest Metropolis: Bangalore - 222 km away

Eating

Belur and Halebid are not dotted with luxury restaurants or noted fast food joints. You have to choose from whatever offered by the eateries of the temple towns. It is better to dine in Hassan city, where the eating joints offer South Indian dishes at reasonable rates. Rice is served as the main dish along with side dishes. If you don’t wish to savour South Indian dishes, then it is better for you to carry your own food.

Shopping

Shopping in Belur and Halebid revolves around locally manufactured objects including traditional crafts of Karnataka. You can find interesting items offered by temporary stalls or hawkers around the towns. Hassan en-route to Belur and Halebid is a fine place to buy curios, stone sculptures, terracotta items, silk sarees, sandalwood, ivory brassware and wooden toys. You can buy these items as souvenir for yourself or near and dear ones.

Sightseeing

Temples are the major attractions of the twin towns of Belur and Halebid that are known for their excellent architecture and exquisite sculptures. In fact, the temple art in Belur and Halebid war promoted by the rulers of Hoysala dynasty. Most of the temples in the towns and nearby areas were made from a special material called ‘steatite’ that is soft and easy to work. Although centuries have been passed since the construction of the temples, but even today they fascinate the visitors with their unparalleled beauty. Once you visit the temples of Belur and Halebid town, you will surely be amazed and would praise the brilliant works of artisans. The Chenakeshava Temple (Belur) along with Hoysaleswara Temple (Halebid) and the Jain monuments at Shravanabelagola have been proposed as world heritage sites to UNSECO.

You can begin your temple tour from any temple in Belur or Halebid as all will surely please you equally. However, it is better to start from Chennakeshava Temple complex in Belur that took around 103 years to get completed. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Chennakeshava Temple is noted for its intricate details, beautifully carved sculptures over the temple walls. You can also see the scenes from the great epics, sensuous dancers (Shilabalikas), lions, and horses and elephants fighting in war in detail on the temple stones. Inside the temple complex there are many ornate pillars including a popular attraction ‘Darpana Sundar’ (Lady with the mirror) carved on the walls of the temple. Besides the main temple, also visit other two small temples of Hoysalas, namely Virnarayan Temple and Chennigaraya Temple that also have intricate carvings as Chennakeshava Temple.

After covering the temples and major attractions of Belur, head towards the temple town of Halebid (16 km), which is equally popular and deserves a visit. Once the capital of the Hoysalas, Halebid is not well preserved like Belur and destroyed in the early 14th century by the Delhi Sultanate. Visit the Hoysalehwara Temple complex that houses Hoyasaleshawara and Kedareshwara temples. Hoysaleshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has two monolithic sculptures of Nandi bulls at the entrance. The temple dating back to the 1121 A.D is known for its sculptural details and wall carvings that describe tales from Hindu mythology. You will also find the impressive figures of dancing ladies (Shilabalikas), animals and birds on temple walls.

Close to the temple, Sravanabelagola (Gomateshwara Temple) also deserve a visit during Belur and Halebid trip. One of the famous Jain pilgrimage centre in South India, Gomateshwara Temple is set atop Indragiri hill (3,000 feet above sea level) and known for its colossal monolithic 57 feet high statue of Gomateshwara. You can reach the temple by climbing 614 rock-cut steps and enjoy a splendid view of the surroundings. The temple complex also has several small size images Jain tirthankaras (revered Jain teachers). In fact, there are 15 Jain bastis (temples) and mathas (monasteries) in the twin towns and on Chandragiri Hill.

Activities

Belur and Halebid are small historic towns and don’t have fun & amusement parks, entertainment centre or other happening places. However, you can pass leisure moments by taking walks along the tranquil streets of the towns. Also visit the temples and other attractions of these towns on foot. Spend hours in getting understating the architecture style of Hoysala temples including sculptures and delicate carvings.  

