Agra
Agra- the city of the monument of Eternal Love
Who is not aware of Taj Nagri? The city has been the seat of power of the Mughal Dynasty through centuries and is a well-known tourist destination today. Agra is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World "Taj Mahal", which is a glowing testimony of love. The ivory marble mausoleum was commissioned by the renowned Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Both of their tombs are housed in this architectural wonder. Agra has two other notable UNESCO World's Heritage sites, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, which are examples of the striking Mughal architecture. The city of Agra exudes magic and romance, and is steeped in history. Tourists from all over the world come to Agra to get a taste of the glories of the Mughal dynasty.
Agra is well situated on the banks of River Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, and is the hub of heritage and culture dating back to the Mughal era. Apart from the historical tourist places, Agra is also famous for its art and craft industry that includes marble sculptures and carpets.
Why visit Agra?
UNESCO World Heritage Sites:Agra is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, the architectural marvels of white marble and red stones.
Handicrafts: The flourishing local markets in the city bring out the cosmopolitan nature of the city. Tourists love to pick up elaborate carvings on marble, colourful ethnic apparel, shoes and other leather products, and more.
Food: Agra also offers a delectable variety of food that is unique is taste and flavor.
Pilgrimage: Agra has one of the largest mosques of India, Jama Masjid, that makes the city a popular pilgrimage site. The magnificent tomb of I'timad-Ud-Daulah and Akbar's Tomb (Sikandra), are also situated here. It also acts as the base for visiting Mathura and Vrindavan, two notable religious places for Hindus, and is thus a popular destination for pilgrims.
How to reach Agra?
By Air: It is the fastest way to reach Agra. Kheria Airport is a military base and acts as a seasonal commercial airport that is served only by Air India flights from New Delhi. The other nearest airport is situated in Delhi, the Indira Gandhi International Airport. It has many direct flights from all major cities in India and abroad. Delhi airport is 4 hours away from Agra. You can also fly to Jaipur Airport to reach Agra, the travel time is 3 hours. From the airport, you can hire a taxi and reach Agra comfortably.
By Train: Agra has four main railway stations, the most popular are Agra Cantt Station and Agra Fort Railway Station. These two stations have very good connectivity with all cities of India. Shatabdi and Taj Express are the two fastest trains that run to Agra from the national capital.
By Road: Delhi is well connected to Agra by NH2. The famous Taj Expressway can be taken from Greater Noida and Delhi to reach Agra in less than 3 hours. Many buses ply to and from Agra from the principal interstate bus terminals named Idgah Bus Station and ISBT, connecting the city to Jaipur, Delhi, Gwalior, Kanpur and Lucknow.
When to visit Agra?
The months of winters, October to March, are perfect for visiting Agra. During winters, Agra experiences pleasant weather, and you can easily explore all tourist places comfortably. The months of the summertime are sweltering and days are humid. It may become exhausting for travellers to visit all the tourist places of Agra, as most of the tourist spots are monuments and the forts that get hot. Even monsoons are a favorable time to visit Agra. The rainfall brings down the heat, the weather is not humid and some of the days are pleasant, heavy rainfall does not take place in Agra. The rainwashed Taj is a sight to behold.
Where to visit in Agra?
Taj Mahal- It is considered as the most beautiful building in the World. Located in the heart of the city of Agra, this spectacular monument was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, in the memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Described by the famous Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore as a“teardrop on the cheek of eternity”, this monument is completely made up of white marble, making it the most elegant edifices under Mughal architecture. It comes under the UNESCO World Heritage sites, and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The exalted exterior makes you awestruck and the intricate artwork in the interior walls leaves you spellbound as well. Minarets, water channels and fountains enhance the extraordinary beauty of the Taj Mahal. Every year millions of tourists visit Agra, to have a view of this mesmerizing monument.
Fatehpur Sikri–Fatehpur Sikri is situated 40 km away from Agraand was once the capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This place is made of red sand stones and was founded by Akbar in the 16th Century. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the perfect epitome of Mughal architecture. Buland Darwaza, Jama Mosque, Jodha Bai's Palace, and a tomb of Salim Chisti are notable tourist attractions located in Fatehpur Sikri, each of them is an integral part of Mughal Heritage of India. The place offers a unique amalgamation of spellbinding architecture and religious significance.
Agra Fort- Also known as the Red Fort of Agra, it is another breathtaking example of Mughal architecture. Agra Fort is a colossal fortification located on the right bank of Yamuna River and built entirely of red sandstones. It is again a UNESCO World Heritage site , located just 2.5 km away from the famous Taj Mahal. The majestic fort is massive yet beautiful, and houses exquisitely decorated buildings. Moti Masjid, Diwan-i Khas, Diwan-i Aam and Jahangir Mahal are some of the notable edifices within this fort, each an example of the exceptional handiwork of the Mughal artisans. The ornamentations take you back in time, to the bygone glory of the Mughals, and to get a glimpse of that rich period in Indian history, tourists throng Agra from all over the world. The fort also offers an extraordinary view of the Taj Mahal.
Imad-ud-daulah's Tomb- This tomb is referred to as Mini Taj Mahal, and is considered by some as the draft of the Taj. This is the first Indian tomb to be constructed entirely of white marble. It is a fine example of the confluence of Islamic and Indo architecture, consisting of octagonal towers and arched entrances. Built on the banks of the river Yamuna, the monument bears testimony to the transition of Mughal architecture. The interiors reflect the ornate handiwork ofMughal artisans.
Mehtab Bagh- This lush garden is located on the North of the glorious Taj Mahal, it is laid out in the shape of a quadrilateral and is perfectly aligned to the gardens of the Taj. You can enjoy a striking view of the Taj Mahal from the entrance gate. Mehtab Bagh is a popular sunset point in Agra, much loved by photography enthusiasts.
Tips for travellers:
Try to visit during the winters to avoid the humid weather of the city.
If you are visiting during summers, carry an umbrella and apply sunscreen.
Try to avoid spurious local guides, opt for Government approved guides for touring the city.
Try to visit Taj Mahal early in the day, as the popular monument gets crowded in the afternoon.
Food and Culture
Agra entices every taste bud, be it an admirer of spicy delicacies or lovers of sweets. The city is famous for Petha, soft candies made from ash gourd. Agra also offers a wide variety in chaats, pani puri, samosa, kachori and more such lip smacking spicy teats. Dalmoth, a spicy mix of lentils, is another popular snack. The city also offers a broad range of Punjabi and North-Indian dishes that show a perceptible influence of Mughlai cuisine.
Culturally, Agra is the perfect blend of the contemporary and the traditional. Several fascinating cultural fests are held every year in this city, the most popular among which is Taj Mahotsav. It is held in Shilpgram and is a ten-day long celebration of classical songs and dances, with exquisite exhibitions of arts and crafts.
Final words
Agra offers historical gems, extraordinary architecture, rich culture and age-old traditions to tourists who visit this city from all over the world throughout the year. Taj Mahal, a poem in marble, along with the other significant monuments of the city, attract lovers of history and culture. To experience the magic of the Mughal period, you must include Agra in your travel bucket list.
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