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How to
Get There
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By
Air: Agra is on the regular tourist route
Delhi/Agra/Khajuraho/Varanasi and return. Flights
connect Agra to Delhi, Khajuraho and Varanasi.
By Rail: Agra lies on the Delhi to Mumbai broad
- gauge railway line.
Express trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, and
Chennai halt at Agra.
By Road: Agra is connected to other cities of
Uttar Pradesh as well as Delhi and Rajasthan by
excellent bus services.
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History
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Agra was noticed
first when Afgan king, Sikander Lodhi, made it his
capital. After that, in 1536 A.D. Mughal emperor,
Babar, took to beautifying it. He was a patron of
the arts and brought about a revolutionary change
in the life-style of the people of Agra. Soon the
finest artisans, painters, craftsmen, warriors,
statesman and nobles came to this part of the country
and this was the beginning of Agra's golden age.
The next few hundred Emperor Akbar, Jehangir
and ShahJahan all showered their riches on the
development of the city. They transformed it into
a great centre of art, culture, learning and commerce.
Today the traditional monuments and exceptional
cuisine, arts and crafts
exist along with luxury hotels, shopping malls
and education and recreation centers.
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Places to Visit
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| The
Taj Mahal
Mughal emperor got this master piece constructed
after his wife, Arjumand Bano Begum or Mumtaz
Mahal passed away. It took twenty thousand workers
and seventeen years to build this marvelous Structure.
Poet Ghyasuddin had designed the verses on the
tombstone,
while Is mail Khan Afridi of Turkey was the dome
maker. The semi-precious stones used were brought
from China, Tibet and diamonds from Panna. Other
construction material was brought from different
parts of India and central Asia.
The main gate is made of sandstone and is 30
metres in height. Versus from the Koran are inscribed
on it. There are lovely uniform gardens spread
out in front of the Taj.. Drawings in the interiors
show the position of the grave with such accuracy
that the foot of the grave
faces the viewer from any angle.
On the left and right sides of the Taj are red
sandstone mosques. The on right was just built
for symmetry. Prayers cannot be offered here as
it faces the direction opposite to Mecca. These
are interesting things that tour guides might
tell you but the way the get after you is annoying.
The interior of the mausoleum comprises a lofty
central chamber, a crypt immediately below this
and four octagonal corner rooms in the centre
are the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
The Taj lies on the banks of river Yamuna. The
sunrise and sunset are absolutely fascinating.
It's a photographer's heaven. Video cameras aren't
allowed inside I believe but you can take a still
all around and take some great shots.
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Agra Fort
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| King Akbar
started the initial constructions around 1565. Shah
Jahan built marble structures in place of most of
the previous structures. He Delhi
gate on the western side leads to Jama Masjid. The
Amar Singh gate lies to the south. Visitors are
allowed to enter only from the Naubat Khana Court.
Jehangir Mahal, Jodha Bai's Palace, Anguri Bagh,
Golden Pavilions, Khaas Mahal, Musamman Burj, Diwan-i-khas,
Sheesh Mahal and Moti Mahal are some of the buildings
inside the fort.
Chini Ka Rauza, Ram Bagh, Sikandra, Itmad-ud-daulah,
Mariyam's Tomb, Jama Masjid, Radhaswami Samadhi
and Dayalbagh are some other places you can visit.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (60 kms)
This is India's most renowned water-bird sanctuary.
It is not too far from Agra. I thought it was
a good idea to make a trip to this place because
I wanted to make most of my holiday. The sanctuary
is the winter home of the rare Siberian Crane.
The best time to visit this
place is from October to February because this
is the time many birds come to this side of the
globe. And just in case you are in the mood for
another fort, head to Lohagarh fort. It's strategically
located in the centre of the town on an artificial
island. It took 60 years to
build.
Fatehpur
Sikri (37 kms from Agra)
this city, almost whole of it made from red sandstone,
was built by Emperor Akbar in 1564 AD. When Akbar
wanted a son he had gone to Muslim saint Sheikh
Salim Chisti to ask for blessings. After he became
the father of a baby boy he constructed his capital
city of Fatehpur Sikri. The beautiful marble tomb
of Sheikh Salim Chisti attracts thousands who
seek blessings of the enlightened saint.
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Shopping in Agra
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| The rulers
of Agra have been keenly interested in the arts
and that's why we get to see a large variety in
handicrafts etc. in Agra today. Empress Nur Jahan
was an expert in zari embroidery work. Besides inlay
work, leather ware, brassware, carpets, jewellery
and embroidery work are some of the specialties
of the city.
Another thing that people visiting Agra invariably
come back with is the Famous sweet of the place
called 'petha'. Apart from that you also have
the Gazak and Dalmoth. Dalmoth is essentially
a salty snack mostly had with tea as a snack.
The main shopping areas of the city are Sadar
Bazaar with a few big brands, Kinari Bazaar, Raja-ki-Mandi,
Sanjay Place and the Taj Mahal Complex.
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Sports
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it is possible
to indulge in some of your favorite activities even
in Agra. If you can't resist playing golf even when
on a holiday then head to Golf-Golf Course, Circuit
House Campus, Taj Road. For the swimmers swimming
pools at Hotel Welcomegroup Mughal Sheraton, Taj
View, Agra Ashok and Clarks Shiraz are good options.
And just in case you're in the mood to go fishing
there is Keetham Lake for you. It is situated around
23 kms from Agra in the Surdas reserved forest.
It was a very enjoyable trip away from the crowd
at Taj Mahal. No long queues and no irritating rikshawalas!
The only sad part was that I wasn't able to get
a good catch!
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Night Life in Agra
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The part of
Agra near Taj Mahal has many terraces. It's lovely
to have drinks and dinner at night on these terraces.
There are no sellers or other people around, so
it's very quiet. The city doesn't have street lights
so it'll be very dark. It's just tiny twinkling
building lights that will be your guiding light.
Most hotel staff will be happy to find you a warm
bottle of Indian beer for around 70-100 Rs. There
is practically no nightlife in Agra apart from some
cultural shows at some of the bigger hotels and
restaurants.
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Agra Cuisine
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| you can't get
the taste of this mughul town if you haven't eaten
the food. Muslims introduced a variety of ways to
cook meat dishes and it's from here that the rest
of India learnt. In the bigger restaurant you'll
get to relish your food with thick sauces of milk,
curd, cream and crushed nuts. The creamy kormas,
tender steak like pasandas in almond sauce, nargisi
kofta and minced mutton are all mouth watering!
So get a taste of Agra (literally) as soon as you
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