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Archive for the ‘Agra’ Category

Agra ka Petha the taste of the Taj mahal.

20 Apr

Ingredients

1 kg. firm white pumpkin
800 grams sugar
2 tsp. (lime power) calcium hydroxide
1/2 tsp. alum powder
1 tsp. rose water
3-4 drops kewra essence
2 cups water

Method
Dissolve alum in 1/2 cup water, keep aside. Dissolve lime in 1 litre water, strain with a clean cloth, twice if required.
Peel pumpkin, discard seeds, mushy centre. Cut into 1″x2″x1″ rectangular blocks or as desired.
Prick all over with a metal skewer or fork. Put pieces in lime water. Soak for 30-35
minutes.
Drain, wash under clean running water for 2-3 minutes. Put in a bowl, sprinkle alum water, shake to coat all pieces evenly.
Drain, boil pieces in a large heavy pan, till a little soft and exuding water. Make a syrup of sugar and water, till 2 1/2 thread consistency (refer syrup method)
Put drained pumpkin pieces in syrup, boil till syrup becomes thick again. Keep covered with a mesh, overnight.
Drain, boil syrup again till thick, add pieces, reboil for 3-4 minutes. Drain out excess syrup, sprinkle essence and rose water. Cool completely, refrigerate.

 
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Fatehpur Sikri near Agra, India.

30 Jul

When visiting Agra this palace which appears frozen in time is unmissable. Fatehpur Sikri is easy to visit during a tour of Agra, India or on the way to Jaipur.

The “Ghost City? of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar, the great Mughal ruler, and is now a World Heritage Site. Akbar, who was anxious for an heir, visited this site where a Sufi saint, Shaik Salim Chishti, told him he would have 3 sons. The promise came true in 1569 when the first of three sons Salim (later known as Jahangir) was born. In honour of the saint, Akbar built a new city at Sikri and moved his capital here, from Agra, in 1571. Fatehpur, meaning “town of victory”, was built in sandstone quarried from the hill on which it stood. It was only occupied for 14 years before Akbar shifted his capital to Lahore due to the water shortages at Fatehpur Sikri. The distinctive architecture, a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, reflected Akbar?s secular vision as well as his style of governance. The site is separated into two areas – the sacred complex and the royal complex. The Badshahi Darwaza, or Victory Gate, an exclusive royal gateway, separates these.

For Agra tour packages including this unmissable sight visit. www.classically-indian.com

 
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Posted in Agra, Highlights of India

 

Keoladeo Ghana National Park located in Bharatpur near Agra.

25 Jul

Keoladeo Ghana National Park
This area was originally called Ghana, which means dense forest and is now named after the Keoladeo Shiva temple in the centre of the park. It was established as a bird sanctuary, from a converted Maharaja’s hunting estates, in 1956. The Maharaja still had hunting rights until 1965. The park holds the dubious record of the largest number of birds (4,273) ever killed in one day (12 Nov 1938) by Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy and Governor General of India, and his party. By 1982 the Park became a National park and eventually became a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1985. It covers an area of 29sqkms. It contains over 375 species of birds belonging to 56 families, including Egrets, Darters, Cormorants, herons, painted storks with their colorful beaks and plumage, snake bird named after there unusual necks, white ibis and the eagerly awaited annual visits from the very rare Siberian Crane whose numbers have been decimated by poachers on their 6,400km migration route. If you are lucky you may see the elaborate mating dance of the Sarus Crane, the symbol of fidelity in Indian mythology. The park also has some mammals.

 
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Posted in Agra, Highlights of India

 

Agra

24 Jun

The city of love, Agra was first made the capital of India in 1501 by the Lodi dynasty. In 1526, Barbur defeated the Lodis, and for the next two as it was known in the Golden era of the City was home to most of the mogul emperors at some point in their life each left his mark on the city. Akbar buit the main Red Fort, Jehengir the gardens and Sharjahan add the marble sections including the magnificent Taj Mahal. This era lasted until the rein of the last great Mogul Aurangzeb, who finally moved the capital to Aurangabad in 1653. One of the state most industrialized cities, the government is making efforts to clean up Agra to prevent further deterioration of its most famous monument, the Taj Mahal.

Agra city information

Hotels Agra
The Oberoi Amarvilas – Agra
Hotel Mansingh Palace Agra
ITC Mughal, Agra, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Trident Agra

 
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Posted in Agra, Highlights of India

 

Taj Mahal gets access friendly.

23 Sep
Taj at sunrise

Taj at sunrise

According to NDTV a leading news channel in India, the icon of Indian tourism became disabled friendly recently. Fitted with discreetly place ramps those in wheel chairs now have access all areas. This is great news for anyone who has trouble with stairs. Classically Indian applaudes the ASI not only did they add toilets recently they have now made the joy of the Taj mahal possible to so many more people.

The red fort in Agra has long had good access due the the intelligence of the Mughul emperor. Little did he know allowing access to elephants back in 1501 would allow so much joy for many.

Virtually yours,

Candyji

www.classically-indian.com

 
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Posted in Agra, Highlights of India