Agra - the city of world famous Taj Mahal
• Taj Mahal – Revel in the majestic beauty of the Taj Mahal, stroll through the manicured gardens, watch the orange sunset cast a romantic glow on the sloping domes and enjoy the beautiful view of the Yamuna River.
• See other architectural splendours of the Mughal rule – Akbar’s Fort, Idmat-ud-Daula and Bara Imambara. A trip to Fatehpur Sikri or the ‘Ghost Town’ will make you happy.
• Walk through the ancient township of Mumtazbad or Taj Ganj, as is known today to see remnants of the housing colonies built for the masons who built the Taj Mahal.
Fast Fact
Location: Located on the banks of Yamuna River, Agra in Uttar Pradesh
Distance: 210 kms from Delhi
Best Road: Yamuna Expressway (approx 2.5 hours drive)
Altitude: 169 metres/ 554 feet above sea level (NA)
Best time to visit: Agra can get unbearably hot, so the best time to visit Agra is during winters between October and February.
Best time to visit: Agra can get unbearably hot, so the best time to visit Agra is during winters between October and February.
Overview of Agra
Agra. The word conjures a romantic image of the Taj Mahal created by Emperor Shah Jehan in memorandum of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Agra is the epitome of a cultural city, with many historical relics beginning from the Persian to the Mughal era. Interwoven with tombs, a trip to Agra is a treat, not just to your eyes, but to your senses as well. But hidden behind these beautiful monuments is a thriving industrial city getting richer by the day. Agra could just as well be a Mecca for shop-a-holics with marble artefacts, leather goods and silk fabrics available at dearth cheap rates.
How to reach Agra
Agra is well connected by air, rail and road. Depending on your pocket and time, you can choose from a range of options available to you. Recently Jaypee Group has constructed Yamuna Expressway between Delhi which has reduced the distance and driving time as well.
By Air: Agra Airport, located in Kheria is well connected to Delhi and Jaipur. From Kheria, you need to take a cab to get to Agra, which is about 6 kms away.
By Rail: Bhopal Shatabdi Express connects Delhi with Agra, which takes around 2 hours. Agra has 3 railway stations:
Agra Cantonment (AGC) – is the main railway station in Agra and most of the trains stop here. Taxis, cabs, autos and cycle rickshaws are easily available from here.
Agra Fort Railway Station (AF) – has some interstate express trains and some east-bound trains passing it.
Raja Ki Mandi (RKM) – is a small station with a laid back and relaxed attitude. Otherwise quiet and un-happening, RKM springs to life whenever the Intercity Express or the Taj Express trains arrive at the station.
By Road - The best thing about going to Agra is the recently started Yamuna Expressway, which takes about 2.5 hours from Delhi to Agra. Although the one way toll tax for Yamuna Expressway is Rs. 320 and Rs. 510 for round trip the driving on Yamuna Expressway is amazing experience. Take Kalindi Kunj - Sarita Vihar road and proceed onto Greater NOIDA Expressway from Mahamaya Flyover. After driving for 30 kilometers you will see the signboard for Yamuna Expressway. The drive for next 165 kilometeres will remain full of amusement. Be careful and enjoy a pleasant trip to city of Taj Agra.
What to carry?
Agra is pretty self sufficient, however you may want to carry your own battery cells for your camera and film rolls. Though available, they cost a bomb in Agra. Also, smokers should carry their own cigarettes. Most of the cigarettes available in Agra are fake and you don’t want a sore throat smoking the wrong cigarettes.
Agra is pretty self sufficient, however you may want to carry your own battery cells for your camera and film rolls. Though available, they cost a bomb in Agra. Also, smokers should carry their own cigarettes. Most of the cigarettes available in Agra are fake and you don’t want a sore throat smoking the wrong cigarettes.
What to wear?
Agra is predominantly a hot city and remains so almost throughout the year except for winters, when it becomes exceptionally cold. Carry light cottons between March – September and woollens between October – February. Also, foreigners are accepted as they are – the cultural difference is perhaps well taken in by the locals. But if you are an Indian, you will be under the scrutiny of the locals about the way you look, you talk and the clothes you wear. Be prepared to be judged upon, leered at and commented on.
