India Things to Do Tips by Paul2001

Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur

Of all of the fortress/palaces that I visited in India the Meherangarh Fort is perhaps my favourite. This is probably because of its impregnable appearance and because of the very fine museums within its walls.
The fort which I believe dates from the 16th century sits majestically on a rocky plateau hanging over the old town of Jodhpur. While you are walking from room to room in the palace complex you cannot help but be overwelmed by the stunning decorative walls, ceilings, floors and window lattice(jali)work. On display are a variety of carridges, cradles, weaponry, thrones and even elephant seats. I was particularly amazed by the collection of palanquins the royals where carried around in. It was also fun to watch the vultures flying in and out of the window sills
Also of note is the great views of Jodhpur's old town that are offer from the fortress walls. This is the best way seeing why they call Jodhpur, the Blue City.
Fans of the movie "The Dark Knight Rises will recognize Meherangarh Fort in the distance in the scenes where Bruce Wayne is imprisoned. Sorry for the spoiler if you have not seen this film! cb%

Directions: Right in the middle or on top of the old town. As it is so easy to view from afar, it quite hard to miss it.

Sikandra (or Akbar's Tomb) in Agra

Agra has much more to see than the Taj and one attraction that you should not miss is the splendid Sikandra, otherwise known as Akbar's Tomb. This is one of the great mausoleums in India but unfortunately for most of the tour bus circut, few foreigners seem to visit it. There were none when I toured the complex. This is very sad for I found that Sikandra was one of my favourite attractions in this part of India.
Sikandra was built as a tomb for the most magnificent of the Mughal rulers, Akbar the Great. He ruled India in the late 16th century (almost an exact contemporary of Elizabeth I of England) and you will find that if you are paying attention to the history of India during your travels through it, that you will come across his name repeatedly. Akbar was a military leader of superior ability. He was also a talented and enlightened ruler who knew how to succesfully govern a people as diverse as India's. Amongst his many skills, Agra was a great architect. He designed his own tomb where he was laid to rest in 1605.
The mausoleum is not nearly as large and stunning as the more famous Taj Mahal. If not for the nearby location of that renown attraction, Sikandra would probably would not be so overlooked. It has a particularly impressive gateway, the Buland Darwaza, into the the mausoleum itself. The gatway was built in bright red tiles that are adorned with decorations. On the corners are four high minarets. The ticket kiosk is actually located here. As you past through it, you enter a fine garden that is saturated with monkeys whom are quite friendly and not as threatening as others I encountered in India. The mausoleum is relatively small and flanked by cloisters. Like most Mughal structures it make use of lattice screening that surrounds the actually rose petal covered tomb of Akbar.
It costs 110 rupees to enter the grounds of Sikandra. It is open from sunrise to sunset.

Directions: Sikandra is located 8km north of Agra. I visited it by way of autorickshaw for about 100 rupees.

Phone: 0562/237-1230

The National Museum in Delhi

One of the great museums of India, there is no place better to introduce yourself to India's artistic and cultural history. The museum is full of marvelous art treasures featuring sculptures, carvings, paintings and decorative arts from around the country.
The museum is in a modern circular building that surrounds a central court. There are also exhibits that feature military arnaments and provide some insight into the anthropological aspect of India. I found that the whole place was quite dazzling and it gave a new appreciatinon of wonderful artworks this fascinating country.

Address: 11 Janpath, New Delhi

Directions: South of Connaught Place

Phone: 91+011+3018415

Mandor outside of Jodhpur

If you have some extra time on you hands while you are in Jodhpur you could consider a visit to Mandor. It was the original capital of Marwar before the foundation of Jodhpur. Today the major attraction here are the gardens and stunning cenotaphs. The most remarkable is the Cenotaph of Maharja Dhiraj Ajit Singh which has very impressive carvings of elephants. It was created in 1724. There are also other temples and halls worth a walk through such as the Hall of Heros. The gardens themselves have seen better days.
I visited Mandor after I rented a taxi for the day and included a trip to Ossian for the cost. Mandor can easily be reached by bus from Jodhpur.

Directions: Mandor is 9km southwest of Jodhpur.

The Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is one of the great symbols of British Rule both in Mumbai and all of India. It was built in 1924 and was for many English arriving from Great Britain to India, it was the entry point for them into this remarkable country. The Gateway stands next to Taj Mahal Hotel, on of the countries most renown hotel (nevermind that I read a poor review of while traveling here) and worth a wander through.
For me the Gateway of India was indeed the "gateway of India" for except for my stop at the Prince of Wales Museum this was my introduction to India itself. The area surrounding is a teeming mass of touts and tourist both from other parts of India (I met a family from Bhuj) and around the world. The touts are very persistent and maybe the worst I encountered in India. One chased me around with a cobra in a basket in order to perform a snake charming act for me. I was not at all interested.
It is also here that you meet the launches that take you to Elephanta Island. This is a highly worthwhile journey and a great way to see the Mumbai harbour.

Directions: Downtown Mumbai

The City Palace in Jaipur

The City Palace of Jaipur is the most magnificent of the this cities many fascinating sights. The palace is actually made up of several very interesting museums, collectively known as the Sawai Man Singh Museum. For me the highlight of the huge collection of India related artifacts was the amazing exhibit of Rajput weaponry. This collection is held in the first floor of the Mubarak Mahal, a solid marble palace in the main courtyard of the larger palace complex.
The rest of the City Palace is made of up of courtyards each worth visiting for its varied exhibits and distinctive artworks. Especially notable is the Pritan Niwas Chowk or the Peacock Courtyard. Here each of the four doorways leading beyond the courtyard is decorated with peacock images that is simply stunning to behold.
There are also collection of Indian and Persian rugs, silverware and other Indian crafts that will hold your interest. The tourist shopkeepers were the most aggressive that I came across in India so be warned.

Directions: The City Palace is almost in the exact centre of the Pink City(Old Town) of Jaipur.

The Palace of the Maharawal in Jaismaler Fort

The Palace of the Maharawal is small when compared to some of the other great fort/palace complexes like Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur that I visited in India but I think that it is still worth a visit. The fort consists of five stories of chambers and balconies overlooking the town of Jaismaler. From here you can take excellent photos of the town itself. The interior of the palace has been turned into a museum. On exhibit is the usual collection of weaponry and paintings that you begin to expect in such palace museum. They are interesting so I should not diss them so easily.
The Palace of the Maharawal is open daily from 9am to 5pm. It cost 50R to visit and an additional 50R if you are taking photos.

Directions: At the Main Chowk.

Udaipur's City Palace

The City Palace of Udaipur in Rajasthan, was the first of India's great palaces that I visited during my trip. I seriously impressed as this palace is stunning.
The City Palace was begun in the 16th century but there have been several additions over the next three hundred years. Today part of the palace is a museum while another part of the palace serves as a hotel. Apparently Queen Elizabeth II stayed here.
The palace itself is brilliantly decorated with minature paintings, coloured glass and tiles. Each time you pass from courtyard to courtyard to are truely astonished by beauty of the decorations. This palace served as one of my special experiences in India.

Directions: Northwest bank of Lake Pichola. It is hard to miss as the palace dominates the Udaipur landscape.

The Jain Mandir (Sun Temple) in Ossian

The Jain Mandir is 10th century temple. LIke seemingly all of the Jain temples in India, it is superbly carved. The difference here than the other Jain temples that I visited in India, is that the stonework was in red sandstone. The temple is one of the few that survived the Turkish and Afghan invasions of India, when so many of these magnificant temples were pillaged.

Directions: A few hundred metres west of the Sachiyamata Temple

Take a launch to the Elephanta Caves near Mumbai

This is the main historical/cultural sight to see while staying in Mumbai. The Elephanta Caves are quite simply stunning. Though they are not as large and awe-inspiring as the caves at Ajanta and Ellora they are just the same very interesting.
The caves sit atop a hill which you have to approach by climbing a long stairway past more than a few hawkers and many a monkey. The caves themselves were carved out of the hill in the eight century and contain many fascinating sculptures. The most famous sculpture is the three headed Shiva. The three heads represent the three aspects of this diety; the Creator, facing right, the Protector to the centre, and the Destroyer facing to the left. Sadly many of the statues at Elephanta were destroyed by the Portuguese who thought that it would be fun to take potshots at them.
To reach the Elephanta Caves from Mumbai, you have to take a launch(small ferry) from the Gateway of India monument. The kiosk is near the monument. The journey takes about a hour and can be a great way to meet locals and other tourists as I did. Furthermore it can be a great way to beat the Mumbai heat.
It cost $5 to enter the caves which is expensive for India.

Directions: Elephanta Caves are on a island in Mumbai's harbour.