All about the Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb – The Baby Taj Mahal in Agra
- The Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb in Agra is also known as the ‘Baby Taj Mahal’, a precursor to the Taj Mahal. It was constructed by Noor Jahan for her father Mirza Ghiyaz Beg or Itimad-Ud-Daulah or ‘the pillar of the state’.
- Built in the years 1662-1628, five years before Taj Mahal was built, it is worth a visit when you are done visiting the iconic structure of the Taj in Agra.
- The extensive use of intricate inlays and white marbles makes it unique in terms of design and architecture, although it’s smaller in size compared to the Taj.
- Many historians believe that Emperor Shahjahan wanted to build something more significant and on a much grander scale than the Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb, and thus built the Taj Mahal later.
- It is also believed a family feud led to the building of Taj Mahal which actually overshadowed the splendour and grandeur of the ‘baby’ Taj Mahal.
- The inside of the Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb was kept relative simple without any superfluous embellishment or ornate decorations in line with the principles of the religion of Islam.
- There are fake tombs or cenotaph above the ground that are partially decorated and on display for visitors. In comparison to the exterior decoration, the interiors are neither dour nor flamboyant but stick to the principles of simplicity.
- There are inlays and geometric patterns at every turn. The linings of the walls in every chamber and corridor are filled with colorful paintings.
- The Baby Taj is open on all days. Security is pretty much tight here. Food, large bags, water, drinks, video camera and other electronic gadget except a camera are strictly disallowed.
All about the Bryant Park in Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is a popular hill station in the Palani Hills in Tamilnadu. One of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the state, Kodaikanal has a handful of places to explore at least once in your lifetime. Bryant Park, a famous botanical park, is located on the eastern side of Kodaikanal Lake. This place, in fact, has been a boon to Botany students and bliss to the general public for several decades. The park is full of flowers, and hybrids. You can also find cut flowers of export quality in the park. The park houses a wide range of flowers which makes it a popular hangout in the hill station.
The park, built-in 1908 by HD Bryant, a forest officer from Madurai, draws thousands of visitors during the month of May when the annual summer festival is conducted in the park. The show that is organized by the Department of Horticulture displays several types of flowers and vegetables that are sourced locally. With over 325 species of shrubs, trees, and cacti, the park organizes a flower expo contest to encourage exhibitors and growers.
Furthermore, the Bryant Park doubles up as a practical learning center and demonstration center for Ornamental Horticulture. Out here the students of Horticulture are taught advanced methods of pruning, training, grafting, budding, potting seed collection and several other techniques. The park is a great place to spend a few moments of solitude by distancing yourself from the hustle and bustle of everyday life amidst the lush greenery.
Bryant Park is a well-maintained park considering the sheer size of the park. There is a large area of the park dedicated to nearly 740 varieties of roses. You can also find a eucalyptus that dates back to 1857 and a Bodhi tree, adding to the religious sentiments of the public. There is a nursery that sells Ornamental plants. A glasshouse contains a broad range of ferns, flowers, and other ornamental plants. The entrance fee to the park is very nominal and is open all around the year for public view.
All you need to about the Khan Market in Delhi
The Khan Market is one of the most popular markets in the country’s capital with a rich culture and history of its own. This market, established in 1951, and named after Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan’s brother of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, draws thousands of customers and shoppers almost every day. It has been continually named as one of the world’s most expensive high-end markets.
Constructed in a U-shape, the market space has a capacity for 74 flats and 154 shops. Furthermore, it served as the home for immigrants from the North Western Frontier Province after the country’s partition in 1947. These migrants set up the first shops and aptly named it after Khan, as he was instrumental in helping them settle down here providing them a new lease of life.
The market’s first floor served as the home to the shop owners even until the late 1908s. The market enclosed only middle-class shops, brands, outlets, and neighbourhood grocery shops in the beginning. With the turn of time, it primarily served upmarket clients from Golf Links and other neighbouring societies. And when many shop owners saw good business potential, they started shifting out of their houses in Khan Market.
Today, Khan Market is found to be one of the costliest commercial real estate locations in the country’s capital. Further, in 2011, as per a Cushman & Wakefield ranking report, Khan Market was rated as the 21st costliest shopping market in the world.
Are you ready for an adventure date with Turkey with us?