Events

Due to small population, the towns of Belur and Halebid celebrate very few festivals and events every year. However, the people in and around the towns celebrate most of religious as well as South Indian festivals. Basically a dance festival, Hoysala Mahotsava is organised against the magnificent backdrop of Hoyasala temples. Skilled dancers from the towns and nearby areas participate in dance performances. During the event a massive chariot is also pulled through the streets of Belur town, which is joined by thousands of people. Mahamastakabhishekam Festival is another noted festival of Belur and Halebid, which is held once in every 12 years at Gomateswara Temple. Locals bath the image of Gomateswara in milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins during the festival.

Nightlife

Nightlife doesn’t exist in the towns of Belur and Halebid. Usually the twin towns get deserted as the dark progresses after sunset. So, don’t look for nightlife options in Belur and Halebid, and enjoy as much as possible in the broad day light.

Excursions

Along with base town Hassan, you can cover many popular cities of Karnataka during your Belur and Halebid tours. Mysore (155 km), Mangalore (165 km) and Bangalore (222 km) are some of the popular cities that you can explore by taking two to three days trips. All these cities have many places of tourist interesting including historic monuments and modern attractions as well.

Getting There

Air: The nearest airports from Belur and Halebid are located in Bangalore (222 km) and Mangalore (165 km). Both these airports are well-connected with major cities of India. From these airports, you can hire a private vehicle (taxi / car) to reach Belur and Halebid.

Rail: Hassan Railway Station is the nearest railhead from Belur and Halebid. Many trains connect Hassan Railway Station with Mysore, Bangalore, Mangalore and other places of the country. Buses ply at regular intervals from Hassan to Belur and Halebid.

Road: Good roads connect Belur and Halebid with Hassan, a major city close to the twin towns. KSTDC (Karnataka State Transport Development Corporation) offers bus services to Hassan, Belur and Halebid from Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore and other cities of Karnataka. You can also use Arasikere town as a base to visit Belur and Halebid towns. Besides buses, Belur and Halebid are easily accessible by cars and taxis from nearby major cities.

Driving directions: From Bangalore – Start from Brigade Road and after crossing Richmond Road, Fort Road hit Sri Narsimha Rao Road (SH 17). Further take the Mysore Road Flyover and move on Mysore Road (SH 17) till you reach Tumkur Road (NH 4). After crossing NH 48 and SH 57 you will reach Hassan, which located at close distance from Belur and Halebid (222 km, 6 hours approx).

From Mangalore – Begin your journey from NH 17 and take a turn on Falnir Road (NH 48). Take a left on NH 13 and further switch onto SH 58 to reach Belur and Halebid (165 km, 4 hours approx).

Recommended for:

Suitable for all types of travellers such as singles / couples / friends / single woman / senior travellers and family with children

Top 5 Must See

Chennakeshava Temple: Built in 1117 AD by Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana the temple is filled with delicately carved sculptures of elephants, dancers and episodes from the epics.

Hoysaleshwara Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva popular for its two shrines in the Linga, and exquisite figures of the sacred bull ‘Nandi’.

Gomateshwara Temple: One of the most popular pilgrimage centres of Jains in South India, known for the massive statue of Gomateswara and many smaller images of Jain tirthankaras.

Kappe Chennigraya Temple: Constructed by Shantaladevi, queen of King Vishuvardhana in Belur.

Virnarayan Temple and Chennigaraya Temple: Situated in Chennakeshava Temple complex, these temples have beautiful sculptures.

Incredible India - Agra the 'City of Taj'

Agra - the city of world famous Taj Mahal

Fast Fact

Location: Located on the banks of Yamuna River, Agra in Uttar Pradesh

Distance: 210 kms from Delhi

Best Road: Yamuna Expressway (approx 2.5 hours drive)

Altitude: 169 metres/ 554 feet above sea level (NA)
Best time to visit: Agra can get unbearably hot, so the best time to visit Agra is during winters between October and February.

Overview of Agra

Agra. The word conjures a romantic image of the Taj Mahal created by Emperor Shah Jehan in memorandum of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Agra is the epitome of a cultural city, with many historical relics beginning from the Persian to the Mughal era. Interwoven with tombs, a trip to Agra is a treat, not just to your eyes, but to your senses as well. But hidden behind these beautiful monuments is a thriving industrial city getting richer by the day. Agra could just as well be a Mecca for shop-a-holics with marble artefacts, leather goods and silk fabrics available at dearth cheap rates. 

