Agra: Not just a city of monuments!
Introduction (A Glance)
Agra, a city on the banks of Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh is probably one of the most famous destinations in India. One would find glimpses of history in every corner of this city. Agra has been mentioned in ancient Hindu epics, but the credit for the foundation of the city goes to Sultan Sikandar Lodi. It was with the advent of the Mughals in India that the city reached its grandeur. Agra remained the capital of the Mughal Empire in India for a very long time. The city is definitely the best reminiscence of the Mughal Empire in India.
How to Reach (Getting There)
Auto rickshaws are probably the best way to get around in the city and travel between one tourist spot to another. The New Delhi airport, which is approximately 200 kilometres from Agra, is the nearest major airport. Agra is well connected by rail and has three major railway stations: Agra Cantt, Agra Fort railway station and Raja Ki Mandi. The journey by train from Agra to Delhi takes about 3 hours. Agra is well connected by road to Delhi, Jaipur and other cities in Uttar Pradesh, such as Lucknow. Agra experiences extreme climates, characterized by hot and humid summer and cold and chilly winters. So it is advisable to avoid going to Agra during peak summer that is from April to mid June.
Tourist Destinations (Attractions)
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the architectural splendour and also for many people, the symbol of immortal love, the Taj Mahal is the biggest attraction in Agra. This beautiful monument is a tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the queen of Shah Jahan, the third Mughal emperor. It took 12 years and approximately 20,000 workers to construct this marble wonder. There is more to Taj than just the main building; there are other aspects to the Taj that is most of the times not captured in numerous photographs. The main gate itself is another example of medieval Muslim architecture. The entire complex is surrounded by beautiful buildings and ornamental gardens. The Taj Mahal is located on the banks of the river Yamuna and thus the river acts like a mirror, reflecting this immortal monument. If you think that Taj is beautiful during the day, then you should come during the night viewing sessions, to witness this monument at its full splendour on a full moon night.
Agra is not just about the Taj Mahal, the city has two other world heritage sites: The Agra fort and Fatehpur Sikri. The Agra fort was initially built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and was later renovated by his grandson Shah Jahan. The fort has many beautifully constructed buildings are rooms inside it, such as the Sheesh Mahal, which has a lot of mirror work, Khaas Mahal and Akbari Mahal. As any Mughal building, the Agra fort has its share of splendid gardens; it’s called the Anguri Bagh. The Agra fort also has a view of the Taj Mahal. The fort is not just another medieval monument; it is a symbol of the Mughal Empire when it was at its peak. Approximately 35 kilometres away from Agra is another historic city, Fatehpur Sikri built by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The most famous monument of Fatehpur Sikri is the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. People from all religion and caste come to this tomb to seek blessings. The city is full of historic monuments, such as Buland Darwaza, Jamat Khana and Badshahi Darwaza.
The history of the Mughal Empire is engraved in each corner of this city. It is Agra houses the tomb of the greatest Mughal emperor, Akbar. The mausoleum, Sikandra is located approximately 10 kilometres away from the city and the design is a combination of Hindu, Muslim and Christian architecture. Akbar had initiated the construction of his own mausoleum but was completed by his son and successor Jahangir. The other significant tombs in Agra are the tombs of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, known as the Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb and the tomb of one of the queen’s of Akbar, Mariam’s tomb. All these Mughal tombs have intricate designs and ornamental gardens surround this mausoleum.
The Ram Bagh is a beautiful garden built by the first Mughal emperor Babur. The Ram Bagh has a three terrace garden and water cascades down those three terraces. The mausoleum of Shri Shiv Dayal Singh is located approximately 10 kilometres from Agra. The construction of this white marble mausoleum was started in the year 1904 and it still is not complete. Shri Shiv Dayal Singh preached unity of all mankind irrespective of caste, creed or colour and continuing the legacy is this structure. The structure once completed is supposed to house a temple, a mosque, a church and a gurudwara in the same building. There is also a botanical garden, set on the banks of river Yamuna, known as the Mehtab Bagh. This garden is opposite to the Taj Mahal and provides a good view of the Taj Mahal from across the river. The other famous monuments in Agra are the beautiful memorial of Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz, the prime minister of Shah Jahan, known as the Chini ka Rauza and of course Jama Masjid, the mosque famous for its unique architecture. Agra also has the advantage of being in close proximity to tourist attractions, such as Mathura, Vrindavan and Bharatpur bird sanctuary.
Agra is one of the oldest cities in India but that does not mean that gardens and tombs are the only attraction of the city. Agra is a paradise for shopping ethnic Indian things. From souvenirs to handicrafts, from international branded clothes to the embroidered Indian clothes, from leather goods to sweets one can find anything at a good bargain in Agra. There are the usual malls with the multiplexes, such as the Pacific Taj. However it’s the narrow lanes in the city market that you would actually find all the variety at a good price. The ideal shopping places in Agra would be the Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Lohamandi.
Hotels and Resorts (The Stay)
All types of cusines are available in the numerous restaurants in the city. Pizzas, Chinese, Mughlai, North Indian, South Indian, Continental and fast food, there are different places across the city serving these cuisines. However, if you want the authentic Agra cuisine then try the restaurants in Johri bazaar or the Indian fast food restaurants in MG road or Kamla Nagar. Agra is also known for his variety of sweets and chaats. One would find a sweet and chaat shop in every corner of the city. Agra doe not have nightlife or many pubs. The good drinking places in Agra would be in the bars in one of the starred hotels, such as Mughal Sheraton, Jaypee Palace or the Clarks Shiraz. Agra offers a diverse range of accommodation choices. From budget hotels to luxurious hotels, such as the Oberoi Amarvilas one can opt for any kind of accommodation depending upon the budget and choice.
Agra is not just any city. It reflects the rich Mughal history on one side and the rapidly growing city with multiplexes and malls on the other side. It has numerous gardens and monuments to visit and at the same time has a number of shopping lanes. The city has a blend of both Muslim and Hindu culture. Agra is not just about the Taj Mahal or the Agra fort; it is not just about the Mughals and their history and tombstones, Agra reflects the colourful traditions and culture of India. Agra has managed to maintain its old charm and majestic past and at the same time has moved on to become a city of the 21st century. The rich history, the beautiful monuments, the Taj Mahal, the shopping and many more reasons make Agra a “must visit” city in India.