Turkey is the land of the rise and fall of mighty empires; it is also the land of diverse religions and cultures. It also played host to some of the most fascinating world events. From ancient cultures, a true European lifestyle, Sufi spiritual lodges, abandoned monasteries, massively built domes to mosque tombs, Turkey has it all. Anybody looking to explore the composite European culture should first visit Turkey before visiting the UK, Sweden or any other European nation. Though Turkey has about 80 tourist destinations, it pays to visit a handful of touring places in the country.
Turkey is also the land of food. From ice-cream, Falooda to exotic Briyani dishes, Turkey is the place to be if you are a hardcore foodie. The most popular Ottoman delicacy is göğsü or chicken breast pudding. So what are the other things that may stimulate you to make a trip to Turkey?
Turkey has some of the world’s oldest and biggest malls including the Grand Bazaar or Kapalı Çarşı in Istanbul. Do you know that there are 13 touring destinations in Turkey that are already on the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites and another 62 on the probable list? Also, Turkey currently ranks sixth in the most popular tourist destination in the world. It is believed that most biblical figures including Abraham and Noah were born in ancient Turkey.
Turkey believes in eco-tourism and has invested a lot in preserving its precious natural resources including the endangered loggerhead sea turtle. The first tulips were grown in Turkey.
Turkey has some of the most fascinating mountain ranges including the Erzurum, the country’s highest at 10,200 feet. Want to travel to Asia from Europe underground? Turkey is the home to the Marmaray metro line opened in 2013 that connects the two important continents underground. Whilst Turkey is an Islamic country, it draws millions of Christian pilgrims that travel here to visit iconic churches and worship houses.
Don’t miss out on watching oil wrestling and bull wresting on your tour here. Turkey has some of the world’s ancient temples built almost 2000 years ago. The Turkey film industry is one of the best in Europe. You can watch a few Turkish films in the local theatres to understand the country’s tradition and culture better. Tour Turkey in all its entirety and glory only with Emperor Traveline!
Pagoda Point in Yercaud – Valley Views & Sunset Spot
Yercaud is a popular hill station next only to Ooty and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. Yercaud, located in the district of Salem, has a handful of tourist destinations that are frequented by both locals as well as tourists, both domestic and overseas. Pagoda Point, aka Pyramid Point, is a viewpoint situated on the eastern side of Yercaud Hills. It is believed to have been constructed by the local tribes. This place also has a Rama Temple, now built between the stones.
The name of the place is derived from the hill tribes when four piles of random stones were placed in the form of a Pagoda or Pyramid, reportedly to observe some community events. You can also take a panoramic view of Ayodhaypattanam and Attur from this spot. It is situated at a distance of 5km from the town of Yercaud. If you are an amateur or someone obsessed with taking selfies, then this is the place to be. Get a good view of the city of Salem and a little hamlet called Kakambadi from the hilltop. This spot also features towering cliffs, delighting many a rock climber and daring trekkers. About the ridges of the crest, you’d be able to find four cairn stones that resemble temple towers (or Pagodas).
There is also a shrine held sacrilegious by the loyal Malayalis, built of two anionic stones in the center of the open space. One can also view all the 21 hairpin bends of Yercaud swirling and wriggling through the hills from this point. Though there are transportation facilities, local buses are few to get here; therefore, you can trek through the lush green estates to reach the Pagoda Point. You can thoroughly enjoy the gorgeous view of the cliffs all from a single point, particularly in the early mornings and when the sun goes down.
What are the best places to do shopping in Malaysia?
When you are shopping in Malaysia, you’ll be inundated with a plethora of options ranging from electronics to fashion. It’s still fine even when all you wanted to do is window shopping. Malaysia is a happening place for luxury brands, street style shops, local goods sold in flea markets where you can find slashed prices for everything. And there is Langkawi that can pull in any shop alcoholic with duty-free shopping. Other top tourist destinations include Cameron Highlands and Kuala Lumpur. Here are some of Malaysia’s top shopping markets and what you’ll be happy buying from each of them.
1. Petaling Street:
Street shopping in Kuala Lumpur lending a Chinese touch. Specialties here at Petaling Street include bag tags, apparel and colorful artificial flowers, electronics among others.
