Golden Triangle - Agra

Agra is south of Delhi and is one of the three cities considered the Golden Triangle in India. The Golden Triangle was named because the three cities the tourists frequently visit creates a triangle shape.

Agra Fort

Beautiful Red Sandstone

The Red Fort was the residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638 when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. The Agra fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Red Fort is located less than three Kilometers from the Taj Mahal.

We had the opportunity to visit the Royal Pavilions and gardens.

Taj Mahal in the distance from the Royal Pavilion

Cricket Players at Sunset

After our visit to the Royal Pavilion, we visited a rural village learning about their way of life. People were playing cricket in the field and the village children followed us through the town.

Local Children

We visited several houses and saw what the women used to cook meals. In this village, they were starting to outfit houses with indoor bathrooms.

Roof Tops overlooking village dwellings

View of the Taj Mahal in the distance from the roof.

Taj Mahal in the distance at sunset.

After visiting Agra we took a train to Ranthanbore to see the Bengal Tiger in the wild. We had first class tickets on the train which meant that we had a seat assigned in one of the cars. You have to find the correct location on the platform for the car you are assigned your first-class ticket. Even if you have assigned seating you might find that your seat is already occupied and there is no conductor on the train to help you get your seat.

Waiting for the train

Locals board the train from both sides of the cars to ensure that they get onto the train. Seats are not reserved and you have a very short time to actually get on the train while it is stopped. No one was on top of the train as it went by because it is an electric train with overhead wires. The train was definitely full as young men were hanging out of the doors.