The Taj Mahal – Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal. It is a sublime experience of the greatest love story ever told. Today India’s most fascinating and beautiful masterpiece, this perfectly symmetrical edifice is set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of the Yamuna River. The Taj was built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. After her untimely death, Shah Jahan had her mortal remains buried in this mausoleum. And after his own demise he was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same mausoleum. Under the dome, below the ground level, in a dimly lit chamber, lie the mortal remains of Shahjahan and his beloved queen Mumtaz, reminding the world of their undying love.
The Taj remains closed for visitors on Monday. No entry fee is charged on Fridays.
The City of Victory-Fatehpur Sikri: – Is located 37 kms from the city of Agra, stands Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s capital. Full credit goes to the Archeological Survey of India for this perfectly preserved example of a Mughal city at the height of the empire’s splendour. It is an attraction no visitor to Agra should miss. This sprawling structure is made of red sandstone and combines both Hindu and Mughal architecture. This walled city contains the mausoleum of the Sufi fakir, Saleem Chisti who is said to have granted Akbar and his Hindu queen Jodhabai their wish for a son. The main entrance to Fatehpur Sikri is through the 175 feet Buland Darwaza, the highest gateway in the world. It was built by Akbar to commemorate his victory over Khandesh in Gujarat.
Open: Sunrise to Sunset.
Agra Fort – Within a radius of 3 kilometers, on the banks of the river Yamuna raises the crescent like Agra Fort. Designed and built by Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is surrounded by a 70 feet high wall. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces including the Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-I-Khas, Diwan-I-Am and Moti Masjid. Later it was used by his son Jahangir also as the seat of power. Shahjahan modeled his creation, the Red Fort at Delhi on this fort. The fort has four gates and is enclosed by a double barricaded wall of red sand stone. Many buildings were constructed within the fort of which very few remain till date. One of the most significant ones is the multi storied Jahangir Mahal built by Akbar for his wife Jodha Bai.The Mahal is reached through an impressive gateway and its inner courtyard consists of beautiful halls, profuse carvings on stone, exquisitely carved heavy brackets, piers and cross beams.
Open: 7 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Sikandra:- 10 kms North West of Agra, is the final resting place of Emperor Akbar. The Tomb of Akbar shows an interesting fusion of Hindu and Mughal architecture reflecting the spirit of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar began the construction of his own garden mausoleum during his lifetime, a red sandstone structure in a char-bagh meaning 4-square formal garden.
You will also see the lot more attraction of Agra like Itmad-ul-Daulah’s Tomb, Chini Ka Rauza and Ram Bagh.
Destinations of interest near Agra:
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (56 Km.)Called Keoladeo Ghana National Park, it is one of the finest water bird sanctuaries in the world. Spread over 40 sqkm area of swampy, lightly wooded terrain, the sanctuary attracts a great variety of species of birds especially the Siberian Cranes in the winter months. Hence it is considered as the ornithologist’s paradise. It lies 57 km from Agra on Delhi-Jaipur highway. Season: October to February.
Mathura and Vrindavan (60 Km.) Mathura, on the bank of river Yamuna, is the birth place of Lord Krishna and is just an hour’s drive by car from Agra. The land is replete with imposing temples, each dedicated to the stages of the lord’s life. The groves and ghats of nearby Brindaban with its thousands of temples still echo stories and songs that recount the exploits of this charming God. Among the important temples at Mathura and Vrindavan are Govind Dev Temple, Rangaji Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple, Keshav Deo Temple, Bankey Bihari Temple and the ISKON temple. Gokul, Barsana and Goverdhan are other townships associated with the lord. Gokul, is the place, hideout rather, where Krishna was brought up in secrecy, far from the eyes of his maternal uncle, Kansa.
Bateshwar (70 Km.) East of Agra on the west bank of Yamuna lies Bateshwar, the abode of lord Shiva. There are numerous ghats to be seen along with numerous white painted temples. The mural paintings at some of the temples are worth seeing. An important event is the annual fair of October attracting thousands is said to be the largest cattle fair of Uttar Pradesh.
If you want to see more tourist places near to agra then you can choose the Golden Triangle Tour, which also include the sight seeing of Delhi Agra and Jaipur.
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