Tamil Nadu man travels to Delhi and Agra– calls the experience ‘eye-opening'
A travel review by a tourist from Tamil Nadu is drawing attention online for its honest and straightforward take on visiting Delhi, Agra, and Noida. Shared on Reddit, the post skips typical travel clichés and instead gives a clear, no-frills account of the experience.
Covering everything from weather and food to transport and city life, the review offers a practical perspective on North India through the eyes of a South Indian traveller, sparking wide conversations across social media.
'Delhi felt way hotter than Chennai'
Despite being no stranger to hot weather, the tourist was taken aback by Delhi's dry heat. 'Delhi felt way hotter than Chennai,' he wrote, describing how harsh the air felt. 'Blasting dry heat,' was how he put it, capturing what many travellers often feel during the capital's peak summer.
Reddit post:
Impressed by public transport, let down by food options
His experience with the transport system, however, was largely positive. He pointed out the affordability of Rapido rides, saying, 'Rapido in Delhi is dirt-cheap compared to Chennai.' The Delhi Metro also earned praise for its efficiency, speed, and cleanliness.
When it came to food, the story changed. Finding non-vegetarian meals turned out to be unexpectedly difficult. 'I struggled to find non-veg restaurants, especially when compared to how easily you get them in the South.
Seemed like mostly vegetarian joints in many areas,' he noted.
Highway scenes that stayed with him
The journey to Agra via the Mathura route made a strong impression, not just for the sights, but also for what he observed along the way. 'The highway which goes to Agra (the route of Mathura) was full of paan advertisements, and I noticed a lot of poverty on the streets. I also saw cows eating plastic near garbage piles, and no one seemed to care. It was honestly sad to see.'
Everyday challenges: Language and local commuting
Beyond the landmarks, it was the everyday aspects of city life that stood out to him, some leaving him puzzled. From packed e-rickshaws to private buses still picking up passengers despite being full, he shared his experiences without overstatement. Language, too, became a barrier: 'I speak Dakhini Urdu, but my accent confused people.'
Noticing the contrast: Noida and Rohini
Certain areas, though, gave a more organised impression. Speaking about Noida, he wrote, 'Noida looked very modern and well.
But the air pollution was real. You could feel it in your lungs after a few hours.' Rohini, another locality in Delhi, came across as notably better maintained. 'Rohini looked pretty nice too. Clean, planned, and felt safer than some other parts.'
Late-night poojas and cultural differences
His observations also included differences in religious practices. He shared how temple rituals in Rohini continued late into the night, which caught his attention: 'It was just like in the movies.'
'Eye-opening' is how he sums it up
Summing up his visit, the traveller called it an insightful experience: 'Eye-opening, not all good or bad, just different.' It's this balance– and refusal to generalise– that struck a chord with online audiences.
Social media reactions pour in
The post has since gained traction across platforms, with users from different cities chiming in. A Reddit user from Hyderabad wrote, 'I legit never saw e-rickshaws until I lived in Delhi. And I kind of miss them now because they are silent and spacious compared to a normal auto. Plus, I found their rates very reasonable.' Another commented, 'Rohini is very underrated but cleaner than most of Delhi.'
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