Direct Flights connecting Agra – Jaipur Soon

Direct flights between Agra and Jaipur are proposed to start on December 15 this year, an Uttar Pradesh government official said on Wednesday.

The information was given to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a review meeting of the new Civil Aviation promotion Policy-2017, which was rolled out in September this year.

Reviewing the progress made so far under the new policy, Adityanath said that under this policy, priority has been accorded to air-linking go the state capital with other state capitals and divisional headquarters.

On regional connectivity, the Chief Minister also requested the Central government to ensure time-bound action on expanding airports in the state’s major cities. The Modi government has undertaken the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) to connect small towns and cities by air.

Adityanath also directed officials to expedite work on the Jewar International Airport Project and named the Yamuna Expressway Authority as its nodal agency. He stressed on the need of quickly initiating the land acquisition work for the project and said that selection process for picking up a consultant for preparing a DPR should be expeditiously done.

The Chief Minister also said that his government was giving priority to both road and air connectivity, noting that this will lead to development of various regions, development of the tourism sector and also create new job opportunities.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed that under the RCS for the state, five air routes have been approved under which bids have been successfully received for Agra, Kanpur, and Allahabad.

To minimize travel time, at its own level, the state government has succeeded in linking Lucknow to Dehradun, Bhopal, Patna and Jaipur. In the same way, direct flights between Varanasi-Jaipur have started and air service between Agra-Jaipur is proposed to start on December 15, officials said.

Officials also told the Chief Minister that seeing the presence of people from eastern Uttar Pradesh in Arab countries, the flight between Varanasi and Sharjah, initially operating on weekly basis has now been changed to a daily flight.

Air service has also been started between Varanasi and Colombo, a flight has been added on the Varanasi-Delhi sector and that the state government was making efforts to strengthen and expand 10 existing air strips.

Of these eight are under the control of the state government and the remaining two – Jhansi and Saharanpur are under the control of the Defence Ministry. In most places like Agra, Kanpur Chakeri, Bareilly, Lalitpur, Jhansi, Meerut, Faizabad, Moradabad, Aligarh and Chitrakoot, most part of the land required has been provided already.

https://www.thetajtours.com/direct-flights-connecting-agra-jaipur-soon/

Delhi – Agra Tour Package

Itinerary

Day 1Exploring Delhi!

You will arrive at the Delhi Airport. Delhi is India’s national capital and the second largest metropolis after Mumbai. Delhi has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC. Through most of its history, Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires. It has been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval period, and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel and after a quick break you will start your sightseeing.
On your first day, you will explore the old and new city of Delhi. You’ll be mesmerized by the 100-feet, red-stone boundary walls of Red Fort built during the 17th century. Opposite to this ancient structure is Jama Masjid (Mosque), built in 1656 AD, construction of red sandstone and white marble. It is the largest mosque in India where 20,000 people can pray together at a time. You will also tour the city in a Rickshaw. Along the streets of old Delhi you will see the Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation) Memorial, which is close to the river Yamuna. Next, you will visit Humayun’s Tomb, tomb of the second Mughal emperor, which was built by his wife during the 16th century, and then you will visit Qutub Minar, a 220-feet tower made by one of the first Muslim leaders in India, built between 1199 and 1368 AD. It runs counter to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the residence of the President of India. There you’ll also see the Government Buildings, Parliament. An overnight stay at Delhi.

