"♫♫ Sau Saal Pehle Mujhe Tumse Pyaar Tha, Mujhe Tumse Pyaar THA. Aaj Bhi hai, aur Kal Bhi rahega...♫♫"
The Mohammad Rafi classic echoes in my mind every time I visit the beautiful city of Agra. Many a lovers' inspiration, many a historians' delights, many a poets' muses and many a heartbroken' respite.
An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.
Agra is a city situated on the banks of the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, India. The city has a rich historical background which is evident from the number of monuments in the city. The earliest reference of Agra dates back to the period of Mahabharata where it is referred to as Agravana. It is also believed that the place served as an abode of the Aryans. The city offers one a memorable experience which can be felt only when one visits the place. To explore this place is to be transported to the time when the city was ruled by the Mughals.
Taj Mahal is something difficult to describe in words, one would always fall short of words while describing it. As it was an early morning visit there were fewer visitors and more photographers.
The Taj Mahal is open for visitors from 6 in the morning to 6 in the evening with an entrance fee of Rs 20 and it also hosts a light show which starts from 7:30 and 8:30 in the evening.
Having seen the Taj Mahal it was time to visit the Agra Fort. Like the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is popularly known as the sister monument of Taj. The fort is also known as 'Lal-Qila' and is a symbol of power, strength, and pliability. Emperor Akbar built the fort in red sandstone in 1654. The Fort served as a military strategic point and as a royal residence. The fort is open for a visit on all days with an entrance fee of Rs 20 for Indians and Rs 520 for foreigners.
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