Agra:

Agra  is famous for having one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Taj Mahal. Strewn with historical monuments, architectural grandeur and the beauty of marble structures, Agra is among the most popular tourist attraction in India. A trip to Agra is a must for both domestic and foreign tourists. A visit to the Taj Mahal is incomplete without being photographed in front of the famous monument.
The Mughal capital is situated in north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra , along with Jaipur and Delhi, forms the Golden Triangle of Indian tourism.

History

Agra is a medieval city and is assumed to be built in 1475. It has found mention even in the epic Mahabharatha as Agraban (meaning paradise). The renowned second century geographer Ptolemy has also spotted this place as Agra in his world map. The present Agra city was established by king Sikander Lodhi of the Lodhi Dynasty in 16th century. Agra was the capital of many dynasties including Lodhi and Mughals.

Fun facts

Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is recommended not to buy artifacts and souvenirs from pavement vendors as they are most likely to be made of chalk instead of marble.

Culture

The examples of art and culture in this historic city are not only breathtaking, but are also mirrors of the artistic talents of the Indian population during the grand past. The city houses many ancient temples, mosques, forts, mausoleums, tombs and historical monuments. Agra is also renowned for artistic performances. The city has its unique style of traditional paintings, folk dances, folk music and embroideries.

Shopping

The city is famous for its marble stone inlay and a rare collection of handicraft items. Tourists will also like to shop for valuable leather items like shoes, belts and bags. Exquisite jewelries and embroidery works can also be found here. Agra brassware and carpets are renowned world over.

Where to stay

Many high standard hotels and resorts options are available to tourists in Agra. The hotels range from home-stays and budget hotels to luxury ones. Budget hotels would cost anything from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 and are easily found around Taj Mahal. Though, accommodation at a low-end or budget hotel is not advisable as it might be among the dirtiest parts of the city. Mid-range hotels charge from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000, while luxury hotels charge anything more than Rs 3,000. The luxury hotels at Agra are considered to be among the best in the country. Agra gets tourists all through the year and hence advance booking of rooms is advisable.

Agra – Places To See

A must see place in Agra and in fact in India is Taj Mahal. It is also regarded as one of the three World Heritage Sites in Agra. The grand monument is the living example of romantic love life of Shah Jahan and his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Located at the bank of River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of architectural marvel and excellence. Renowned Persian architect, Ustad Isa, had led its construction.
Chini Ka Rauza is a spectacular tomb located close to Taj Mahal. The tomb is dedicated to the Allama Afzal Khan, who was a prime minister of Mughal dynasty during the rule of Shah Jahan. Then there is Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-daula’s tomb on the bank of river Yamuna and Sikandra Complex containing Akbar’s tomb. These are all architectural marvels that are a must see for tourists in Agra.