A Quick Guide to the Golden Triangle of India

This is a guest post by Kanupriyaa of My Lost Camel.

What is the Golden Triangle of India?

The cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, make up the Golden Triangle in India. This is one of the country’s most well-liked tourism circuits. These cities are positioned on the map to create a triangle with an almost equal distance between them of around 230 km (143 mi) and 240 km (149 mi).

Delhi, the vibrant capital of India, is a starting point for the Golden Triangle India. The capital of Delhi is a lively city that combines ancient history with modern development. Agra is a city that became famous due to the legendary Taj Mahal and the love story it symbolises. The last point in the Golden Triangle India tour is Jaipur, Rajasthan’s beautiful and colourful capital that we call the pink city because of its pink-coloured buildings. The city of Jaipur is a combination of royal history, lively markets, and architectural wonders.

Delhi

Your Golden Triangle India tour begins with India’s national capital, New Delhi. It is situated in the north-central part of India. Most international tourists fly into Delhi to begin their tour of India. New Delhi has a ton of interesting monuments, markets, workshops and restaurants which you can visit. There are a lot of really interesting places to visit in Delhi which you should not miss.

Chandni Chowk is the most famous market in Old Delhi which was built during the Mughal rule. Delhi Haat in central Delhi is an open-air market where artisans from all over India come to sell their wares. You will find paintings from Madhya Pradesh, textiles from the North East states like Nagaland, and wooden carvings from South India. Khan Market is a modern market with designer stores from all the top Indian designers today. It’s the best place to go if you want to buy some good quality cottonwear. Khan Market also has some of the best restaurants in Delhi like Soda Bottle Opener Wala with Parsi food and Big Chill with the best continental food in town.

Some popular monuments which you should not miss are as below.

• Chandni Chowk & Jama Masjid
• Humayun’s Tomb
• Qutub Minar

Chandi Chowk and Jama Masjid

Chandi Chowk is a busy Mughal-era open-air bazaar. The bazaar is crammed with small shops full of spices, temple artefacts, wedding items, electronics, books, clothing, jewellery, and perfume. Besides shopping items, Chandi Chowk also has some of the best food in Delhi. Try dishes like parathas, rabdi jalebi, korma, fried chicken and others here. Chandni Chowk is also home to Jama Masjid which is the biggest mosque in India. The architecture of the masjid is incredibly beautiful. You should make a point to visit both of these together 

Chandi Chowk opens daily at 9:30 am and closes at 8 pm. It usually takes 2 to 3 hours to visit Chandni Chowk if you have planned the places to visit within the market and there is no entry fee. 

Humayun’s Tomb

The beautiful architecture of the Humayun Tomb is matched by a stunning symmetrical Mughal Garden surrounding it. The garden blends Persian charm with excellent craftsmanship from India. The structure has a beautiful pond beside it that adds to the beauty of Humayun’s Tomb. The tomb is surrounded by gardens where you will see families picnicking and taking pictures during weekends. It’s a great place to start your day or take a break from the madness of Delhi by having a picnic lunch here.

Humayun’s Tomb opens at 6:00 am and closes at 6 pm. The entry fee for Indians is 30 rupees, and 500 rupees per person for Foreign Tourists. It charges 25 rupees for filming and no cost for photography. 

Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar is situated in a compound that has other monuments from the same era. The minaret is around 73 m, or about 240 feet tall, and has been constructed with brown sandstone and marble. It’s a five-tier pyramid, with each level listed on the projection balcony. The entire building is a testimony to the fusion of Indo-Oriental architecture with influences from Persian, Islamic, and Indian art.

Qutub Minar opens daily from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. The entry fee for Indians per person is 30 rupees, and 500 rupees per person for Foreign Tourists. It charges 25 rupees for filming and photography.

Agra

The second city in your Golden Triangle Inidia tour is Agra which is in western Uttar Pradesh. It is about 125 kilometres south of Delhi, on the Yamuna River. Agra can be done in one day and I don’t recommend spending any more time here than necessary to see the 3 monuments below. 

• Taj Mahal
• Agra Fort
• Itmad-ud-Daulah

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal was constructed as a tomb for the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s adored wife, Mumtaz Mahal. She died while giving birth in the 17th century. The construction of the Taj Mahal was started in 1632, and thousands of skilled artisans, architects, and artisans worked together for almost 22 years to finish this majestic structure.

The Taj Mahal is a marvel of art and exquisite craftsmanship. It is said that Shah Jahan cut off the hands of the architects after the Taj Mahal was completed so that no other monument as beautiful as the Taj Mahal could ever be built again.

Taj Mahal is open every day from sunrise to sunset except Friday. Additionally, on 3 nights around the full moon, you can visit it from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am. Day entry fees for foreigners are 1100 rupees and 540 rupees for citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries. Night entry fees for foreigners are 750 rupees, 510 rupees for Indians, and 500 for Indian and foreign children.

