Agra

Overview:

Agra is the one of the prominent destinations of the World Tourism map with three heritage monuments -The Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri & Red Fort. It is more just a dacadent city of graveyards and stones, but it is a vibrant centre of Culture, Art and Religious philosphies that have enriched mankind and shaped human thought over centuries. Agra is famous for handicraft products such as Inley work on Marvel, leather work, footwear, brasswear, carpets, jewellery, zari and embroidery work.

How to Reach:
BY AIR:
Indian airlines connects Agra to Delhi, Khajuraho and Varanasi. Kheria Airport is about 9 kms. from Govt. of India Tourist Office.

BY RAIL:
Agra is a major railway junction on main broad guage routes to the south, east and west. Two of the best trains viz. Shatabdi Express (between Delhi and Bhopal) and Taj Express ( between Delhi and Gwalior) are available to access Agra. Some other train servicing the city are : G.T. Express ( New Delhi to Chennai), Dadar Express (Mumbai to Amritsar), Jhelum Express (Jammu to Pune), Kalinga Utkal Express (New Delhi to Puri), Karnataka Express (New Delhi to Trivendrum), Ujjani Express (Dehradoon to Ujjain) and Hyderabad Express (New Delhi to Hyderabad).

BY ROAD:
Agra, on cross roads of national highways 2, 3 and 11, is excellently connected to all parts of the country. Some important road distances from Agra are: Bharatpur-54 kms., Delhi-204 kms., Gwalior-119 kms., Jaipur-232 kms., Khajuraho-400 kms., Lucknow-369 kms., Mathura-45 kms., Nainital-353 kms., Varanasi-605 kms. and Mussorie-417 kms.

Attractions in Agra:

TAJ MAHAL:
Completed in 1653 A.D., The Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his favourite Queen, Mumtaz. Finished in by Marvel, it is perhaps India most fascinating and beautiful monument. This perfectly symmetrical monuments took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, Masons and Jewellers to built and is set amidst landscaped gardens. It can be observed like a mirage from the Agra Fort from where Emperor Shah Jahan stared at it, for the last eight years of his life as a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb. It is a masterpiece of symmetry, seeming to be floating in the air from a distance, and each revealed as an illusion experienced as one enters through the main gate. The verses of Holy Kuran as inscribed on it and at the top of gate 22 small domes, signifying the number of years the monument took to built. Fantastic Inley work using semi-precious stones decorate the interiors.

Open Time : 6 am to 7.30 pm. (Friday closed)

AGRA FORT:
The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 A.D. The fort is crescent shaped, flattended on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river.
There are number of exquisite building like the Moti Masjid-a white marvel mosque akin to a perfect pearl, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khaas, Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Shish Mahal and Musamman or Samman Burj-where Shahjahan was held captive in 1666 A.D.

Open Time : Sunrise to Sunset.

SIKANDRA:
The mausolumn of emperor Akbar represent his philosphy and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and Muslim architectures in a superlative region. Completed in 1613 A.D. by his son Jahangir, it is one of the well preserved monuments. This is the last resting place of the Mughal Empror Akbar.

FATEHPUR SIKRI:
Fatehpur Sikri is an epic in red sandstone. A city of yeasteryear, today lost in the mists of time. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 A.D. When is son was born, as a gratitude, he constructed his capital city and named it Fatehpur Sikri. Other renowned places are Dewan-e-Am, Dewan-e-Khaas, Buland Darwaja, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai Palace and Birbal Bhawan. Fatehpur Sikri is about 39kms. from Agra.

Open Time : Sunrise to Sunset.