Agra

Famous For:

The Taj Mahal, handicrafts, shoes, carpets, Jewelry, marbles and Zari embroidery. Also known for a sweet called "Peitha".


Video: The Taj Mahal

Background:
Situated in the Northern region of India on the western banks of the river Yamuna, the historical city of Agra has many things to offer to the travellers.
The ancient Agra is mentioned as Agraban, a part of Brij Bhumi or land of Krishna in the epic Mahabharata. Historically however, Agra came into existance in 1475 AD, under Raja Badal Singh.
Later the Afghan ruler Sikandar Lodhi made it his capital and than came the Mughals, who ruled over this historical city from the 16th century.
It was under Babar, that Agra began to prosper and continued to prosper under Akbar, Shah Jahan and Jahangir.
Many beautiful monuments were built during this period. Emperor Akbar built the Agra fort and Shah Jahan built the magnificent Taj Mahal - the ultimate symbol of love.
Today Agra is a bustling city with monuments, colorful shops, crowded by-lanes and is known for traditional handicraft items and its Mughlai Cuisine.


Video: Agra Fort

What to see:
Taj Mahal
Location: 3 km from city Mall on the banks of the Yamuna River.The beautiful Taj Mahal was built by the fifth Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The construction work began in 1631 with more than 20,000 workers and artisans and was completed in 22 years. The Iranian architect Istad Usa made the design and the marbles and other materials were brought in from all over India and from Central Asia.
The Taj Mahal remains open for public from 6 am to 7 pm, 6 days a week (Friday closed).

The Agra Fort
Location: The banks of Yamuna river near the station.Built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and with many additions till the time of his grandson Shahjahan., the Agra Fort represents the might and power of the Mughals. This red sandstone structure is similar to the red fort of Delhi and houses Moti Masjid - a white marble Mosque, Diwan-Am, Diwan-E-Khaas, Jahangir's Palace, Jodha Bai's Palace, Anguri Bagh, Mina Masjid, Nagina Masjid, Shish Mahal, Khaas Mahal and Musamman Burj - the place where Shahjahan died in 1666.

Itmad-ud-Daulah tomb
Location: 6 km on banks of the river Yamuna.Noor Jahan, Emperor Jahangir's Queen made this highly ornate tomb with elaborate carvings in the memory of her father between 1622 to 1628. It was the first tomb In India made entirely of marble.

Akbar's tomb
Location: 12 km from Agra at Sikandra.Emperor Akbar's tomb, surrounded by gardens and high walls.

Fatehpur Sikri
Location: 40 km from Agra on Agra-Jaipur highway.Ruins of the royal city, which was built by Emperor Akbar. Even today, the architecture and deserted monuments are worth seeing.

Ram bagh
Location: 8 km from Agra city.Emperor Babar built this, one of the earliest of the Mughal Gardens, in 1528. It is also believed that Babar was buried here before being taken to Kabul.

Jama Masjid
Location: Fatehpur Sikri, 40 km from Agra on Agra-Jaipur highway.Built in 1648 by Emperor Shahjahan's daughter, Jehanara Begum in memory of Salim Chishti and his grandson Islam Khan, the Jama Masjid is one of the largest Mosque in India.

Mariyam's Tomb
Location: 13 kmBuilt in 1611 in the memory Mariyam, the Goan Catholic wife of Emperor Akbar, the tomb is famous for some exceptional carvings on red sandstone.

Chini-Ka-Roza
Location: 7 KmBuilt by Afzal Khan, it is decorated by glazed tiles and depicts the Persian influence in architecture.

Bharatpur Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary
Location: 58 km from Agra on the Agra-Jaipur highway. In the State of Rajasthan.One of the most renowned bird sanctuary of India covering 30 Sq km, it has over 350 species of birds including the Siberian Cranes, which comes in winter from as far as Siberia and Northern Europe.
The best time to see the birds is from October to February.

Mathura and Vrindavan
Location: 54 km AgraThe twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan are very holy for Hindus. Mathura on the bank of the river Yamuna, is the birth place of Lord Krishna and Vrindavan is famous for many temples and Shrines.

Sur Surover (Keetham Lake)
Location: 23 Km from AgraA popular picnic spot with 2.5 sq km lake surrounded by the Surdas Reserve Forest. It has many varieties of fish and water bird's.


Video: The Road to Agra

Reaching there:
Air: Agra's Kheria airport is about 7 km from city center and is connected by regular flights to Delhi, Varanasi and Khajuraho.

Rail: Agra Cantonment station is well connected with most cities of India.

Road: NH 2 (Delhi-Mathura-Agra-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi-Mohania-Kolkatta) and NH 3 (Agra-Gwalior-Shivpur-Indore-Dhule-Nashik-Mumbai) are the two National Highways passing through Agra.
Agra is very well connected with cities like Delhi (4 hours), Jaipur, Lucknow and Gwalior by road.

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