| |
|
| |
Introduction to Agra
Agra being the city of magnificent Taj Mahal makes Agra one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It is regarded as another tip of the famous ' Golden Triangle' of North Indian Tourist spots. Agra city is proud to have the most beautiful mausoleum on this planet. Located in western part of Uttar Pradesh, a North Indian State, Agra was the capital city of Mughal empire. Another capital city of Mughal empire - Fatehpur Sikri - is also nearby located. Both of the erstwhile capital cities are home to wonderful architectural masterpieces, including the Taj, the prettiest of them all.
Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan from 1526 to 1658. At that period Agra was known as Akbarabad. This city is also famous for handicraft products such as carpets, jewelry, footwear, brassware, zari, embroidery works and leather works.
|
 |
|
| |
Places to Visit in Agra, Sightseeing at Agra
» Taj Mahal : Taj Mahal, the sublime piece of marble symbolizes the feelings of love in the most beautiful manner. Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, a Mughal emperor as a tribute to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Open sky as its background, rarely found symmetry and ornate walls of white marble give it a unique look. Taj Mahal was the culmination point of Indo-Persian architecture. The Mughals Emperor were always fond of constructing monuments. Perhaps they knew that they would be gone but these structures will remind the world of their grandeur. Even as the world is caught in the skirmishes of War & peace, Nuclear and Non-Nuclear; Taj has stood as the epitome of love.
» Agra Fort : Erstwhile capital fortress of Mughals, Agra Fort was the seat of power for a very period. Numerous Mughal wonders are enveloped by the fort. Some of them include Moti Masjid. Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas, Khas Mahal and Jahangiri Mahal. Agra which lies on the west bank of river Jamuna became one of the principal cities of the Mughal Empire after the death of Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526. When Akbar choose Agra as his capital he laid the foundation of the Fort of Agra. After Taj Mahal this was one of the most important group of buildings. The construction was started in 1565 and was completed in about eight years at a cost of thirty five lakh of rupees under the superintendence of Qasim Khan Mir Barr-u-Bahr. This Agra Fort was just one of the many large fortified residences that the emperor wanted to have at various strategic points of his empire. According to contemporary chroniclers like Abul Fazal the fort contained over five hundred buildings. But later on Akbar's descendants added new buildings, mainly in marble to the fort and demolished the old ones.
» Akbar's Mausoleum : The mausoleum including some others monuments were envisioned by Akbar, a great Mughal emperor. Built of deep-red sandstone and marbled throughout, this edifice is regarded as an excellent piece of art. Famous Buland Darwaza (the 'Gateway of Magnificence') is located very near to it.
» Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb : Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb was built by empress Noor Jahan to commemorate her father. Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb is known for the first ever use of Pietra Dura or the inlay work on marble in Mughal buildings. Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, The white marble tomb was built by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628. The tomb may not be as mammoth as the Taj Mahal but the inlay designs and carvings are no less than Taj Nahal if not more. The delicate marble latticework in the passages allows the light to enter the interiors. A similar tomb was built by Nur Jahan for Jehangir in Lahore. This tomb was the first complete marble Moghul structure.
» Fatehpur Sikri : 37 kms from Agra is built a city predominantly in Red Sandstone called Fatehpur Sikri. This town was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He had planned this city as his capital but shortage of water compelled him to abandon the city and within 20 years the capital of Mughals was shifted to Lahore. Fatehpur Sikri was built during 1571 and 1585. The city is a fine example of culmination of Mughal and Hindu architecture. Any visitor to Agra must have a go at Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri mosque was said to be built in lines of the holy mosque in Mecca. Entrance to the mosque is through the Buland Darwaza that is 54m high.
» Akbar's Mausoleum, Sikandra : Four kilometer from Agra is the mausoleum of Akbar. Construction of this beautiful monument was started by Akbar himself . This structure has a perfect blending of Hindu, Christian , Islamic, Buddhist, Jain motifs.
» Jama Masjid Or Jami Masjid : Built by Shah Jahan in 1648, the main gate of this mosque has inscription written on it that it was built by Jahanara Begum. She was the favorite daughter of Shah Jahan and was imprisoned with him. The absence of minarets and the shape of the dome give sit a distinguished character.
» Chini-Ka-Rauza : A tomb of glazed tiles is a memorial dedicated to poet-scholar and later the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz.
» Dayal Bagh Temple : 15-kms from Agra, Dayal Bagh, also known as Soamibagh, houses the samadhi of the founder of Radha Swami faith, 'Swamiji Maharaj'. The main structure is a majestic building, 110-feet in height, built of pure white marble. The belief here is that construction work should never end, making it into a living monument, hence it is under construction for almost 100 years.
» Mariyam Tomb : This tomb is dedicated to the wife of Akbar. The red sand stone tomb was built in 1611 and is on the Delhi- Agra highway. The carvings on the tomb of Mariyam-us-Zamani are worth giving a closer look.
» Ram Bagh : When Babur came to India he laid the first Mughal gardens 500 m North of the Chini Ka Rauza. This well laid gardens are not even a fraction of what they used to be. It will need lots of imagination to picture how these gardens must have looked in 1558.
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Luxury and Deluxe Hotels |
First Class Hotels |
Medium Class Hotels |
| Hotel Amar Vilas, Agra |
| Hotel Jaypee Palace, Agra |
| Hotel Mughal Sheraton |
| Hotel Taj View, Agra |
| Hotel Agra Ashok, Agra |
|
| Hotel Trident Hilton, Agra |
| Hotel Clarks Shiraz, Agra |
| Hotel Holiday Inn, Agra |
| Hotel Mansingh Palace, Agra |
| Hotel Howard Park Plaza, Agra |
| |
|
| Hotel Amar, Agra |
| Hotel Deedar-e-Taj, Agra |
| Hotel Amar Yatri Niwas, Agra |
| Hotel Kant, Agra |
| Hotel Mayur Tourist Complex, Agra |
|
| Budget Hotels |
| Grand Hotel, Agra |
| Hotel Atithi, Agra |
| Hotel Ganga Ratan, Agra |
|
| Hotel Savoy, Agra |
| Hotel Sunrise, Agra |
| Joshi Tourist Complex, Agra |
| |
|
| Lauries Hotel, Agra |
| Ranjit Hotel, Agra |
|
|
Some Excursions
After visiting all the major monuments of Agra and Fatehpur Sikri, we also can move to Mathura-Vrindavan, Bharatpur or Jaipur as all of these major tourist attractions.
How to Reach Agra
Domestic airport of Agra at Kheria is 7 km from the city centre and 3 km from Idgah Bus Stand. So, you can reach here conveniently by air. Major rail heads of Agra are Agra Cantt, Raja Ki Mandi and Agra Fort. En route to national highway, Agra is also easily approachable by road.
Quick Facts
|
 |
|
| |
» State : Uttar Pradesh
» Languages : Hindi, Urdu, English
» STD Code : 0562 (if dialing from India to Agra), ++ 91 562 (if dialing from outside India to Agra)
» Best Time to Visit : October to March |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Shopping in Agra
The local artisans are also good at making leather chappals (sandals), purses, bags, decorative items and leather products. Agra is also famous for the Zari and embroidery work, stone inlay work and durries. The main shopping areas include the Taj Mahal complex, Kinari Bazaar, Raja Mandi, Sadar Bazaar. The Gangotri at Taj Mahal Complex and the U.P Handlooms, UPICA at the Sanjay place are two UP Government emporiums. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
