Day 7 – Amazing Agra Fort
Date: 25-Apr-14
Our plan for the day was to visit Agra Fort and Jama Masjid before returning to Delhi in the afternoon. Since our hotel checkout time was 12:00 PM, we packed our bags early and got ready to make the most of our morning in Agra.
We had breakfast at the hotel restaurant around 8:30 AM. Service was quite slow, and by the time we finished and left the hotel, it was already 9:00 AM. We decided to visit Agra Fort first. The auto-rickshaw drivers initially quoted ₹100 for the ride, which seemed excessive considering the fort was only about 4 km away. After some negotiation, we found an auto driver willing to take us there for ₹50.
Exploring the grandeur of Agra Fort
The weather was already extremely hot. Even from the outside, Agra Fort looked magnificent, and surprisingly, it was not very crowded. The entry fee was just ₹10. As soon as we stepped inside, we were amazed by the sheer scale of the fort. We had never imagined such a vast complex hidden behind its massive walls.
As we walked deeper into the fort, we discovered one beautiful structure after another. The red sandstone walls, elegant arches, intricately carved pillars, and open courtyards reflected the grandeur of the Mughal era. From certain sections of the fort, we could even catch distant views of the Taj Mahal shimmering under the bright morning sun. It was fascinating to imagine emperors once walking through these very corridors and balconies.
What impressed us most was how well the fort had been preserved. Every section seemed to tell a story from a different chapter of history. We spent a lot of time simply wandering through the complex, admiring the architecture and trying to absorb the scale and magnificence of the place. Agra Fort was far more impressive than we had expected and turned out to be one of the highlights of our visit to Agra.
Battling the Agra heat
As the morning progressed, the scorching sun began to take its toll. We had forgotten to carry a water bottle and soon found ourselves exhausted and thirsty. Although drinking water was available inside the fort, we had nothing to carry it in. After exploring for some time, we realized that the intense heat had drained much of our energy. Since we were also running short on time, we reluctantly decided to skip our planned visit to Jama Masjid. Around 11:00 AM, we left the fort and headed back towards our hotel area.
We stopped at a small marble shop run by an elderly gentleman who patiently explained the different types of marble and the craftsmanship behind the souvenirs he sold. His sincerity and knowledge impressed us, and we ended up purchasing five marble showpieces from his shop as keepsakes from Agra. We returned to the hotel at around 12:30 PM. Fortunately, the hotel owner did not charge us any extra amount despite our slightly delayed checkout.
Train ride to Delhi
Our train to Delhi was scheduled to depart from Agra Cantonment Railway Station at 3:15 PM. Since the station was quite far from our hotel, we hired an auto-rickshaw for ₹150, which seemed like a fair price. The auto itself was in poor condition, but the driver was friendly and talkative. As we made our way through the city, he shared interesting stories about Agra’s history. We also asked him where we could buy the famous Agra Petha. He gladly stopped at a well-known sweet shop along the way, where we purchased two packs of delicious flavored petha.
By the time we reached Agra Cantt Railway Station, it was only 1:15 PM, leaving us with nearly two hours before departure. The station was relatively quiet. We spent some time in the waiting area and later had lunch at an air-conditioned restaurant within the station, which was surprisingly empty. At around 3:00 PM, we headed to the platform. The train arrived shortly after, around 3:30 PM. This time, we had side berths, which made the journey especially comfortable. We settled in and enjoyed the relaxing ride back to Delhi.
We had not booked accommodation in Delhi in advance. During the train journey, Thilak searched online and found a budget hotel called Hotel Maanvi in Paharganj. Although we had not particularly enjoyed our earlier experience in Paharganj, it was familiar to us and conveniently located near the railway station. The hotel also had decent reviews, so we decided to give it a try.
We arrived at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station around 7:30 PM. Stepping outside, I felt overwhelmed by the crowds and chaos. Thankfully, there was a prepaid auto counter nearby. We purchased a ticket to Paharganj for ₹115, which seemed reasonable. The driver was unfamiliar with the hotel, and after several inquiries with locals and shopkeepers, we finally found it tucked away in one of the narrow, crowded streets of Paharganj. The hotel service was disappointing and did not meet our expectations.
Travel snapshot
Despite the disappointing hotel experience in Delhi, the day had been memorable. Exploring the magnificent Agra Fort, shopping for marble souvenirs, tasting authentic Agra Petha, and enjoying a comfortable train journey back to Delhi made for a fulfilling final full day of our trip.
As night fell, a sense of sadness began to set in. We had only one more day left before returning home, bringing an end to a journey filled with unforgettable experiences, beautiful landscapes, and cherished memories.
- Route Travelled: Taj Plaza > Agra Fort > Taj Plaza > Agra Cantt Railway Station > Nizamuddin Railway Station (Delhi) > Maanvi Hotel (Paharganj).
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