Day 2Exploring Delhi Once more! (Religious Side of India)

India is the land of many religions so to explore e religious side of our mystic country, after an early breakfast; today you will visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib which is the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi, known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, and the pond inside its complex, known as the “Sarovar”, whose water is considered holy by Sikhs and is known as “Amrit”. It was first built as a small temple by Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783, who supervised the construction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same year, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. This is followed by visit to The India Gate is the national monument of India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, the India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It is inspired by the Arc de Triumph in Paris. It was built in 1931. Originally known as the All India War Memorial, it is a prominent landmark in Delhi and commemorates the 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who lost their lives while fighting for the Indian Empire, or more correctly the British Raj, in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. It is composed of red and pale sandstone and granite.
The next place that you’ll visit is The Lotus temple (a.k.a Bahá’í Temple) which is open to all, regardless of any religion, or any other distinction, as emphasized in Bahá’í texts. The Bahá’í laws emphasize that the spirit of the House of Worship be that it is a gathering place where people of all religions may worship God without denominational restrictions. The Bahá’í laws also stipulate that only the holy scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith and other religions can be read or chanted inside in any language; while readings and prayers can be set to music by choirs, no musical instruments can be played inside. Furthermore no sermons can be delivered, and there can be no ritualistic ceremonies practiced. An overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 3Drive from Delhi - Agra (200 Km /2-3 Hrs)

After breakfast, you will visit Akshardham is a Hindu temple complex in Delhi, India. It is also called Delhi Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham, the complex displays millennia of traditional Indian and Hindu culture, spirituality and architecture. The building was inspired and moderated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, whose 3,000 volunteers helped 7,000 artisans construct Akshardham.
Then you will drive to Agra, the “City of Taj” you will visit Sikandra The Tomb of Akbar the Great is an important Mughal architectural masterpiece, built 1605-1613, set in 48 Ha (119 acres) of grounds in Sikandra, a suburb of Agra. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
In the evening you will visit to the Mehtab Bagh (Taj Mahal from the other side of the river) and the tomb of Itmad-ud-daula Often described as ‘jewel box’, sometimes called the ‘Baby Tāj’, the tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Tāj Mahal. The mausoleum was commissioned by Nūr Jahān, the wife of Jahangir, for her father Mirzā Ghiyās Beg, originally a Persian Amir in exile. An overnight stay at Agra.

Day 4Full day sightseeing of Agra

Early morning you will visit the world-famous Taj Mahal (1631-1653). This amazing piece of architecture made of white-colored marble, was built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for his departed wife Mumtaz Mahal. Its architecture reveals why it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World. For 22 years, 20,000 expert workers from Italy, France, Iran and Asia worked on the memorial. Return to hotel for breakfast.
After the breakfast, you will visit Agra Fort at the west bank of the Yamuna River. The Agra fort was built in the 16th century by Akbar and was completed by his grandsons.
Note: The Taj Mahal is closed on Friday.

After the sightseeing, you will drive back to Delhi

https://www.thetajtours.com/tour/delhi-agra-tour-package/

Visit Taj Mahal during full Moonlight Night

https://www.thetajtours.com/visit-taj-mahal-during-full-moonlight-night/

In the month of December 2017, the Taj Mahal will be open for the night viewing for tourists from 1st December to 5th December 2017. It is open two days before and two days after the full moon. The tickets are booked 24 hours in advance. The visitor is required to fill up a detailed form along with the copy of their passport.
Altogether, 400 tourists are permitted per night for the visit. The 400 tourists are divided into a batch of 50. There are only eight batches. The timings for the night view commences from 8:30 PM to 12:30 AM according to the Indian Standard Time.

WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE TAJ MAHAL
There are certain things which are not permitted inside the Taj Mahal. Any electronic gadget apart from your camera and mobile phone, eatables, wires, any sharp article like swiss knife, nail cutter, no religious books except travel guide books, match box, lighter, cigarette, liquor, and any promotional material.

HOW TO CLICK PHOTOGRAPHS DURING NIGHT VIEWING
The night viewing is one of the most breath taking, life time experience. The Taj is not lit up by artificial lights. It is the moonlight that lit up the entire structure. The time duration per batch is only 30 minutes, so normal photography will not be possible. In order to capture the moment, first change your camera or mobile to night vision mode. And then click the photographs. Another thing is that you will not be able to take selfie.
The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World which is considered as the most photogenic destinations of India. It is one of the most exquisite structures ever built by any emperor. It was constructed by the fifth Mughal emperor in the fond memory of his favorite wife Mumtaj Mahal. The Taj Mahal in terms of architecture, is one of the most symmetrical structures in the world, constructed using pure white marble and adorned with precious and semi precious stones. The construction started in 1631 and got completed in 1653 AD; 20,000 workers worked day and night together for 22 years.