2. Central Market in Kuala Lumpur:
Located in Kuala Lumpur, the Central Market is the best place to check handicrafts, Souvenirs, bags and fashion accessories.
3. Suria KLCC:
Another shopping mall in the Petronas Towers housing all the luxury brands including Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Marc Jacobs, you can look for fashion apparel, footwear, bags, and other accessories.
4. Pavilion Kuala Lumpur:
Located at Bukit Bintang District in Kuala Lumpur, the Pavilion KL is a Mecca for shoppers where you can check out garments and related fashion accessories.
5. Berjaya Times Square:
Considered to be one of the world’s biggest shopping malls, the Berjaya Times Square Mall has everything for you to pamper and spoil yourself. Must-check out items here include candies, cosmetics, footwear, and apparel.
6. Langkawi Parade:
One of the largest malls in Langkawi, it houses fashion products, souvenirs, electronics, and even liquor all at duty-free prices.
7. Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall:
With over 100 retail outlets, the duty-free Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall gives you handicrafts, souvenirs, and apparel sourced from some of the best brands without burning a hole in your pocket.
8. The Zon Shopping Paradise:
The Zon Shopping Paradise in Langkawi is located next to the popular Underwater World. Things to check out here include perfumes and liquors at prices ten to forty percent lesser compared to other shopping malls.
9. Cameron Highlands:
Cameron Square, one of Cameron Highland’s most popular shopping destinations, is great for shopping souvenirs, mobile gadgets, and apparel.
10. Central Market:
Known as the “Jewel of Kedah”, the Central Market of Cameron Highland is known for housing quality local produce, tea, strawberries, flowers and handicraft by skilled local artisans.
A walk down the Zurich’s Old Town for world famous Swiss Chocolate & Sweets
Do you have a sweet tooth or a penchant for having nothing short of the best chocolates in the world? Make no mistake. The Swiss-made chocolates are simply unrivaled ever since chocolates became commercially available. But do you know of the quaint small town that makes these world-famous chocolates? The town of Zurich overflows with shops both large and small that make and sells homemade ice creams, truffles, hot chocolates and the popular Swiss chocolate bars for more than a century.
Take a stroll along the pristine streets and cobblestone lanes of Old Town or Altstadt with the help of a local guide who is usually an old hand in the town’s artisanal shops and confectionaries the country is known for. You can spoil yourself relishing its range of yummy treats for an enjoyable afternoon. In addition, you can take a well-directed crash course in the history of Swiss chocolate from none other than the local guides themselves. Become chocolate tasting pro sampling nougat, bars, truffles and pralines at neatly lined-stores.
If you aren’t still satisfied, talk to the shop owners who would be enthused to share their passion for Swiss-made chocolates their story-telling abilities would enthrall you. Whilst you take delight in single-origin chocolates, explore the history of the cacao bean. Don’t miss out on enjoying a specially-made hot chocolate at one of Zurich’s earliest confectionary including pralines, nougats, cupcakes, homemade ice-cream and pastries whichever shop you step into.
After you’re done trying out a tempting range of charming self-indulgent sweets, you can wind up for the day at Rathaus (Town Hall) by sundown.
Facts on Nishani Motte Trekking in Coorg
The Nishani Hills is one of the lesser-known trekking trails in Coorg in the district of Karnataka. You will instantly fall in love with the splendid views of the expansive landscape from green covered meadows on the trail. If that isn’t enough, you can spend your night dining and camp firing before hitting the pillow.
If you want to slacken your tired shoulders a bit and take a breather, you wouldn’t be looking beyond Nishani Motte in Coorg, fondly known as the “Scotland of India”. This roughly 15km moderate-trek begins from Bhagamandala Forest range (about 284km from the city of Bengaluru) and threads through the fields of paddy to the lush green coffee estate and into the wondrous Wildlife Reserve area finally making its way up towards the steep hilltop.
You can spend a day or two in the hills losing yourself in the beauty of the lush vegetation that envelops the Nishani Hills. The trekking trail lies within the Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary which is a popular spot for leopard and elephant sightings and extensive flora and fauna. The trail is an impassable pathway so it is better to have a trained guide to help you around. The path can lead you to the thickly covered Shola forests and areas of rolling meadows and verdant pasture. It will take about half a day to climb atop the hill. Once you reach the highest point, you can take a panoramic view of the entire landscape around the Nishani Hills. Take as many selfies or capture those poignant moments as much as you would like to; there’s nothing stopping you.
