Agra
Agra

Agra is a city situated on the river Yamuna. Largely known for its Mughal rule (1526-1658), Agra finds mention in the great Indian epic Mahabharat where it is called Agrevana or 'the border of the forest'.
History records Sultan Sikandar Lodi, ruler of Delhi sultantate as founder of the Agra in 1504. It is home to the famous monuments of Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandara with Fatehpur Sikri about 45 Kms away. Other places of interest are I'timad-Ud-Daulah, Swami Bagh Samadhi, Chini ka Rauza, Mehtab Bagh.

The golden age of the city began with the Mughals. It was known then as Akbarabad and remained the capital of the Mughal Empire under the Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
Must See:
Taj Mahal
Agra's Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife,

Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra. Completed in 1653
Agra Fort
The fort was commissioned by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, and is another of Agra's World Heritage Sites. It is a redstone fort was converted into palace by Shah Jehan. Notable buildings inside fort are Pearl Mosque or Moti Masjid, the Diwan-e-aam and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jahangir's Palace, Khas Mahal, Shish Mahal (mirrored palace), and the Musamman Burj. The forbidding exteriors of this fort conceal an inner paradise. This is the fort from where Chhatrapati Shivaji escaped.

Fatehpur Sikri
The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned due to shortage of water, Akbar moved his headquarters to Agra Fort. It houses the shrine of the sufi saint Saleem Chisti.
Shopping:
Items made of marble with intricate engraving work done using precious stones and carpets.

Jaipur
The Kachwaha of Amber, Raja Mans Singh (1590-1614) was the chief of the Mughal army and he amassed great wealth and power from his conquests established Jaipur, a powerful regime.

Jaipur is its friendly, hospitable and relaxed people. One experience that all visitors to Pink city must have is a stroll through its colourful bazaars quite in contrast to the innumerable malls and multiplexes coming up virtually
everywhere revealing why it has become one of the happening cities of India.
Jaipur is blessed with innumerable attractions from the forts and palaces of Amber, natural riches of its surrounding Aravali range, world class museums, business centres in top end hotels, gems jewellery and handicrafts to exotic cuisine. Indeed there is no place like Jaipur and it is no surprise that it is among India's top most tourist destination.
Must see:

Amber Fort Complex
One of the most impressive forts of India, it shows its beauty in full splendour as you drive towards it from Jaipur. It is a huge complex of many rooms including a Shish Mahal (Mirror room). Elephant ride happens here.
City Palace Complex
In the heart of city, near Hawa Mahal, this has the museum and Jantar Mantar - the astronomical observatory.

Hawa Mahal - Palace of winds
Most famous of all Jaipur monuments, this was built for viewing of royal and religious processions in privacy by the royal ladies.
Shopping:
Jaipur is shopper's delight. Textiles, gems, jewellery, handicrafts, antiques, foot wear, garments. A perfect place for retail therapy.

Delhi

Delhi or Dilli as called by locals is Capital of India. It is a very large city located on banks of Yamuna. Not even Rome or Cairo can rival Delhi in number of ruins and monuments. It is a unique city, having been established eight times.
Delhi is also widely believed to have been the site of Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas during the times of the Mahabharata.
Delhi is the political, food, culture, music capital of India.
Must see:

Qutub Minar
World's tallest red stone minaret, its surroundings are an archaeological park. It's height is 72.5 meters. Built in 1192. A world heritage monument site.
Humayun's Tomb
1562. Mausoleum of Humauyn, the Mughal Emperor. Many historians believe this to be the precusor to Taj Mahal. A world heritage monument site.

Red Fort
1648. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Perhaps the only fort which does not have any protective landscape around indicating the strength of Mughal empire of that time - that they had noone to fear. A world heritage monument site.
Lotus Temple
1986. Built by the Bahai faith. Open to all faiths. You feel immense serenity here.

