Amazing Destinations To Explore And Things To Do In Agra!

Agra, the most prevalent city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, opens the gates to the antiquity of the Indian Mughal Era. With the accurate blend of History, Cuisine, and Culture, Agra is one of the most prevalent tourist destinations of the country and was part of the most well-known Golden Triangle Tours along with Jaipur and Delhi.

Agra is celebrated in the world due to the Mughal Heritage Wonder “Taj Mahal“. But apart from catching the vision of this historic mausoleum, there is a profusion of things to do in Agra. The fascinating tombs and mosques with exclusive and memorable craftsmanship, the appealing wildlife sanctuary, sprawling gardens, sparkling markets, hospitable individuals, and different more things that’ll keep you bewildered during the day.

If you’ve finished regarding the ancient Islamic monuments, then don’t worry; it’s not over yet Agra has much more to propose to its visitors. There are different offbeat things to do such as – enjoying the Taj Nature Walk, a boat ride in the river Yamuna, bird watching at Bharatpur bird sanctuary, and taking back with you some mementos from Shilpgram.

Agra city also happens to be the destination to find a good diversity of leather shoes, rugs, and carpets of all forms. And at last, don’t miss out on the lip-smacking fragilities of Agra, mouthwatering Petha, Dalmoth, and Mughlai Kebabs and curries leaving some ineradicable imprints on your mind.

This article will further list the top places to visit in Agra throughout a stay for either one day or a week.

Taj Mahal

One of the 7 wonders of the universe, the Taj Mahal stands tall on the south bank of the river Yamuna in Agra. The Taj Mahal or the “icon of love” is one of the great places to visit in Agra and the most prevalent traveler’s destination in India. It is also measured to be the epitome of Mughal Architecture. The ivory-white marble tomb was constructed by Shah Jahan for his beautiful wife Mumtaz.

The shrine is now where the tombs of the king and queen lie. Taj Mahal has also been selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being a masterpiece identified all around the world. Take a walk inside the Taj Mahal and you will sense as if you’re walking through antiquity. The ornate architecture and appealing designs will transport you to magnificent times and leave you stunned.

Fatehpur Sikri

Just an hour’s drive from the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri makes for a valuable day trip from Agra. The city, once the capital of the Mughal Empire some 500 years ago, was constructed by Akbar as a greeting to the well-known Sufi saint, Shaikh Salim Chishti, who exactly predicted the birth of an heir. Residents uninhibited the city not long after it was constructed, when water supplies ran too low.

Tourists can now discover the well-preserved remains of this red sandstone ghost town, still enclosed by a fortification wall. Check out the Jama Masjid, a mosque and one of the first buildings in the city. Then, discover the three palaces, constructed for each one of Akbar’s wives. They combine a diversity of religious-enthused architectural styles that honor women’s individual spiritualities.

Finally, get off the compressed path and stroll to Hiran Minar, a spherical spiked tower enclosed with stone elephant tusks, atop which Akbar himself apparently gazed at wildlife. Dig deeper into this unbelievable site with a visit to the Archaeological Museum, nearby the Diwan-i-Am main gate. It comprises four galleries filled with treasures from the Mughal era and beyond, involving grey ware pot shreds, terra-cotta lamps, mini human heads in stone, jewelry molds, and many more.

Agra Fort

An architectural masterwork, The Red Fort of Agra or Agra Fort was constructed by Emperor Akbar in 1573. It is situated on the right bank of the river Yamuna and is made wholly of red sandstone. The ancient fort was once the erstwhile residence of the Mughals until 1638. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and it deceits 2.5 kilometers from the Taj Mahal.

Also better known as Lal –Qila, Fort Rouge, or Qila-i-Akbari, Agra Fort is a symbol of Agra and is so enormous that it is often denoted to as a walled city. It is an accurate example of Mughal art and architecture, constructed purely out of red sandstone.