Coming Soon Kolkata’s First Floating Market

West Bengal’s first floating market in Kolkata will be set up on a water body near Patuli at a cost of nearly Rs. 9 crore.

The upcoming floating market in Kolkata is inspired by the floating markets in Thailand. The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) will be setting up the first floating marketof the state in southern fringes of the city to rehabilitate vendors displaced during widening of the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass or the EM Bypass.
The market, which will be set up on a water body near Patuli at a cost of nearly Rs. 9 crore, will have 114 boats with stalls selling vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, cereals, rice, edible oils and tea. According to a KMDA official, the market will be open for 24 hours.
“There are many sellers who have been displaced because of the widening program of the EM Bypass taken up at Patuli area near Garia. Our principal idea is to rehabilitate those who were having their business at the Baishnabghata-Patuli market on the EM Bypass to the floating market,” a senior official of the KMDA told PTI today.
The decision to shift the market on the EM Bypass was taken by the KMDA three years back so that the portion of the road could be widened.
“We have such markets floating on the Dal Lake of Srinagar. Such markets are there in Bangkok and in Singapore,” he said.
Of the 114 boats, the KMDA has already bought 32 and the remaining boat will arrive by this month end, the official said.
Each boat measuring over 10 ft in length will be specially designed and brightly painted, similar to those in Pattaya’s floating markets, with the capacity and space for two stalls.
The KMDA, which is planning to have a foot over bridge across the EM Bypass to the market, has created manicured lawns and gardens on the banks of the water body where grocery shops as well as Sulabh toilets would be situated, he said.
Over 200 hawkers would be rehabilitated in the market, the officer said.
“Once, during my visit to Thailand I had seen such floating markets there. Seeing them we had planned to come up with one in the city. This market will not be like those in Thailand and Indonesia,” Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Mr Firhad Hakim said.
“This will like the ordinary markets we have. The only difference will be that the shops will be on floating boats. I am hopeful that this market will bring tourists to the city,” he said.
Such markets will come up in other places in the state as well, the minister added.https://www.thetajtours.com/coming-soon-kolkatas-first-floating-market/

Manushi Chhillar representing India became Sixth Miss World Title Winner

India’s Manushi Chhillar has won the Miss World beauty pageant for the year 2017. The win comes 17 years after Priyanka Chopra brought home the coveted title in the year 2000.
Stephanie Hill, who is Miss England was the first runner up and Miss Mexico Andrea Meza was second runner up.
Ms Chhillar, a 20-year-old from Haryana, studied in St. Thomas School in New Delhi and Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women in Sonepat. Ms Chhillar aims to be a cardiac surgeon and has plans of opening non-profit hospitals in rural areas.

THE QUESTION ROUND

During the question round she was asked that ”Which profession deserves the highest salary and why?” She beautifully replied that ”A mother deserves the highest respect. It’s just not about cash but also the love and respect that you give to someone. My mother has been a huge inspiration. It is the mother’s job that deserves the biggest salary.”https://www.thetajtours.com/manushi-chhillar-representing-india-became-sixth-miss-world-title-winner/

After winning the Femina Miss India 2017 title, the 20-year-old beauty has stated, “I am elated to say the least. Winning a beauty pageant and the Miss India title was always a dream. I was always focused on my studies and wanted to be a doctor but like every girl, I would also dream to be at a beauty pageant at least once in life. This is my one chance to show the world what India stands for and showcase the culture that I have been brought up with. I am going to make sure that the world remembers India.” Manushi has done just that and how! History is made. Heartiest congratulations to Manushi for making the country proud!

