"The city of Taj Mahal, the monument of eternal love"
Agra
Located on the banks of River Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is a popular tourist destination as it is home to one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal.
It is a sneak peek into the architectural history and legacy of the Mughal empire with two other UNESCO World Heritage Sites Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
History, architecture, romance all together create the magic of Agra, and hence, makes for a must-visit for anyone living in or visiting India.
Agra is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and 24th most populous city in India.
With its long and rich history, it is no wonder that Agra forms part of the popular Golden Triangle Circuit for tourists along with Delhi and Jaipur.
It is also a part of the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc including Varanasi and Lucknow.
History fanatics and architecture buffs are sure to have a ball here with the sheer expanse of the Mughal art and culture on display.
Apart from its monuments, Agra has some exciting stuff for foodies.
It is as famous for its Petha (a sweet made from pumpkin and flavoured with rose water and saffron) as it is for the Taj Mahal.
Agra is also well known for its marble artefacts which are best bought in the Sadar Bazaar or Kinaari Bazaar area.
Agra is mostly visited on a one-day trip from New Delhi or other nearby cities in Uttar Pradesh but is totally worth it.
Be prepared to be astounded, amazed, inspired and thrilled.
However, be a little cautious about conmen in the guise of unofficial tour guides and fake handicrafts.
Places To Visit In Agra
(1). ###Agra Fort###
An Epitome of the Mughal Dynasty" Agra Fort, Agra
An architectural masterpiece, The Red Fort of Agra or Agra Fort was built by Emperor Akbar in 1573.
It is located on the right bank of the River Yamuna and is made entirely of red sandstone.
The historical fort was once the ersthwhile residence of the Mughals until 1638.
One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it lies 2.5 kilometres from Taj Mahal.
Also known as Lal βQila, Fort Rouge or Qila-i-Akbari, Agra Fort is a symbol of Agra and is so massive that it is often referred to as a walled city.
It is the perfect example of Mughal art and architecture, built purely out of red sandstone. Within the premises of Agra Fort lie the most exquisite structures like the Pearl Mosque, Diwan-i I Khas, Diwan-i I Aam, Moti Masjid and Jahangiri Mahal.
Some part of the Agra Fort is used by the Indian Army is off-limit to public access.
View of Yamuna River and Taj Mahal from the fort's pavilions is mind-stirring.
###Magnificent Structures Inside Agra Fort###
1. Jehangir Mahal:
One of the first architectures that you will encounter once you enter the Agra Fort through the Amar Singh Gate is the Jehangir Mahal.
Jehangir was Akbar's son and the next in line to rule the Mughal empire after his father.
The Jehangir Mahal was built by Akbar as a women's quarters and was constructed adjacent to the chambers of his favourite queen Jodha Bai.
Simple in its design, the Jehangir Mahal is built in stone and has Persian verses carved out beautifully in a large stone bowl used for storing rose water.
2. Khas Mahal:
Another important structure in the Agra Fort is the Khas Mahal, which has some classical Persian and Islamic influences with a touch of Hindu motifs in its construction.
It was the emperor's sleeping chambers or 'Araamgah'.
Its unique feature is its beautiful paintings on the marble surface.
3. Musamman Burj:
Towards the left of the Khas Mahal lies the Musamman Burj, which was also built by Shah Jahan.
Octagonal in shape, this tower has an open pavilion which allowed the cool evening breeze to flow right through it.
This was the place where Shah Jahan spent his last days whilst he looked out over to to the tomb of his beloved wife, the Taj Mahal.
4. Sheesh Mahal:
One of the most exquisite constructions in the Agra Fort, the Sheesh Mahal is a 'harem' or dressing room that employs the most sophisticated water engineering designs.
The inside of this construction is beautifully decorated with a mosaic of myriad tiny mirrors, hence giving it its name.
5. Diwan - I- Khaas:
To the right of the Sheesh Mahal lies the Diwan - I - Khaas, which was a hall especially for private audiences.
It is intricately decorated with marble pillars that are studded with floral patterns of semi - precious stones.
Adjacent to this is the Mammam-E-Shahi or the Shah Burj, used as the summer retreat.
