Travel
India, the land offering diverse travel opportunities, ranging from
travelling through the
Himalayas to the
Kanyakumari. Taj Mahal,
Khajuraho and
Kerala Backwaters are some favourite rendezvous
for travelling in India.
Agra - The city known for
the famous monument of love - the Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal was
constructed by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jehan. It is said he built this
monument in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is
ethereal at any part of the day - blushing in the rosy glow of dawn or
sunset , appearing like a pearly mirage in the moonlight or reflected in the
pools of the garden . Perhaps the most moving view of the Taj is from an
octagonal tower in the Agra Fort further along the river Yamuna .
There
are very few cities in the world that can match the history and heritage of
Agra. Located at a distance of 204 km south of Delhi, Agra is the single
most famous tourist destination of India. Situated on the west bank of River
Yamuna, Agra is a part of the great Norther Indian plains.
The
architectural splendor of the city is reflected in the glorious monuments of
medieval India built by great Mughals who ruled India for more than
300 years. In the mid 16th century and earlier 17th century Agra witnessed a
frenzied building activity and it was during this time when the symbol of
love Taj Mahal was built. The buildings made during this era were purely in
the contemporary Mughal style and of very high quality which is still
reflected in what ever monuments remain in Agra.
 Major
Attractions of Agra |
 |
Fatehpur
Sikri : A royal city perfectly preserved, Fatehpur Sikri provides a
marvellous escape into the past. Akbar embarked on the construction of a new
capital here when a prophecy of the birth of a male royal heir, by the Sufi
Saint Salim Chisti of Sikri, came true. Imposing gateways and light- hearted
palaces were built in red sandstone within this fortified city only to be
abandoned a few years later.
Agra Fort : The
construction of the Agra fort was started around 1565 when the initial
structures were built by Akbar. Shah Jahan replaced most of these with his
marble creations. Some however survived, among them are Delhi Gate, Amar
Singh Gate, Akbari Mahal and the Jahangiri Mahal.
The fort is
crescent-shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall
facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 km, and is ringed by
double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals
by bastions. A 9mt. wide and 10mt.deep moat surrounds the outer wall. An
imposing 22mt. high inner wall imparts a feeling of invincible defensive
construction. The route through the Amar Singh gate is dog-legged. The
layout of the fort was determined by the course of the river, which in those
days flowed alongside. The main axis is parallel to the river and the walls
bridge out towards the city.
Khaas Mahal : Situated in between the golden
pavilions is the Khaas Mahal. Built entirely of marble by Shah Jahan, the
palace demonstrates distinctive Islamic-Persian features. These are well
blended with a striking range of Hindu features such as chhatries. It is
considered to be emperor's sleeping room or' Aramgah', The Khaas Mahal
provides the most successful example of painting on a white marble surface.
Diwan-E-Khaas : To the right of Sheesh Mahal is
Diwan-e-Khaas, the Hall of Private Audience. Presently entry is not allowed
inside Diwan-e-Khaas but the fine proportions of the building can easily be
appreciated. The marble pillars are inlaid with semi-precious stones in
delightful floral patterns.
Sikandra
Fort : Welcome to Sikandra, a supurb of Agra, only 13 km. from the
Agra Fort, the last resting place of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Akbar was the
greatest of the Mughal emperors and one of the most secular minded royalties
of his time. He was the heir to a long tradition of oriental refinement, a
great patron of the arts, literature, philosophy and science.
A
visit to Akbar's monument opens before one, the completeness of Akbar's
personality as completely as the Taj Mahal does of Mumtaz Mahal's. Akbar's
vast, beautifully carved, red-ochre sandstone tomb is set amidst a lush
garden. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for
it. To construct a tomb in one's lifetime was a Tartary custom which the
Mughals followed religiously. Akbar's son Jahangir completed the
construction of this pyramidal tomb in 1613.
| Shopping
in Agra |
|
Agra is also famous for the leather items. Agra is the hub of
hand made leather items. Particularly the Agra jail inmates are make these
items which are sold to give them a decent earning. The local artisans are
also good at making leather chappals (sandals), purses, bags, decorative
items and many more such leather product which instantaneously attracts your
attention. In the handicraft craft emporiums and shops there are sandal and
rose wood items even though there are no rose or sandal wood forest nearby.
The shops also have brass decorative pieces and stone carved images. Agra is
also famous for the Zari and embroidery work, Stone inlay work and durries.
| How
to Get there |
|
Air : Agra is one of the hottest tourist
destinations in India and all facilities have been provided for the easy
access to this place. It has its own airport which connects Agra with all
the major places in India. The Agra airport or the Kheria airport has all
the major domestic airlines having their services to this place of the Taj.
Rail : Agra is a major railway station with
almost all the trains to south India, Mumbai and many trains to Calcutta
stopping here. Agra city is visited by the "Palace on Wheels" .The
Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains have also their stoppage in Agra. The city is
well connected by trains to almost every corner of the nation.
Road
: Agra has the National Highway Numbers 2, 3, 11 passing through it. So
the premier tourist destination of India, Agra is also well linked by bus
services to other places in the State as well as outside the state.
Destinations
