About Agra

The beautiful era can be discovered in Agra, a city. The numerous monuments that dot the city and its environs reflect Agra's long and illustrious past. The epic Mahabharata uses the name "Agravana," which means "paradise" in Sanskrit, to describe Agra, the earliest reference to the city. Ptolemy, a well-known geographer from the second century A.D., was the first person to use the modern name for Agra. In the 16th century, Sikandar Lodi, ruler of the Lodi dynasty, established modern Agra. When Shah Jahan left the Mughal throne, Agra's architectural splendor reached its peak.

The city is on the Yamuna River's western bank in Uttar Pradesh. Although the Taj Mahal's wonderful appeal draws tourists from all over the world to Agra, it is not a stand-alone attraction. Explore the city's trail of fascinating mausoleums and tombs. Agra is well-suited for foodies and shopaholics alike thanks to its exquisite Pietra Dura (marble inlay) work, rugs, leather goods, and Petha.

Major Attractions to Visit:

        Taj Mahal:- Rudyard Kipling referred to the Taj Mahal's beauty as "the embodiment of all things pure." This is not a play on words; the Taj is without a doubt the pure epitome of beauty. It is the most beautiful representation of an emperor's love for his queen and is a poem that will never die in white marble. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his beloved wife and Queen Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to their son and left her last wish for her husband to “build such a tomb in her memory which the world has never seen before.” It is on the bank of the River Yamuna. The magnificent mausoleum was constructed over 17 years, with 22,000 workers and 1,000 elephants.

One of India's three World Heritage Sites is the Taj Mahal. The monument, which is located in a tranquil Mughal garden, is on a raised marble platform with its back to the Yamuna River. The Taj Mahal's four sides are perfectly symmetrical and feature impressive vaulted arches with Pietra Dura scrollwork, as well as verses from the Quran written in calligraphy with inlaid jasper. Photographers and foreign tourists alike make this architectural masterpiece one of their most frequent destinations in India. The Taj Mahal remains as immaculate today as it did when it was first constructed, captivating visitors.

         Agra Fort:- In 1565, Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of a massive red sandstone fort on the Yamuna River. Shah Jahan, his grandson, added to the structure. A fortification wall that is 21.4 meters high surrounds the plan of the semicircular fort. The fort was built primarily for use by the military; It is still preserved in parts by the Indian Army. It was transformed into a palace by Shah Jahan, and after his son, Aurangzeb took power in 1658, it became his gilded prison for eight years. A maze of buildings, including vast underground sections, make up the fort. The only way in is through the south-facing Amar Singh Gate. A way leads directly from here up to the enormous Moti Masjid. The open Diwan-e-Aam, where Shah Jahan listened to people's petitions and issues, is just before this. To the left of Diwan-e-Aam's throne is a small staircase that leads to a large courtyard. The Nagina Masjid, made of white marble, can be found to the left. Different spots to see inside the Stronghold are Diwan-e-Khas - which once housed Shah Jahan's unbelievable Peacock lofty position and the jewel Koh-I-Noor, Shish Mahal-a royal residence with walls trimmed with little mirrors, and Khas Mahal - the white octagonal pinnacle and castle. A massive Jahangir's Palace made of red sandstone can be found south of the fort. Akbar probably built it for his son Jahangir.

           Sikandra/Akbar’s Tomb:- The red-sandstone and marble tomb, which is on the western edge of the city, was constructed by Emperor Akbar and later completed by his son Jahangir. The tenets of Din-e-Ilahi, a religious movement started by Emperor Akbar based on the fusion of primarily Hinduism and Islam, as well as other religions, are reflected in the exquisite calligraphy on its interior. Akbar's grave is in a dark chamber at Sikandra, the Mughal emperor's final resting place. Another thing that draws people to the location is the outlying garden, which is laid out in the Char Bagh style.

            Itmad-Ud-Daula:- A magnum opus of plan and development, this burial place was worked under the commission of Sovereign Noor Jahan in memory of her dad Mirza Ghias Ask in 1623-28 A.D. This resplendent burial chamber is viewed as a forerunner of the Taj Mahal. It is entirely constructed of white marble and exudes a sparkling charm to visitors.

