Tag Archives: Fatehpur Sikri

My Travel Book for year 2016! Looking for more in 2017

It’s 31st  December the last day of the year 2016. Everybody is busy planning what to do and where to party tonite to welcome the new year 2017 ahead. But look at me. I am sitting and scrolling through my travel book. I want a glance of the memories and photographs I took in the year 2016.

The year 2016 was a real miracle for me. I was a person who loved traveling but never knew how passionate I was for it. My Love Tashi Aggarwal helped me in finding out my hidden talent. I realized every travel place is unique in itself, each road says its own story, there are natural and so beautiful places where poems are written by itself; people don’t need any music to fall in love, and just traveling together can do all the work.

Anyways, the point is 2016 showed me a path of travel blogging, photography and here I am in front of you all.  I did almost 8-10 long road trips, few weekend trips and 2 air trips in 2016.

Here are few of the glimpses of my travel book 2016.

Road Trips – Travel book 2016

The year starts with winters in North India and it was fun experiencing snowfall at Tosh, Himachal Pradesh. The snowfall seems like cotton candies and it always gives me a thrill all over. I can get lost in this white ceramic natural beauty like I did in the beginning of 2016.

At Tosh village, Kasol, Himachal - My Travel Book for year 2016, Looking for more in 2017

The day trip to the UNESCO’S world heritage sites in and around Delhi, especially during winters, is always exciting. It gives me a chance to click a lot of pictures with sunlight falling on them. And one such trip was to Humayun’s Tomb.

 Humayuns Tomb, Delhi- My Travel Book for year 2016,, Looking for more in 2017

Another Day trip was to the World’s finest Wonder Taj Mahal, at Agra. Here is the picture of white Taj across Yamuna river from Mehtab Bagh.

Taj across Yamuna river from Mehtab Bagh - My travel book of 2016! Looking for more in 2017

The hidden gem and UNESCO’s site – Fatehpur Siki has a splendid architecture.

Fatehpur Sikri, My Travel Book for year 2016!looking ahead for more in 2017

The Longest trip of the year was to Spiti valley. The valley opens it the gateway for tourist around April – May. The wind, land, mountains each one in this valley has its own aura and check the innocent traffic jam. I don’t mind waiting here for clearance as got some time to admire the beauty and click pictures.

Traffic jam on the way to Spiti Valley- my travel book for year 2016! looking for more in 2017

And when there so many long weekends in 2016, so how could I skip the single chance. The first one was for Nainital (Always on my weekend getaway list) and I always enjoy staying at the earls Court, Nainital for their hospitality and courteous staff.

The Earls Court Nainital, My travel book for year 2016! looking for more in 2017

And the next nearby weekend getaway from Delhi is Rishikesh. I enjoy spending time at cafes around the Ganges and dipping feet in the water. In the evening this places seems ethereal.

Laxman Jhula at Rishikesh - My travel book for year 2016! looking for more in 2017

The other closest summer weekend getaway is Danaulti, just 30 km from Mussoorie but much more quite and green. These stairs seem like taking you to heaven and actually at the top you get beautiful views.

Dhanaulti - My travel book for year 2016! Looking for more in 2017

And yes there were two adventure trips too – the first one was to the place where Lord Shiva has meditated for years i.e. a  Trek to Hot water Spring, Kheerganga. (Click to read the complete post)

Kheerganga - my travel book for year 2016! looking for more travels in 2017

The second adventure trip was in the woods of deep forest at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Binsar - My travel book for year 2016! looking for more travels in 2017

Air trips – Travel Book 2016

Who says Monsoon is not the good time to visit Goa. I was there in July and agree the beaches are rough then, but it was awesome too. Everything was vacant, reasonably priced and got the chance to explore Goa without bumping into crowds. Rains make Goa clean, fresh & green and look how beautiful Hacienda De Goa Resort (Near Vagator Beach) has turned in monsoons.

Haciedna De goa Resort, Goa - My travel book for year 2016! looking for more travels ahead

Last but not the least trip during off seasons was to the amazing beaches of Thailand.