Lodhi Gardens
Gardens laid around the tombs of Lodhi Sultanate, which ruled Delhi and much of North India in the 16th Century. These are the major monuments left from this period.
Akshardham Temple
2005. It is a large complex with intricate carvings demonstrating that traditional stone sculpting is still alive and kicking in India. Three shows - an imax movie (50 mins.), a boat ride (15 mins.) and a puppet show (35 mins.) showcase the traditional India in an easy way. Cameras, bags are to be deposited at the entry.
Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
1783. A worship place for Sikhs. Join in the kitchen to help with cooking or eat from the langar (food served free)
Nizamuddin Shrine
Shrine of the famous sufi saint Nizamuddin. Qawaali - devotional singing on Thursday. Amir Khusro, famous poet buried in the same complex.

Connaught Place
1933. Built by British as a large commercial complex. Now it is metro hub. Lot's of restaurants here.
India Gate & Presidential House
Built by British to commerote 90,000 soldiers who died for the British. From here, travel on the wide avenue to the grand Presidential palace.
National Museum
Near India Gate, it house beautiful artefacts of yester years. It has an audio guide tour.
Gandhi Museum
Life and times of Mahatama Gandhi on display here.
Toilets Museum
In Dwarka, it is an interesting visit. It reveals to us what is not easily revealed else where. A little out of way but worth it.
Shimla
Shimla

Declared in 1864 as the summer capital of British Raj in India, this city of hills is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh. The British fondly called it as the "Queen of Hills" and was their refuge from burnig plains of India. British started building in Simla around 1822 after annexing it in 1819, just after Gurkha war.
It is a very popular tourist destination, especially amongst the North Indians. Called Simla by the British, it is named after goddess Shyamala Devi, a form of Kali goddess.
About 7,000 ft. altitude, Shimla is surrounded by forests of oak, rhododendron and pine. It's British period buildings add to the

quaint charm. From just the temple for the goddess to a few hundred cottages within 10 years, Shimla did see rapid growth brought in by the British.
Sir John Lawrence, Viceroy of India 1864–1869, moved his administration twice a year between Shimla and Calcutta thus establishing the tradition of summer capital.
The two bazaars, (the "Upper Bazaar") and Lower Bazaars are fascinating to visit.
The high officials of British Govt. such as the Commander in Chief, patronised Shimla. They were joined the wives and daughters of men who remained in plains. This gave birth to Simla Society, the closest British India came to having an upper crest. Many

bachelors and unattached men frequented this very expensive destination with limited accommodation giving rise to gossip about adultery and intrigue.
The Kalka Shimla rail link was built in 1906. It had 806 bridges, 103 tunnels was an engineering feat and was known as 'British Jewel of the Orient'. Now it is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Places of interest
Municipal Corporation (Town Hall), Shimla

Mall Road, shopping market in Shimla
The Ridge, Shimla
Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla
The Mall: The main part of Shimla where shopping and promenade happens.
Christ Church: Second oldest church in Northern India.
Jakhu Hill: Beautiful view from here, steep climb, Hanuman temple on top with lot's of monkeys.
Shimla State Museum
Summer Hill
Annandale: Developed as the playground of Shimla, Annandale is 2–4 km from the Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It is a favourite spot for cricket, picnics and polo.
Tara Devi: 11 km from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi hill has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides.

Sankat Mochan: A Lord Hanuman temple is located here.
Junga: Junga is a Tehsi 26 km from Shimla and is a former royal retreat of the princely state of Junga
Mashobra: 13 km from Shimla.
Kufri: 16 km from Shimla at a height of 8,600 ft, Kufri is the winter sports capital and also has a small zoo.
Chharabra: 13 km from Shimla on route to Kufri.
Naldehra: 22 km from Shimla, with a nine-hole Naldehra Golf Club..
Chail: Chail was the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala before Independence, known for its cricket pitch, the highest in the world.
Arki: (46 km) is the site of an 18th century fort built when Arki was the capital of the erstwhile hill state of Baghal
Tatapani: Location of sulphur springs which are found near the Tatapani mandir(holy temple)
Sanjauli: The main suburb of Shimla. A 108 feet (33 metre) statue of Lord Hanuman, a Hindu deity, at 8,500 feet (2,591 metres) above sea level, is the highest statue in the world, overtaking the Christ Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.