Agra-Jaipur: By Train

Travelling to Jaipur from Agra is quite easy, you have many options available. There are as many as eight to ten train services between Agra and Jaipur. The intercity trains are most comfortable and time saving. The trains connecting Agra and Jaipur depart from either Agra Fort or Agra Cant. station. The easiest way to book a journey ticket for the Indian Railways is via internet, the most authentic portal for Online booking is -http://irctc.co.in

The two cities are well connected by road too. You can take a bus if you want to opt for an economical journey, otherwise hire a cab for comfort and convenience. The driving distance is approx. 250 Km, its four and half hour drive. 

Agra Fort Railway Station

I traveled by Shatabdi Express. The train has nice and spacious seats and there are huge glass windows which enable clear view of the outside which adds to the glamour of the train.

Shatabdi Express A/C Chair Car

The journey to Jaipur by Shatabdi Express starts from Agra Fort. I took Shatabdi Express, the inter city sperfast train from Agra Fort Railway station.  The train leaves Agra Fort at 6:00 PM, (IST) and reaches Jaipur 10:20 Pm. There is no Shatabdi Express service on Thursdays. 

Traveling from Agra to Jaipur, by train, is a beautiful experience. Depending upon the season, you can see lots of agricultural activity along the rail line. Because of the paucity of rains, at times, the belt which lies between Agra and Jaipur, is not very green but is doted with shrubs and thorny trees. In the picture below you can see the window of the train and the view outside it.   

Window view from Shatabdi Express

On the way to Jaipur, the first halt was at Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The next halt was at Gandhi Nagar which is one of the railway stations of Jaipur. Finally the train reached Jaipur Junction at 10:30 pm The journey by Shatabdi Express was by far the best experience for me. I have traveled this circuit so many times, but Shatabdi journey has been the  most comfortable one.

Strand Road: Calcutta..... now Kolkata!

Late afternoon phonograph of Stand Road, The Engineering Goods Hub of Eastern India. One of the biggest markets of Engineering goods which caters not only to  neighboring states but also neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangla Desh etc.  The photograph shows a Hindu Temple in the midst of the buzzing  market hub. Since it had become quite dark the picture looks a little dull........ but the fact is that the locality where the temple is located doesn't remain dull till 10.00 PM local time! 

Picture of Stand Road Kolkata at late Afternoon 

Hoogly River: Kolkata, India

The photograph of a diesel powered Ferry-boat plying between business center of Calcutta (Kolkata) and Howrah Station. According to the latest data, Howrah station receives 10,00,000  footfalls per day on an average. The ferry service shown in the pic is a cheap and fast mode of transport between Howrah station and business center named Barabazar. You can see the famous Howrah Bridge in the background. 

Calcutta - Business Hub: Barrabazar Kolkata

There are wholesale markets and retail markets located side by side. Calcutta receives approximately 25,00,000 visitors per day. Many retailers from nearby states come to Calcutta for purchasing various goods such as :
Food products, clothing materials, engineering goods, spices, automobile and spares, plastic & rubber materials.... the list is unending. The main wholesale market is located around Mahatma Gandhi Road, Brabourne Road, Strand Road, Chitpur, Barrabazar etc. The phograph shows a portion of Mahatma Gandhi Road.

Mhatma Gandhi Road, Kokata