A massive red sandstone wall surrounds the Red Fort of Agra, a great and historic city 200 kilometres southeast of Delhi. Almost 2.5 kilometres long and at an average height of 20 metres, the wall contains several well-fortified bastions that have been used by the Indian army right up to the present day. The east side of the Diwan-I-Am is connected to the Macchi Bhawan, a beautiful courtyard that is surrounded on three sides by a two-story building complex. It is believed that the legendary golden throne of the great moguls was kept in the southern wing. In addition to the private audience hall of the moguls, the Diwan-I-Khas, the private chambers of Shah Jahan, are one of the fort’s most fascinating sights. But 1658 prove to be a tragic year for Shah Jahan as his son, Aurangzeb, arrested him and removed him from power. From his prison cell, he was able to see one of the most famous symbols of his former regime, his favorite wife’s fantastic mausoleum, the Taj Mahal.
Rajasthan, Land of Kings and one of the most unique and colorful provinces in northern India, is on the border of Pakistan. The barren desert landscape was once the home of the Rajputes that ruled over the land for more than a thousand years. Our journey begins in Agra. Situated on the border with Rajasthan, the imposing metropolis of the Moguln monarchs is an ideal starting point. The Palace City, the Red Fortress, was three generations in construction. A two and a half kilometre long wall, with many bastions, surrounds a spacious inner courtyard and numerous palace buildings. Although artistic stone masonry decorates a number of red sandstone arcades, most of the buildings are of marble. The ruling monarch and his royal household once held official events in the public audience hall, the seventy metre long, Diwan-I-Am. The city on the Jamuna River is full of life. Hustle and bustle are typical within the crowded streets of the former capital of the Mongul realm. It is like a medieval city with market stalls and tiny workshops, narrow lanes, colorful shops and traditional buildings. The Etimad-Ud-Doulah Mausoleum is a jewel of Mogul architecture. Around ten kilometres north of Agra, close to Sikandra, is the large tomb of Emperor Akbar who was one of the wisest Mogul monarchs. He ruled over the Indian Empire for almost half a century and was known to be extremely tolerant of religions other than his own. The sleepy desert town of Mandawa captures the unique charm of this …
Positive Footprints – India follows a group of travellers as they travel to Jambha, a village deep in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan to help restore a local school. What propels someone to choose this type of trip? What does it mean for the local community to receive this support? and how do these travellers from all over the world pull together in extreme conditions to get the job done. Funding for project materials was made via the Footprints Network (www.footprintsnetwork.org) from 1173 donations made by World Nomads (http travellers.
Namast India is the ultimate travel experience. And once one falls in love with India one does not have the slightest desire to go anywhere else.. There is no flora and fauna like India’s. There is no topography like India’s (from pristine beaches all the way to, and in between, up to the Himalayas). There are no cities as wild and exciting as those in India. There is no diversity of cultures in any country that can match India’s. There is no more spectacular and diverse Architecture than India’s. There is no tolerance like the tolerance of India. But most importantly there are NO people on the planet that can match the kindness, warmth, genuine concern, interest in foreigners, and “Chanti’ of the India people. They are as close to divine as you will find on this miserable globe! One does not go to India like one goes to the Bahamas, one goes to India to find the inner self and strength, along with everything else.. At times, one wants to pull one’s hair out and then Mother India says here, “I have a gift for you”. Then one is transported to another realm. Go to India and never return! (At least a month for your mind to turn away from your Western value system and begin to see the wisdom of India’s ethos). Louise and StuartCheck out our web-site which should be completed about end 2010 (delayed due to circumstances beyond our control now there is a descriptive starter page). …………………………………. . …………………………………. . www …
RSS