Incredible India & Its Glorious Heritage: Rutupurna’s trip to Rajasthan, Agra, and Delhi

As I gazed at an old photo album one fine Sunday, a wave of nostalgia hit me, taking me back to my childhood. I remembered those days when I visited the city fair, riding the giant wheel and enjoying fluffy cotton candy. While I loved London, I could not help but long for Indian food, the vibrant narrow streets, the stunning heritage sites, and the warmth of its people.

This time, those memories inspired me to plan a trip to India with my brother and mother to relive those joyful moments. When I suggested it, my brother excitedly said, “What a coincidence! I recently found the perfect trip package on Thrilliophilia and saved it just in case!” 

“That’s amazing! It’s like you read my mind,” I replied. We looked at the package together, and the Golden Triangle of India seemed so beautiful and exciting. My mother was thrilled and could almost taste the delicious chaat before we even set off for India!

Dil-Walon ki Dilli 

Delhi has a unique vibe to it and I could feel the city's energy buzzing around me as soon as we landed there. After checking in we rested for a while but my brother, always the restless one, was the first to jump up. “Let’s go, let’s go!” he urged, grabbing his cap and running out the door. We drove to Raj Ghat and crossed the famous Rajpath, soaking in the brilliance of Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Then, we stopped by the India Gate. It was a humbling experience and we all were filled with a sense of awe. My brother wondered, “Delhi is nice.” And I said with a grin, “There is much more to it…just wait.”As we wrapped up our day, we strolled through the bustling streets of Chandni Chowk in the heart of Old Delhi.

The enticing aroma of delicious food tempted us to try almost everything—from hot parathas and chole bhature to the sweetest jalebis in Parathe Wali Gali. After a fulfilling day, we returned home and dreamed about our upcoming trip and the more amazing food we would discover!

Agra is spelt as ‘Love’

We arrived in Agra, and the excitement we felt was contagious, but nothing could prepare me for what lay ahead. Before visiting the iconic Taj Mahal, we made a quick stop at Sikandara. The Redstone structure exuded the glorious history and the grand lifestyle of Akbar, and we admired every nook in awe. We then headed to the Taj Mahal and as we approached it, I could barely breathe. The sight of it in all its white marble glory, standing against the blue sky, was nothing short of mesmerizing. My brother could not stop staring, his eyes wide with awe. “I’ve seen it in pictures, but this… this is something else,” he whispered.

We spent the afternoon walking around its vast, perfectly manicured gardens. The intricate carvings and symmetry of the Taj left me in awe. Our guide was quite fun and made our visit even more interesting with the tales of history. As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the monument, it felt almost surreal. My mom stood silently, her face glowing in the fading light, and said, “This is what love looks like.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we headed to the streets outside to savour the tantalizing bedai puri with aloo ki sabzi, which warmed us up in the cool evening breeze. Agra engraved its charm on our hearts with its history, beauty, and love, all woven together beautifully.

The True Taste of Royalty

Then came the highlight of the trip- Rajasthan. Our exploration of Jaipur was nothing short of magical. The first stop was the majestic Amber Fort, perched on the Aravali Hills. On the way to the fort, I asked my driver to stop because I wanted to take in the panoramic view of the fort from below. I couldn’t help but soak in the scenery and snap some pictures. The fort was grand, exuding glitz and glory.

Next, we visited the magnificent City Palace, and the royal courtyards and intricate frescoes seemed to tell stories from centuries ago. "This place feels like it’s still alive with history," I remarked as we wandered through the colourful rooms, each adorned with intricate craftsmanship.

Our next stop was the Hawa Mahal, where we couldn’t resist stopping for a photo in front of the iconic honeycomb facade. Our guide shared stories about how the windows of the Hawa Mahal were used to enjoy festivals and watch processions like Gangaur and Teej. I felt like a queen overlooking the city as I gazed out of one of the windows; it was truly fascinating.

Afterwards, we headed to the bustling Johri Bazaar. The vibrant colours, the attractive shops filled with traditional attire and footwear, and the sweet aroma of kachori and samosa filled the air. We shopped for beautiful Bagru-printed attire, a traditional craft from Rajasthan, and picked up unique handicraft souvenirs like wooden elephants, miniature paintings, and handcrafted jewellery. Before concluding our trip, we went to witness the sunrise from Nahargarh, as suggested by one of my friends. We were left speechless by the view of the Pink City awakening with every golden ray.

Jaipur was the perfect royal ending to our trip and we could still taste the spicy and flavourful Dal Baati Churma while bidding goodbye to India.

As we headed to Delhi, I felt a sense of fulfilment knowing that I now have new memories of this beautiful country to cherish forever!

Read More: Thrillophilia Rajasthan Reviews