Destinatons
of India
» Agra |
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About
Agra
Tours to Agra is a chance to catch
a glimpse of the
magnificent world heritage site and the former
member of the Seven Wonders of the World -
Taj Mahal. Built in memory of Shah Jahan's
undying love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, Taj
Mahal has rekindled many a fading romances
and forged new relationships by virtue of
its picturesque setting. The delicate engravings
on the pristine white colossal marble structure,
typical of Mughal art at its zenith, built
on the banks of Yamuna is best viewed in the
morning light, against the setting sun and
under the full moon.
The city of Agra derived its present status
as the city of Mughal architecture and landscapes
when the Mughal Dynasty defeated the reigning
Lodhis to establish the foundation of Mughal
Empire. Agra became the capital under Babar,
the first in the Mughal dynasty to rule India.
Under the successive generations of Mughal
rulers, Agra saw the emergence of planned
Mughal gardens and colossal structures that
today are the main tourist attraction in Agra,
Uttar Pradesh. Built by Akbar, Jahangir and
Shah Jahan, the main tourist attractions of
Agra are its many red sandstone forts, palaces,
white marble mosques, pavilions and gardens
set on the banks of river Yamuna. Some of
the popular tourist attractions in Agra are
Agra Red Fort, Chini Ka Rauza, Ram Bagh, Saomi
Bagh, Dayal Bagh, Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb,
and Jama Masjid.
Tours of AgraYou can also visit the nearby
by city of Mathura, Vrindavan, Sur Sarovar
and Patna Bird Sanctuary on your tour to Agra
under the Golden Triangle Tours package, arranged
by Adventure Tours of India. Excursions to
the nearby Fatehpur Sikri are also popular
with the tourists. Here, you can visit the
Jama Masjid, Buland Darwaza, Diwan-I-Khas,
Diwan-I-Am, Skeikh Salim Chisti's tomb etc
that were mostly built around the reign of
Akbar. |
Climate
Summers are very hot and winters
chilling cold. The temperature difference
between the summers and winters is very high.
The monsoon although provides some respite
from the heat but the rains leaves the city
very dirty. It is better to plan your Agra
trip between the months of March and October.
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Transportation
- Air Agra airport is
7 km from the city center and 3 km from
Idgah bus stand. Indian airlines operate
daily tourist shuttle flights to Agra,
Khajuraho, Varanasi and back. It only
takes 40 minutes from Delhi to Agra.
- Road Idgah bus stand
is the main bus stand of Agra, from where
one can catch buses for Delhi, Jaipur,
Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc. Buses for
Mathura also leave from Agra Fort bus
stand.
- Rail Agra is well connected
by railroad. The main railway station
is the Agra Cantonment station. Agra is
well connected by rail to Delhi, Varanasi
and cities of Rajasthan. Trains like Palace
on Wheel, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Taj
Express are the best choices if you want
to reach Agra from Delhi.
- Local Transport in Agra
You can travel to different parts of the
city using different modes of transport
like Taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw and cycle
rickshaw from Taj area. Prepaid taxis
and autos from the railway station are
available. Prepaid transport is also available
for excursions in and around the city
limits. Bicycles can be hired on hourly
basis from different parts of the city.
It is to be remembered that no diesel
or petrol vehicle are allowed to ply in
the Taj area. There are Battery-Operated
buses, horse-driven tongas, rickshaws,
and other polution- free vehicles are
allowed to conserve the beauty of this
great monument.
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| Attractions
in Agra |
Located
at a distance of 203 Km from Delhi, Agra
- the city of the Taj Mahal -- is one of
the most famous tourist destinations in
the world. One of the eight wonders of the
world, the Taj Mahal is known for its unrivalled
architectural beauty. As Agra was the capital
of India during the 16th and first half
of the 17th centuries, the city boasts a
number of historic monuments in the form
of magnificent forts, mosques and tombs.
The city is frequented by thousands of tourists
every year, who come to take a glimpse of
the enchanting Taj Mahal from all over the
world.
On your Palace on Wheels tour with About
Palace on Wheels, you will visit various
tourist attractions in and around Agra.
Some of them are mentioned below for your
reference.
