Agra Tour

Agra Tour is not only one of the most historically rich cities of India, but also home to the magnificent Taj Mahal. This ultimate symbol of everlasting love and major facet of Agra tourism has never failed to mesmerize people both young and old. Even die-hard skeptics are also forced to admit that this ultimate tribute to love is really something to be admired. In fact, the Taj Mahal alone can be said to provide the major boost to Agra tourism, which has grown by leaps and bounds.
Formerly the capital India under the Mughals, Agra still exudes a magical charm that is hard to ignore. Anywhere you go, its sublime past continues to haunts you. Its rich historical past never fails to enthrall tourists who greedily devour all the information poured out by the guides and locals. In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to call Agra the single most important tourist destination in India, its proximity to Delhi being an added advantage. Of course, India has much more to offer. There are many beautiful forts, beaches and cities scattered all across the country. In comparison, Agra just seems to be a crowded and dusty city. But to enjoy the ethereal beauty of a place you don't really need to pay much attention to its superficial charm.
Besides the Taj Mahal, the Agra tourism department also invites tourists to a host of other attractions that include the grand Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra, Itmad ud Daulah and the like. If you think that is all you can do at Agra, there is more for you. Agra is a shopper's paradise especially for the international tourist who would like to carry home some mementos. In fact, you will never tire of shopping in Agra.

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 his 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.
The Taj Mahal has a life of its own that leaps out of marble, provided you understand that it is a monument of love. The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore called it a teardrop on the cheek of eternity, while the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, said it was Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones. It is a celebration of woman built in marble, and that is the way to appreciate it.

Agra Fort : The Taj and the Yamuna River from the ramparts of 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.
Akbar's Tomb Sikandra : Sikandra Open from sunrise to sunset. 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 Jahangir, who significantly modified the original plans which accounts for the somewhat cluttered architectural lines of the tomb. Four red sandstone gates lead to the tomb complex: one is Muslim, one Hindu, one Christian, and one is Akbar’s patent mixture.

Fatehpur Sikri : It was built in the the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for about 10 years. Then it was abandoned for reasons that are still something of a mystery. It includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid. It is full of well preserved palaces and courtyards, and this UNESCO world heritage site is a must see for anyone visiting Agra.

Agra - Location
Agra is around 203 kms from Delhi, the capital of India and about 235 kms from Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, which is a major tourist destination of India.

Agra -When To Visit
Agra is quite hot, in the summers the temperature can be anything between 22° C and 42° C, and in the winters it is usually somewhere between 4.2° C and 29° C. Though tourists come to Agra throughout the year, the best time is between Ocotber and March, when the weather is more pleasant.

Agra - History In Brief
Agra was founded by Sikander Lodhi, of the Lodhi dynasty in the 16th century. Agra received a lot of attention in Mughal hands, which explains the many monuments and forts in the city. After Mughlas, it was also under the rule of Jats, Marathas and finally it was under the British.

A tour package to Agra always includes a tour of the Taj Mahal. This symbol of eternal love was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved Mumtaj. It is possibly one of the most famous monuments and is one of the reasons why tourists make a beeline to come to Agra.

You can also tour the Agra Fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar. The construction of the Fort started in 1565 and was finished in 1571. Inspired by both the Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture, the fort is made of red sandstone and is a beautiful synthesis combining the best elements of both styles of architcture. Your holiday package will also take you to the Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb, which was built by Mughal Empress Noor Jahan. This place is very popular with tourists for it is quite like the Taj Mahal and is truly a beautiful structure. While you are on your tour of Agra, you can also visit the tomb of Akbar, which many insist has a very unique architecture, which is a mix of many different styles. And of course, a tour to Agra cannot be complete without a tour of Fatehpur Sikri. Also known as the 'City of Ghosts', it was built by Akbar, the great Mughal Emperor. Though the city is not necessarily in a very good shape yet by looking at it, one can still imagine the splendor and magnificence of the former capital.

Agra - Excursions
Travel to Sur sarovar or Keetham lake, which is great place to enjoy outdoor activities. Here one can go fishing or enjoy a picnic with their children and loved ones. Firozabad can also be visited, which is famous for its factory shops that sell glassware at a reasonable price. If you are really out to explore the wonderful places, then you can travel to Vrindavan, which is famous for its Govind Dev Temple and Krishna Balram Temple. Vrindavan can either be reached by train or road. You might want to visit the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which was formerly called the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The National park is at a distance of 55 kms from Agra, so it can easily be visited while you are enjoying a holiday in Agra. The national park, besides being home to several kinds of birds, also has jackals, cats, hyenas, antelopes and even reptiles. While you are in Bharatpur also check out the historical places such as the Bharatpur Fort or the Loha Garh, besides a Government Museum.

Agra - Getting There
The airport is the Kheria airport, which is located at a distance of 7kms from the city center. There are many railway stations in Agra but the important ones are the Raja ki Mandi and the Agra Cantt. Stations. You can board the Shatabdi and Taj Express from New Delhi, which is a fast way of reaching Agra. There are also other important trains such as, Udyan Abha Toofan Express, Nizamuddin Intercity Express, Kerala Express and Ahmedabad-Gorakhpur Express, which connect Agra to other major cities in India.
Reaching Agra by road is no problem. The city is very well connected and one can get there by either taking a bus or hiring a cab.

The Taj Mahotsav, which is organized from February 18 to 27, is a celebration one should not miss. The Sheetla fair is also worth attending, and it is held during the months of July and August. The Kailash Fair is held in honor of Lord Shiva and it is held in the months of August and September.

Agra - Shopping
The tourists to Agra can buy semi-precious stone jewelry, leather items such as belts, shoes etc, and also lots of handicrafts. One can also get paintings and souvenirs to take back home.

Agra - Cuisine
Agra is a great place to try Mughlai cuisine and various kinds of kebabs and gravies. Also try pulaos, kheer and the famous petha, which one should not forget to try. There are lots of restaurant and eateries in this city, so perfect for those who live for Gastronomical delights.