India – Part II: Exploring the “Blue City” and Palaces of Jodhpur, Delhi, and Agra

(Have you read India - Part I: Bustling Mumbai and Romance in Rajasthan? Scroll down for more!) 

The mighty Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

After regaining our post-wedding strength we spent the day in Jodhpur touring the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, situated on the edge of a 400 ft.-high cliff above the historic “Blue City.” Described by Rudyard Kipling as “the work of giants” the Fort itself is one of the largest in all of India, a massive structure composed of intricately carved red sandstone. Inside you will find several palaces, galleries, temples, and courtyards. Naturally, the men in our group were particularly excited about the extensive display of swords and unusual weaponry in the Armory, but between the paintings and special exhibitions there is definitely something for everyone.

View from the Fort, high above Jodhpur's "Blue City"

You will be completely awe-struck gazing over the Old City, a sea of 15^th century palaces, forts, temples, and houses uniformly painted in a light shade of blue. From this vantage you can also spot the Umaid Bhawan Palace which functions as both a luxury hotel and residence for the Maharajah. The impressive private museum and car collection are well worth your time but be sure to plan in advance – you must be a guest of the hotel or have a restaurant reservation to sneak a peek inside.

We then embarked on the final leg of our trip to Delhi and Agra. We opted for a day trip to the Taj Mahal, a bit of a trek at four hours by car from Delhi. For a more leisurely experience, many visitors overnight in Agra which allows you to experience sunrise and sunset at the Taj Mahal, both distinctly breathtaking. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife, the palace is a stunning testament to everlasting love. After seeing this iconic image of white marble domes and minarets countless times in movies and photographs, it was difficult to process we were standing in the midst of this seemingly familiar site. Once (somewhat) recovered from the shock we strolled past the gardens along the reflecting pool toward the tomb and inner chambers. You will be amazed at the artistry of the in-laid marble and semi-precious gemstones lining the floor, walls, and ceiling. Be prepared for mid-day crowds, although everyone is very peaceful and the atmosphere is incredibly serene. An opportunity not to be missed!

Attempting to capture the grandeur of the Taj Mahal

New Delhi was distinctly different in its look and feel from Old Delhi. It was established as a planned city in the early 20th century under British rule and serves as home to many embassies and government offices, with wide streets and open green spaces. Whereas, Old Delhi, the former 17^th century Mughal capital, offered a great sense of history and general commotion with jumbles of narrow streets and masses of people busily going about their day.

The Red Fort, Old Delhi

We would have loved one or two more days in Delhi because there is so much to take in. With more time, we would have liked to see Humayun's Tomb, which served as the inspiration for the Taj Mahal, as well as Qutab Minar, the dizzying sandstone tower rising high above the city. We did, however, manage to sneak in a visit to the Red Fort in Old Delhi. This UNESCO World Heritage Site formerly served as the residence for Mughal emperors for over 200 years until the onset of British rule and is now revered as a prominent symbol of India. Inside you will find museums and monuments built of red sandstone and marble representing the emperors’ former glory, some rather deteriorated with others in pristine condition.

Streets of Chandni Chowk bazaar, Old Delhi

The Lahore Gate entrance of the Red Fort leads out to the exciting and chaotic Chandni Chowk bazaar, a dense maze of vendors selling every type of good imaginable from jewelry, to apparel, spices, textiles, books, and electronics. It is quite a frenzied scene with electrical wires crisscrossing the tops of buildings, scents from food vendors emanating through the air, and bicycles and motorbikes zipping through the narrow alleys. A great place to flex your bargaining muscles and pick up a few last-minute purchases before heading home!

After nine nights, five hotels, and a handful of wild taxi rides later, our group felt ready to return home on the final day. Although, we couldn’t help but feel we had only scratched the surface of this captivating destination. Once the plane took off, my husband and I began dreaming about a return to India exploring the Lake City of Udaipur, venturing further north into the Himalayas, or relaxing on the southern beaches of Goa. After all, we have a few more years left on our Indian visas, right?

- Jennie Reed, Travel 100 Group