Thailand - my travel book for year 2017! looking for more in 2017

My all the trips were a big celebration in themselves, so big cheers to 2016 and looking ahead for more travel with health and happiness, to create a better travel book for the year 2017.

Wishing everyone lots of fun-filled travels in 2017!! Keep reading and enjoying.

A day trip from Delhi to Fatehpur Sikri

Being in Delhi and not visiting the ancient monuments is like missing the important part of our history and culture. I am not talking about the monuments only in Delhi but also about the ones nearby which can be covered in a day trip. The first name which comes in mind is Taj Mahal at Agra, but this time it was different and we took a day trip to ancient city Fatehpur Sikri.

Badshahi gate at Fatehpur Sikri
Badshahi gate

Also Read: Visiting Taj Mahal with Kids

The Fatehpur Sikri was built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century; to honor Saint Salim Chishti. The red stone fortified city; was completed in 15 long years (imagine the architecture and planning that was done). It has series of royal palaces, harems, courts, mosque etc. The each and every structure is a true architecture in itself and that is why the property is on UNESCO world’s heritage list.

Buland Darwaza Anterior view at Fatehpur Sikri
Buland Darwaza Anterior view

Fatehpur Sikri once the proud capital of Mughal Empire now stands deserted because of being declared as a Ghost town.  The city was abandoned by its occupants within 15 years due to a shortage of water supply and other resources.

A day trip to Fatehpur Sikri

We started our journey at 8:00 am from Delhi via Taj Expressway (Distance from Delhi – 269 km) and reached Fatehpur Sikri around 12:30 pm (approx. 4 – 4:30 hrs by car) when the sun was at peak during winters in 2014. The important is that car doesn’t go all the way to the top of the ridge as all the tourist vehicles are parked at a designated spot. From there we could either walk all the way up till fort or hire an auto rickshaw in 10 Rs per person. We choose to hire an auto.

Buland Darwaza Anterior view at Fatehpur Sikri
Buland Darwaza

As I got the first glimpse of it, I was like Wow!! How Mughals designed this majestic structure and how masons built it. The name Buland Darwaja stands true for this 55metre high door. All you need to do is climb 40 -50 stairs to reach inside the monument (Just a small exercise and see the work is in progress for restoration).

Dargah Saint Salim Chishti at Fatehpur Sikri
Dargah Saint Salim Chishti

 In the center of a huge courtyard stood a white marble Tomb of Saint Chishti which looked magnificent with the sun rays falling on it. The passageway around the grave chamber is covered by carved jalis and stone in geometric designs. I was completely lost in their intricate designs and also could tie the sacred thread in the Dargah.

Geometric Design of jalis at Saint Chisthi Dargah in Fatehpur Sikri

On one side stands the largest mosque Jama masjid, built at the highest point in Fatehpur Sikri. There are white marble carvings inside the dome which were under the restoration process.

Jama Masjid Mosque at Fatehpur Sikri
Jama Masjid Mosque

Another interesting structure was Panch Mahal supported on 176 columns. It is a five storied structure where each tier diminishes in size till the top and the last one is just a single domed structure. I wished to climb it but it is not allowed.

Panch-Mahal at Fatehpur Sikri
Panch-Mahal

From the back, we saw Hiran Minar, also known as Elephant Tower. This circular tower has stone projections in the form of tusks.  It is a unique design but couldn’t get the clear answer for its construction.

Hiran Minar at Fatehpur Sikri
Hiran Minar

I wandered through each courtyard, passages, and rooms imagining the royal life kings and queens enjoyed in those eras. The most interesting thing is that the whole red-walled city is cool and airy naturally because of its clever architecture. My guide also told me that there is a tunnel which connects Fatehpur Sikri to Agra and Delhi but it is closed and not open to public as part of it has collapsed during the war.

Inside the fort, there were people selling stone and marble carved stuff. The products were really nice and I ended up buying this beautiful single stone carved candle stand.

Stone carved candle stand from Fatehpur Sikri

Also Read: A first timers guide to doing Delhi, the Capital of India