Within the buildings of Agra Fort lie the most beautiful structures like the Pearl Mosque, Diwan-i I Khas, Diwan-i I Aam, Moti Masjid, and Jahangiri Mahal. Some part of the Agra Fort is optimized by the Indian Army and is off-limit to public admittance. View of the Yamuna River and Taj Mahal from the fort’s buildings is mind-stirring.

Akbar’s Tomb

Akbar’s Tomb was constructed by Jahangir in 1613. If you’re history toned, this is one of the best places to visit in Agra for you. The tomb is constructed in red sandstone and controls some of the most spectacular marble designs. As you walk into the building, you’ll find attractive marble designs on the ceilings and spiritual calligraphy toward the real underground tomb of Akbar.

The major gate across the tomb is the south gate where you will see involved white marble designs on the panels. The real tomb of Akbar is in a small underground room that has a very excellent feel to it.

Jodha Bai Ka Rauza

Also, better known as Jodha Bai’s Palace, it was the dwelling of the first Rajput ensemble of Emperor Akbar. An unassuming yet cultured structure, the palace of Jodha Bai is close to the Jahangiri Mahal. The association is a robust example of the Indo-Mughal style of architecture, shimmering the architectural nuances of Gujarat and Gwalior to a very great extent.

The Rauza or the Palace is at a distance of nearly 6 km from the Agra Fort. The interiors of the palace have fine cuts through which a foretaste of the Taj Mahal can be seen. Located in the Fatehpur Sikri area, this palace is a standing example of the religious lenience of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The excess of mural designs depicting elephants, lotus, peacocks, and the like are a symbol of the unity of both religions.

Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb

On the banks of the Yamuna River sits another one of Agra’s attractive structures: Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb. The mausoleum comprises the relics of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, a Persian official who attended the Mughal empire, as well as his beautiful wife.

Legend has it that this jewelry box-like tomb was really the inspiration for the Taj Mahal, receiving it the name “Baby Taj.” The red sandstone and marble structure feature 13-meter-high hexagonal towers on each bend.

The most remarkable thing about this lure, though, is that it was the first structure to utilize the pietra dura, the iconic Indian inlay approach that utilizes semiprecious stones to generate attractive floral designs in marble. You’ll see attractive geometric patterns, depictions of vases and cups, and subtle flower bouquets from floor to ceiling of the beautiful structure–reminiscent of those on the Taj Mahal.

Despite its attractiveness, Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb gets far fewer visitors than other places around Agra, making it a model place to escalate the lovely features without the crowds.

Moti Masjid

Talking of masjids, there is another one named the Moti Masjid which is also one of the best places to visit in Agra. The popular Moti Masjid is one such monument that is better known for its architecture and one which should not be skipped. Constructed by Mughal King Shah Jahan, Moti Masjid is also better known as the Pearl Masjid due to its flawless white portico that shines like a pearl in the sunlight. The emperor had it built completely for the members of the Royal Court.

The interiors of the Moti Masjid are in a magnificent white color scheme. A white marble tank is a center of magnetism in the courtyard. The sundial made out of marble pillars stands as evidence of the architectural wonder of the past era. Multiple arches lead to the great prayer hall of the mosque while the major entrance to the mosque is situated on the Eastern side. It is a pleasure to view the Yamuna River from the confines of the Moti Masjid.

Taj Nature Walk

Taj Nature Walk has been advanced by the Social Forestry Division of Agra. The trail attends as a great place to celebrate the amazing views of the Taj Mahal. It also has several watchtowers along the trail from where you can view the Taj Mahal from dissimilar angles.

The trail homes some very exclusive varieties of flowers, shrubs, and trees. You might also come across some striking species of birds like parakeets and kingfishers. With such an agreeable walk, the sight of the Taj Mahal in all its magnificence is sure to be a treat for your eyes!

Chini Ka Rauza

After visiting Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, head one kilometer north to see Chini ka Rauza, a memorial monument that houses the tomb of Afzal Khan Shirazi, who aided as the prime minister for the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

While not nearly as well conserved as other lures in Agra, the Indo-Persian structure is remarkable for being the first monument to feature chini, a characteristic decoration made from turquoise, yellow, green, and orange glassy tiles.

