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Agra - Destinations Of India |
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Agra, once the capital of Mughal Empire, is a city on the banks of Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh India. It is a landmark tourist destination loaded with immense wealth of architecture, handicrafts and jewelry. The best months to visit Agra are October, November, February and March.
Agra is also famous for its spectacular Taj Mahotsav festival, organized during February every year. It is continuous 10 days celebration from 18th to 27th Feb annually. It is the perfect time to visit Agra and especially Taj Mahal which is one of the seven wonders of the world. It is one of the fabulous festival that brings together rich heritage of arts, crafts, culture, cuisine, dance and music of India. It is organized by Uttar Pradesh Tourism.
Tourist Attractions:
Taj Mahal:
Taj Mahal one of the seven wonders of the world is one of the finest example of Mughal Architecture. Located at the bank of river Yamuna, this extravagant monument was completed in 1653 CE was built by Persian architect Ustad Isa.
The construction if this fascinating monument was built by 20,000 workers and took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour.
The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built this monument in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal after her death. It is the representation of the everlasting eternal love which continues to mesmerize tourists from around the world. Verses of Kuran are inscribed on its wall.
The Taj Mahal was built entirely in shimmering white marble stands above a sandstone one. Semiprecious stones decorate the interiors of this white dazzling structure. It consists of 5 major structures – main gateway to monument, the landscaped garden, the striking masjid, the rest house and the main mausoleum.
Opening Times: sunrise to sunset (closed Fridays)
Agra Fort:
Agra fort also well known as Red Fort was built by Akbar in 1556. Built alongside river Yamuna stretches 2.5 km. It consists of wall built in red stone. There are only two main gates to enter Red Fort – Delhi Gate & Amar Singh Gate.
Most of mosques and palaces inside the Agra Fort are built in white marble and red stone during the rein of Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. Inside Agra fort important buildings include the Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (mirrored palace), and Musamman Burj.
Fatehpur Sikri:
Fatehpur Sikri about 35 kms from Agra was built by Mughal emperor Akbar as his capital but was abandoned due to shortage of water. Fatehpur Sikri is the one of the finest example of Mughal architecture and also best example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and designs of this mosque are derived from the Persian & Hindu architecture. Entrance to this mosque is through the Buland Darwaza. To the North of the Mosque is the dargah of Shaikh Salim Chishti. This dargah was built in 1570. Here childless women come for blessings of the saint. Even Akbar after the blessing of Sufi Saint Salim Chisti, was blessed with a male child who became the heir to his throne and was named Salim, later to become Emperor Jahangir The lattice pattern work in the dargah is among the finest to be found any where in India.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb:
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb was built by Empress Nur Jahan (wife of Jahangir) for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg on the opposite bank of Yamuna river from the Taj Mahal. This tomb was built between 1622 and 1628 and exhibits strong Persian influence. The walls of Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb are of white marble encrusted with semi precious stone decorations.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb, sometimes called the Baby Taj, the mausoleum is set in a large cruciform garden criss-crossed by water courses and walkways. The mausoleum itself is set on a base about 50 meters square and about 1 meter high. The mausoleum is about 23 meters square. On each corner are hexagonal towers, about 13 meters tall. Small in comparison to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes described as a jewel box. Its garden layout and use of white marble, pietra dura, inlay designs and latticework presage many elements of the Taj Mahal.
The tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah is the first tomb in India built entirely in white marble.
The jali screens set in arched recesses are superb. Four small minarets rise at the four corners of the small tomb structure. The whole structure gives the impression of an enlarged precious object. Due to the profusion of intricate work done on marble and the beautiful marble screen-work, the tomb easily qualifies as a veritable forerunner of the famous Taj Mahal. The tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah in Agra is a must-visit for tourists on vacations in Agra.
Akbar’s Tomb Sikandara:
Sikandara is at a distance of 13 kms from Agra Fort. Sikandara was the last resting place of the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar himself started the construction of this, but his son Jehangir completed the construction of this pyramidal tomb in 1613..
The buildings of this tomb was constructed in and around 1600. It was constructed mainly from deep red sandstone, enriched with features in white marble. Decorated inlaid panels of these materials and a black slate adorn the tomb and the main gatehouse. Panel designs are geometric, floral and calligraphic, and presage the more complex and subtle designs which was later incorporated in Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb.
Mankameshwar Temple:
Mankameswar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the four ancient temples that are located on the four corners of Agra City. It is located near the Jama Masjid in Agra and is about 2.5 kilometers from Taj Mahal and about less than 1 km from Agra Fort. Being located in the old city, the temple is surrounded by Mughal-era markets. The other three temples are:
Balkeshwar Temple, Balkeshwar,
Kailash temple, Sikandra
Prithvinath Temple
Guru ka Tal:
Guru ka Tal in Agra is a historical place of Sikh pilgrimage. It is one of the most honored and venerated place of Sikhs dwelling in Agra. Guru ka Tal is near Sikandara in Agra and dedicated to the memory of Sri Guru Tegh Bahudar Ji, the ninth Guru of Sikhs.
Guru ka Tal was earlier a reservoir in the area near Sikandara built in 1610 AD to collect and conserve rainwater built in Agra, during Jehangir’s reign for the purpose of irrigation during dry seasons. Reservoir was bejeweled with stone carvings.
Guru Tegh Bahadur laid down his arms here to offer arrest to Aurangazeb, the Mughal Emperor.
In 1970s a gurudwara was erected here due to the contributions and laborious efforts of Sant Sadhu Singh Mauni.
