Things to do in Agra, beyond The TAJ MAHAL

That famous white marble wonder the Taj Mahal has captured the world’s imagination for centuries. But there’s more to Agra than the monument of timeless love and devotion. Here we bring you everything else you need to see and do to make the most of this historical city.

1. Experience some other architectural delights

Believe it or not, Agra has other stunning buildings to see. Like the Agra Fort for instance. This majestic fort has sixteen palaces, has served as a home to six Mughal Emperors and offers a breathtaking view of the dominant Taj. Also check out Itmad-ud-dualah, known as the ‘Baby Taj’. This look-alike was commissioned by Queen Noor Jahan as a tribute to her father.

Agra Fort

2. Have your prayers answered

At Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will not only find the highest gateway in the world, Buland Darwaza (Grand Entrance), but also the Tomb of Salim Chishti. The Sufi Saint’s revered resting place attracts millions of people every year. It is widely believed that all your prayers will be answered here. And when one day they are, you must return to the shrine to perform a small ritual.

Buland darwaza

3. Capture the colours of the Dhobi Ghat

Carpeted with yards of fabric in more colours than known to man, Agra’s Dhobi Ghat is an unlikely but popular destination. This part of the river, where washer-folk scrub their laundry, attracts photographers as well as filmmakers from all across the world. Locations in and around it were recently seen in Slumdog Millionaire.

Dhobi Ghat

4. Eat with your hands

For many years Agra served as a home to the Mughal dynasty. Their influence can be seen in the city’s famous Mughlai cuisine. This rich cuisine has found fame and following all over the world, but this is where it originated. Authentic Mughlai dishes are served in most homes as well as restaurants.

Eat with your hands in Agra

5. Find souvenirs and bargain hard

Indigenous arts and crafts are everywhere in Agra. Jewels, handmade leather goods and fabrics embroidered with ethnic motives are highest on the visitor wish-list. Overpricing is extremely common, so bargain meanly.

Souvenirs Bargain in Agra

6. Ride a rickshaw

The cycle-rickshaw is a quaint inheritance from a vanishing India. Slowly being edged out elsewhere by air-conditioned SUVs, the rickshaw remains an integral part of Agra’s old-world charm. But it’s wise to save this experience for a cool evening.

Rikshaw Ride in Agra

7. Get a handful of henna

Henna is usually applied on special occasions, but as a visitor you don’t need an excuse to turn your hand into a canvas for henna artists. The art is common all over India, but in Agra you can get a beautiful henna tattoo for a fraction of the price charged in the bigger cities. For a few extra rupees you could even get your arms and feet adorned with intricate designs.

Handful of Hinna

8. Walk through the alleys

By negotiating the narrow alleys in many parts of the city you can sense what Agra was like decades ago. Many houses here are centuries old and historically important in their own right. They are a photographer’s delight.

Walking in Alleys of Agra

9. Be strung along

Using music, humor and sound effects, the art of puppetry is still being kept alive in Agra. However, the themes and content of the shows have expanded considerably. Now, politics and Bollywood movies frequently find a place, with delightful spoofs and dramatic retellings. Find details near the city’s top tourist spots.

Puppetry in Agra

Things To Do in India’s Switzerland (Uttarakhand)

When it comes to natural beauty, Uttarakhand is considered one the richest States in India. The state also has some of the most important spiritual cities in the country that incredulously co-exist alongside adventure capitals. Uttarakhand is a beautiful example of the paradox that is India. We look at things to do in Uttarakhand that make this state unforgettable.

1. At the gate of the Gods

Uttarakhand has always been called Devbhumi (Land of the Gods) largely because in this State one can find some India’s holiest places and shrines. It has been attracting innumerable devotees and believers for over 1000 years. The most revered amongst such places is Haridwar (the gateway to God), where people come to wash away their sins with a dip in the Ganga. Haridwar is a revered Hindu pilgrimage destination and it is particularly crowded during the world famous Kumbh and Maha Kumbh Melas. The two festivals have become an uber-magnet not just for devotees but also aspiring and professional photographers. Haridwar is not just a place but an experience that’s simply incomparable.

