subject: A Northern India Tour With History, Beauty And Spirituality At Every Step [print this page] For travel enthusiasts, there can nothing like a Northern India trip. From places of historical importance and magnificent monument to pilgrimages and exquisite nature, theres a lot of see, know and experience while travelling here.
A perfect Northern India trip can begin from the majestic city of Agra. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna, Agra is believed to have been inhabited since the times of Mahabharata. It remained the capital of the Mughal Empire during the reign of Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. Several monuments were constructed during this period. While Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World is the most renowned one, there are other monuments like Agra Fort, Akbars Tomb and Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb one cannot afford to miss.
The capital city of Delhi is situated about 200 km from Agra. Delhis glory and significance of the Delhi needs no introduction. The capital of modern India, Delhi has also been the seat of power of India for thousands of years. Believed to have existed since the Mahabharata period as the ancient city of Indraprastha, Delhi has seen several rulers and dynasties rise to power and bite the dust. The city is lined with a number of monuments and has countless places for sightseeing. Some of the prominent ones are the Red Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Humayuns Tomb, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Rajghat and Purana Quila.
Shimla is a renowned hill-station of India located at about 380 km from Delhi. Referred to as the Queen of Hills by the British, it was the summer capital of the British Raj in India. Draped in forests of pine, rhododendron and oak at an altitude of over 2200 m, Shimla is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Kufri, at about 16 km from Shimla is the local winter sports centre. There are a number of temples, churches, buildings of colonial era and museums one can visit in Shimla
Under the shadow of snow-capped Himalayas and in the lap of River Beas, Manali exhibits nature at its best. It is located at a distance of about 260 km from Shimla. The journey to Manali from Shimla along the river Beas, through the Kullu valley and across the enchanting mountains is absolutely amazing. A major tourist attraction near Manali is the Rohtang Pass. Located at a distance of about 51 km from Manali, it remains snow-capped even while summer is at its peak in rest of the country. It thus attracts a large number of tourists who come to have fun in the snow and seek respite from the sweltering summer heat.
The holy city of Amritsar is about 550 km from Manali. It has religious as well as historical importance for both Hindus and the Sikhs. The famous Golden Temple regarded as the most important shrine for the Sikhs is in Amritsar. Ram Tirath is another holy shrine believed to be the birth-place of Lord Rams sons Luv and Kush. Besides, one can also visit the Jallianwala Bagh and Wagha border in Amritsar.
One will have to spare 8-9 days from their schedule for an Agra-Delhi-Shimla-Manali-Amritsar trip. But, with so much in offer the experience is definitely going to be memorable and worth the time and money.
