Agra

Situated around 204 km south of New Delhi lies the city of Agra. Popularly known as the city of the Taj Mahal, Agra is a part of the great northern plains and is situated on the west bank of river the Yamuna River. This historic city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is a place of tourists' delight.

Home to many attractions for travelers, the Agra is peppered with several historical monuments dating back to the 16th and 17th century. Beside its monumental richness, the city is internationally famed for its Mughlai cuisine and souvenirs from the wide range of marble and leather items. Pick up a replica of the Taj made from a stone called Talk or get photographed with the reflection of the Taj in the pool as the backdrop.

Going back …

An important the seat of the great Mughal rulers for many years, Agra has a rich historical background, which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and around the city. Though the heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century. Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, also stayed for sometime in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Emperor Akbar built the Agra fort; Jahangir beautified it with palaces and gardens. Shahjahan marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built the Taj Mahal. The post-Mughal era of Agra saw the rule of the Jats, Marathas and finally the British taking over the city.

Attractions galore…

Taj Mahal: One of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is the epitome of love and beauty, unparallel and unmatched. Set amongst the serene ambience of a well laid out garden, the massive marble structure of the Taj is awe-inspiring. The Taj Mahal was built in the 17th century by Shahjahan - the third Mughal emperor, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shahjahan loved his wife so much that after she passed away in 1631, he decided to immortalize their love in the form of the Taj Mahal. It is more than 350 years since Taj Mahal was built, but it has not lost its romantic aura, which attracts millions of visitors towards it.

Agra Fort: Famous as the city of the Taj Mahal, Agra is also famous for the Agra Fort, which is a veritable treasure trove of the Mughal architectural tradition. The various buildings within this sprawling fort complex represent the assimilation of different cultures, which was the mark of the Mughal period.

Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb: Itmad-ud-Daulah's tomb is a highly ornate edifice, which is looked upon as an imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal, as far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. The tomb marks a significant departure from the tombs of the Mughal dynasty built before its construction.

Sites nearby

Around Agra, there are several places worth a visit. In the nearby town of Sikandra lies the tomb of Akbar, the great Mughal emperor. Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone city of Akbar, is not to be missed. The deserted city boasts of historical monuments like the marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Buland darwaza, Panch Mahal, Diwan-I-Aam, Diwan-I-Khas besides the Palace of Jodha Bai and Birbal Bhawan.

The land of Lord Krishna - Brijbhoomi (Vrindavan, Gokul and Mathura) - located near Agra, reminds the visitor the legends of the life and times of Lord Krishna. While in a holy place like Vrindavan you must see the renowned Govind Dev Temple, the Ranganathan temple and the ISKCON temple. In Gokul, the Chaurasi Khamba (84 pillars) or the Nand Maharaja's house is worth seeing.

Best time to visit

Agra can be visited throughout the year, but one must avoid the extreme hot summers (April-June) and rainy season (July-Sept). The most suitable time to visit Agra, if you plan to travel to New Delhi, is during winters.

Reaching there

Agra airport is 7 km from the city center and 3 km from Idgah Bus Stand. There are daily tourist shuttle flights to Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi and back from New Delhi. It only takes 40 minutes to reach Agra from Delhi by flight. Idgah Bus Stand is the main bus stand of Agra, from where one can catch buses for New Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc. Buses for Mathura also leave from Agra Fort bus stand. Agra is well connected by railroad. The main railway station is the Agra Cantonment station. Agra is well connected by rail to New Delhi, Varanasi and cities of Rajasthan.