PREVIOUS TITLE WINNERS

This legacy started by Ms. Reita Faria who was crowned in 1966. She was followed by Aishwarya Rai in 1994, Diana Hayden in 1997, Yukta Mookhey in 1999, Priyanka Chopra in 2000, and now Manushi Chhillar in 2017.

https://www.thetajtours.com/tour/exotic-south-india-tour-package/

https://www.thetajtours.com/tour/exotic-south-india-tour-package/

Belgian’s Royal couple visited Taj Mahal

It was King Philippe's first state visit to India after his ascension to the throne in 2013. The royal couple is to visit India at the invitation of the President. During their stay, they commemorate Indian soldiers’ effort of defending Belgium during the World War I and lay a wreath at the India Gate.

King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola during their visit 47 years ago were received at the airport by then President V V Giri. Besides, the Taj Mahal, the royal couple had also paid homage to the Mahatma by laying a wreath at his memorial at Rajghat. The king had visited the Qutub Minar as well.

The visit aimed at enhancing bilateral ties, including in trade in other areas of cooperation, will also mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The theme of the visit is innovative partnership for the 21st century. Belgium was also among the first European countries to establish a diplomatic mission in India after independence. India is Belgium's second largest export destination and the third largest trading partner outside the European Union.

Belgium is India's eight largest trading partners since 2009, accounting for trade of about Rs 41,552 crore. India and Belgium share the common value of "democracy, pluralism and rule of law" and Belgium has supported the G4 nations. The former deputy Prime Minister of Belgium Steven Vanackere had said that "slowly but surely" India was getting its "rightful place in global governance". He reiterated that Belgium "unequivocally" reconfirmed its support for India's bid for a permanent seat in the enlarged UN Security Council.

According to official data, in 2016-17, bilateral trade amounted to USD 13.28 billion of which exports from India to Belgium accounted for USD 5.65 billion while imports from Belgium accounted for USD 6.62 billion.

https://www.thetajtours.com/belgians-royal-couple-visited-taj-mahal/

Armenia president visits Taj Mahal

After completing his working visit to India, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan left for Agra, where he visited the Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum erected in the sixteenth-century by Sultan Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

As the press department at the President’s Office reported, President wrote in the guest book at the Taj Mahal Palace.

“I admire the architectural grandeur of this ivory-white palace and monumental complex, where the Armenian masters had their input as well. Rightfully considered as an eighth wonder, this resplendent mausoleum symbolizing the eternal love and being a sacred place, will continue captivating the spirit of visitors in the coming centuries,” read a part of the message by President Sargsyan.

The Relationship between Armenia and India 

The relationship between Armenia and India dates back to the time of Alexander the Great in 326 BCE. Later, Akbar promoted harmony by inviting people of this region to settle in Agra. Akbar married Armenian princess and she is later known as Mariam-us-Zamani. He also opened a church in their honor in Agra.

India recognized Armenia on 26 December 1991, three months after it declared independence from the Soviet Union. Diplomatic relations between India and Armenia were established on 31 August 1992. India opened its Embassy in Yerevan on 1 March 1999. Armenia, which had opened an Honorary Consulate in April 1994, established its Embassy in New Delhi in October 1999.

Armenian Presidents Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Robert Kocharyan visited India in 1995 and 2003 respectively.

Same Day Taj Mahal Tour Package

https://www.thetajtours.com/armenia-president-visits-taj-mahal/In the morning, you will drive to Agra.Upon arrival you will visit the world-famous Taj Mahal (1631-1653) at the sunrise. This amazing piece of architecture made of white-colored marble, was built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for his departed wife Mumtaz Mahal. Its architecture reveals why it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World. For 22 years, 20,000 expert workers worked day and night.

Post lunch, you will visit Agra Fort at the west bank of the Yamuna River. The Agra fort was built in the 16th century by Akbar. It is remarkable piece of architecture completed by four Great Mughal Emperors.

After the sightseeing, you will drive back to Delhi. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.