आगरा से कोलकाता उड़ानें

Located along the banks of the Hooghly River, Kolkata, often referred to as the City of Joy, is one of India's most vibrant metropolitan cities. Steeped in rich Bengali culture and a storied colonial past, Kolkata offers a unique blend of historical grandeur and modern urbanization. The city’s charm lies in its bustling streets, historic architecture, and the serene beauty of the Hooghly River, which provides breathtaking sunrise and sunset views. Kolkata has been a nurturing ground for celebrated artists, poets, and revolutionaries, whose legacies are showcased in the city's numerous art galleries and cultural institutions.

Kolkata's unique appeal is rooted in its ability to seamlessly blend the old with the new. From the iconic Howrah Bridge to the bustling markets and modern shopping malls, the city is a living testament to its dynamic history and contemporary growth. The city's cultural significance is further highlighted by its festivals, cuisine, and the warmth of its people, making it a must-visit destination for travelers.

The ideal time to visit Kolkata is between October and March when the weather is pleasant and conducive for exploring the city. During these months, the temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C, making it comfortable for sightseeing and outdoor activities. This period also coincides with several major festivals, such as Durga Puja, which offers a glimpse into the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Summer in Kolkata, from April to June, can be quite hot and humid, with temperatures soaring up to 40°C. The monsoon season, from July to September, brings heavy rainfall, which can sometimes disrupt travel plans. Therefore, the winter months are considered the best time to book flights to Kolkata and enjoy the city's attractions.

Kolkata is home to a plethora of tourist attractions that cater to diverse interests. The Howrah Bridge, an engineering marvel, is one of the busiest and most iconic landmarks in the city. The Victoria Memorial, with its stunning white marble architecture, offers a glimpse into the colonial history of India. Fort William, another historical site, showcases the city’s military heritage.

For art and culture enthusiasts, the Indian Museum, one of the oldest museums in India, houses an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits. The Marble Palace Mansion, with its exquisite sculptures and paintings, is a hidden gem worth exploring. The Birla Planetarium and Prinsep Ghat are other notable attractions that offer unique experiences.

Shopping in Kolkata is a delightful experience, with options ranging from bustling local markets to modern malls. New Market, Gariahat Market, and Bara Bazaar are famous for their wide variety of goods and vibrant atmosphere. For a more contemporary shopping experience, South City Mall and Quest Mall offer a range of international and local brands.

Kolkata is served by the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), located in Dum Dum, approximately 17 kilometers from the city center. The airport is a major hub for both domestic and international flights, connecting Kolkata to various destinations across the globe. It features modern amenities and multiple terminals catering to the needs of travelers.

The airport is well-connected to the city via various modes of transportation, including taxis, app-based cab services, and buses. Popular airlines operating from Kolkata include Air India, Indigo, and GoAir, offering frequent flights to major cities in India and abroad. Booking flights to Kolkata is convenient, with numerous options available for cheap flights and air tickets.

Getting from the airport to the city center is easy, with several transportation options available. Prepaid taxis and app-based cab services like Uber and Ola provide convenient and reliable transfers. For budget travelers, airport shuttle buses and local buses offer economical options.

Within the city, Kolkata boasts a well-developed public transportation network. The Kolkata Metro, India's first metro system, is a fast and efficient way to navigate the city. Trams, a unique feature of Kolkata, provide a nostalgic and scenic mode of transport. Local trains connect various parts of the city and its suburbs.

For shorter distances, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are readily available. Bike rentals and self-drive car services offer additional flexibility for exploring the city at your own pace. With its diverse transportation options, navigating Kolkata is convenient and hassle-free.

Agra is one of the most populous city of Uttar Pradesh. It is a major tourist destination because of its many magnificent Mughal era buildings like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. It is also an important part of the Golden Triangle tourist route along with Delhi and Jaipur. This former capital of Mughal Empire is mainly popular for the Taj Mahal and this is the reason that most of the tourists miss out many other interesting activities or places. Next time while planning a trip to Agra, don’t forget to explore more of this amazing city. Here’s a list of the top ten things to do in Agra:

1. Spend a day with villagers at Korai Village

Take a break from the usual sightseeing and try out something new by spending a day with the villagers. Korai Village is located at a distance of 8 Km before Fatehpur Sikri. Here you can explore the rural area of the city by interacting with the villagers and learning about their simple lifestyle. You can also visit their huts and can see how they cook their food in the traditional village style. Don’t forget to meet the village wizard Mohammad who is popular among tourists for his tricks.

