City of Palaces, Jaipur

When I landed in Jaipur, I was really amazed because of what I had heard since my childhood, Jaipur, ‘the pink city’, was not really pink. When I inquired the locals about the houses being pink, I came across an old tale wherein when in 1876, Prince of Wales visited India, Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur painted the entire city pink to display his gesture of hospitality as the pink was the color associated with hospitality back then.

By now, you might have understood that hospitality and hues are in the blood of Jaipur. Not only this, Jaipur holds the distinction of being the first planned city of India. The city along with Delhi and Agra forms the India's Golden Triangle. This capital of Rajasthan is also a gateway to other tourist places like Ajmer, Pushkar, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Mount Abu in the state. Known for its umpteen palaces, this city is truly grandeur.

Tourist Attraction:

What better place to begin exploration Jaipur than City Palace? Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during the years 1729 to 1732, the magnificent City Palace in Jaipur is one of the most famous tourist attractions. The facade is designed with acute and detailed handiwork and showcases a blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture style. The palace costs Rs 200/person for Indian and 700/person for foreign tourists.

Once you are done with the palace, you should explore the massive edifice of Hawa Mahal. It derives its name from its unique structure, which is a mesh of small windows that allowed cool wind to enter the palace and hence kept the palace comfortable during the hot summer months. Jaipur locals would bet that it’s the windiest palace as it has 953 windows!

11km from the pink city awaits the Amber fort. Being constructed from red sandstone, this fort is a perfect blend of Hindu-Muslim architecture. Well, apart from exploring the architect, you can go for an elephant ride, enjoy the light and sound show in the evening or can try some mouth-water cuisine.

Another architectural delight that Jaipur offers is the Jal Mahal, situated at the middle of the Mansagar Lake. Its beautifully decorated hallway and fragrant Chameli Bagh are enough to enchant you. You can take camel ride, walk the long pathways or simply indulge in birdwatching and marvel the beauty of the palace.

Rightly known as ‘City of Palace’, the city also hosts other forts like Jaigarh fort and Nahargarh fort.

Local Tourist sites

While all this while, you might have covered all the nearby palaces and forts in and around city, you should also definitely take out time for the UNESCO world heritage and the largest stone astronomical observatory, the Jantar Mantar.  The geometrical devices available here are used for measuring time, observing constellations and orbits around the sun.

You can also visit the ‘Pink City’, an old walled city constructed of red Sandstone and is preserved as UNESCO world heritage site. The wall that marks the boundary of the Pink City is about six metres high and three metres thick.

Shopping Paradise:

The old city or Pink city is a shopper’s paradise with plethora of things. Pink City bazars are made up of 4 main bazars- Johari bazar, Bapu bazar, Nehru Bazaar, Kishanpole Bazaar and Tripolia Bazaar. Each bazaar is famous for different things, like Johari bazar for jewelry, Tripolia Bazaar for bangles, Chandpole Bazaar for Handicrafts, Kishanpole Bazaar for Textiles, Bapu bazaar for Jaipur textile goods and Nehru Bazaar for Traditional Jootis.

Jaipur Cuisine:

Jaipur food is predominantly vegetarian with lots of butter. Jaipur is famous for its Dal Batti, Churma, Mawa Kachori, Ghewar, Mirchi Bada, Rajasthani Subzi and different kinds of Chapattis like Missi Roti. Sweet dishes include Ghevar, Feeni, Gajak, Chauguni ke laddu, Moong Thal.

Must-visits

·         Hawa Mahal

·         Jal Mahal

·         Amber Fort

·         City palace

·         Pink City Bazar

·         Jantar Mantar

Must-haves

·         Dal Batti

·         Churma

·         Ghewar

·         Chauguni ke laddu

·         Missi Roti

Weather to visit

Jaipur witness a very dry summer and a warm winter. Therefore, the ideal time would be early November till February.

