Tourism
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal -symbol of love is one of the most magnificent and wondrous monuments buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is the most flawless architectural. It is also one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The Taj is completed in 1653 A.D. by the Mughal Badshah (king) Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his beloved wife, Mumtaz. The focal point of the monument is that it is constructed in white marble extravagantly inlaid with semi-precious stones and with calligraphed verses from the Quran (Koran). Major parts of the surrounding construction are built from sandstone, distinctively colored red, in keeping with many other notable buildings of the district and period. This perfectly symmetrical monument took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, masons and jewellers to build and is set amidst landscaped gardens. The Taj Mahal was built on a marble platform that stands above a sandstone one. The most elegant dome of the Taj, with a diameter of 60 feet, rises 80 feet over the building and directly under the dome is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. Built by the Persian architect, Ustad Isa, the Taj Mahal is on the bank of the Yamuna River. For centuries, the Taj Mahal has inspired poets, painters and musicians to try and capture its elusive magic in word, colour and song.
Agra fort
Agra's, the monument of redstone, 2km northwest of Taj Mahal, was built by Akbar in 1565. The red sandstone fort was renovated and converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time, and reworked extensively with marble and pietra dura inlay. Notable buildings in the fort include the Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (mirrored palace), and Musamman Burj. The fort is crescent shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 k.m., and is ringed by double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9 mt. wide and 10 mt. deep moats surround the outer wall.
Fatehpur Sikri
The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned, the site displays a number of buildings of significant historical importance. A World Heritage Site, it is often visited by tourists to Agra.
The beaches at Madh and Marve have their dangerous spots which are marked by signboards. Care should be taken to avoid these zones. The spots further ahead, Gorai and Manori, two fishing villages, are accessible by ferry.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb was built by Empress Nur Jehan, sometimes called the Baby Taj, for her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg, the Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. It is believed that Itmad-Ud-Daullah's Tomb is the first pure marble tomb that was built in India.Small in comparison to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes described as a jewel box. Its garden layout and use of white marble, pietra dura inlay designs and lattice work. Presage many elements of the Taj Mahal. Itmad-Ud-Daulah's tomb served as a model for the construction of the legendary Taj Mahal in the later years.
Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid is a large mosque attributed to Shah Jahan's daughter, Princess Jahanara Begum, built in 1648, notable for its unusual dome and absence of minarets. The fact the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri was built around the Jama Masjid, which speaks volumes about its importance. The Jama Masjid has been built at a great height and has a large courtyard for prayers and is flanked by the Jammat Khana hall and the Zenana Rauza (the tomb of the women of the royal household) on both sides.
The whole of Jama Masjid is exquisitely decorated with inscriptions, inlaid geometric designs and colored tiles. Yet, the monument manages to preserve its austerity.
A grand gateway known as the Buland Darwaza leads you to the Jama Masjid. This gateway, which stands 40 meters high, was constructed to commemorate Akbar's victory in the Kandesh military campaign
Chini Ka Rauza
The Chini ka Rauza used to have elegant gateways, towers and a ghat by the Yamuna. Unfortunately, all that remains of this structure is the main tomb, which is also in a state of utter neglect.Notable for its Persian influenced dome of blue glazed tiles, the Chini Ka Rauza is dedicated to the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz.Ram BaghThe oldest Mughal garden in India, the Ram Bagh was built by the Emperor Babar in 1528. It lies about 2.34 km north of Taj Mahal.
Sikandra (Akbar's tomb)
Sikandra, the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, is only 13 kilometres from the Agra Fort.Akbar's tomb reflects the completeness of his personality. The vast, beautifully carved, red-ochre sandstone tomb is set amidst a lush garden. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it. To construct a tomb in one's lifetime was a Tartary custom which the Mughals followed religiously. Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction of this pyramidal tomb in 1613.
Assi Ghat: Assi Ghat is the southernmost Ghat in Varanasi , situated at the confluence of Ganga and Asi rivers , where pilgrims bathe before paying their homage to Lord Shiva in the form of huge lingam situated under a peepal tree. Indian poet saint, Tulsi Das had written the much-celebrated Ramcharitmanas here. Assi Ghat provides matsya purana, Agni purana, kurma purana, padma purana and kashi khanda. In the months of Jan, Feb important occasions like solar/ lunar eclipse, Ganga Dussehra, Probodhoni Ekadashi, Makar Shankranti are celebrated.
Tulsi Ghat: Tulsi Ghat is known as Lolark Ghat is is another important Ghat of Varanasi. Tulsi Ghat is named after the great Hindu poet Tulsidas of the 16th century. Tulsi Ghat is an important religious place into the Hindu mythology. Tulsi Das composed the great Indian epic, Ramcharitmanas at Varanasi. It is believed that when Tulsi's manuscript fell into the River Ganga it did not sink and kept floating instead. The Ramlila (story of Lord Rama's life) was started here for the first time and there is a temple of Lord Ram also.
Seva Kunj and Nidhuban: This place is located 90 miles from Delhi in Mathura district it is one of the most important Hindu pilgrim points. Seva Kunj and Nidhuban is one of the most frequented places in Vrindavan. Lord Krishna performed Raslila with Radha here. This place acted as their getaway from the din and bustle of everyday life. Dancing with gopis and answering the many and whims of his lover Radha was his favorite pastime.
How to reach Uttar Pradesh
Air
Agra airport is 7 km from the city center and 3 km from Idgah bus stand. Major Indian airlines operate daily tourist shuttle flights to Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi and back. It only takes 40 minutes from Delhi to Agra.
Road
Idgah bus stand is the main bus stand of Agra, from where one can catch buses for Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc. Buses for Mathura also leave from Agra Fort bus stand.
Rail
Agra is well connected by railroad. The main railway station is the Agra Cantonment station. Agra is well connected by rail to Delhi, Varanasi and cities of Rajasthan. Trains like Palace on Wheel, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Taj Express are the best choices if you want to reach Agra from Delhi in luxury.
Uttar Pradesh
