Agra at a Glance :

Area : 82 square kms.

Population : 11,11,086 (2001)

Language : Hindi, Urdu & English

Religion : Majority are Hindus, 16% Muslims

About Agra :

Agra Travel reveals that there are very few cities in the world that can match the history and heritage of Agra - the city of Taj Mahal. Located at a distance of 204 km south of Delhi, Agra is the single most famous tourist destination of India. Agra Travel is comfortable from the national capital of Delhi. Situated on the west bank of River Yamuna, Agra is a part of the great Northern Indian plains and has a tropical climate. Agra has hot and humid temperature that sometimes touch a high of 45 degree celsius. Winters are cold and foggy but pleasant enough to warrant a visit from the tourists coming from all around the world. Agra Travel can be planned accordingly.

Travel to Agra, the great historical city and understand why Taj Mahal is considered as the "Love of a man epitomized in stone". Travel to Agra and discover the fact that Agra is not only Taj Mahal but much more. 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. Travel to Agra and experience the organized chaos that is India. Agra is best understood from the rampages of the Agra Fort and nothing else. Monuments of Agra make Agra Travel unforgettable.

Places to See at Agra :

Taj Mahal : Even as the world is caught in the skirmishes of War & peace, Nuclear and Non-Nuclear; Taj has stood as the epitome of love. This extravagant monument of love is one of the most visited and most photographed places in the world. Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in the memory of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal was the culmination point of Indo-Persian architecture. The Mughals Emperor were always fond of constructing monuments. Perhaps they knew that they would be gone but these structures will remind the world of their grandeur.

Agra Red Fort : Agra which lies on the west bank of river Jamuna became one of the principal cities of the Mughal Empire after the death of Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526. When Akbar choose Agra as his capital he laid the foundation of the Fort of Agra. After Taj this was one of the most important group of buildings. The construction was started in 1565 and was completed in about eight years at a cost of thirty five lakh of rupees under the superintendence of Qasim Khan Mir Barr-u-Bahr. This fort was just one of the many large fortified residences that the emperor wanted to have at various strategic points of his empire. According to contemporary chroniclers like Abul Fazal the fort contained over five hundred buildings. But later on Akbar`s descendants added new buildings, mainly in marble to the fort and demolished the old ones.

Fatehpur Sikri : 37 kms from Agra is built a city predominantly in Red Sandstone called Fatehpur Sikri. This town was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He had planned this city as his capital but shortage of water compelled him to abandon the city and within 20 years the capital of Mughals was shifted to Lahore. Fatehpur Sikri was built during 1571 and 1585. The city is a fine example of culmination of Mughal and Hindu architecture. Any visitor to Agra must have a go at Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri mosque was said to be built in lines of the holy mosque in Mecca. Entrance to the mosque is through the Buland Darwaza that is 54m high.

Akbar`s Mausoleum, Sikandra : Four kilometer from Agra is the mausoleum of Akbar. Construction of this beautiful monument was started by Akbar himself . This structure has a perfect blending of Hindu, Christian , Islamic, Buddhist, Jain motifs.

Dayal Bagh Temple : 15-kms from Agra, Dayal Bagh, also known as Soamibagh, houses the samadhi of the founder of Radha Swami faith, `Swamiji Maharaj`. The main structure is a majestic building, 110-feet in height, built of pure white marble. The belief here is that construction work should never end, making it into a living monument, hence it is under construction for almost 100 years.

Itmad-Ud-Daulah`s Tomb : This tomb belongs to the father of Nur Jahan, Ghias-ud-Din Beg. He was the Wajir or the Chief Minister of Emperor Jehangir. This white marble tomb was built by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628. The tomb may not be as mammoth as the Taj but the inlay designs and carvings are no less than Taj if not more. The delicate marble latticework in the passages allows the light to enter the interiors. A similar tomb was built by Nur Jahan for Jehangir in Lahore. This tomb was the first complete marble Moghul structure.

Mariyam Tomb : This tomb is dedicated to the wife of Akbar. The red sand stone tomb was built in 1611 and is on the Delhi- Agra highway. The carvings on the tomb of Mariyam-us-Zamani are worth giving a closer look.

Places to Stay at Agra :

• Mughal Shereton (5 Star Deluxe)
• Hotel Taj View (5 Star)
• Hotel Clark Shiraj (5 Star)
• Hotel Mansingh Palace (3 Star)
• Hotel Agra Ashok (5 Star)
• Hotel Howerd Park Plaza International (5 Star)
• Hotel Trident (3 Star)
• Hotel Amar (3 Star)
• Hotel Atithi (3 Star)
• Hotel Grand (3 Star)

How to Reach at Agra :

By Air : There are regular flights and trains from other cities of India especially Delhi its closest metropolis and an International gateway.

By Rail : There are numerous trains from Delhi that connects Agra with a total journey time of three hours.

By Road : We can arrange for you AC or Non AC coaches and cars for your tour to the city of Taj with helpful guides.