Pro-tips

·         Being close to desert, the city gets very hot, so do not forget to carry your sunscreen, summer hats and your funky shades.

·         Plan your day in advance so that you make the most out of your trips

·         Carry an extra empty bag, because the colors of the city will entice you to buy whatever comes your way.

Give Bejoy Holidays an honor to host you in the ‘City of palaces’ while you enjoy your perfect Camel ride!

Queen of Hills, Shimla

“Wow! Snow on Oak” were my first word when I visited the Queen of Hills, Shimla.

The first thing I saw when I landed there was thick covers of oak and pine that spread across the city are soaked it in peace and serenity. The Summer Capital of Britishers, Shimla, has always been enticing for the nature lovers. Basking the grandeur of British era, this city charmed the Britishers so much that they elevated its status to the capital of India.

Tourist spots:

If it’s the snow that excites you, then you should definitely visit Kufri. While there's not much to see in Kufri as such, but the panoramic views and temples after a bit of trekking are worth the time. You can also visit the nearby tourists’ spots like Chail, Mashobra, Naldehr or Narkanda.

Tattapani, also predominantly known as Tattapani Point, is a quaint village located 60 kms away from Shimla, on the banks of river Sutlej. You can enjoy water sport aficionados and take with an unmatched river rafting experience with you. This spot is also famous for its Hot Sulphur spring that is believed to have curative properties for health ailments like stress, joint pain, fatigue and other skin diseases.

Not to disappoint the devotees on the trip, you can pay a holy visit to the famous ‘Jakhoo Temple’ perched atop the Jakhoo Hill above the valley and seek the blessings on Lord Hanuman. Another spiritual shrine is the ‘Tara Devi Temple’ which is 11 km from Shimla Bus Stand. This temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Star.

A trip to Shimla is definitely incomplete without embarking on the famed toy train ride, which runs from Shimla to Kalka and vice-versa. Meandering through mountainous tracks, giving a glimpse of the hypnotic scenery, it is an engineering marvel in itself and one of the top things to do in Shimla.

Local tourist spots:

Ridge is a wide-open street located on the side of Shimla Mall Road. It has everything, from shops selling some exclusive artefacts to the spectacular view of the snow-capped mountain ranges set against an orangish hued sky.

Here, you can enjoy feasting in small eateries selling Momo, roasted corn and ice creams and sip hot coffee enjoying the scenic landscape. It is often the most photographed part of the hill station covered with pine, firs, Himalayan Oak and Rhododendron trees.

Shoppers paradise:

Some of the best places to shop in Shimla are the Lakkar Bazaar, Lower Bazaar, The Mall, Himachal Emporium and Tibetan Market. Local markets in Shimla will definitely lure you with all their traditional products and antiques. I quite bet, your trip to Shimla would be incomplete without visiting the Lakkar bazar, famous for the woodden decorative items and handicrafts.

Fig:Lakkar market

If you’re in the mood to shop for locally made handicrafts at pocket friendly prices, Himachal Emporium is just the place for you. If bargain is just in your blood and you’re quite missing it in Shimla, just visit Tibetan Market once. For the ones who went to Shimla to fetch fruit jams and jellies, don’t miss popping in the Minchy’s.

Fig: Tibetian Market

Food Assortments of Shimla

Shimla delicacy is quite vegetarian and seems to consist of chickpeas and veggies. Famous food is Madra and you will find this in almost every restaurant. Dhaam is their another very famous cuisine which you will find specially during festivals. Siddu, Thukpa and Babri are their quite famous delicacies and must-try ones.

Fig: Madra

Must-visit places:

·         Ridge

·         Kufri

·         Mall, Lakkar Bazar

·         Tara- Devi Temple

·         Toy train ride from Shimla to Kalka

Must-have dishes:

·         Madra

·         Dhaam

·         Siddu

·         Thukpa

Best-time to visit Shimla:

May-June is the ideal time to visit Shimla, yet if you want to soak yourself in snowfall, you should visit it during November-January.

