One of the shortest and most popular tourist circuits including the 'Seven Wonders of the World' fame Taj Mahal has been affectionately dubbed as the Golden Triangle. For those who have a fairly limited amount of time to spend in North India, the three tips of the Golden Triangle route - Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur - includes several renowned sights with distinctive flavor and unique historical delights. The Golden Triangle itinerary typically begins and ends in Delhi, the capital of India. Several popular Indian and Rajasthan tours cover the Golden Triangle circuit along with other add-ons based on the theme and duration of the tour.

Usually most Golden Triangle tours are a week long though longer tours that include other prominent destinations can be much longer. Delhi has one of the busiest international airports in India and Golden Triangle seekers usually find it a befitting place to start their tour. Delhi has been the seat of political turmoil in India since 13th century and it is said to be the Indraprastha, empire of Pandavas of the famous epic Mahabharata. Today, it encompasses seven cities. Foreigners are enchanted by the architectural magnificence of Moghuls on display at the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Humayun's Tomb. The rickshaw ride in the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk seem outlandish to Westerners who are awed by the range of products, including handicrafts, footwear, and delicacies available here.

Lutyen's Delhi or New Delhi is well planned with wide roads and splendid European architecture with quite a few highlights such as the India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhawan or the President's House, Mughal Gardens (opened for only a few days in February), and Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatama Gandhi. Qutub Minar may not be the highest pillar here anymore but still has a rugged charm enhanced by more ancient structures such as Iron Pillar of Mehrauli that has weathered a number of centuries without being rusted.

The next stopover in the Golden Triangle circuit is Agra, the city of marble wonder Taj. Pictures do not do justice to the intricate artwork and outstanding workmanship manifested in Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, the semi-precious stones used here include coral, agate, amethyst, sardonyx, lapis lazuli, chalcedony, and turquoise. Agra Fort is the predecessor of Delhi's Red Fort where you can see the place where Emperor Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in his last days. It is said that Shah Jahan used to see Taj Mahal and mourn for his wife until the day of his death.

Jaipur, the third tip of the Golden Triangle, is the capital of Rajasthan and is also known as the Pink City. The city has extremely wide avenues fit for royal elephant parades and large plazas built around Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds. The honeycomb facade of Hawa Mahal is a beautiful architectural piece designed especially for royal ladies. Hawa Mahal was naturally air-conditioned and royal ladies could see the parades through its facade without being seen. The magnificent Amber Fort, the royal City Palace and the royal observatory Jantar Mantar are other highlights of Jaipur. The Golden Triangle tour consolidates the best of Northern Indian itineraries for you.

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