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DESTINATION GUIDE INDIA - AGRA

ABOUT AGRA CITY

Agra, the city of grand Taj Mahal, was established in 1475 by Badal Singh and is located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra is also mentioned in the Mahabharata as Agraban. This city in those days was considered to be the sister city of Mathura which was more prominent than Agraban. Agra owns some of the most beautiful monuments speaking volumes about the architecture of the bygone era. Agra has exquisite mosques, tombs, forts and palaces. The narrow lanes of Agra filled with aroma of Mughlai cuisine, the craftsman who are busy in crating master pieces with their skill all remind of the Mughal royalty which this city had once experienced. Today whatever remains, has become a major tourist attraction which has taken Agra again to the heights of glory but this time as a major tourist destination of India.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS - AGRA CITY

» Chini-Ka-Rauza : This 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.

» Jama Masjid : This mosque was built by Shah Jahan in 1648. At the main gate of this mosque one can find inscription written on it that it was built by Jahanara Begum, the favorite daughter of Shah Jahan and was imprisoned with him. Due to the absence of minarets and the shape of the dome, it gets a distinguished character.

» Taj Mahal : Taj Mahal, the epitome of love, was built by Shah Jahan in the memory of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This elegant monument of love is one of the most visited and most photographed places in the world. Taj Mahal is an amalgation of Indo-Persian architecture, depicting the love of Mughal emperors for buildings .
 

» Agra Red Fort : The Agra fort was built for military purpose by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principle structure was built by Akbar many more additions were made by his grandsons.

Other places of Interest

» Sikandra : Sikandra is situated 4 km from Agra. It is the beautiful mausoleum of Akbar, construction of which was started by Akbar himself . This structure has a perfect blending of Hindu, Christian , Islamic, Buddhist and Jain motifs.

» Mariyam Tomb : The Mariyam tomb is dedicated to the wife of Akbar. It is located on the Delhi- Agra highway and was built in 1611. This red sand stone tomb of Mariyam-us-Zamani has lovely carvings, which are worth giving a closer look.

» Fatehpur Sikri : Fatehpur Sikri is built 37 kms from Agra, predominantly in Red Sandstone. Fatehpur Sikri was built during 1571 and 1585. This town was planned and built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, 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.

» Ram Bagh : Ram Bagh is one of the first Mughal gardens laid by Babur when he came to India. It is located around 500 m North of the Chini Ka Rauza. These well laid gardens have now lost their actual form. One needs to imagine a lot to picture how these gardens must have looked in 1558.

» Mathura / Mughal : Mathura is the place where Krishna, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu was born. It is one of the major pilgrimage for the Hindus, located 58 Kms from Agra.

HOW TO REACH AGRA

» Air : Agra airport or the Kheria airport, connects Agra with all the major places in India. All the major domestic airlines have their services to this place of the Taj.

» Rail : Agra railway station connects Agra to almost every corner of the nation.

» Road : Agra has the National Highway Numbers 2, 3, 11 passing through it, which connects it to the other places in the State as well as outside the state. The state transports have deluxe as well as ordinary bus services for the place.