Guru ka Tal is a sacred place of worship for the Sikh. Four of the 10 Sikh gurus are said to have paid it a visit. This gurudwara attracts number of devotees and tourists. This 17th century red stone structure is reckoned among the splendid architectural wonders of India.
Jama Masjid:
Jama Masjid was built by Shah Jahan in 1648 and was dedicated to his daughter Jahanara Begum. It is opposite to the Agra Fort and also popularly known as Friday Mosque. Jama masjid mosque is build with red stone with little white marble decoration and is distinguished for its unusual dome and absence of minarets.
Jami Masjid is magnificently ornamented with paintings, inlaid stones, carvings and glazed tiles. The building comprises of pillared Dalan, a beautiful 'Chhajja' and the 'Chhatri' on the roof. The main Iwan of the building is rather simple and contains a central arch with geometrical designs.
Chini Ka Rauza:
Chini Ka Rauza tomb was built in the year of 1635 and located at 1km north of of Itmad-Ud-Daulah Tomb, on the eastern bank of Yamuna river in Agra. Chini Ka Rauza is dedicated to the Allama Afzal Khan Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz, Iran. Allama Afzal Khan Mullah, a renowned scholar and poet, was also the the prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Mughal emperor.
It is the very first construction in India that has been entirely decorated by the glazed tile works and is considered a landmark in Indo-Persian architecture.
Chini Ka Rauza tomb is notable for its Persian subjective dome of blue glazed tiles. The colorful tiles or chini, from which the mausoleum gets its name, is the most distinct feature of the Chini Ka Rauza tomb. Constructed mainly of brown stone, is rectangular in shape. The walls of the tomb are ornamented with inscriptions and colored tiles that gives it a distinguishing look to the structure. On moving towards the central chamber of the Chini ka Rauza which has octagonal shape and boasts of 8 curved recesses, there are 4 square chambers that are linked with the halls in the corner and outside porches.
The Afghan-style rounded dome that is adorned with inscriptions from Islamic texts is the however, the most significant feature of the Chini Ka Rauza tomb.
Ram Bagh:
The Ram Bagh built by the Emperor Babur in 1528 on Yamuna’s bank, is the oldest Mughal garden in India. The Ram Bagh is located about 5 kms northeast of the Taj Mahal in Agra. The garden is planned following Charbagh pattern. It consists of four main divisions criss crossed by paths and canals. Pathways and canals divide the garden to represent the Islamic ideal of paradise, an abundant garden through which rivers flow. The garden has various water courses and fountains and the main source of water in the Rambagh Gardens is the Yamuna from which water is distributed all around the park in a series of three cascades developed over three terraces. In addition these there are staircase on either side of the water channels, fountains, an island platform and two pavilions on either side of the main water channel, that truly go a long way into converting the Rambagh Gardens into a real paradise. Ram Bagh is also known as Bagh-i Nur Afshan 'Light-Scattering Garden', Aalsi Bagh or 'Lazy Garden'.
Mariam's Tomb:
Mariams Tomb, is within the compound of Christian Missionary Society. Built in the name of Mariam, the wife of great Mughal Emperor Akbar, is located in Sikandara just 1 km from Akbar’s Tomb Sikandara. Due to its elegant carvings on the walls and also the marvelous beauty of red sandstone structure, Mariam's Tomb is of great tourist attraction.
Mehtab Bagh:
Mehtab Bagh is located across Yamuna river to the north of Taj Mahal. Mehtab Bagh or or Moonlight Garden was named such because it is an ultimate point to view Taj Mahal in moonlight. The garden to the north has the typical square, cross-axial plan with a square pool in its centre. To the west an aqueduct fed the garden.
Keetham Lake:
Keetham Lake is located at Agra Delhi highway, 20 kms from Agra within the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. The riverside belt of River Yamuna surrounds the area of Sur-Sarovar. The pentagonal shape of Keetham lake is spectacular and artificially created islands for shelter and breeding grounds to the migratory birds provides impressive variety of aquatic life and water birds, add to the lake's natural charm and beauty It is a soothing spot, ideal for a relaxed outing. At Sur Sarovar, more than 106 species of migratory and resident birds are known to have their resting habitats.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception:
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agra.
How to reach Agra
By Air:
Agra's, Kheria airport is just 5 kms from the city and is also known as Agra Civil Enclaves. All the major domestic airlines provide flight services to and from the city of Taj Mahal Agra.
By Rail:
Agra has seven railway stations, excluding the Tundla junction, which is just 1 hour away from the city. Agra Fort Railway Station and Agra Cantt Railway Station are the two major railway stations. Raja-ki-Mandi is also a popular stopover point in the city. Most of the trains running across India pass through the former two railway stations including the luxury train 'Palace on Wheels' and the super express trains known as Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express. Some of the other major trains pass through Tundla, well connected to the city by road. Agra is also conveniently connected to Delhi by railway lines.
By Road:
Agra boasts of three National Highways including N.H. No. 2, 3 and 11. Idgah Bus Stand is the biggest Bus Stand in Agra and is connected to most of the bigger cities in North India. The government and private bus services are available to and from Agra to all the nearby major destinations. One can hire ordinary buses or the deluxe coaches, according to their requirements. U.P. Tourism also conducts special guided tours for the tourists, who come here just for a day, including Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandra and Fatehpur Sikri in their itineraries. You can drive down from Delhi in luxury taxi's, coaches or buses and arrive in Agra in a about 4 hours.
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