Agra is predominantly a hot city and remains so almost throughout the year except for winters, when it becomes exceptionally cold. Carry light cottons between March – September and woollens between October – February. Also, foreigners are accepted as they are – the cultural difference is perhaps well taken in by the locals. But if you are an Indian, you will be under the scrutiny of the locals about the way you look, you talk and the clothes you wear. Be prepared to be judged upon, leered at and commented on.
Recommendation (what kind of travellers / tourists?)
Agra is a safe city and ok for all sorts of travellers from single women travellers, to families and back packers. However, beware of touts who might pester you with the ‘best’ and ‘cheap’ hotels and promise you with the best place to buy souvenirs from. Be warned: rickshaw pullers and auto drivers will haunt you to board their vehicles for a ride within the city and taxi drivers will rob you poor. Though the places to see in Agra are pretty close by, you can book an auto for the entire day or if you enjoy the luxuries of life, you can hire an air conditioned cab as well.
Getting Around in Agra
Small as it is, Agra is pretty easily navigable. Fatehabad Road is a central road around which, most of the hotels are located. From there, rickshaws, autos and cabs are readily available. Walking might not be your favourite thing especially during summers, but in winters walking down the mist covered roads of Agra and surrounded by green leafy tress can turn out to be pretty romantic.
Must See in Agra
What is a tour to Agra without a beautiful moonlit night with your beloved by your side? Well, actually only a lucky few can do it. Taj Mahal is open to public only on full moon nights, barring which; entry is closed after 6:30 pm every day. Nevertheless, it is amazing to witness the monument of love with its sprawling gardens in the typical Mughal style. Akbar’s Fort, Itmat-ud-Daula and Bara Imambara are some of the other things that you cannot miss in Agra. Equally important is a visit to Taj Ganj, earlier known as Mumtazabad, which was created to provide accommodation to the lakhs of people who made the Taj Mahal. You may still see some of the original constructions in Taj Ganj, with a terrace offering a view of the Taj Mahal.
Must Do / Must Experience in Agra
An Agra trip is not complete if you have not ridden a horse chariot to the Taj Mahal. There are numerous ‘tanga-wallas’ along the east gate of the Taj Mahal and a clobbering ride to the Taj Mahal might bring you close to the regal lifestyle led by the Mughal rulers.
The view of the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River is simply wonderful. It is said that against the setting sun, the Taj Mhaal looks its best from here.
Feel the cultural essence of Agra with an evening dedicated to the performing arts of Agra – Braj Rasila, Charukala and Rasiya. Braj Rasila is a theatrical form associated with the life of Lord Krishna, whereas Charkula is a traditional folk dance of Braj, where a female dancer balances a column of lighted ‘diyas’ over her head while dancing. Rasiya is a rich tradition of folksongs that is found in the Braj area of the Agra region. Rasiya songs describe the love of the divine couple Radha and Shri Krishna.
Shopping in Agra
Shopping. Yes, besides touring the monuments, an important agenda in your Agra trip should be shopping. Agra is a shopping hub for marbles, leatherwork, crafts, Zardosi thread work and Panchi Petha and Dalmoth. Visit the local factories for excellent leather buys – wallet, shoes, jackets and belts. There are extensive marble shops from where you can select high quality marble work for your house fittings and souvenir shops selling beautiful marble carvings, tables, mirror frames etc. Zardosi is a unique 3 dimensional thread work that originated in Agra during the Mughal reign and has held on till today. Shop for beautiful Zardosi wall hangings, table cloth and cushion covers in Agra. The Agra State Emporium is a good place to shop for silk ‘sarees’ and ‘dupatta’. It is said that the real silk used is so fine, that it can pass through your finger ring! So better check before you splurge! You cannot return without the famous Panchi Petha, a sweet typical to Agra. Originally white, the Panchi Petha is quite a favourite with the locals. However, flavoured pethas are readily available these days. ‘Dalmoth’ is a savoury snack popular in Agra.
Eating (Food) in Agra
Like any other tourist place, Agra has a mix of everything – Indian, Chinese, Mughlai and Continental. You can try Mughlai food - that will be the closest to any authentic food that you will get there. The dhabas are the best place to try Mughlai cuisines, however keep hygiene in mind. By and large, all the hotels have their own restaurants and they serve buffet and a la carte meals.
Nightlife in Agra
There is not much of nightlife in Agra. However, some of the 4 star and 5 star hotels have pubs and discotheques.
