Agra is a major tourist attraction as it contains one of the seven wonders of the world - Taj Mahal. Agra is an ancient city situated on the river Yamuna within the stae of Uttar Pradesh In India. The city has been described as Agraba in the epic Mahabharata. The city was capital of Lodhi Kingdom and later on seved the same for Mughals. During 16th and 17th century the city was developed as art, culture, commerce and learning center by Mughal kings like Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. Some wonderful buildings were erected in Agra City by the mughal kings. Agra city is famous for monuments and crafts. The monument and crafts have preserved the cultural heritage for centuries.

Location:

Agra city is located in the city of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of river Yamuna.

Famous For:

Agra city is famous for its structures built by Mughal kings during their reign. Taj Mahal, one of the greatest symbols of love is the prime feature of Agra. The mausoleum is visited by thousands of people from all over the world. Besides Taj Mahal there are a number of architectural marvels in the city. These marvels include Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, Sikandra, Jama Masjid, Mariyam's Tomb and Chini-Ka-Roza.

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to visit Agra is between Oct and March. It is not hot than and there are few rains during this period.

Places For Interest:

Taj Mahal:

Taj Mahal was built by a grief stricken Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. A world-renowned wonder, Taj Mahal sits pretty on the northern side of this green paradise. It looks the same from all the four sides! The Quranic inscriptions on its four entrances are carved in such subtle increase in size that may appear to be of the same size from top to bottom! Shahjahan invited master craftsmen from as far as Italy and Persia to help design his ambitious tribute to love. The Taj Mahal is phenomenal not in the beauty alone that shines forth, but in the deep planning and design that went into its making, and the ethereal idea of immortalizing love. Delicate carvings in marble vie with gorgeous pietra dura for attention. Lapis-lazuli, Cornelian, Mother of pearl, Agate and Emerald are inlayed in floral and geometrical patterns in the marble itself. This enchanting mausoleum, on the bank of river Yamuna started in 1631 it took 22 years to complete with the help of an estimated 20000 workers.

Open:All days except FRIDAY

Timings:Sunrise to Sunset.

Distance:9.7 Kms. (East gate)

Ph:2330498

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 Shahjahan.

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 Shahjahan died in 1666 A.D. Jahangir's Palace; Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal.

Open:Sunrise to sunset.

Distance:4.7 Kms.

Ph:2960457

Chini Ka Rauza:

Mausoleum of Shahjahan's prime minister and Persian poet Afzal Khan Aalmi entitled "Maula Shukrullah, Shirazi" buit in 1635, exhibits fine use of glazed tiles. A certain raiser to an exotic Persian art style, which finds itself a home in Agra.

Open:Sunrise to sunset.

Distance:11 Kms.

Taj Nature Walk:

A beautiful natural forest cover spread over 70 hectares of area just 500 mts away from the eastern gate of Taj Mahal . An excellent view of the Taj can be found from the different mounds of the park. Flora & Funa of different species are found here.

Distance:9.5 kms.

SAMADH OF SOAMIJI MAHARAJ:

It is a tribute to the founder of Radha Swami faith. Devout followers believe the service, purifies the soul. At soamibagh their services bears fruit in an edifice as spectacular as the Taj Built in white and colour marble, it is continuously being decorated for more than 100 years now with extra-ordinary feast in stone and gems.

Distance:10 Kms.

RAM BAGH:

One of the earliest Mughal gardens, believed to be laid out by Mughal Emperor Babur, the founder of Mughal dynasty. It is said that Babur was temporarily buried here before being taken to Kabul in Afganistan.

Open:Sunrise to sunset.

Distance:9.2 Kms.

MEHTAB BAGH:

Mehtab Bagh is located on the left bank of river Yamuna opposite to the Taj Mahal. The garden complex is a huge square measuring approximately 300m X 300m and in straight alignment with the Taj Mahal. The excavation has revealed a huge octagonal tank on the southern periphery : baradaris or pavilion on the east and west: a small octagonal tank at the center and a gateway at the northern wall.

Open:Sunrise to sunset.

Distance:14 Kms.

ITIMAD-UD-DAULA'S: (Baby Taj):

This exquisite marble tomb was made by Emperor Jahangir’s queen, Nurjahan , in the memory of her father Mirza Ghias Beg during 1622-1628 A.D. Built entirely in white marble and inlaid with semi-precious stones, their mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna River, exhibits a strong Persian influence.

Open:Sunrise to sunset.

Distance:11 Kms.

Tel:2280030

SIKANDRA:

It is the mausoleum of Emperor Akbar. It 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 one of the well preserved monument.

Open:Sunrise to sunset.

Distance:13.7 Kms.

Tel:2641230

MARIYAM’S TOMB:

This unique tomb in red sandstone was built in memory of Emperor Akbar’s wife Mariyam Zamani. The tomb has some exceptional carvings.

Open:Sunrise to sunset.

Distance:14.5 Kms.

TEMPLES:

Mankameshwar Mandir, Rawli, Balkeshwar Mandir, Prithvinath Mandir, Rajeshwar Mandir , kailash Mandir, Renuka Dham (Shanidev Tample).

BAUDDHMATH:

Buddha Bihar, Agra Fort Bus stand (Monastery)

GURUDWARAS:

Guru ka Tal Gurudwara, Sikandra Mathura Road, Maithan Gurudwara, Fulatti Hathighat Gurudwara

CHURCHES:

Cathedral St. Peter's, St. Patricks, Baptist Church, Sai Ka Takia, Catholic Church,Sadar Bazar

MOSQUES:

Jama Masjid near Bijlighar, Taj Mahal, Shaikh Salim Chisti Dargah, Fatehpur Sikri

JAIN TEMPLES:

Digambar Jain temple, Taj Ganj, Tirthadham, Mangalayatan, Sasni, Aligarh, Chintamani Parshwanath, Roshan Mohalla, Dadabari, Shahganj.