You can have fun around a cozy campfire once you walk down to the base camp. Even if stargazing isn’t in your bucket list, you can still spend some time looking at the marvels of creation. So, what are you waiting for? It is the best part of the year to hit this place up.
A dream ride into the hills of Ooty – The Nilgiri Mountain Railways’ (NMR) Toy Train – Part 2
Ooty had been an unchartered territory until 1820 and it had inconsistent boundaries of forest terrain. It is said that Ooty was an accidental find by the British who found the place to be stunningly beautiful and the weather to be clement throughout the year. Thus, they gave birth to a hill station that boasted eternal beauty and charm. The then district collector John Sullivan at once decided to transform it into a lovely hill station in the 1820s and founded Ooty, building two stone-houses one, Kal Bangla, which turned out to be the official residence of the Principal of the Government Arts College and was given a new makeover.
A railway line was first commenced in 1854 but it took no less than 40 years to get it done. In 1873, the train to Coimbatore underwent extension up till Mettupalayam and one has to take the ghat road before the laying of the tracks. The NMR, now the lifeline of Ooty’s economy, became world heritage in 2005. The rail-trails cover various activities including trekking along the railway tracks, exploring tunnels and viewing how the signal-systems work and other milestones.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway makes its way through plains for the first 5 miles. In the next 12, it makes an ascend spectacularly up to 4363 ft passing through nine tunnels, lending you splendid views of the eastern slopes of Ooty. You can take non-stop selfies and photo-ops, moving to the left. A mystifying spectacle beholds you when the train hustles and whistles though Wellington, Coonoor, Lovedale and stops near the Ooty Lake.
Other attractions include the longest rail bridge across River Bhavani near the Mettupalayam station, Coonoor station (built-in stone), Fernhill station (now closed and made ‘rest’ guesthouse), track/tunnel-walk through tunnel no. 16 that is 4-km long and unique masonry or rock-cut tunnels. The toy train featured in the 1984 David Lean-directed ‘A Passage to India’ movie. At least three chief ministers of South India have had their movie songs shot here. As there’s no pantry car on the train, you need to carry your own food while traveling. There’s a tree planted at the Government Arts College compound by Sullivan which you can add to your sightseeing bucket list.
A dream ride into the hills of Ooty – “The Nilgiri Mountain Railways” (NMR) Toy Train – Part 1
If you’re looking for the ride of a lifetime, then the Nilgiri Mountain Railways (NMR) Toy Train is a must-try experience for memories to cherish on and on, whether you find yourself on the celebrated toy train or at the Fernhill station.
This almost 5-hour long travel up and down a scenic route is packed with unbridled romance, relaxation, adventure, exotic trails and turns, nature and some adrenalin booster material.
Get onboard the Nilgiri Mountain Railways’ toy train that would take you down the memory lane where the most recently included compartment is just 50 years old, and the oldest is about 80 years! The good times will cease to fade out even if the train happens to break down in the middle of the trip. And don’t grouse even if it does so as you will get some extra time to enjoy the picturesque settings including misty valleys, mountains, forests, tiny falls, and the cool weather. When the train inches up between 1069 and 7228 ft, you may get down out of it to surprise your loved one with flowers, view the big tusker staring at you from a distance, capture a lovely Hoopoe in flight, wonder about the deep gorge shrouded in darkness, or shout at the top of your voice every time the train passes through the dark tunnel. Its charm is unparalleled the train has been huffing and puffing through the valley since 1899 originally from Mettupalayam to Coonoor, and from Fernhill to Nilgiris since 1908 it’s a unique journey across 250 bridges and through 16 tunnels. Most of them have been re-constructed except the Breeks Memorial School whose heritage features have been preserved to a nicety.
Although the NMR has stood the test of times, many stops en route to Ooty have now become ghost stations. A few structures are strewn with flora and are eroding fast. They have become inaccessible due to wild animals prowling nearby. The train, however, hasn’t changed the way since Swiss inventor Riggenbach had originally engineered it. It still sports the original yellow and blue color and has bench-seats without any cushioning in an era of comfort and luxury. With the train’s coaches remaining open, there are no curtains, glass or even windows!