As the name of the building proposes, each of its tiles was smuggled from China–an inspiring feat throughout the 17th century, when this memorial was constructed. Step inside Chini ka Rauza to see a collection of detailed paintings and Islamic inscriptions. After staying at the Chini ka Rauza, you can take a 10-minute walk south to see the wrecks of the Tomb of Sultan Parwiz, who was the brother of Shah Jahan.

Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal

Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal is not as better known as the other places to visit in Agra but is value visiting. The gurdwara is enthusiastic to the ninth guru of Sikhs who is Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The place where it is constructed is where Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji happily proposes his arrest to Aurangzeb.

At the time the place attended as a reservoir of rainwater which was utilized for irrigation determinations. Later, it was built into a gurudwara with the attractive architecture of red sandstone in some locations and marble at most.

Anguri Bagh

Anguri Bagh is an extensive charbagh (4 complex compartments) styled garden, centrally located on the premises of Khas Mahal in Agra Fort. It was constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1637 as his glorious place of leisure and rest. If touring Agra Fort, this is a must-visit spot for an understanding survey of the Mughal history.

Originally prevalent for thick creepers of grapes- their cultivation and harvesting, the garden precisely came to be named the Garden of Grapes (Anguri Bagh). The surrounding structure is collected of fine white marble which was primarily painted and gilded in gold and was ornamented with exquisite attractive paintings.

The main part comprises a hall with recess and rooms in a neighboring semicircular pattern and an enormous courtyard in the front with tanks, fountains, and hammams overlooking a remarkable garden which is- Anguri Bagh.

The @TajMahal, a dazzling mausoleum in #Agra is one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's #heritage. pic.twitter.com/dT4F5GViCN

— UP Tourism (@uptourismgov) March 15, 2017

Best Time To Visit Agra

March-June

Come to Agra throughout this “early” summer and you’ll endure scorching weather: 90- and 100-degree days are the custom. Your recompense for visiting throughout this time will probably be fewer crowds. So, the only question is: Can you knob the heat?

July-October

The reprieve brought on by the monsoon season is not as prodigious as you’d expect. Despite several days of rain, daytime temps remain during the 90s, and the recurrent precipitation adds humidity to the already roasting air. However, the scenery will be predominantly green and beautiful, which you can celebrate between showers. October is not part of the monsoon period, but it will still be pretty hot.

November-February

If you visit during this time duration, you’re probably to have (relatively) contented temperatures in the 70s, and the 80s. Crowds peak in December and January, so arriving after or before these middle months will save you money.

How To Reach Agra?

By Bus

Agra is well-linked by bus to cities such as Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior, Lucknow, and Kanpur. Every day buses ply between these cities. Agra has two foremost interstate bus terminals named Idgah Bus Stand (which is situated right in the center of the city and is 8 kilometers from the Taj Mahal) and ISBT (which is situated at a distance of 12 kilometers from the Taj Mahal).

By Air

Agra’s Kheria airport is also a military base. It is a periodic commercial airport and is linked only by Air India flights from New Delhi. The flight from Delhi to Agra is less than an hour long. Kheria airport is 13 kilometers away from the city of Agra. Rent a taxi from the airport to get to the city, which should take you nearly 10-15 minutes relying on traffic.

By Train

Agra is located on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai routes and is well-linked to most cities around India. There are unvarying trains to Agra from cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior, and Jhansi. Agra is also well-linked to cities in other parts of the country like Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. There are 5 railway stations in Agra – Agra Cantt Station (the key station), Agra Fort Railway Station, Raja ki Mandi, Agra City, and Idgah Railway Station. The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort are a short distance away from Agra Cantt railway station and one can rent a pre-paid taxi, auto rickshaw, or even a cycle rickshaw to get to these lures.

Conclusion 

No matter which seasons you visit, Agra will verify to be an unmatched vacation. Agra’s immaculate gardens, faultlessly symmetrical monuments, bustling streets, and welcoming vibe will carry you on the best possible heritage tour of India and will control you hostage in this charm of the Mughal Era.

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