If you belong to Delhi-NCR, you have probably travelled to Agra atleast once in your lifetime. So while hunting for places to go nearby over a weekend, accessible and convenient, Agra was thus zeroed on as the obvious choice. A little research and planning later, my friend and I, packed our bags to visit the city which was once home to the mighty Mughals.
We started from Noida early morning and took the Yamuna Expressway. To our surprise, we reached Agra in mere 3 hours. The drive was smooth and pleasant. Being the month of January, the air was cool and breezy.
Day 1: Agra Fort
After checking into our hotel room, our first stop was the Agra fort. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the majestic fort is almost 450 years old and I guarantee that the first time you lay your eyes on its peripheral red walls, you will be transported to a different era.
Travel guides are omnipresent at all major spots in Agra however, we decided to explore at our own pace leisurely. The fort welcomes you with tall walls and grand entrance with a gate which opens with a manual pulley. Apparently, it kept the enemies away and to add to it, the towering walls made it tough for them to ascend.
There are many things to look out for in the fort like Diwan-i-Am, Anguri Bagh, Nagina Masjid, Diwan-i-Khas etc. but the most iconic is the view of distant Taj Mahal from the terrace where Shah Jahan was kept hostage till his death because he was ostentatiously spending away the wealth of the kingdom. Futhermore, the long corridors and well maintained gardens add to traveller’s bliss, a gentle reminder of royalty which once ruled India.
Next morning we headed to the famous Fatehpur Sikri (the city built by Akbar). It is an hour drive from the main city and is easily accessible by road. However once you reach there, you have to park your car in the taxi stand outside and then you can either take the govt run buses/autos or simply walk that 2 km. For some it can be an exerting uphill hike but the sight of the tallest door, Buland Darwaza, is a sight not to be missed. Truly, no amount of photos can do justice to the grandeur of these monuments. You have to see it to believe it.
The fort is complete with meena bazaars, diwan-i-am, diwan-i-khas, the residing palaces of Jodha and other wives, kitchens the works.
The whole fort is in red sandstone and the intricacies of art work, planning and craftsmanship that must have gone into building something of this scale, without the present day logistics, is simply mind-boggling.
The Panchmahal is definitely one of the most distinguishing architecture marvel. The tall multi-story is standing on 5 floors by numerous pillars in a pyramidal fashion. Apparently during summers when it got hot in Agra, the emperor would sit on top to enjoy the cold breeze and get some relief from harsh weather conditions.
One needs a complete day to appreciate the sheer amount of passion and love with which the whole fort is constructed. Kudos to the restoration work which has retained, to a great extent, the original condition of this iconic fort.
Next, we decided to admire the sunset from the gardens of Mehtab Bagh. It is famous for its panoramic view of the world famous wonder, The Taj Mahal. The gardens of Mehtab Bagh once housed myriad variety of plants and herbs of medicinal value. Many tourist flock the gardens to avoid the hustle bustle of Taj and to peacefully watch the sunset with their loved ones and family. It is magical to say the least and will definitely leave you awestruck.
There are also the remains of Black Taj whose construction had started but was abandoned due to lack of funds and other politics. The remains are an aching reminder of all those unfulfilled dreams and hopes that lay there now in sand and dust.
After a rather hectic day, for dinner we decided to head to this place where they serve Rajasthani Thali: The Grand Gopika. You get three options: basic, executive and deluxe versions. The ambiance was superb with live folk singing and exquisite interior. The taste of authentic Rajputana flavours will linger on your tastebuds. All in all, if in Agra, it’s a must visit.
Day 3: Tomb of Akbar & Jodha
Day 3rd was reserved for the tomb of Akbar, The Great, in Sikandra. Built in 1605–1613 by his son Jahangir, it is hardly 20 mins drive and you can easily find it on the maps. The tomb again, like all the Mughal architecture, is simply spectacular. The grand entrance is gigantic. Emperor Akbar was believed to be an egalitarian and kept equal faith in all dharmas so, if you look closely you can see the symbols of various religions (islam, hindu, jain, rajputs) carved on it. Build with sandstone and marble, it is picture perfect.
The tomb of Akbar is few of those you can see at ground level. The walls are painted with exquisite patterns and artistry. It is almost surreal that the man who made the great walled city and conquered many fights and battles lay there in a plain grave with minimal decorations. Maybe it is true that nothing else, but the deeds remains.
The last stop was the tomb of most loved princess of Akbar, Mariam-Uz-Zamani or fondly called as Jodha Bai. The ASI protected monument is a few kilometers from the Akbar tomb. It has Rajputi structures like chatris and chajjas. Surrounded with lush green gardens and symmetric structure, it is indeed a must visit. It was built by his son Jehangir in between 1623 and 1627 CE.
With this the time came to bid adieu to the "epic" trip but not the memories.
The city which once was the nucleus of power and influence, is now an important name on the map mainly due to its tourism industry. The trip was truly rejuvenating and an eye-opener to the wealth of beauty that lies in our country. It was my last trip before the Covid lockdown and I am glad it was Agra because such trips linger long after they are over. Last but not the least; Pls stay safe, stay indoors.
