Places to see around

There are a number of places to see around Agra that form interesting tourist spots. Mathura is one of the seven most sacred cities of India and an important crafts centre. It is one of the places to be seen around Agra. Vrindavan, a place associated with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna is amongst the places to see around Mathura. Vrindavan has scores of temples, shrines, and memorial stones and hermitages of saints and Lord Krishna's followers. Gokul too features amongst the places to see around Mathura. It is believed to be the place where Krishna was secretly raised.

Govardhan, 25 km west of Mathura on the road to Deeg, is the place where Lord Krishna lifted a hill to protect the villagers from the torrential downpour caused by the wrath of God Indra. At Bhandirvan, another place close to Mathura, it is said that Radha and Lord Krishna were married under a banyan tree. The Keetham Lake or Sur Sarovar, around 23 kilometres from Agra within the Surdas Reserved Forest, is a tranquil place where one can witness a wide variety of fish and water birds.

Fatehpur Sikri tops the list of places to see around Agra. It presents another marvel of the Mughal architecture and splendour. Barely 39 km from Agra, it is the red sandstone city of yesteryears built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1564 AD in honour of the Muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chisthi. Other places to see around Agra is Ferozabad located 44 km from Agra. It is famous for glass products while Aligarh, 38 km from Arga, is the home to the Aligarh Muslim University and a renowned lock-making centre of India.