This February, my best friend and I headed out to Agra on a cool and bright Saturday morning. Before we started, we had to decide how we would travel. Since neither of us wanted to drive after a tiring week at work, we searched for the best car rental deal online and managed to book a Savaari cab from Delhi to Agra. Nothing speaks more comfort and convenience than a chauffeur-driven car and an experienced driver who is also knowledgeable about the road and the destination.

The road

I usually like to take the Yamuna Expressway for a faster and smoother journey. But since we were in no hurry, we opted for the older route- NH 19 (old NH 2). Of course, there was more traffic on this route, and the roads were not as remarkable as the new expressway, but there was a nostalgic vibe about this highway. The old settlements and smaller towns on the way reminded me of my childhood when my parents would take me to my grandparent’s place.

We made our first stop after an hour or so near Pirthla at a cozy little diner near the highway for our morning pick-me-up. A big advantage of taking this route is that there is no dearth of local eateries and highway dhabas serving all kinds of north Indian delicacies. They might not be as fancy as the food stops on the Yamuna Expressway, there is and always will be an old world charm about this route.

Experiencing the culture shift

One of the main reasons we opted for a cab was that we wanted to make stopovers at some interesting places on the way, like Vrindavan or Mathura. Otherwise, when I am driving myself, I don’t pay attention anywhere else other than the road. And that’s not a great way to enjoy the journey. So when I had the opportunity to experience the culture shift from the city life of Delhi and surrounding towns, to the quieter and quainter settlements of Uttar Pradesh, to the divine lands of Vrindavan and Mathura, and finally heading into a place of history and heritage.

Vrindavan & Mathura

At about 165 Km from Delhi, we reached our first major pit stop was at Vrindavan. The holy town has a lot of significance in Hindu mythology and is said to be the place, where Lord Krishna spent a major part of his childhood. Vrindavan is famous for its temples dedicated to Krishna and Radha. As our cab rolled into the town, I could already feel a different vibe. The streets were busy but not chaotic, there were people but no madness, and there was an underlying feeling of peace in the air. The most prominent, revered, and popular temples of Vrindavan, as I had read about, are Prem Mandir, Banke Bihari Mandir, and Radha Raman Temple, and also one of the largest sites of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in India.

Of course, we couldn’t possibly visit all of them, so we visited Prem Mandir and ISKCON. Prem Mandir was a huge structure set within an expansive courtyard and manicured gardens. It was an absolute marvel in marble with fine architectural elements. There were sculptural representations of major events of Lord Krishna’s life, which was a visual treat on their own. After a brief tour, we headed to ISKCON. While I have been to different ISKCON temples in different cities, the one in Vrindavan was an out-of-the-world experience. Once we stepped into the temple premise, it felt like we were taken back in time. The layout and the architecture of the temple, coupled with its serenity was spellbinding. If there’s one reason that I always love to go to ISKCON, it is the food. And in Vrindavan, it was divine.

After our tour and a good meal, we headed back on the road. It was already late afternoon, and we had to continue on our journey to Agra. But before we reached, I had to make one last stop at Mathura.

Another 10 to 12 Km from Vrindavan, we reached Mathura. As the birthplace of Krishna, Mathura also has its own mythological significance. But that was not the reason I wanted to stop. It was rather the heavenly sweets that the city takes pride in. So we made a quick stop at Brijwasi near Govardhan Temple, while my friend went shopping for souvenirs.

A detour worthwhile

It was almost sunset when we reached Agra, which was good enough to catch a glimpse of the setting sun against the Yamuna. Delhi to Agra is only a four-hour-drive and can be actually quite unassuming if one doesn’t know how to make the most of the trip. Although our detours extended our trip, it was absolutely worthwhile! After all, these little adventures that make your journey memorable and takes your experience to a whole new level.

Pro Tips

Always book a safe and air-conditioned cab from Delhi, especially if traveling at night and in the warmer months. Try to leave Delhi around sunrise, so you can avoid the morning traffic, especially on NH 19.

Published: 2019-07-06 10:36:31