Delhi - albeit a major, but by far not the most popular tourist destination city in India: the most famous places like Goa or Kerala, travelers prefer to travel via Mumbai. Therefore, the capital of foreigners come mostly on business trips, for shopping or to make a tour of the "Golden Triangle", the three vertices of which are Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
We started our journey to Delhi. First arrived in India, its capital, seems unusually crowded and dirty. But it is only necessary to travel a bit around the country, as is your impression change: returning to Delhi, you will marvel at how clean and calm the city.
Perhaps the most order prevails near the Parliament building and the presidential palace. Get inside of these buildings is possible, but only upon request, sent to the government or by letter from the consulate. So that the ordinary tourist is just a stroll outside.
Huge wide avenue leading from government buildings to the Gateway of India - the local "triumphal arch".
The gate was erected in 1931 in memory of Indian soldiers killed in World War I and the Anglo-Afghan wars. Half a century later, Indira Gandhi decided to build a monument at the gate - the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Since then, there stands a guard of honor, and had come on official visits to foreign heads of states lay wreaths at the monument. However, the drop here is not just presidents and kings. At the weekend - is one of the favorite places for walking residents.
From the Gateway of India is within walking distance to the old city fortress Purana Qila, built by Mughal emperor Humayun in the XVI century. Basically, in a large park inside the walls tend to couples in love who, hiding under trees or between the columns of ancient buildings - what do you think? - Gently hold each other by the hand.
Worth to visit and in the crypt of the Humayun, built of red sandstone. She is listed in UNESCO World Heritage list before it was richly adorned with carpets and precious stones, but stolen by the conquerors, and now the inside in the darkness we can see only the bare walls and gravestones.
Around the main building, a park, which will disappear and show up at this place several times. A couple of centuries ago, it nearly destroyed the British to replace the layout and plants, then at the beginning of XX century, the Indian government all painstakingly restored, but after several decades of the park again fell into disrepair, filled with ugly kiosks and shacks poor. After Humayun's Tomb was listed by UNESCO, the park is again put in order. In the meantime, restorers working on the buildings, tourists are destroying the ruins, climbing on them.
Of course, this is not all that is needed to see in Delhi. We ought to go in a giant complex of the Red Fort, the temple of Lakshmi-Narayan of white and pink marble, and even from the view of the huge temple of Lotus. Delhi is worth to spend there at least a week. But the most interesting in Delhi - are local residents.
The Indian capital is very dirty, it is constantly covered in smog, is permanently and universally bad smells from walking through the streets of cows, goats and dogs thrown from the middle area of waste and because Indian men defecate in the middle of town, only turning to the roadway back . Among all this dirt and dust is struck by how brightly dressed local women, even if they work at a construction site.
The next day we waited for Agra and one of the wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal. From Delhi to Agra can be reached by rail, and paid for 3-4 hours towards total 10.02 euros depending on the class. Is it possible for about the same price to go by bus: a comfortable, air-conditioned and comfortable individual seats or the simplest in the crowd of local residents.
Reviews of Agra contradictory. Some consider it the most beautiful place on earth, others argue that it's almost a very dirty town across India. Thanks to the Taj Mahal does not particularly remarkable settlement (albeit a few years and the former capital) has become one of the world-famous cities, which is visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists and locals have become incredibly greedy and enterprising. The closer to the mausoleum, the thick crowd of helpers and cab drivers offering to drive you on a camel, horse, mule, car, tuk-tuk or bicycle. Some naive foreigners caught at the gates of the park and, claiming to the Taj Mahal is still far, although foot needed to pass a couple of hundred meters. Only if you carry large backpacks and food, before reaching the gate, you turn left and pass all of the storage chamber.
All the surrounding streets are filled with souvenir shops with pictures of the famous tomb.
At the Taj Mahal is almost always a turn. It goes pretty quickly, with women and men are separate.
It is said that the mausoleum is always different: under the bright sun and the moon at dusk and dawn. We were probably lucky in all: we saw him in a haze of smog.
Each seeks to impress itself on the background of the Taj Mahal, so willing to be photographed are fighting for the best seats and even become a mini-queue.
The second attraction of Agra - Red Fort. This is truly a powerful reinforcement, walled compound, stretching for 2.4 kilometers. Inside the fort is a very beautiful palace of the Mughal rulers.
The building started to build in the XVI century, when the capital was briefly moved from Delhi to Agra. The walls are decorated with exquisite carvings, early on them was inlaid with precious stones, which were then vykovoreny European conquerors.
The last "top" Golden Triangle - Jaipur. City Centre - Pink city - was built of pink sandstone. But this ruler was not enough, so now the walls are constantly painted in bright pink. After traveling to other Indian cities of Jaipur seems pretty nice and relatively clean.
You should definitely visit the City Palace - the former residence of the Maharaja. Inside you can see the hall receptions, interesting displays of old clothes and Indian weapons.
Across the street from the Palace is Jantar Mantar Observatory, one of the largest in India. The Indians are still on any occasion turning to astrologers. And as to assign a wedding, or start building a house without consulting the stars, and there can be no! All relationships with luminaries occur on a strictly scientific basis: see grand buildings in Observatory, Jaipur, inevitably you start to believe in astrology!
At 11 km from Jaipur is another grand structure - Amber fort.
Tourists should be cautious: in an old fort settled monkeys. They can leave you with lightning speed, not only without food but without the photography.
Can be quite a long time to wander through the fortress, and then suddenly get a beautiful garden with its marble fountains.
It remains only sympathize with those who tried to conquer this citadel. Inside this labyrinth of tunnels and junctions, and in fact every corner could hide an enemy!
While we investigated the Amber fort, poured rain. Back in town, we found that a small downpour led to the disaster.
But that did not stop to see a business kartochkuDzhaypura - Palace Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds," although, in fact, this is not a palace at all. The main thing is that it deserves attention - is an unusual facade. Its windows are designed to live in it ladies could watch the street and go unnoticed. Photographing the Hawa Mahal, get ready to fend off merchants: the opposite of the street is filled with tents radzhastanskim textiles, and their owners are literally forcibly dragged you inside.
Jaipur did not want to leave, but the next day we were supposed to fly home. We promised ourselves to return once again to thoroughly explore the city, then go north to the Himalayas to visit the southern beaches ... Although, of course, understood that not keep this promise: India is large and very diverse, and see it all can only hope the Buddhists, who believe in reincarnation.
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