Delhi is phenomenal. It is a metropolitan city. It has varied cultures and a multitude of places to visit. But sometimes, you might feel like you need to get away from all the hustle-bustle and traffic. If you are a resident of Delhi or just a traveller who has the luxury to spare a weekend, get ready for some exciting places to spend your weekend at.
1. Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
Bhulla Lake. Photo by Priyambada Nath.Most of the time, the purpose of a weekend getaway is to have some quality time in a relaxing atmosphere. Well, if that’s what you want, Lansdowne is the place for you.
Lansdowne is a beautiful hill station at a distance of about 236 km from Delhi. People don’t often list this place in their list of famous hill stations because it’s not as big as Shimla or Manali, but it’s a paradise when you want a day away from the busy life.
It was found by Lord Lansdowne in 1887 and was one of the favourite getaways of the British. This place speaks of a rich history with its churches and temples. It is now a cantonment area. Surrounded by pine and oak trees, this place is ideal for couples. It has a few resorts also. Some beautiful places that you can visit here include the Bhulla Lake and Tip N Top.
2. Taj Mahal, Agra
The incredible Taj Mahal. Photo by TausP.No one should be touring India without visiting the magnificent Taj Mahal. It is one of the seven wonders of the world. Agra is only a 200 km drive from Delhi. You can reach here in 5 hours or less.
To know more about Taj Mahal and many other places nearby, check out The Top Sights of The Golden Triangle.
3. Alwar, Rajasthan
Siliserh Lake. Photo by Trodly.Alwar is the perfect place to go on the weekends if you’re someone like me who loves the sight of old ruins and forts. If that’s what you like, Alwar is your destination.
It is a small district in Rajasthan and only 120 km from Delhi. The place is full of historical sites, and it will quench the old soul within you. There are some lovely things to see in Alwar like the Siliserh Lake Palace. This small palace is now converted into a Heritage Hotel by the Rajasthan Government. Imagine living in a palace hitched on a tiny piece of land at the middle of a vast and splendid lake. Sounds cool? Now add boating in the lake to that and Alwar becomes the best weekend getaway place ever.
Some other attractions in and near Alwar are the Bhangarh Fort (most haunted fort in Asia), Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary and Bala Quila Fort.
4. Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
Prem Mandir. Photo by aTT.Mathura is like a spiritual getaway. It is about 160 km from Delhi. It has a religious significance to the Hindus because it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The entire city has a spiritual vibe which is very soothing to the heart. Filled with temples and forests, Mathura is a beautiful place to be in. Some famous temples that you can visit here are the Dwarkadeesh Temple and the Prem Mandir (Love Temple).
Located just adjacent to Mathura is the town of Vrindavan, It is the place where Lord Krishna was brought up. Vrindavan has many beautiful temples with an equally spectacular architecture. You cannot finish visiting all the temples in this place in one day. After the evening pooja (prayer), many people devotedly light small lamps and float them in the river nearby.
The best time to visit Mathura is during Holi and Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna). All the temples, trees and surroundings are lit up during this period, and people from all over the world come here to be a part of the festival. It is not only a weekend getaway but a must-visit place too.
5. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan
Cranes in Keoladeo National Park. Photo by Kanheya Behera.If you want to spend your weekend appreciating nature’s gifts, then Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary or Keoladeo National Park is the place to go. The name Keoladeo derives from a Shiva temple which is still present in the middle of the sanctuary.
It is an ornithologist’s paradise. You will be surprised to see the varieties of birds that can be spotted here. But the best time to come here is during the winter season. During this period, flocks of migratory birds like the Siberian Cranes come here from as far as Central Asia. Watching these birds arriving from such a sizeable distance and living here in such large numbers is truly incredible.
Apart from the migratory birds, there are plenty of resident breeding birds and animals that are preserved here. The climate of the park is warm most of the time because it’s close to the Thar Desert, yet all the diversity of flora and fauna that you find here makes your trip worth it.