2. Take a forest walk inside the Taj Nature Park

Here is another chance to see the Taj Mahal while walking amidst a beautiful park made by the Social Forestry Division of Agra. It is spread over 70 hectares of land and is just 500 meters away from the east gate of the Taj Mahal. You’ll be walking through a 9 km trail amidst various species of birds, wildlife, trees and shrubs. In some places, elevated photo points are made from where one can click a shot of the Taj Mahal. It almost touches the right bank of the River Yamuna and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

3. Buy Leather Goods at Sadar Bazaar

Sadar Bazaar is a popular local street market of Agra. Located at West of Khari Baoli near Agra Cantt Railway Station, Agra Fort and Taj Mahal, the bazaar is famous for the leather work, shoes and handicraft items. Marble inlay items like coasters, vases, table tops, boxes and other gift items can also be bought from here. It is open daily (except Tuesday) from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Don’t miss out on the local street foods like chaat (especially bhalle) and pani-puri from the evening stalls.

4. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Joney’s Place

Located on the Miyan Nazir Road, Tajganj, Joney’s Place restaurant offers delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. Try out the North Indian style breakfast of puris and cholley, a grand lunch with a glass of refreshing banana lassi. Diners can choose from a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries, macaroni, pancakes, sandwiches, pasta and even falafel and hummus. The malai kofta and the toasted tomato and cheese sandwich are highly recommended. It is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

5.Go to Marble Cottage for Marble Inlay Handicraft Items

Located at Jasoria Enclave, Fatehabad Road, Marble Cottage, Agra is a famous factory cum small retail shop of Marble Inlay Art and handmade products. Established in 1974, now with its team of 15 highly skilled craftsmen, it creates magnificent objects in marble. You can choose from variety of things like Taj Mahal replicas, White Marble Table Tops, White Elephant, Marble Inlay Photo Frame, Chess Boards, Candle Holders, Marble Jewellery Boxes and Marble Animal Figures. Beautiful carpets and rugs are also available here.

6.Visit Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary

It is located 20 Kms from Agra on the Delhi-Agra Highway (NH2). Spread over an area of 7.97 square kilometres, it was declared as a National Bird Sanctuary in 1991 by U.P. Forest Department. The place also houses a beautiful man-made lake known as Keetham Lake that is a perfect spot for relaxation. It is estimated that more than 106 species of migratory birds come to this sanctuary every year. One can also see a variety of fishes and aquatic birds. Some of the aquatic birds inhabiting Keetham Lake include Darter, Purple Heron, Black necked Stork, White Ibis, Little Gerbs and Paddy Bird.

7. Attend the Taj Mahotsav Festival at Shilpgram

Taj Mahotsav is an annual 10 day festival that is held at Shilpgram. This festival celebrates the rich crafts, arts and culture of India. Around 400 artisans from all over the country come together and showcase their unique crafts. Stone/wood carvings from Tamil Nadu, Chikan work from Lucknow, Bamboo work from the North East, Paper Mache work from South India and Kashmir, brass wares from Moradabad and Pottery from Khurja can be found here. Get a slice of the folk dances and taste varieties of lip-smacking Indian dishes. At Fun Fair, kids can enjoy joy rides like merry-go-round, Train-rides and Ferris wheel.

8.Have a look at Hammams of Fatehpur Sikri

Hakim’s Hammam of Fatehpur Sikri is the largest surviving Hammams (domed bath house) of Mughal India. It is a majestic structure with exquisite stucco work and golden paintings that occupies an area 105 metres by 78 metres. It is assumed that the Hakim’s bath house was used by Akbar and other royal family members. The water required for the baths was supplied by a well which is situated in the south-east corner. The building has a dressing room, a room for steam bath and two large rooms which were probably used for massage therapy.

9.Take a bite of Mughlai Food at Only Restaurant

Located at 45, Taj Road, Only Restaurant is the best place to try Mughlai food in the city. The interiors of the restaurant are pretty appealing with bright tablecloths and bamboo walls. The menu offers Mughlai, Chinese and Continental cuisine. Live music programmes are also held every evening. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. A must go place for foodies!

10.Watch the romantic musical drama ‘Mohabbat-The Taj’

The Sanskritik Natyashala of Kalakriti Conventional Centre organises ‘Mohabbat-The Taj’, a series of musical play that depicts the love story of Shahjahan and Mumtaz. The place can seat up to 585 people and has a 70 mm wide backdrop screen. They have created the world’s largest replica of Taj Mahal in Makrana marble which is carried by a hydraulic lift on the centre of the stage. The regal costume of the artists, the magnificent jewellery and the language of the songs of the play are worth seeing as they take you back to the Mughal era. Daily live shows are held at 6:30 p.m.