Agra Travel Guide....
ABOUT
AGRA

Agra
is famous as being home to one of the seven wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal.
The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a
vivid remainder of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder
of the capital in the capital in the 16th 16th and early 17th centuries.
PLACES
TO SEETaj Mahal:- Agra is famous as being home to one of
the seven wonders of the world-the Taj Mhal. The architectural splendour of
the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid remainder of the
mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder of the capital in
the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries.
Agra
Fort:- Built by the great Emperor Akabar in 1565 A.D. the fort Is a masterpiece
of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite building,
including the Moti Masjid, Diwane-I-Am, Diwani-I-Khas and musanman Burj, where
the Emperor Shah Jahan died in imprisonment beside jahangirs place, Khaas Mahal
and the Sheesh Mahal.
Itmad - ud
daula (7km):- To the north of the fort and across the river yamuna are
several fine examples of mughal architecture. The itmad -ud -daula as a by
the empress noor jehan as a memorial to her father mirza ghiyas beg , is
beautifully ornamented with pietra dura inlay and lattice work marble
screens.
Chini Ka Roza:- The tomb of afzal khan, the
persian poet and minister at shah jehan's court gets its name from the
brightly coloured glazed tiles that decorate it . lies just 1km beuond itmad
-ud -daula.
Sikandara:- 12 km the tomb of Akbar, begun by
the emperor himself and completed by his son, jehangir. This richly
decorated structure is a quaint mixture of styles.
Fatehpur Sikri:- A royal city perfectly preserved, Fatehpur Sikri provides
a marvelous escape into the past. Akbar embarked on the construction of a new
capital here when a prophecy of the birth of a male royal heir, by the Sufi
Saint Salim Chisti of Sikri, came true.
SHOPPERS
PARADISE

Agra
is noted for its sweets and savories like petha and dal-moth. Agra is famous
for its marble inlay work, leather goods, brassware, finely worked precious
and semi-precious stone jewelry and ornate zari embroidery. Much of this is
available around the taj complex. The main shopping areas are the Sadar Bazar,
Kinari Bazar and Munro Road. State emporia Gangotri (UP Govt.), Kairali (Kerala),
Black Partridge (Haryana) and Kashmir Government Arts Emporium are all located
at the Taj Mahal Shopping Arcade, Western Gate.
TRAVEL
INFOArea:- 62 sq.km
Altitude:- 169 mtrs, above
sea level
Population:- 11,11,086 (1991 census)
Season:-
October to march
Clothing:- Summer : Light cottons; Winter
: Woolens
Languages Spoken: Hindi, English & Urdhu
Festival:-
Taj Mahostav (18-27 Feb), Sheetla Fair, Kalish Fair (Aug-Sep), Bateshwar
Fair (Nov), Urs Fair (Nov.)
Local Transport:
Buses/Taxis/Tangas, Auto-rikshaws, Cycle Rikshaws
Accessibility
:Air : Kheria Airport is 6 km from Agra. From the
International Airport at Delhi, Agra is 220 km.
Rail :
Connection to important cities from Agra Cantt, Agra fort station, Raja-Ki
Mandi and tundla. Important trains for Agra are: 2001/2002 Shatabdi Exp
(Delhi -Bjopal); 2179/2180 Taj Exp(H. Nizamuddin-Agra/Gwalior); 2615/2616
G.I. Exp (Delhi-Madras; 4677/4678 Jhelum Exp (jammu tawi pune 847771/ 8478
Kalinga Utkal Exp.
Bus :Buses ply to all major cities.
Some important road distances from Agra are Delhi-204 km Bharatpur-57 km
lucknow-369 km Mathura-54 km Nainital-353 km, varanasi-605 km, Khajuraho-400
km.