Agra Travel Guide
Agra is one
of the famous city of India not only because the city has an excellent
cultural background but houses the world renowned Taj Mahal. Located
about 204 km south of Delhi, Agra is the city of tombs and memorials.
Famous for its Taj Mahotsav (Taj Festival, Agra is bustling with tourist
in the month of February every year as thousands of tourists throng to
it from all over the world. The Taj Mahotsav brings traditional Indian
music and dance on a single platform for tourists to enjoy.
Much of the city's impressive past lives in evidence even today, in the
hunting presence inside the monuments, the majesty of the buildings, the
exquisite arts and crafts and not to forget, the lure of an exceptional
cuisine… all, cherished as priceless legacies of a nostalgic past.
The older city of Agra has impressively retained much of its resplendent
history… captivating every visitor with fond memories to take back
home. Today, luxury and modern convenience also exist adjacent to
tradition - luxury hotels, shopping malls and plazas, wide avenues and a
superb choice of venues for recreation, business, sports, pleasure,
education and the arts.
The Legacy of the Past
Agra the famous Mughals city of Taj the seventh wonder of the world, is
located on the west bank of river Yamuna. A small city but an intrinsic
part of the Indian tourist triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The
present city was first made the capital by King Sikander Lodi. It gained
it's importance after the arrival of the Mughals in 1526.
Agra had been the capital of the Mughals period in the 16th and 17th
century. Babar the founder of the Mughals dynasty laid out the first
formal Persian garden on the banks of river Yamuna. His grandson Akbar
made Agra his capital and raised the towering ramparts of the Great Red
Fort. Akbar made it a centre for learning arts and commerce. His son
Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens inside the red fort,
and emperor Shahajahan, better known for his all-consuming passion for
architecture embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions
of gem-inlaid white marble. The Mughals capital moved to Delhi in 1648.
Later the city suffered as it passes on to the Jats and later the
Marathas and eventually came into the hands of the British in 1803. The
modern city of Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage.
Climate
Summers are very hot and winters chilling cold. The temperature
difference between the summers and winters is very high. The monsoon
although provides some respite from the heat but the rains leaves the
city very dirty. It is better to plan your Agra trip between the months
of March and October.
Getting There
By air: Agra is on the popular regular tourist route
Delhi/Agra/Khajuraho/Varanasi and return. Flights connect Agra to Delhi,
Khajuraho and Varanasi.
By rail: Agra lies on the Delhi to Mumbai broad -
gauge railway line. Express trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, and
Chennai halt at Agra.
By road: Agra is connected to Delhi, Rajasthan and
other cities of Uttar Pradesh by an excellent bus service.
Accommodation In Agra
Being the most important travel destination in India (almost of fourth
of travelers coming to India visit Agra), there are hundreds of hotels
located in all parts of the city. New additions are coming every year
increasing the facilities for tourist visiting the city. Their are
number of luxurious world-class hotels as well as budget and economy
class city hotels.
5 Star hotel
» HOTEL AMAR VILAS, AGRA
» TAJ VIEW HOTEL (5 Star), AGRA
» JAYPEE PALACE, AGRA
3 Star hotel
» Grand hotel Agra
» Hotel Amar
» The Myriad Attractions of Agra
Attractions of Agra
Taj Mahal
An architectural hallmark in the world, Taj Mahal is known as the
eighth wonder in the world. The ceaseless labour of 20,000 workers led
to the construction of this geometrical miracle in India. An exceptional
exhibit of Piedra Dura (stone inlay work), the Taj Mahal displays three
major elements of the Muslim decorative arts and architecture - the
Ayatein (sayings) from the Q'uran, use of various geometrical shapes and
a variety of plant forms and flowers dominant in the borders.
Dayal Bagh
Situated 12 km from the hotel, this is the headquarter of the
Radhasoami religious sect, founded in 1861 by Shri Shiv Dayal Singh,
also known as Swamiji Maharaj. Being built to commemorate the Supreme
Creator, this tall, unfinished facade of marble, lined with exquisitely
carved pillars and panels, was estimated to cost about five million
rupees when it was conceived. Today, the cost of work finished and work
still to be done will run into ten million.
About 500 devotees stay in the colony adjoining the samadhi. It is
claimed that it may rival the Taj Mahal in splendour when it is
completed.
Agra Fort
The construction of the imposing Agra fort, built of blocks of red
sandstone, began in 1156 during the reign of the great Mughal Emperor
Akbar. The fort was completed in 1605 during the reign of his grandson
Shah Jahan in 1605. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture,
which was the hallmark of the Mughal period, this sprawling fort
stretches 2.5 km along the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, in the
north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Chini Ka Roza
The tomb of Afzal Khan, the persian poet and minister at Shah Jehan's
court gets its name from the brightly coloured glazed tiles that
decorate it . Lies just 1km beyond itmad -ud -daula.
Jama Masjid
Opposite the fort and overlooking Agra Fort railway station, the Jami
Masjid or "Friday Mosque" was built by Shah Jahan in 1648 and
dedicated to his favourite daughter, Jahanara Begum. Standing on a high
plinth approached by stairs, and with five arched entrances to the
courtyard, the mosque is crowned by three large sandstone domes
distinguished by their zigzag bands of marble.