7. Nagina Masjid:
This shrine was built by emperor Shah Jahan as a private mosque for the ladies of the court.
8. Moti Masjid:
Also known as the Pearl Mosque, it is an extremely beautiful structure situated at Agra Fort.
The building of the mosque is closed to visitors as of now.
Near the Moti Masjid lies the Mina Masjid, which was the private shrine of Emperor Shah Jahan.
###How to Reach Agra Fort###
The Agra Fort is located just 2.5 km away from the opulent Taj Mahal hence it is a very good idea to combine these two destinations together.
The nearest railway station to the Red Fort of Agra is, of course, Agra Cantonment or Agra Cantt. as it is more commonly known as.
If you are a first-time traveller to Agra, get down at the station and make your way to the prepaid booth in order to book a transport - Cab or Rickshaw - at a reasonable price.
The taxi fare is usually between INR 200 - 300 as the distance between the station and the fort is around 13 km.
###History of Agra Fort###
Sikandar Lodi was the first Sultan of Delhi who shifted his capital from Delhi to Agra.
His son Ibrahim Lodi held the fort which was then known as Badalgarh for nine years until he was defeated in the first battle of Panipat.
When Babur sent his son Humayun to Agra, he captured the Badalgarh Fort and seized a vast treasure which included the famous Kohinoor diamond.
After Humayun's defeat to Sher Shah Suri, the Mughals lost the fort again.
When Akbar arrived in Agra, he realized the importance of the city and made it it's capital.
Akbar regained the remains of the Badalgarh Fort and renovated it with red sandstone from Rajasthan.
4000 builders worked on it and it was finally completed in 1573, after a period of 8 years.
Shah Jahan, who was Akbar's grandson destroyed some of the buildings in the fort to make his own in their place, rendering the Agra Fort as it is today.
Towards the end of Shah Jahan's life, his son Aurangzeb detained him in the fort's Muasamman Burj, which overlooked the Taj Mahal.
(2). ###Taj Mahal###
A Monumental Ode to Love" Taj Mahal, Agra
One of the seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal is located on the banks of River Yamuna in Agra.
It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
It also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Constructed entirely out of white marble in the 17th century, Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world.
Every year visitors numbering more than the entire population of Agra pass through the magnificent gates to catch a glimpse of this breathtaking monument!
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal stands for the Crown of Palaces in the Persian language.
The tomb is laid out in a rectangular shape and can be approached through a massive gateway which has an arch and alcoves on either side of it.
There are water channels and fountains in the entrance which makes the monument even more spectacular.
The reflection of this majestic spectacle in the Yamuna is almost poetic in its perfection!
Covering an area of approximately 42 Acres, the construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631 and it took 17 years before it was completed in 1648! It was constructed using white marble obtained from Makrana in Rajasthan.
###History of Taj Mahal###
The Taj Mahal was built as a mausoleum by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to their 14th child in 1631.
Her death left the emperor completely heartbroken, and his hair is said to have turned grey overnight.
The construction of the Taj began in 1632.
The main building was completed in eight years, but the whole complex was not completed until 1653.
Soon after the construction was completed, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and imprisoned in the Agra Fort.
For the rest of his life, he could only gaze at his wondrous creation through a window.
Shah Jahan died in 1666, after which his mortal remains were buried here alongside Mumtaz.
Over 20,000 people from all over Indian and Central Asia worked on this striking building.
Specialists were brought from as far away as Europe who produced the beautiful marble screens and marble inlay (pietra dura) which is made of thousands of semi precious stones.
Taj Mahal was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983.
It looks as pristine today as it was first constructed.
The monument underwent a massive restoration project in the early 20th century.
###How To Reach Taj Mahal###
Reaching Taj Mahal and getting around Agra can be done in tongas, electric buses and tempos.
There are also auto rickshaws and state buses. In order to minimise the effects of pollution on the monument, vehicles are not allowed in the vicinity of Taj and need to be parked in the parking lots that are at a short distance from the mausoleum.
There are non-electric tourist buses for visitors from the parking lot.
Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort are quite close to each other, and if it's not too sunny you can just walk between the two.
Otherwise, there are a lot of autos and battery-powered rickshaws plying between the two major monuments that charge a minimum amount.
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