Tourism in Agra is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is 378 kilometres west of the state capital, Lucknow, 206 kilo metres south of the national capital New Delhi, 58 kilo metres south from Mathura and 125 kilometres north of Gwalior. Agra is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh, and the 24th most populous in India.
Agra is a major tourist destination because of its many Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Tāj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpūr Sikrī, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Agra is included on the Golden Triangle tourist circuit, along with Delhi and Jaipur; and the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc, tourist circuit of UP state, along Lucknow the capital of the state and Varanasi. Agra falls within the Braj cultural region.
Agra is a delight for history and architecture lovers. The medieval city located on the banks of the river Yamuna, it is one of the most visited cities by tourists in India.
Strategically located at the heart of India in the mundane plains between the Ganga and Yamuna, Agra had been a religious and commercial centre for centuries, but it matured and perfected itself only when the Mughals made it their home. Agra is not only famous for its Mughal art and culture but is also known for its food, chat, and the famous Panchi ka Petha. The city even after being one of the hottest cities of the country, is visited in high numbers every day.
The nightlife might not be something worth mentioning but the beauty that this old city acquires at the night makes you love it and relish every bit of it. Peoples’ hearts here are as grand as the Buland Darwaza, the sight of Taj Mahal is as sweet as the Petha for the eyes, and shopping on the streets in the sunny afternoons is as chatpata as the famous Daal Moth. Come to the city for a weekend’s exploration of architectural marvels such as Fatehpur Sikri, the feel of an old city, and to know for yourself what is this city described as a paradise in Mahabharta so popular for.
Agra - What to see
Taj Mahal - The Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble, built between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife. Taj Mahal means "Crown Palace"; one of the wife's names was Mumtaz Mahal, "Ornament of the Palace". The Taj is one of the most well preserved and architecturally beautiful tombs in the world, one of the masterpieces of Indian Muslim architecture, and one of the great sites of the world's heritage.
Agra Fort - The fort is similar in layout to the Red Fort in Delhi, but considerably better preserved, as much of Delhi Fort was razed by the British after the Mutiny. As much as palace as a defensive structure, it is also constructed mainly from red sandstone.
Emperor Akbar - king at 14, began consolidating his empire and, as an assertion of his power built the fort in Agra between 1565 and 1571, at the same time as Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. Emperor Shah Jahan added to the fort and ended up a prisoner in it. The fort has a beautiful view of his masterpiece, the Taj Mahal, on a clear day.
Sikandra, Akbar's Tomb - (10 km north of Agra) The tomb of Akbar lies here in the centre of the large garden. Akbar started its construction himself but it was completed by his son Jehangir who significantly modified the original plans which accounts for the somewhat cluttered architectural lines of the tomb. Four red sandstone's gates lead to the tomb complex: one is Muslim, one Hindu, one christian and one is Akbar's patent mixture. Akbar's mausoleum is open from sunrise to sunset.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb - Empress Nur Jehan built Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, sometimes called the Baby Taj, for her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg, the Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. 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.
Mariam's Tomb - West from Akbar's Tomb on Agra-Delhi highway Jahangir constructed the Tomb in the memory of his mother Mariam Zammani. The grave is made of white marble. This building is now in a ruined condition and has in its vicinity, a Christian Mission School and a church. It is said that Akbar constructed it in the memory of his Christian wife.
Jama Masjid - A large mosque attributed to Princess Jahanara Begum, built in 1648 during the reign of the father Shah Jahan, it is notable for its unusual dome and absence of minarets.
Chini Ka Roza - A memorial dedicated to the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz, notable for its dome of blue glazed tiles.
Swami Bagh - 10 km north of Agra, the white marble samadhi of the Radah Soami religion is under construction since 1904 and is not expected to be completed for the next many years. One can see pietra dura inlaid marblework actually being worked on.
Ram Bagh - The first Mughal gardens were built by the first Mughal Emperor Babar, 500 m North of the Chini Ka Rauza.
Mehtab Bagh - Directly across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, these botanical gardens give you an opportunity to view the Taj Mahal from a distance. Or, walk past the entrance and straight to the sandy banks of the river to view the Taj Mahal.