2. The Real Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a city that attracts a diverse crowd. It has revered ancient temples but it also a hub for adventure sports like rafting, rappelling and more. The contrast makes it very popular amongst people of North India. Rafting is organized in Shivpuri near Rishikesh and is seasonal. But the temples attract worshippers and photographers from all over. Rishikesh is also the premier yoga hub of the nation and at the Patanjali School educates people from the world over about yoga, meditation, ayurveda and other holistic measures. People stay at the school for months on end learning how to reshape their lives.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

3. Divine Dehradun

Thanks to its natural beauty and pleasant climate, Dehradun serves as a vital escape from the harsh Indian summers. While vacationing in Dehradun one of the things to do is visiting the Rajaji National Park. The sanctuary houses many rare species of flora and fauna. Hitting one of the many trekking, hiking or biking trails is a great way to balance the increased appetite created by the fresh and clean air. While you burn off the calories you’ll also discover the hidden side of Dehradun at a languid pace.

4. The holy four

For centuries, a drastically diverse crowd has been flocking to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. The four places are together called the Chhota Chaar Dhaam (The smaller holy four centres). The locations have long enchanted people with their unparalleled beauty, their divine history and, since recently, their adventurous side. Pilgrims looking for salvation have been braving the trying conditions to reach them as they are the sources of the holy rivers, Ganga and Yamuna. Recently these conditions have become a major draw for Uttarakhand tourists, especially biking enthusiasts and campers who love the scenic journey and locales. The glaciers that support the two rivers are slowly melting, which has added to their attraction. Kedarnath, the hardest to reach location, is only accessible to the general public in specific months.

Glaciers of Uttarakhand

5. India’s Switzerland

Kasauni is a small hillstation located in Bageshwar. It is known for its serenity and small town charm, quite distinct from the bigger hillstations of the region. It offers panoramic view of the Himalayas and a quiet escape from urban life. Kasauni’s beauty led Mahatma Gandhi to hail it as the Switzerland of India. In Kasauni, you can visit the Anashakti Ashram which was home to Mahatma Gandhi while he wrote his discourse on Anasakti Yoga. In your sightseeing list, you must include a visit to see the Himalayan peaks that are shaped like a trident. If you are staying with a homestay, your hosts can teach you how to make an aipan, a regional and traditional style of rangoli.

6. To do in Nainital

Nainital is one of North India’s most popular hillstations. It is the land of nine lakes and enthralling activities, suitable for the entire family. In Nainital the most popular activity is boating. One can choose from several options like row boats, pedal boats and sail boats to discover the corners of Naini Lake. A cable car ride will lead you to Snow View from where you can enjoy lovely vistas of the region. A walk up and down the mall road is a lovely way to spend an evening or start the day. Many day trips from Nainital can be organized easily. The most popular amongst them are trips to Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal. Walking and hiking trails are found all over the hillstation with countless hidden secrets to share.

Lake Nainital

7. Must see Mussoorie

Due to its close proximity from Delhi and well-connected roads, Mussoorie is one of the many poplar hillstations in Uttarakhand for tourists. Other than a pleasant climate and picturesque locales, the hillstation has plenty of activities to offer. The Mall road is great place to spend hours walking and exploring the local market, maybe picking up trinkets as souvenirs. Kempty Falls is a lovely waterfall where lots of families come to enjoy a dip in the water followed by a fun picnic. A lovely and exciting ropeway ride leads you to Gun Hill, the second highest peak of Mussoorie. Here one can enjoy divine vistas of the Himalayan ranges and of the town below.

Gun Hill, Mussoorie

8. Wildlife Wonders

Jim Corbett National Park has been the favoured getaway for wildlife lovers in India. It doesn’t just offer a chance to see rare animals in their natural habitat but also a choice of exclusive experiences. Jeep safaris, elephant safaris, camping, festive celebrations and photography are all available for your entertainment at this sanctuary. The park is closed during certain months but is a great getaway during the most pleasant seasons in North India.

Jim Corbett National Park

Interesting Things To Do In Coorg, India

Nestled away in the south-western corner of Karnataka lies a place dubbed ‘The Scotland of the East’: Coorg.

There’s plenty to do and see in this stunning part of the country, but we’ve been thinking really hard and have come up with seven particularly interesting or different things to do in Coorg that will add more to your trip.

Got any ideas of your own? Please add them to the comments below.

