Agra
Agra is a city located in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Agra can boast of being the capital of the Mughal Empire for almost 200 years. Agra is the 24th most populous city in India. If you are planning to take Agra travel packages, please note that there are hot summers and mild winters in Agra. The monsoon in Agra would also give you decent opportunities to enjoy. You can reach Agra easily by road, train or air. Agra is widely known in the world because of the Taj Mahal, the ancient wonder of the world. You can easily get many hotels offering you a view of the Taj Mahal from your room. Many other monuments are the feathers in its cap and you must visit them if you travel in India. The culture of Agra is quite developed. It is highly influenced by the Mughal Era, especially in the cuisines. You would get Mughal cuisine on the menu of many of the hotels of Agra.
History of Agra
Let us start with the golden age of the city of Agra that began with the rule of the Mughal Empire. At that time it was called Akbarabad. It was Babur who founded the Mughal dynasty. Humayun was his successor. Akbar was his grandson who passed the rule to Jahangir. Then Shah Jahan ruled it and completely changed the image of Agra in front of the whole world and then Aurangzeb also contributed to the development of Agra. All the rulers had their ways of development. If Shah Jahan maintained good foreign relations, Shah Jahan contributed to brilliant architecture. Babar was the one who started building the monuments. It was Aram Bagh opposite the river Yamuna, being the first structure made by the Mughals.
Importance of Agra related to tourism
Tourism in Agra is very well developed with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites out of 37 in India. The three sites are the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort are located in Agra. However, Fatehpur Sikri is a small town located 1-2 hours away from Agra. Agra also holds a special place on the golden triangle tour. The golden triangle of India consists of Agra, Jaipur, and Delhi. Agra is also a part of Uttar Pradesh Heritage arc including Lucknow and Varanasi. Agra is also one of the cities of Braj culture. Braj Bhoomi or land of Braj is the group of cities that are believed to be the land of Krishna. Some of the cities are Mathura, Vrindavan, Agra, Gokul, Bharatpur, etc.
Monuments in Agra
There are various stunning monuments in Agra. They represent the architectural intelligence of the Mughal rulers and their logical approach towards the combination of beauty and comfort. The major monuments of Agra are Jama Masjid, Akbar's tomb, Aaram Bagh, Mariam's tomb, Mehtab Bagh, Keetham lake, apart from the three UNESCO e world heritage sites. The non-Mughal monuments of Agra are Mankameshwar Temple, Gurudwara Guru ka Taal, Paliwal Park, Soamibagh Samadhi, etc.
Tourist Attractions in Agra
The Taj Mahal – The Taj Mahal is a beauty loaded with the feelings of love. The entire world knows about the epic love of a husband after the death of his wife. There are precious and semi-precious stones used to decorate the walls of the Taj Mahal. There is a garden outside the monument that is built in the Char Bagh style. The Char Bagh style is the style of gardens built in the paradise according to Islam. Its architecture and philosophy are breathtaking. The Taj Mahal is a mosque worth visiting every time you take Agra travel packages. The actual tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are situated in the basement. It was built in 17th century in 22 years.
Agra Fort – Agra Fort was commissioned by Akbar, the Great in the year 1565. It was the residence of the Mughal emperors till 1638. Then the capital of the Mughal Empire was shifted from Agra to Delhi. There is Jahangir's tank that was used for bathing; Shahjahani Mahal; Ghaznin Gate that was brought by the British; Jahangir chain of Justice; the mirror Palace, etc.
Fatehpur Sikri – Whenever you would be on travel packages in India, please do not forget to visit Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar had a victorious Gujarat campaign in the year 1573 and his son Salim or Jahangir took birth in the village of Sikri in 1569. Both these reasons are responsible for calling this small village ‘Sikri’ to be ‘Fatehpur Sikri.’ The beautiful buildings inside it are Jama Masjid, Hall of Public Audience, Hall of Private Audience, House of Worship, a Five Storey Palatial Structure, Birbal's House, etc.
Aram Bagh – Aram Bagh is an oldest Mughal Garden in India. It was built by Babur in the year 1528. Aaram Bagh means the ‘Garden of Rest’. It is also called as the ‘Lazy Garden’. It is said that when Akbar spent 6 days in the garden while staying idle until she said Yes to marry him. She was a gardener over there. The Gardens made in Persian style with four rivers dividing the garden into 4 equal parts.
Akbar's tomb in Sikandra – The Tomb of Akbar also holds a very special place in the beautiful world of architecture. It is located in Sikandra, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was constructed between 1604 and 1613. It is spread across 119 acres. Beginning with the front facade of the tomb, the gallery that is in the shape of a circumference around the Cenotaph, the look of the interior from the south gate of the tomb, the main attraction that is the Akbar's tomb complex, the intricacy of the ceiling of the tomb, the beauty of the actual tomb located in the basement, the complex works in the tomb, the beautiful arch at the entrance, etc, there are all the pieces of evidence signifying the beauty of the tomb. You would be amazed to know that it was none other than Akbar himself who planned the Tomb and he was only the one who selected a suitable site for it.
Shopping in Agra – Agra is a city that is known for ethnic textiles, embroidery, leather products, delicious food items, handicrafts, leather products, Jewellery items, etc. There are different markets that you can visit and have a great collection representing the culture of Agra. You can have great collection while being on tourism in Agra. The famous markets are Sadar Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Raja Ki Mandi, Shahganj Bazar, Subhash market, etc.
How to Reach Agra
Agra is well connected to the national capital and other major cities of India.
By Road – Luxury Coaches, Tourist cabs and regular buses are easily available from Delhi Jaipur Lucknow and other major cities. Yamuna Expressway is best route to reach Agra from Delhi.
By Rail – Agra is well connected by Indian railways through Various cities of India. Shatabadi Express, Gatiman express are major trains connects Agra from Delhi in very short time.
By Air – Delhi and Jaipur are the nearest Airport to Agra which are connected to Domestic and international cities by regular flights.