Taj
Mahal
The symbol of eternal love, the Taj Mahal
was built by
the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory
of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, who died
at a young age of 38 while giving birth
to their 14th child. Situated on the bank
of Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal represents
a fine blend of Mughal, Persian, Central
Asian, and Islamic architecture. The most
impressive and remarkable features of the
Taj Mahal are its four tall minarets (162.5
feet high) at four corners of the structure,
the black and white chessboard marble floor
and the majestic dome (213 feet high and
58 feet in diameter) in the middle. The
Taj Mahal is one of the most visited and
most photographed monuments in the world.
Agra
Fort
Built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565
AD the fort is a masterpiece of design and
construction. Within the fort are a number
of exquisite buildings, including the Moti
Masjid, Diwane-E-Am, Diwani-E-Khaas and
Musanman Burj, where the Emperor Shah Jahan
died while in imprisonment.
The construction of the Agra fort was started
around 1565 when the initial structures
were built by Akbar. Shah Jahan replaced
most of these with his marble creations.
Some however survived, among them are- Delhi
Gate, Amar Singh Gate, Akbari Mahal and
the Jahangiri Mahal.
The fort is crescent-shaped, flattened on
the east with a long, nearly straight wall
facing the river. It has a total perimeter
of 2.4 km, and is ringed by double castellated
ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at
regular intervals by bastions. A 9mt. wide
and 10mt.deep moat surrounds the outer wall.
An imposing 22mt. high inner wall imparts
a feeling of invincible defensive construction.
The route through the Amar Singh gate is
dog-legged. The layout of the fort was determined
by the course of the river, which in those
days flowed alongside. The main axis is
parallel to the river and the walls bridge
out towards the city.
Tomb
of Itmad-Ud-Daulah
Built by Noor Jahan - the wife of the Mughal
Emperor Jehangir -- in memory of his father,
the white marble tomb represents a fine
example of Indo-Persian architecture. Enjoying
the privilege of being the first marble
tomb of the Mughal period, the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah
must be visited to see its beautiful inlay
designs and carvings, which are considered
even superior to the Taj Mahal. The tomb
is popularly known as the 'Baby Taj'.
Jama Masjid
or Jami Masjid
Built by Jahan Ara Begum -- the favorite
daughter of Shah Jahan who was also imprisoned
with him -- in 1648, the mosque has a unique
shaped dome with no minarets.
Akbar's
Mausoleum
The mausoleum of Akbar is located at Sikandra
at about 10 Km from Agra. Akbar himself
designed and started its construction. The
beautiful tomb enjoys a perfect blending
of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and
Jain motifs.
Fatehpur
Sikri
Located at a distance of about 37 Km from
Agra, the Red Sandstone town
of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar as
his capital during 1571 and 1585. The city
represents a fine blend of Indo- Mughal
architecture. The main attractions at Fatehpur
Sikri are the Buland Darwaza (54m high)
- the largest gateway in the world and the
tomb of famous Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti.
Jahangiri
Mahal
This is the first notable building that
the visitor sees on his right hand side
at the end of a spacious lawn, as one enters
through the Amar Singh Gate and emerges
out of the passage. It was built by Akbar
as women's quarters and is the only building
that survives among his original palace
buildings. It is built of stone & is
simply decorated on the exterior.
The most important feature of the edifice
are its ornamental stone brackets which
support the beams. In front is a large stone
bowl which was probably used to contain
fragrant rose water. Ornamental Persian
verses have been carved along the outer
rim, which record its construction by Jahangir
in 1611 AD. This elegant, double storied
palace reflects a strong Hindu influence
with protruding balconies and domed chhatries.
Golden
Pavilions
The curved chala roofs of the small pavilions
by the Khaas Mahal are based on the roof
shape of Bengali village huts constructed
out of curved bamboo, designed to keep off
heavy rain. The shape was first expressed
in stone by the Sultans of Bengal. Originally
gilded, these were probably ladies' bedrooms,
with hiding places for jewellery in the
walls. These pavilions are traditionally
associated with Shah Jahan's daughters-Roshanara
and Jahanara Begum.
The Taj Mahotsav (grand festival), organized
from February 18 to 27, is yet another major
attraction at Agra. During the festival
various colorful cultural programs of folk
dances and music are organized for the entertainment
of visitors.
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