How to reach Agra

Agra is well connected by air, rail and road. Depending on your pocket and time, you can choose from a range of options available to you. Recently Jaypee Group has constructed Yamuna Expressway between Delhi which has reduced the distance and driving time as well. 

By Air: Agra Airport, located in Kheria is well connected to Delhi and Jaipur. From Kheria, you need to take a cab to get to Agra, which is about 6 kms away.

By Rail: Bhopal Shatabdi Express connects Delhi with Agra, which takes around 2 hours. Agra has 3 railway stations: 

Agra Cantonment (AGC) – is the main railway station in Agra and most of the trains stop here. Taxis, cabs, autos and cycle rickshaws are easily available from here. 

Agra Fort Railway Station (AF) – has some interstate express trains and some east-bound trains passing it.

Raja Ki Mandi (RKM) – is a small station with a laid back and relaxed attitude. Otherwise quiet and un-happening, RKM springs to life whenever the Intercity Express or the Taj Express trains arrive at the station. 

By Road - The best thing about going to Agra is the recently started Yamuna Expressway, which takes about 2.5 hours from Delhi to Agra. Although the one way toll tax for Yamuna Expressway is Rs. 320 and Rs. 510 for round trip the driving on Yamuna Expressway is amazing experience. Take Kalindi Kunj - Sarita Vihar road and proceed onto Greater NOIDA Expressway from Mahamaya Flyover. After driving for 30 kilometers you will see the signboard for Yamuna Expressway. The drive for next 165 kilometeres will remain full of amusement. Be careful and enjoy a pleasant trip to city of Taj Agra. 

What to carry?
Agra is pretty self sufficient, however you may want to carry your own battery cells for your camera and film rolls. Though available, they cost a bomb in Agra. Also, smokers should carry their own cigarettes. Most of the cigarettes available in Agra are fake and you don’t want a sore throat smoking the wrong cigarettes. 

What to wear?
Agra is predominantly a hot city and remains so almost throughout the year except for winters, when it becomes exceptionally cold. Carry light cottons between March – September and woollens between October – February. Also, foreigners are accepted as they are – the cultural difference is perhaps well taken in by the locals. But if you are an Indian, you will be under the scrutiny of the locals about the way you look, you talk and the clothes you wear. Be prepared to be judged upon, leered at and commented on.

Recommendation (what kind of travellers / tourists?)

Agra is a safe city and ok for all sorts of travellers from single women travellers, to families and back packers.  However, beware of touts who might pester you with the ‘best’ and ‘cheap’ hotels and promise you with the best place to buy souvenirs from. Be warned: rickshaw pullers and auto drivers will haunt you to board their vehicles for a ride within the city and taxi drivers will rob you poor. Though the places to see in Agra are pretty close by, you can book an auto for the entire day or if you enjoy the luxuries of life, you can hire an air conditioned cab as well. 

Getting Around in Agra

Small as it is, Agra is pretty easily navigable. Fatehabad Road is a central road around which, most of the hotels are located. From there, rickshaws, autos and cabs are readily available. Walking might not be your favourite thing especially during summers, but in winters walking down the mist covered roads of Agra and surrounded by green leafy tress can turn out to be pretty romantic.

Must See in Agra

What is a tour to Agra without a beautiful moonlit night with your beloved by your side? Well, actually only a lucky few can do it. Taj Mahal is open to public only on full moon nights, barring which; entry is closed after 6:30 pm every day. Nevertheless, it is amazing to witness the monument of love with its sprawling gardens in the typical Mughal style. Akbar’s Fort, Itmat-ud-Daula and Bara Imambara are some of the other things that you cannot miss in Agra. Equally important is a visit to Taj Ganj, earlier known as Mumtazabad, which was created to provide accommodation to the lakhs of people who made the Taj Mahal. You may still see some of the original constructions in Taj Ganj, with a terrace offering a view of the Taj Mahal. 