Sikandra
Sikandra is 8 km north-east on the Agra-Delhi road. It is on the same
side of the river Yamuna as the Taj. Sikandra was built in 1492 by
Sikander Lodhi, a ruler of one of the last dynasties of the Delhi
Sultanate.Akbar, in his time, ordered the construction of Sikandra
again, this time as a site for his mausoleum, but he died before it
could be completed. The work was completed by his son Jehangir in 1613.
The tomb is a combination of Muslim and Hindu architectural styles. The
building of red sandstone is four storeys tall, approximately 31 metres
in height. The first three storeys are of red sandstone, while the
fourth is entirely of marble.
Itmad-ud-daulah Tomb
The Itmad-ud-daulah tomb stands in the centre of a grand Persian
garden, an architectural gem of its times. It is the tomb of Mirza
Ghiyas Beg, Emperor Jahangir's father - in- law. The structure was built
by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father, between 1622 and 1628 and
is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, near Lahore
in Pakistan. This splendid garden tomb is believed to be the precursor
of the magnificent Taj Mahal, and was the first Mughal structure to be
built entirely of marble, and the first, again, to make use of pietra
dura, the inlay marble work that came to be typical of the Taj.
Shopping in Agra
Agra is not only a travelers delight, its also famous as a market for
shopping antiques, local handicrafts and sweets. The main shopping areas
are Sadar Market, Kinari Bazaar, Taj Mahal Complex, Sanjay Place and
Raja Mandi. One can buy the local handicrafts, which include wood work,
ivory work and marbles work. The markets of Agra affer everything, from
branded to local made. Petha, a local sweet, is famous all over India
and is a must buy for the visitors. Similarly, Dalmoth, a snack, is also
very famous. The leatherware, brassware, carpets, jewellery and
embroidery work of Agra are also very much sought after items.
Excursions from Agra
Fatehpur
Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri was the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty between 1571
and 1584. Built by the Mughal emperor Akbar, this royal city is one of a
kind. The architectural grandeur of this deserted city cannot be
described in words and one can only experience the aura of its
magnificent edifices by seeing them.
Jaipur
Jaipur the capital city of the northern Indian state of Rajasthan is
one of the most vibrant and colourful cities of India. Famous for its
colourful culture, forts, palaces. It is also considered as one of the
world heritage city.
Mathura
Located 47 km northwest of Agra, Mathura (or Brajbhoomi) is famous as
the birthplace of Lord Krishna, an important deity in the Hindu
religious pantheon. Mathura makes an exciting getaway if you are
planning to travel to Agra. Mathura also belongs to the Agra circuit of
the Golden Triangle of India i.e. Agra-Delhi-Jaipur circuit.
Vrindavan
At a distance of 10 kms from Mathura, Vrindavan centres on Krishna and
its major landmarks are temples, ghats and groves. Vrindavan is also the
hub for Vaishnavite sects and their followers. In a centuries-old
tradition, Hindu widows have been coming to live out the rest of their
lives in Vrindavan.
Bharatpur
Birds Sanctuary
Bharatpur is today known as the country's finest bird sanctuary. The
55-km long journey by road from Agra drives you to the town of Bharatpur
the eastern gateway to Rajasthan. Bharatpur is popular for its bird
sanctuary near the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which is the finest in
Asia with a rich avian variety. Every year, the rare Siberian cranes
come to spend the winter in the warmer climate of Bharatpur.
New Delhi
Delhi, the capital of India, is an amalgam of the old and the new. The
ancient and the modern times are in juxtaposition here, not only in the
remains of a succession of empires, but equally in present social
structure and lifestyles. The name Delhi, Dehali, or Dilli is derived
from Dhillika, the name of the first medieval township of Delhi, located
on the southwestern border of the present Delhi, in Mehrauli. This was
the first in the series of seven medieval cities. It is also known as
Yoginipura, that is, the fortress of the yoginis (female divinities).
Festivals of Agra
Taj Mahotsav
The Taj Mahotsav, held in the February, at Agra is an apt introduction
to the majesty of the country and the state. A vibrant mosaic that
brings together the cream of Indian arts, crafts and cultural nuances.
Bateshwar Fair
Situated at a distance of 70 km. from Agra on the banks of river
Yamuna, Bateshwar is an important spiritual and cultural centre. The
place is named after the presiding deity of the region, Bateshwar
Mahadeo and has 108 temples, dedicated to the gods and goddesses of the
Hindu pantheon.
During the months of October & November, a large fair is organised
from Shashthi of Kartik month to Panchami of Agrahayan month. The fair
holds a lot of importance for the Hindus. Devotees congregate here in
large numbers to worship Lord Shiva and take holy dips in river Yamuna.
A Livestock Fair is also organised and owners and buyers conduct serious
business combined with the gaiety of a market place.
Kailash Fair (Aug./Sep.)
Held at Kailash, 12 km. It is a major fair celebrated in honour of Lord
Shiva who is believed to have appeared here in the form of a stone
lingam.
Urs (Fatehpur Sikri)
This fair is organised at Sheikh Salim Chisti's Dargah during the month
of Ramzan.
