Greatest cities for a day trip from Delhi
After you've stood in awe of Delhi's towering Lotus Temple and
explored The Garden of Five Senses, consider taking a day trip or weekend
getaway to some nearby cities that have a lot of charm and other wonderful
sights. Here are some of the best:
Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Of course, the top thing to see in Agra is the Taj Mahal, arguably the most famous temple in the world and a testament to eternal love. This gigantic marble mausoleum was built in the late 1600s by the Mughal Emperor in memory of his late wife. Aside from this world wonder, make sure to see the Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Red Fort of Agra has stunning motifs, colonnaded buildings and dozens of fairy-like castles. Fatehpur Sikri is a city from the late 1500s the served as the seat of the Mughal Empire. You can walk around and see its distinct architecture before heading to a nearby market for tasty street food.
Mathura
Mathura is a two-hour drive from Delhi, but it's worth a visit. This city of 2.5 million people - small by Indian standards - was an ancient industry hub, and you can check out some of the exquisite ancient architecture that survives today. Visit the Kesava Deo Temple, which hosts a small bare room - a sacred space - where followers of Hindi believe Lord Krishna was born more than 3,500 years ago. Other must-sees are the Archeological Museum, which boasts an awesome collection of Mathura School religious sculptures, which were popular during the 3rd century BC through the 12th century AD, and the Gita Temple, which stakes its claim to fame on the red pillar with the entire Bhagavad Gita written on it.
Chandigarh
Chandigarh is about a four-hour drive north of Delhi, so it would make a good spot for a weekend getaway. Plus, there's so much to do in and around this city that you'll want to stay for more than one day. With a population of just around one million people, Chandigarh is on the smaller side for an Indian city. Don't miss out on seeing the Nek Chand Fantasy Rock Garden, a gorgeous 25-acre garden with whimsical figures made of shards of China, winding walkways, flowing waterfalls and something surprising at ever turn. This fantastical garden was created by Nek Chand and everything in it that is not organic is made from recycled products. Other things to see are the Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh Rose Garden and Government Museum and Art Gallery.
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