            Chini Ka Rauza:- Afzal Khan Mullah, the Persian poet and Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, is buried here. It is just a short distance from Itmad-ud-Daula and is in Etmadpur. The monument is surrounded by well-kept gardens that are known for their blue-glazed tile. The monument's glazed tiles are made of porcelain, also known as "Chini Mitti" or "Chinese Clay," which is said to have originated in China. On a small portion of the exterior, the monument's tiles can still be seen, but the majority of the interior is painted with floral designs. This location serves as a preview for an exotic Persian art style that has found a home in Agra. You can visit the location any day between sunrise and sunset.

            Mariam’s Tomb:- In honor of Mariam Zamani, the wife of Emperor Akbar, this one-of-a-kind tomb in red sandstone was constructed. The tomb is only one kilometer away from Akbar's. It is close to Fatehpur Sikri and on the Delhi-Agra National Highway. Conceived a Rajput Princess, Heer Kunwari was hitched to Akbar in 1562 and rechristened as Mariam-uz-Zamani. Jahangir, Akbar's son, was born to her. Jahangir constructed a tomb for her close to Sikandra after her death in 1623. The tomb has amazing carvings, and the ground floor has forty chambers made by Sikandar Lodi that have plastered walls and faint traces of paintings on them. The Mariam cenotaph can be found in the center of the ground floor. Red sandstone had been used to cover the baradari's facades. The sandstone was cut into many panels and decorated with bas-relief geometric patterns. An ornamental octagonal tower is added to each quoin of the structure. A pavilion supported by thin pillars rises to the top of the tower. The open-to-the-sky marble cenotaph can be found on the upper story.

            Ram Bagh:- One of the earliest Mughal gardens is known as Ram Bagh. It is believed that Mughal Emperor Babur, who established the Mughal Dynasty, laid it out. The Garden is just 500 meters from the Chini ka Rauza and three kilometers from the tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daula. Established in 1528, it is the oldest garden in Agra and serves as a haven amid a bustling market. Before being transported to Kabul, Afghanistan, Babur is said to have been buried here for a brief period of time. Noor Jahan, Jahangir's wife, renovated it after Babur established it.

             Nagina Masjid:- A beautiful mosque in Agra Fort is Nagina Masjid. It's close to Moti Masjid. This mosque is developed with unadulterated white marble and has a perfectly planned petitioning heaven chamber. The Mosque that was constructed in the Machchi Bhawan's northwest corner was intended for the Emperor's personal use. It has a prayer room to the west and a marble-paved court that is surrounded by walls to the north, south, and east. The prayer room has three domes on top and is also made of marble. The mosque's entrance is supported by slender piers and features a cusp-shaped façade with three arches. The larger arch in the middle has nine cusps, while the smaller ones on either side only have seven cusps.

              Mehtab Bagh:- Mehtab Bagh is opposite the Taj Mahal on the left bank of the Yamuna River. Emperor Babur originally constructed this park as the eleventh park in a series on Yamuna's bank. The square garden complex is perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank and measures approximately 300 meters by 300 meters (980 feet by 980 feet). The excavation revealed a gateway at the northern wall and a massive octagonal tank in the center. This is currently one of the most outstanding spots to see the incredible sepulcher.

              Jama Masjid:-One of the largest mosques constructed by the Mughals in India is the Jama Masjid. A rectangular open forecourt that was built in 1648 by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan's daughter, is housed in this mosque. This monument, constructed of white marble and red sandstone, reflects Iranian architecture in its exquisite design. The Jama Masjid project took six years to complete and required approximately 5,000 workers.

             Guru Ka Taal:- In Agra, Guru Ka Taal is a well-known gurudwara. The development of this spot was begun during the 1970s and it is said that four out of the 10 Sikh masters are said to have paid to visit. This Gurudwara is popular with tourists and devotees due to its historical and religious significance. In order to pay respects to the great Sikh guru, thousands of devotees congregate here each year. One of India's magnificent architectural wonders is this stunning structure. This Gurudwara, with its intricate stone carvings, draws visitors from far and wide to bask in its splendor.