Agra is famous as being home to one of the seven wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid remainder of the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries.

While its significance as a political centre ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has secured its place on the international map.

A pleasant town with comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble by craftsmen supposedly the descendants of those who worked under the Mughals on the Taj. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Agra was once the capital of the Mughal Empire and even today it seems to linger in the past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest structures in the world. It is very easy to slip away here through the centuries into the grandeur and intrigues of the Mughal court. Agra is an old city and it is said that its name was derived from Agrabana, a forest that finds mention in the epic Mahabharata. In more recent times Agra came into prominence when Sikandar Lodhi made it his capital city in 1501. The Lodi rule was to end very soon and Agra passed into the possession of the Mughals. It was during the time of the third emperor Akbar that Agra came into its own. He embarked on the construction of the massive Agra Fort in 1565. Though Akbar was diverted into building a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri not far away.

Agra continued to retain its importance and Shah Jehan, Akbar's grandson ornamented the city with that masterpiece of Mughal architecture - the Taj Mahal and built several other beautiful buildings within the Agra fort.

So overwhelming is the exquisite beauty and presence of this marble mausoleum that centuries later today, even the very land where it has been located - Agra - has been immortalised as the City of the Taj. Yet, it doesn't take much for the roving eye to discover that there's more to Agra than just the fabled Taj Mahal. The city is a virtual gateway to a world of discovery… a freeze-frame from a resplendent era that's long since gone by.

Much of the city's impressive past lives in evidence even today, in the haunting presence inside the monuments, the majesty of the buildings, the exquisite arts and crafts and not to forget, the lure of an exceptional cuisine… all, cherished as priceless legacies of a nostalgic past. The older city of Agra has impressively retained much of its resplendent history… captivating every visitor with fond memories to take back home. Today, luxury and modern convenience also exist adjacent to tradition - luxury hotels, shopping malls and plazas, wide avenues and a superb choice of venues for recreation, business, sports, pleasure, education and the arts.
 

Transport And Communication

Air : Agra is well-connected to cities like Delhi, Khajuraho, Varanasi etc. Kheria airport is 6 km from Agra town.

Indian Airlines, Hotel Clarks Shiraz, 54, Taj Road, Tel : (0562) 2226801, 2226821
Jet Airways, Hotel Clarks Shiraz, 54 Taj Road, Tel : (0562) 2226259, 2226527

Rail : Agra is connected to the major cities of India and lies on the main Delhi-Chennai North South railway route Agra Cantt. Railway Station, is a major station on Indian Railways

Road : Agra is well-connected to the following cities by road : Mathura, Delhi, Chandigarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, etc. Agra's distance by road, from the main cities is as follows : Delhi 203 km, Khajuraho 393 km, Gwalior 118 km, Jaipur 237 km, Kolkata 1287 km, Varanasi 657 km, Mussoorie 417 km, Mumbai 1204 km.

Places of Interests

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal Sheer poetry in marble. Majesty and magnificence, unrivalled. The Taj Mahal, the one and only one of its kind across the world. The monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen. The ultimate realisation of Emperor Shah Jehan's dream. From 1631 A.D., it took 22 years in the making. An estimated 20,000 people worked to complete the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks of the Yamuna. For a breathtaking beautiful view of the Taj Mahal, see it by moonlight.

Open : 6 days a week (Closed on Fridays), Sunrise - 7.30 p.m.

The Agra Fort

The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565, A.D. although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shah Jehan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid - a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Diwan-I- Am, Diwan-I-Khaas, Musamman Burj - where Shah Jehan died in 1666 A.D. Jahangir's Palace; Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.

Chini Ka Rauza - This was constructed by Afzal Khan - a high official in the court of Shah Jehan. Decorated by glazed tiles on the façade, the structure clearly depicts the Persian influence in architecture.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.

Ram Bagh - One of the earliest Mughal gardens, it was laid out by Emperor Babar - the founder of the Mughal dynasty. It is said that Babar was temporarily buried here before being permanently interred at Kabul in Afghanistan.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.

Sikandra - The mausoleum of Emperor Akbar represents his philosophy and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and Muslim architectures in a superlative fusion. Completed in 1613 A.D., it is a well-preserved monument.
Open : Sunrise to senset.

Itmad-ud-daulah - This exquisite marble tomb was got constructed by Emperor Jehangir's queen, Nurjahan, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg during 1622 - 1628 A.D. The craftsmanship at Itmad-ud-Daulah foreshadows that of the Taj Mahal. It was here that 'Pietra Dura' the inlay work on marble - so characteristic of the Taj - was first used.
Open : Sunrise to sunset. Entry Fee Rs. 10.50

Mariyam's Tomb - This unique tomb in red sandstone was built in 1611 A.D. in memory of Emperor Akbar's Goan-Christian wife - Mariyam. The tomb has some exceptional carvings.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.

Jama Masjid - This building, with a rectangular open forecourt was constructed in 1648 AD by Shah Jehan's daughter, Jehanara Begum in memory of the famous Sheikh Salim Chishti and his grandson Islam Khan. Of particular importance is its wonderful assimilation of Iranian architecture.

Radha Saomi Samadhi, Dayalbagh - The headquarters of the Radha Saomi sect. On the sprawling lawns here, is a beautiful marble temple under construction for almost 100 years now. Open : 8.am to 7 pm. (Entry free upto 15 years age and free for all on Fridays). These monuments are open to visitors everyday throughout the year).

Excursions

Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) 23 km.

A scenic lake, located within the Surdas Reserved Forest. The Sur Sarovar is a tranquil spot, ideal for a relaxed outing. A wide variety of fish and water-birds add to the lake's natural charm and beauty.

Fatehpur Sikri (39 km.) - An epic in red sandstone. A city of yesteryears, today lost in the mists of time. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 A.D. A sonless Akbar had gone to Sikri to seek blessings of a muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. When his son was finally born, he in gratitude constructed his capital city and named it Fatehpur Sikri. Later, due to shortage of water and unrest in the north-west, Akbar had to abandon this city. The beautiful marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti attracts thousands who seek blessings of the revered saint. Other renowned places are Diwan-I-Am, diwan-I-Khaas, Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai's Palace and Birbal Bhavan.
Open: Sunrise to sunset. Entry fee Rs. 0.50.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary 54 Km or Keoladeo Ghana National Park -- Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, India's most renowned water bird sanctuary lying in the neighboring state of Rajasthan, is the winter home of the rare Siberian Crane. Approachable from Agra by road, a variety of accommodation is available, within and outside the National Park. (Season - October to February)

Kaitham Lake 23 Km - This 2.5 sq. km lake, surrounded by the Surdas Reserve Forest, harbors a variety of fish and water birds and is popular picnic spot. Bus services are available up to Runkata 3 Km away.

Mathura 54 Km - Mathura, on the banks of the River Yamuna, is celebrated as the birthplace of Krishna. The groves and ghats of nearby Vrindavan with its thousands of shrines and temples still echo with stories and songs that recount the exploits of this charming god, Lord Krishna.

Van Vihar Widlife Sanctuary 60 Km - It is situated 50 km from Agra and spreads over an area of 52 square km. It harbors many species of animals and birds. It can be approached from Agra by taxi or bus or by train upto Dholpur. Accommodation is available in Forest Department rest houses within the sanctuary itself.

Bateshwar 70 Km - A temple town, whose presiding deity is Lord Shiva. A huge cattle fair is organized from mid-October to mid-November. It is also a pilgrimage center for Jains.

Firozabad (44 Km) - An important handicrafts and industrial center renowned for glassware, especially glass bangles.

Hotels in Agra

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