|
About Agra
Agra is not only a famous
tourist destination but is a shoppers paradise too. There are plenty of
shopping areas and shopping malls where one can buy the specialities of
the place. Agra is famous for the Taj Mahal made out of the markets are
bound to have replica of the Taj in marble being sold as decorative, gift
item or as souvenirs. But the all that looks is not marble. There is one
stone called Talk. This stone is cheap and looks like marble only
difference being that marble is opaque and talk is not. So, while
purchasing any marble item make sure that you are buying the original
thing.
Shopping
Agra is also famous for the leather items. Agra is the hub of hand made
leather items. Particularly the Agra jail inmates are make these items
which are sold to give them a decent earning. The local artisans are also
good at making leather chappals (sandals), purses, bags, decorative items
and many more such leather product which instantaneously attracts your
attention. In the handicraft craft emporiums and shops there are sandal
and rose wood items even though there are no rose or sandal wood forest
nearby. The shops also have brass decorative pieces and stone carved
images. Agra is also famous for carpet weaving and floor coverings and embroidery work, Stone inlay
work and durries.
The main shopping areas include Taj Mahal complex, Kinari Bazaar, Raja
Mandi, Sadar Bazaar. the Gangotri at Taj Mahal Complex and the Up
Handlooms, UPICA at the Sanjay place are two UP Government emporiums.
Climate
Summers are very hot and winters chilling cold. The temperature
difference between the summers and winters is very high. The monsoon
although provides some respite from the heat but the rains leaves the city
very dirty. It is better to plan your Agra trip between the months of
March and October.
GETTING THERE
Agra is one of the hottest tourist destinations in India and all
facilities have been provided for the easy access to this place. It has
its own airport which connects Agra with all the major places in India.
The Agra airport or the Kheria airport has all the major domestic airlines
having their services to this place of the Taj. Agra is a major railway
station with almost all the trains to south India, Mumbai and many trains
to Calcutta stopping here. The city is visited by the "Palace on
Wheels" .
The Rajdhani and Shatabdi
trains have also their stoppage in Agra. The city is well connected by
trains to almost every corner of the nation. Agra has the national highway
numbers 2, 3, 11 passing through it. So the premier tourist destination of
India is also well linked by bus services to other places in the State as
well as outside the state. The state transports have deluxe as well as
ordinary bus services for the place. There are conducted tours which take
tourist not only to Agra but the near by tourist spots too.
Tourist Attractions in AGRA
TAJ MAHAL
Location:
Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Famous As: 7th Wonder of the world
Built By: Mughal Emperor Shahjahan
Built In The Memory Of: Mumtaz Mahal
Even as the world is caught in the skirmishes of War & peace, Nuclear
and Non-Nuclear; Taj has stood as the epitome of love. This extravagant
monument of love is one of the most visited and most photographed places
in the world. It stands on the banks of the river Yamuna, which otherwise serves as a
wide moat defending the Great Red Fort of Agra, the center of the Mughal
emperors until they moved their capital to Delhi in 1637. It was built
by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second
wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. Taj Mahal was the culmination point of
Indo-Persian architecture. The Mughals Emperor were always fond of
constructing monuments. Perhaps they knew that they would be gone but
these structures will remind the world of their grandeur. Shah Jahan was
particularly fond of building . He built the city of Shah Jahanabad which
today is called the old Delhi.He loved construction more than that he
loved his wife. Mumtaz Mahal as the name indicates, her beauty is compared
with the light of heaven. The Taj Mahal is a deserving resting palace for an Emperor's Empress.
Mumtaz Mahal died while accompanying her husband in Burhanpur in a campaign to crush a rebellion
after giving birth to their 14th child.
Agra Red Fort
Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red
sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah
Jahan's time. Though the principle structure was built by Akbar many more
additions were made by his grandsons.
Jehangir Palace
This was built by Akbar for his favorite son Jehangir to provide him with
the comfort and luxury inside the fort. This palace displays an excellent
combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb
This tomb belongs to the father of Nur Jahan, Ghias-ud-Din Beg. He was
the Wajir or the Chief Minister of Emperor Jehangir. This white marble
tomb was built by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628. The tomb may not be as
mammoth as the Taj but the inlay designs and carvings are no less than Taj
if not more. The delicate marble latticework in the passages allows the
light to enter the interiors. A similar tomb was built by Nur Jahan for
Jehangir in Lahore. This tomb was the first complete marble Moghul
structure.
Jawab Masjid
Jawab Masjid inside Taj Mahal is a red stone mosque basically made for
aesthetic appeal. Ashe mosque faces east, prayers are not offered here.
Chini-Ka-Rauza
A tomb of glazed tiles is a memorial dedicated to poet-scholar and later
the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of
Shiraz.
Moti Masjid
A tomb of glazed tiles is a memorial dedicated to poet-scholar and later
the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of
Shiraz.
Jami Masjid
Built by Shah Jahan in 1648, the main gate of this mosque has inscription
written on it that it was built by Jahanara Begum. She was the favorite
daughter of Shah Jahan and was imprisoned with him. The absence of
minarets and the shape of the dome gives it a distinguished character.
|