Must Do / Must Experience in Agra

An Agra trip is not complete if you have not ridden a horse chariot to the Taj Mahal. There are numerous ‘tanga-wallas’ along the east gate of the Taj Mahal and a clobbering ride to the Taj Mahal might bring you close to the regal lifestyle led by the Mughal rulers. 

The view of the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River is simply wonderful. It is said that against the setting sun, the Taj Mhaal looks its best from here. 

Feel the cultural essence of Agra with an evening dedicated to the performing arts of Agra – Braj Rasila, Charukala and Rasiya. Braj Rasila is a theatrical form associated with the life of Lord Krishna, whereas Charkula is a traditional folk dance of Braj, where a female dancer balances a column of lighted ‘diyas’ over her head while dancing. Rasiya is a rich tradition of folksongs that is found in the Braj area of the Agra region. Rasiya songs describe the love of the divine couple Radha and Shri Krishna.  

Shopping in Agra

Shopping. Yes, besides touring the monuments, an important agenda in your Agra trip should be shopping. Agra is a shopping hub for marbles, leatherwork, crafts, Zardosi thread work and Panchi Petha and Dalmoth. Visit the local factories for excellent leather buys – wallet, shoes, jackets and belts. There are extensive marble shops from where you can select high quality marble work for your house fittings and souvenir shops selling beautiful marble carvings, tables, mirror frames etc. Zardosi is a unique 3 dimensional thread work that originated in Agra during the Mughal reign and has held on till today. Shop for beautiful Zardosi wall hangings, table cloth and cushion covers in Agra. The Agra State Emporium is a good place to shop for silk ‘sarees’ and ‘dupatta’. It is said that the real silk used is so fine, that it can pass through your finger ring! So better check before you splurge! You cannot return without the famous Panchi Petha, a sweet typical to Agra. Originally white, the Panchi  Petha is quite a favourite with the locals. However, flavoured pethas are readily available these days. ‘Dalmoth’ is a savoury snack popular in Agra. 

Eating (Food) in Agra

Like any other tourist place, Agra has a mix of everything – Indian, Chinese, Mughlai and Continental. You can try Mughlai food - that will be the closest to any authentic food that you will get there. The dhabas are the best place to try Mughlai cuisines, however keep hygiene in mind. By and large, all the hotels have their own restaurants and they serve buffet and a la carte meals. 

Nightlife in Agra

There is not much of nightlife in Agra. However, some of the 4 star and 5 star hotels have pubs and discotheques. 

Events / Festivals in Agra

Agra and its neighbouring areas are largely influenced by its proximity to Mathura and Vrindavan, associated with lord Krishna and his consort Radha. Most of the fairs and festivals organized in the region are either temple festivals, religious festivals or cattle and village fairs based on Krishna's life such as Dauji ka mela, Kans Lila, cattle fair Jat Devi, cattle fair Kund Mela, cattle fair Gwal Balba, Meta ki Puja Jat Devi, Holi Milap, Mata-ka-mela, Shitla Mela, Parikrama of Shivji, Kailash Mela, Janamashthmi, Dussehra, Kali-ka-mela, Ram lila, Urs Sufi Sahib and Bateshwar cattle fair.

Some of the larger festivals, celebrated with much fan fare is the Taj Mahotsav organized annually for ten days during February. Enjoy extensive display of arts, crafts and culture along with classical dance and song performances. 'Mushairas' and 'Ghazal' programmes by well-known Indian artists, camels and elephant rides and a wild fiesta of Indian cuisines, dance, music, arts and crafts make it a mahotsav in the real sense. 

Ram Barat is a special marriage procession of Shri Ram, a festival that precedes Dusshera. Kailash Fair is organised at the Kailash Temple about 12 km from Agra. The fair is celebrated to commemorate the appearance of Lord Shiva in the form of a stone lingam here in the monsoon months of August and September.

