Blessed with one of the seven wonders of the world - Taj Mahal , Agra is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of Uttar pradesh .
Agra is also known as the Land of palaces. Not just palaces, it also has a lot of intricate and beautiful architecture. Even the tombs are elaborately adorned. Agra is the perfect spot for a tourist and students of Architecture. Even the climate in Agra is very inviting and suitable. The city is well designed, where even the houses show huge detailing in their design. On close inspection, even the interiors of the buildings show the unreal imagination that the architects probably had. Every building, looks like it had been designed to adorn the city, designed artistically from every angle. Even the food speaks greatly about the spicy Indian Cuisine. It is a city with rich cultural, historical, architectural and religious attachments. It is a city which is synonymous with the history of India. Over the centuries it has enriched the nation with its philosophical contributions. Agra is one of the most important favorite destinations of the world wide travel lovers owing to its exceptional collection of religious places, monuments, forts, palaces and other places.
Places to See in Agra
The heritage of the Mughal dynasty and their fascinating tombs, forts and mausoleums can be easily observed in and around the city of Agra. There are also other monuments and places that are famous for their beauty and significance in Agra.
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Taj Mahal |
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| Category : History & Culture
The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous tourist attractions in India and across the world. It's one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Completed in 1653, The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, as a symbol of eternal love. Taj Mahal is built on a red sandstone base, topped by a huge white marble terrace on which rests the dome flanked by four tapering minarets. The floors and walls have intriguing calligraphy and mosaic work adorned with precious stones.
Timings: Open all days (except Friday and public holidays) from sunrise to sunset. Open at Night from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am on a Full moon night, two days before and after |
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Agra Fort |
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| Category : History & Culture
Agra fort was commissioned by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565. During Shah Jahan's era, the red sandstone fort was reformed into a palace and extensively repaired with marble and pietra dura inlay.
Distinguished buildings in the fort are the Pearl Mosque, Jahangir's Palace, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khas (public and private audience halls), Shish Mahal, Musammam Burj and the Khas Mahal. The fort is semi-circular shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river.
Timings: Open all days from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Entry Fee: Rs.300 for foreign tourist and Rs.20 for Indian tourist |
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Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb |
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Category : History & Culture
This Mughal Mausoleum in the city of Agra was built at the command of Noor Jahan (wife of Jahangir) for her father Mirza Ghiyas Bagh, who was honored with the title of Itmad-ud-Daula (pillar of the state). This is where the mausoleum took its name from.
The walls of the mausoleum are built in white marble and embedded with semi precious stones. The cenotaphs of both the father and mother of Noor Jahan lay side by side in the tomb.
Timings: Open all days from sunrise to sunset.
Entry Fee: Rs.110 for foreign tourist and Rs.10 for Indian tourist. |
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Fatehpur Sikri |
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| Category : History & Culture
Founded by the great Mughal emperor Akbar, in the year 1569, Fatehpur Sikri served as the capital of the Mughal Empire during the years 1571-1585. Named as Fateh (meaning victory) in the beginning, it was later known as Fatehpur Sikri. It was home for the birth of navaratnas (9 jewels). It stands as a representation of the infamous Mughal architecture with unique designs and artworks. The building was made of red stones and Akbar intended to revive the Persian court splendors made by his ancestor Timur, but eventually it came through as the classic Indian embellishments. The Fatehpur Sikkim was deserted after its completion due to natural calamities of insufficient water further triggered by the proximity of the Rajputana areas. The city is a piece of art that surrounds brilliant works by great minds of the strong Mughal period influenced by the emperors.
Timings: Open all days from sunrise to sunset.
Entry Fee: Rs.260 for foreign tourist and Rs.20 for Indian tourist. |
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Akbar's Tomb "Skandra" |
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| Category : History & Culture
Built solely for the great Mughal emperor, the Akbar Tomb was built in 1605-1613. It covers a good area of 119 acres in the Sikandra. It was Akbar himself who initiated the works in 1600 as per the Tartary tradition. Located in the suburbs, about a kilometer away lies the tomb of Miriam, Akbar's wife. The southern gate is similar to those of the Taj Mahal with 4 white marble chhatri and also serves as the entrance to the tomb. A wall of 105m square surrounds the tomb. The fake tomb is located in the marble pavilion placed inside a 4 tier pyramid building while the true tomb is safely kept in the basement. The building is made up of red sandstones with touches of white marble. One of India's greatest assets, the tomb is an attractive tourist spot, with people eager to see the tomb flooding the place.
Timings: Open all days from sunrise to sunset.
Entry Fee: Rs.110 for foreign tourist and Rs.10 for Indian |
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