Location : Agra is about 204 km south of Delhi in the north India state of Uttar Pradesh.
Major Tourist Attractions : Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandara, Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Chini-ka-rauza, Jama Masjid, Dayal Bagh, Rambagh.
Festival : Taj Mahotsav ( in the month of February)
Best Buy : Leather Items, Taj Mahal Replica.
Nearby Tourist Destinations : Mathura, Govardhan Hill, Vrindavan, Gokul, Fatehpur Sikri, Ferozabad, Gwalior, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Aligarh.
About Agra
Agra, commonly known as the city of Taj Mahal, is about 204 km from Delhi, the capital city of India. Agra is single most visited tourist destination in India. There are very few cities in the world that can challenge the history and heritage of Agra. Situated on the west bank of the River Yamuna, Agra is a part of the great Northern Indian plains and boasts of a tropical climate.
At Agra there is much to see and appreciate then just the Taj. The architectural splendor of the city is reflected in the glorious monuments of medieval India built by great Mughals who ruled India for more than 300 years.
Tourist Attractions in Agra
Agra Fort
This massive structure is another jewel studded to the rich landscape of Agra. Made of red sandstone, Agra Fort was constructed by the Mughals during 1565-1571. Three of the great Mughal emperors were engaged in the construction of Agra Fort.
It was Emperor Akbar who laid the foundation of this majestic citadel in 1565, which was continued by Jehangir and completed in 1571 by Shahjahan, Akbar's grandson.
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal, built by the 5th Mughal emperor Shahjehan in the memory of his most beloved mistress Mumtaz Mahal is a beauty to behold. This multi hued travel icon of India is the largest and the most wonderfully made symbol of love by any man on earth. Made of pure white marble, the construction of Taj Mahal took 22 years.
Sikandara
Named after the Afghan ruler Sikandar Lodhi, is Sikandara, just 10 km from Agra. The city is visited by many tourists, not for its aesthetic value but for the tomb of Akbar, which it houses. The construction of the mausoleum was commenced by Akbar himself during his lifetime but he could not complete it. After his death, Jehangir took the task of completing the project that was left incomplete. A master creation, the structure is a erfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain motifs.
Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb
Itmad-ud-Daulah or "Baby Taj" as it is called sometimes is a highly ornate edifice and one major attraction in Agra. This mausoleum is considered as the imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. Itmad-ud daulah, one of the most amazing of Mughal tombs, stands across the river Yamuna from the Taj Mahal. It contains cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas and Asmat Begum, parents of the powerful Mughal Empress Nurjahan queen of Jahangir.
Fatehpur Sikri
Located at a distance of 37 kms from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is a city predominantly built in Red Sandstone. This town was built by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar during 1571 and 1585. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendour at its height. Though the city is in ruins, it is a place to visit if one comes to Agra. Fatehpur Sikri is the finest example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.
How to Get There
Air : Agra is easily accessible from all the parts of India by air.
Rail : One can easily reach Agra by rail routes.
Road : Agra has well connected road networks, which are linked to all the major destinations of Uttar Pradesh and nearby state