Agra Fort

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Golden Triangle India tour is Agra Fort. The Agra Fort combines Mughal and Hindu architectural styles. It is built using red sandstone. There is a magnificent Diwan-i-Khas, a Public Hall of Audience, where kings would meet with their subjects as they pass through the Amar Singh Gate. Continuing through the fort, you will find the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), adorned with beautiful marble and precious stone inlays.

The opening time of Agra Fort is 6:00 am, and Closing Time is 6:00 pm. The entry fee for Indian visitors is 40 rupees, and for foreign visitors is 550 rupees.

Itmad-ud-Daulah

Itmad-ud-Daulah is a Mughal mausoleum, also called the Baby Taj sometimes. It has intricate stone inlay work called Pietra Dura which embellishes its walls and floors. It is commonly referred to as “The Jewel Box”. The detailed design and delicate craftsmanship are a testament to the artistic skills of the Mughal era. The central room has gorgeous marble cenotaphs. 

Itmad-ud-Daulah of Agra opens all days of the week; timing is 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. The ticket price is 10 rupees per person for Indians and 210 rupees per person for foreign tourists.

Jaipur

Jaipur is situated in the desert state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is a beautiful place with a unique mix of history and modernity. The city is filled with beautiful palaces, magnificent fortresses, and elegant havelis that show the majesty of Rajput architecture. The state of Rajasthan has had a history of strong Rajput rulers which is why British and Mughal influences in the area were much less than other cities. There are so many historical places in Jaipur that it is impossible to visit all in one trip but the ones which should not be missed are listed below.

Jaipur is also a foodie heaven with many places selling faludas, chaat, samosas, and so much more. The best street food in Jaipur can be found at the local markets around the city. Indian Ice Cream Faluda has the best faludas in Jaipur. It’s a small hole-in-the-wall shop in the old market of Jaipur that has been selling faludas for over 100 years now. Masala Chowk is an open-air street food place where you will find all kinds of savoury treats every night. Some trendy cafes in Jaipur are Bar Palladio and Tapri. They have such Instagramable interiors and great international cuisine. 

• Hawa Mahal
• Albert Hall Museum
• Amer Fort
• Bapu Bazaar

Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal’s intricate designs, bright colours, and the stories it holds within its walls continue to impress visitors. It’s an intricate building resembling a honeycomb with lots of little windows, balconies, and jharokhas inside. In front of the Hawa Mahal, you will see lattices, ornate patterns, and glasses dyed in bold colours. It produces a magical atmosphere in the palace when sunlight passes through the latticework and creates a mix of colourful lights.  

The timing of Hawa Mahal is from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm every day. The entry fee for Indians is 50 rupees, and for foreigners is 200 rupees.

Albert Hall Museum

Albert Hall Museum is the biggest and most well-known museum in Jaipur. Inside the Albert Museum, you’ll be welcomed with a great variety of artefacts ranging from sculptures, paintings, textiles, guns, jewellery, and ceramics. More than 35,000 items, each with its own historical and artistic significance, are housed in the museum. The other important exhibit, which fascinates visitors with its mystique, is that of a mummy from Egypt.

Albert Hall Museum ticket prices are 40 rupees per person for Indians, ₹20 per person for Indian Students, 300 rupees per person for Foreign Tourists and 150 rupees per person for Foreign Students. The timings are from 9 am to 5 pm, 7 pm to 10 pm.

Amer Fort

Your visit to Jaipur would be incomplete without going to the magnificent Amer Fort outside Jaipur. Amer used to be the capital of the state and the fort was the home of the royal family for centuries. The fort was built between 1592-1600 under the rule of the Kachwaha Rajputs who were the rulers of the state at that time. The fort has multiple courtyards where the king took audience with the people. The inner palace has a queen’s quarters which is where all the queens and children used to live. 

While Amer Fort was for the everyday use of the royal family, Jaigarh Fort above Amer Fort on the same hill was used during wartime. There is a tunnel that goes from Amer Fort to Jaigarh Fort which the royal family would have used in case of an attack. Jaigarh Fort is very impressive and built for war. The largest canon in India is housed at the fort today. Amer Fort also has a light show every night which is very impressive and one of the best ways to experience the fort. There is a restaurant inside the fort and you can make a reservation to eat there before the light and sound show.

The fort is open every day from 8 am to 7 pm. The entry fee for foreigners is 550 rupees while the fees for Indians is 50 rupees.

Bapu Bazaar

This is the bazaar in the old city where all the trade used to take place when the state was ruled by kings and queens. The market is famous for local jewellery made from silver, handmade cloth from Rajasthan, jootis or colourful sandals made from leather and lots of places to eat street food. This place must be visited for any souvenirs you want to take back from Jaipur. The market is huge and each section is dedicated to one thing so you should plan your visit to the market according to what you have to buy.

There is no entry fee into the market and it opens up as soon as the sun rises. Most shops will open at 10 am.

Final Thoughts

Here, we complete the journey of the Golden Triangle India tour, visiting all the important places which make these cities unique. This is one of the best circuits for first-timers in India. It is a small tour that shows you a glimpse of the culture and colour in India.