Day 6 – From Delhi to the Timeless Taj Mahal

Date: 24-Apr-14

This turned out to be one of the longest and most eventful days of our honeymoon. Our plan for the day was simple: travel from Delhi to Agra and finally visit the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We had booked a 10:10 AM train from Delhi to Agra, assuming that our overnight bus from Manali would reach Delhi around 9:00 AM. However, things did not go exactly as planned.

An unexpectedly long wait at the train station

Our bus arrived in Delhi much earlier than expected, at around 6:30 AM. Since our train was departing from Nizamuddin Railway Station, we took an auto-rickshaw directly from the bus stop to the station. By the time we arrived, it was only 7:30 AM, leaving us with nearly three hours to spare. We briefly considered finding a hotel for a few hours, but it did not seem worthwhile. Carrying our luggage around the city was inconvenient, and after the long overnight journey, we were too tired to go sightseeing. So, we decided to spend the morning at the railway station itself.

At around 8:30 AM, we had breakfast at a restaurant called “Comesum” inside the station. To our delight, we found dosa and idli on the menu, and after several days away from South Indian food, the meal felt especially satisfying. The weather, however, was becoming hotter by the hour. Thilak checked the station’s waiting rooms, hoping we could rest for a while. The non-AC waiting area was free, but it was so crowded that finding a place to sit was nearly impossible.

We freshened up as best we could and settled outside to wait. Then came another surprise. When we checked the train status online, we discovered that our train was running an hour late. Had we known this earlier, we might have considered booking a room nearby. At that point, however, we had no option but to continue waiting. Fortunately, neither of us became irritated. Instead, we spent our time people-watching. Families unpacked homemade meals on the station floor, travelers rested wherever they could find space, and the station buzzed with the everyday rhythm of Indian railway travel. To pass the time, we even played rounds of rock-paper-scissors. Moments like these remind you that being with the right person can make even a railway station waiting room feel enjoyable.

The train journey to Agra

At around 10:30 AM, we made our way to the platform and waited for the delayed train. Finally, at 11:30 AM, it arrived.

We felt instantly relieved once we settled into our seats. Thilak had booked an AC coach, making the journey comfortable despite the rising temperatures outside. As the train sped through northern India, we passed places we had often heard about, including Faridabad and Mathura. Seeing these familiar names from history books and travel stories brought a sense of excitement to the journey. The ride was smooth and relaxing, and before long, we were approaching Agra.

Reaching Agra

Unlike Manali, we had not booked accommodation in advance for Agra. Based on online reviews, we had shortlisted a hotel called Taj Plaza, which seemed comfortable, affordable, and conveniently located near the Taj Mahal. Originally, we were supposed to get down at Agra Cantonment Railway Station. However, after checking the map, Thilak realized that Raja Ki Mandi station was closer to our hotel. So, we decided to get off there instead.

Unfortunately, our streak of unexpected surprises continued. As soon as we stepped out of the station, we learned that it was Election Day in Agra. Many shops, hotels, and businesses were either closed or operating with limited services. Auto-rickshaws were scarce, and several drivers were unfamiliar with our hotel’s location. After some searching, one driver agreed to take us to Taj Plaza for ₹150. The hotel was around 8–9 kilometres away, so the fare seemed reasonable.

During the ride, we anxiously asked whether the Taj Mahal would be open that day. The driver was not entirely sure. Since the Taj Mahal remains closed on Fridays and it was Thursday on the day we arrived, we desperately hoped we would still be able to visit. After all, seeing the Taj Mahal was the primary reason we had come to Agra. Our uncertainty finally ended when we passed Agra Fort. The driver assured us that if Agra Fort was open, the Taj Mahal would most likely be open as well.

The relief was immediate. A little later, we caught our first glimpse of the Taj Mahal in the distance. The driver also informed us that it would remain open until 7:00 PM, which gave us plenty of time. As we continued through the city, we were impressed by how clean and well-maintained Agra appeared.

Vehicle access near the Taj Mahal is restricted, so our auto dropped us near the East Gate area. From there, we had to walk to our hotel. The temperature was close to 40°C, and carrying heavy luggage under the blazing afternoon sun was exhausting. I found it particularly difficult, but watching Thilak manage an even heavier bag motivated me to keep going. Because of the election, the roads were unusually quiet. Security presence was high, and the entire area felt calm and peaceful. After a 10–15 minute walk, we finally reached our hotel Taj Plaza. The hotel looked pleasant and well-maintained. We checked in around 3:30 PM, quickly freshened up, had lunch, and prepared for the highlight of the day. At around 4:30 PM, we left for the Taj Mahal.

An unforgettable evening at the Taj Mahal

The hotel owner guided us to the ticket counter, where we purchased our entry tickets. The entrance fee was only ₹20 per person, which surprised us. For a monument of such global significance, we had expected it to be much higher. Instead of walking all the way to the entrance, we took an electric vehicle service that operated near the monument. The ride cost just ₹10 and saved us from walking in the afternoon heat.

One unexpected advantage of visiting on Election Day was the noticeably smaller crowd. For the first time that day, we actually felt lucky.

The complex itself was vast and beautifully maintained. Even before reaching the monument, we were captivated by the grandeur of the main gateway.

Then came the moment we had been waiting for. As we walked through the gateway and saw the Taj Mahal standing before us, we were completely mesmerized.

The first view of the Taj Mahal was breathtaking. Its white marble façade glowed softly in the evening light, creating a scene that felt almost unreal. No photograph or documentary had prepared us for how magnificent it looked in person. We spent the next few hours exploring the monument and its surroundings. The gardens were immaculately maintained, and despite the heat, a gentle breeze made the experience pleasant. Behind the monument, we could see the Yamuna river flowing quietly, adding even more beauty to the setting.

One of the most fascinating aspects was the intricate marble craftsmanship. The decorative patterns were not painted onto the marble. Instead, different coloured stones had been carefully cut and inlaid into the marble surface, creating stunning floral and geometric designs. The level of precision and artistry was extraordinary.

As evening approached, we watched the sun slowly descend over the Yamuna River. The golden light reflecting off the marble created a magical atmosphere that made the monument even more beautiful. We took countless photographs, spent some time simply sitting and admiring the view, and finally left at around 7:00 PM.

We walked back to our hotel through the market streets surrounding the Taj Mahal. Many shops displayed marble handicrafts and miniature replicas of the monument. Although the craftsmanship was impressive, we were unsure which stores were genuine and whether the prices were fair. So, we limited ourselves to window shopping before returning to the hotel.

Travel snapshot

The day had taken us from a railway station waiting area in Delhi to one of the world’s most celebrated monuments. We had endured delays, uncertainty, scorching temperatures, and unexpected challenges. Yet every bit of tiredness disappeared the moment we stood before the Taj Mahal.

The contrast between the cool mountains of Manali and the hot plains of Agra made the experience even more memorable. It felt like we had travelled between two entirely different worlds in a single day. And at the end of it all, the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal made every moment worthwhile.