Excursions from Agra

Fatehpur Sikri, about 40 km from Agra is an ideal excursion. Made of red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri was founded by Emperor Akbar in 1571 to honour the Sufi mystic Sheikh Salim Chishti who had predicted the birth of a son to the ruler. Fatehpur Sikri boasts of magnificent architecture in the form of arches, courtyards and buildings that indicate a Persian ancestry and yet it is a synthesis of Hindu and Islamic architecture, giving credence to the religious tolerance of the emperor. The Buland Darwaza, the Panch Mahal, the Jama Masjid Mosque, the palace of Maryamuzzamani, Birbal Bhawan and the life-size chessboard where courtiers could play the roles of pieces are must-sees!

About 12 km from Agra in a place called Sikandra, lies Akbar’s Tomb, the sandstone and marble covered grave. 

The temples of Mathura (46 km) and Vrindavan, associated with Lord Krishna are of interest to those with a religious bent of mind. Be careful of monkeys and rats in the temple complexes – they are a nuisance and can be totally repelling! Besides the Dwarkadeesh Temple, you can see the Jama Masjid, Govardhan Hill and the Archeological Museum in Mathura. Vrindavan, on the other hand is said to have have house around 400 temples at one point of time. The most popular temples here are Bankey Bihari Temple, Govind Dev Temple and ISKON Temple. 

Top 5 to See / Do in Agra

• Taj Mahal – Revel in the majestic beauty of the Taj Mahal, stroll through the manicured gardens, watch the orange sunset cast a romantic glow on the sloping domes and enjoy the beautiful view of the Yamuna River.

• See other architectural splendours of the Mughal rule – Akbar’s Fort, Idmat-ud-Daula and Bara Imambara. A trip to Fatehpur Sikri or the ‘Ghost Town’ will make you happy.

• Walk through the ancient township of Mumtazbad or Taj Ganj, as is known today to see remnants of the housing colonies built for the masons who built the Taj Mahal.

• Enjoy being an audience to cultural extravaganza - Braj Rasila, Charukala and Rasiya

• Treat yourself with the marvellous marble inlay work, leather goods, Zardosi artefacts from Sadar Bazar. A trip down the lanes of this bazaar takes you to ‘khandani’ artisans making these masterpieces with hands, without the use of any modern equipment. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that each item is hand made and different from the other.  

• Locate ‘Panchi Petha’ outlets across the city and see the colourfully myriad display of the famous Panchi Pethas of Agra. In different flavours, choose from a desi variety like kesar flavoured to something more sophisticated like rose flavoured for those cousins and friends sitting at home. The original (real) 'Panchi Petha' brand pethas outlets are located at Sadar Bazaar and M.G Road or Highway.

Incredible India! Bhimbetka Caves - A World Heritage Site.

Just 45 kms from Bhopal, and often ignored by Indians especially tourists, lie the Bhimbetka Caves. A world Heritage Site, Bhimbetka caves exhibit the earliest traces of life and historic past of India. Analyses show they exhibit life in existence here over 100,000 years ago. Decked with stone age rock-paintings, some of these are analysed to be over 30,000 years old. The name itself means “Sitting place of Bhim (Mahabharata)”.

The entire area of Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh is covered by thick vegetation, has abundant natural resources in its perennial water supplies, natural shelters, rich forest flora and fauna, and bears a significant resemblance to similar rock art sites such as Kakadu National Park in Australia, the cave paintings of the Bushmen in Kalahari Desert, and the Upper Paleolithic Lascaux cave paintings in France. Out of the 700 identified shelters in the world, about 240+ are in Bhimbetka. The smooth shape of the rocks has led some explorers to believe they may have been underwater once.

The rock shelters and caves of Bhimbetka have a number of interesting paintings which depict the lives and times of the people who lived in the caves, including scenes of childbirth, communal dancing and drinking, and religious rites and burials, as well as the natural environment around them, apart from hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant riders, animal fighting, honey collection, decoration of bodies, disguises and masking and household scenes.

Hence, whether you are art and culture lover or a historian or a common traveller, whenever you visit Madhya Pradesh must pay a visit to Bhimbetka Caves. You will come across amazing creatures and carry along lifelong memories after visiting Bhimbetka.