Events / Festivals in Agra
Agra and its neighbouring areas are largely influenced by its proximity to Mathura and Vrindavan, associated with lord Krishna and his consort Radha. Most of the fairs and festivals organized in the region are either temple festivals, religious festivals or cattle and village fairs based on Krishna's life such as Dauji ka mela, Kans Lila, cattle fair Jat Devi, cattle fair Kund Mela, cattle fair Gwal Balba, Meta ki Puja Jat Devi, Holi Milap, Mata-ka-mela, Shitla Mela, Parikrama of Shivji, Kailash Mela, Janamashthmi, Dussehra, Kali-ka-mela, Ram lila, Urs Sufi Sahib and Bateshwar cattle fair.
Some of the larger festivals, celebrated with much fan fare is the Taj Mahotsav organized annually for ten days during February. Enjoy extensive display of arts, crafts and culture along with classical dance and song performances. 'Mushairas' and 'Ghazal' programmes by well-known Indian artists, camels and elephant rides and a wild fiesta of Indian cuisines, dance, music, arts and crafts make it a mahotsav in the real sense.
Some of the larger festivals, celebrated with much fan fare is the Taj Mahotsav organized annually for ten days during February. Enjoy extensive display of arts, crafts and culture along with classical dance and song performances. 'Mushairas' and 'Ghazal' programmes by well-known Indian artists, camels and elephant rides and a wild fiesta of Indian cuisines, dance, music, arts and crafts make it a mahotsav in the real sense.
Ram Barat is a special marriage procession of Shri Ram, a festival that precedes Dusshera. Kailash Fair is organised at the Kailash Temple about 12 km from Agra. The fair is celebrated to commemorate the appearance of Lord Shiva in the form of a stone lingam here in the monsoon months of August and September.
Excursions from Agra
Fatehpur Sikri, about 40 km from Agra is an ideal excursion. Made of red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri was founded by Emperor Akbar in 1571 to honour the Sufi mystic Sheikh Salim Chishti who had predicted the birth of a son to the ruler. Fatehpur Sikri boasts of magnificent architecture in the form of arches, courtyards and buildings that indicate a Persian ancestry and yet it is a synthesis of Hindu and Islamic architecture, giving credence to the religious tolerance of the emperor. The Buland Darwaza, the Panch Mahal, the Jama Masjid Mosque, the palace of Maryamuzzamani, Birbal Bhawan and the life-size chessboard where courtiers could play the roles of pieces are must-sees!
About 12 km from Agra in a place called Sikandra, lies Akbar’s Tomb, the sandstone and marble covered grave.
The temples of Mathura (46 km) and Vrindavan, associated with Lord Krishna are of interest to those with a religious bent of mind. Be careful of monkeys and rats in the temple complexes – they are a nuisance and can be totally repelling! Besides the Dwarkadeesh Temple, you can see the Jama Masjid, Govardhan Hill and the Archeological Museum in Mathura. Vrindavan, on the other hand is said to have have house around 400 temples at one point of time. The most popular temples here are Bankey Bihari Temple, Govind Dev Temple and ISKON Temple.
Top 5 to See / Do in Agra
• Taj Mahal – Revel in the majestic beauty of the Taj Mahal, stroll through the manicured gardens, watch the orange sunset cast a romantic glow on the sloping domes and enjoy the beautiful view of the Yamuna River.
• See other architectural splendours of the Mughal rule – Akbar’s Fort, Idmat-ud-Daula and Bara Imambara. A trip to Fatehpur Sikri or the ‘Ghost Town’ will make you happy.
• Walk through the ancient township of Mumtazbad or Taj Ganj, as is known today to see remnants of the housing colonies built for the masons who built the Taj Mahal.
• Enjoy being an audience to cultural extravaganza - Braj Rasila, Charukala and Rasiya
• Treat yourself with the marvellous marble inlay work, leather goods, Zardosi artefacts from Sadar Bazar. A trip down the lanes of this bazaar takes you to ‘khandani’ artisans making these masterpieces with hands, without the use of any modern equipment. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that each item is hand made and different from the other.
• Locate ‘Panchi Petha’ outlets across the city and see the colourfully myriad display of the famous Panchi Pethas of Agra. In different flavours, choose from a desi variety like kesar flavoured to something more sophisticated like rose flavoured for those cousins and friends sitting at home. The original (real) 'Panchi Petha' brand pethas outlets are located at Sadar Bazaar and M.G Road or Highway.
