Arunachal Pradesh Tour – Lush Green Forests | River Valleys & Plateaus

By Air
 Airport is 6 km from Agra.

By Rail
 Agra is connected with important cities by rail.

By Road
 By road Agra is:

•Delhi 204 km.
•Bharatpur 57 km.
•Mathura 54 km.
•Jaipur 232 km.
•Gwalior-119 km.
•Khajuraho-400 km.
•Ranthambore 300 km.

Taj Mahal
This monument is the mausoleum built by Shah Jehan for his empress, Mumtaz Mahal. The construction is believed to have taken 22 years to complete with over 20,000 craftsmen working round the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once the construction was completed, Shah Jehan had Lahori's hands cut off and his eyes gorged out, so he would never is able to duplicate the structure.

Agra Fort
It is on the banks of the River Yamuna, is situated in the centre of the town. Various styles of architecture are evident within the fort and demonstrate the boldness of Akbar’s period, the refinement of Jahangir’s times, and the subtleness of Shah Jehan's rule. The other attractions here include the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-e-Khas and Jodhabai's Palace.

Itmad-Ud-Daulah's
Tomb Itmad-Ud-Daulah's tomb, 6 km from the mall, was built by Empress Noor Jahan, in memory of her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg in 1622-25 A.D. This ornate tomb is considered a precursor of the Taj Mahal.

Dayalbagh (Radhaswamy Samadhi)
This highly ornate memorial to the founder of the Radhaswamy sect has been in the making for several years and is still being worked upon. It is entirely in marble, upon which every manner of ornamentation has been applied.

Sikandara: 12 km from Agra
The tomb of Akbar, begun by the emperor himself and completed by his son, Jahangir. This richly decorated structure is a quaint mixture of styles.

Fatehpur Sikri
Perched atop a rocky ridge 37 km west of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri came into being four centuries ago when the Emperor Akbar, not yet 28 years old, created the first planned city in Indo-Islamic architecture. The city is the concept of one man; it was actualized with great energy while the impulse lasted, and completely abandoned a little more than a decade later. In 1568, Akbar was secure and powerful but he had no son and heir. His search for blessings for the birth of a successor brought him to the Sufi mystic Sheikh Chisti, who lived in Sikri village. The saint prophesied the birth of three sons and soon after was born Prince Salim, later to become Emperor Jahangir. In gratitude for the blessing Akbar decided to create imperial residences in Sikri, which would function as a joint capital with Agra. As a mark of his faith and his recent victories, he named his new city Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar was a keen builder and the plan of Fatehpur Sikri reveals an architectural mastermind at work.

The "Ghost city" of Fatehpur Sikri
Built in red sandstone, and is a beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural elements. The sandstone is richly ornamented with carving and fretwork. Places of Interest inside the Fatehpur Sikri: Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Pachisi Court, Private Living Quarter, Mariam's Palace, Jodhabai's Palace, Hawa Mahal, Birbal's Palace, Panch Mahal, Jama Masjid, Salim Chisti's Tomb, Buland Darwaza.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
60 km from Agra Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, India's most renowned waterbird sanctuary lying in the neighbouring state of Rajasthan is the winter home of the rare siberian Crane. Approachable from Agra by road, a variety of accommodation is available, within and outside the National park. (Season: October to February).

 Mathura-Vrindavan
62 km from Agra Mathura is traditionally recognised as the capital of Braj Bhoomi, the land which gave birth to Lord Krishna. The region is richly interwoven with the legend of Krishna, kept alive today by millions of devotees who look upon him as the most endearing incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and by specific locations associated with the legend.

Mathura's history dated back to at least 600 BC and archaeological remains have testified its importance. It was of significance during the Mauryan era and received great stimulus under Emperor Ashoka. Later, under the Kushans it became a centre of trade and learning, and was practically their southern capital during the first two centuries AD.

The Twin city of Brindavan
15 km away is also integral to the legend of Krishna played his flute and sported with gopis. The town was later immortalized in the poems of Mirabai, a princess of medieval India who became an ardent devotee of Krishna. Vrindavan is one of the most important religious centres of Braj Bhoomi.

Agra is known not only for its monumental wonders but also for its handicrafts and fine arts traditions. You can shop to your hearts content in the markets of Agra. Shopping in Agra is something you're sure to enjoy on your tour to Agra India.

Some of the fine wok for which Agra is famous includes marble work, such as inlay work of the kind seen within the Taj Mahal; leatherwork covering a wide range of products such as shoes, bags, belts and more; rugs and carpets, woven by master craftsmen who retain the secrets of carpet weaving taught generations ago by Persian rug makers, and brassware which includes artifacts such as hookah bases, for those who wish to acquire an oriental souvenir. Agra is also famous for its Mughlai cuisine, a sweet called petha and a snack called dalmoth. You can enjoy trying the culinary delights of Agra, while shopping in Agra India.