1. Help an elephant take his daily bath

Near Kushalnagar there is a natural island with 11 acres of land, covered in trees and surrounded by a wonderful wreath of water. The Dubare Forest is maintained by the forest department, who also run an ‘Elephant Training Camp’. The island is reached by a 20 rupees motorboat ride. Tourists visit to witness the daily routines of tamed elephants.

Help an elephant take his daily bath

These huge mammals are used to the attention, moving through the river water and lying down while visitors pat and clean them. Tourists enjoy scrubbing the ears and backs as the elephants throw water on themselves through their trunks. After the bathing fun, it’s dinner time, with visitors serving ‘raagi balls’ made especially for them by the forest department. The cool and gurgling waters of the Cauvery River create a pleasant and refreshing atmosphere.

You can get back to the mainland either by the same motorboat or by following a natural stone path through the river.

2. Visit the biggest Tibetan settlement in southern India

Did you know there is an 18,000-strong community of Tibetans living in southern India?

Bylakuppe, situated 90 kms away from Mysore city on the Mysore-Madikeri highway, is the largest Tibetan refugee camp, housing thousands of Tibetans in exile. Over 45 years ago Tibetans settled here, creating a ‘mini-Tibet’ in one village.

Visit the biggest Tibetan settlement in southern India

As you get close, you’ll see Buddhist monks – ‘Lamas’- overtaking you on their speeding motor bikes, their maroon robes flapping in the air. In the market they can be seen wearing Raybans and listening to their i-Pods! The sense of sudden change as you enter this Tibetan enclave is surreal, with its colorful flags, monasteries and modernised Tibetan culture.

More than 7000 monks pursue their monastic education in Bylakuppe’s monasteries, with dedicated veneration to his holiness The Dalai Lama, their supreme master. The Golden Temple, with a 60 ft gold plated Buddha statue, and the recent addition of ‘copper colored mountain’ Zandong Palri it’s an attractive tourist destination.

3. Trek the hills

From easy to arduous treks, Coorg has varying trails for all kinds of adventure seeker. The best season to plan treks in Coorg is December to May. The three main mountain peaks in Coorg for trekking are Brahmagiri, Pushpagiri and Tadiandamol. You can trek alone or with a guide. Organisations like Coorg Adventure Club (CAC) organise trekking expeditions from time to time and can arrange the necessary facilities for the interested trekkers. The experience has it all: thick forests, sloping hills, waterfalls, incredible views of this area dubbed ‘Scotland of the East’.

Trek the hills

4. Watch the hockey festival

Hockey is a traditional game of the Kodava community, the ethnic group of this region. The Kodava Hockey festival in Coorg has run since 1997. The principal rule of the festival is that a particular team is represented by members of a specific family. Each year, the festival is organised by a different family who give their name to the tournament. It’s for both men and women and is considered to be of great importance. The festival was initiated to bring the people of Kodava community closer. The opening and closing ceremonies are held with spectacle of various dances and a emonstration of martial arts of Kodavas.

Watch the hockey festival

5. Tuck into Coorg cuisine

Even though the people of Coorg are mostly non-vegetarian, they are influenced by the South Indian ways of cooking food. Their rich cuisine of dishes use pork, chicken or fish but are cooked with coconut, curry leaves, ginger, chilli and spices like pepper and cardamom. If you eat meat, you have to try it cooked South India style.

Tuck into Coorg cuisine

6. Attend a Coorg wedding

A Coorg wedding is very different from other South Indian weddings, with the customs followed more familiar to those of North India. The bride wears a red sari, draped in an unusual manner that involves tying pleats in the rear, taking around the back and pinning of small portion of the pallu (end of the sari) securely over the right shoulder.

Attend a Coorg wedding

Men and women of Coorg are known for their beauty, bravery and intelligence. The men look handsome in their long overcoats, with a silken sash around the waist. They carry a customary dagger called ‘pechekathi’ tucked on to the right side of the sash.

Coorg weddings are distinct from weddings in other Indian states because they don’t follow customs like dowry system or child marriage, and it is only here that alcohol is served as a customary ritual with the food.

7. Walk the plantations

Coorg is densely covered with coffee, pepper and cardamom estates. These estates on the lush and steep hills of Coorg make an interesting walk. With Mahindra Homestays, you can even stay in one of the plantation properties and learn from the estate owner all about the growth of coffee and important local spices. Not to mention enjoy a piping hot coffee made wish fresh beans as you relax and enjoy the wonderful views.

Walk the plantations