Pro-tips:

·         Carry all your essential medicines.

·         Don’t forget to carry extra woolens.

·         Make list of all the places you want to visit and plan your journey in advance.

Come, let’s ski together in Shimla with Bejoy holidays!

Magical City of History, Romance and Architecture, Agra

‘Love is in the Air’, we all might have heard this proverb, but I literally felt love in Agra’s air when I landed in Agra via a trip planned by Bejoy Holidays!

Agra is synonymous to one of the 7 wonders on the Earth, an UNESCO heritage, The Taj Mahal. It’s the timeless city of Mughal splendor and was one of the most important seats of Mughal rule in India. Situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Agra forms the golden triangle along with Delhi and Jaipur. It is well connected by road, rail and air with the rest of the country and sees tourist influx in high numbers.

Tourist Spots

Tourists from all over the world visit Agra only for symbol and dedication of love, Taj Mahal. Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his loving wife Mumtaz Mahal, this grandeur architecture stands tall on the banks of river Yamuna. It is constructed from white marbles obtained from Makarna, Rajasthan and has artistic interiors. It has the tomb of both Mumtaz Mahal as well as the emperor.

45 minutes far from Agra, lies the ‘city of Ghosts’, Fatehpur Sikri. It was founded as the capital city of the Mughal rule by then emperor Akbar. Built in red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri is home to Jodha Bai's palace, Jama Mosque, Buland Darwaja, and a Tomb of Salim Chishti among many other famous monuments, each of which, is an integral part of the Indian heritage.

Another architectural jewel in the city is Agra Fort, an UNESCO world heritage site. It had been the main residence of the Mughal family during the time it was built. Though it was also built in red sandstone by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, yet years later it was renovated in white marble by his grandson Emperor Shah Jahan. Some of the major attractions in Agra Fort that will leave you mesmerized are structures like the Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, Jehangir’s Palace and Khas Mahal.

Other prominent architectural tourist spots in the city include Emperor Akbar’s tomb, Itimad-ud-daulah’s tomb and the Taj museum. Located to the north of the glorious wonder Taj Mahal, mehtab bagh is one of the very famous gardens. Perfectly quadrilateral in shape and colloquially known as the Moonlight garden, the stunning Mehtab Bagh is the last one of the eleven similar Mughal- built garden complexes along the Yamuna bank. Another similar garden is the Anguri Bagh.

Shopper’s Paradise

For the shopping buffs, this city presents great, colorful and unique handicrafts and old carved products with mosaic and mirror works. The quality of the workmanship and products and very high and partially justifies the high price for the items.

The famous bazars of Agra include Kinni Bazar and Sadar Bazar and they are unique and quaint lanes and walking past them, among the noises and hustle and bustle could be fascinating experience in itself.

Agra Delicacies

Agra is especially famous for its pethas, a sweet that is made from white pumpkin or ash gourd and is infused with delicious flavors. The two popular varieties of Petha are - the dry, hard and chewy ones and the other is soft and syrupy.

Apart from it, the Mughlai food of the Mughal era forms the souvenir for the Mughal kitchen. These dishes are majorly non-vegetarian and are extremely palatable and must-eat ones when on trip to Agra.

Must-visit

·         Taj Mahal

·         Agra Fort

·         Jodha Bai palace

·         Tomb of Salim Chishti

·         Fatehpur Sikri particularly Buland Darwaja

·         Emperor Akbar’s fort

Must-haves:

·         Petha

·         Mughlai Cuisine

·         Mughlai Chicken

Best-time to visit:

November to March

Pro-tips:

·         Take sunscreen and most importantly Camera along to capture the grandeur of city

·         To understand the architects better, always prefer the tour guides.

·         Carry important medicine along

·         Be back in hotels by 9.

Come, lets visit the city where history, architecture and romance all create magic with Bejoy Holidays!