AGRA TOURISM |2020|PLACES TO VISIT IN AGRA|Taj Mahal|Agra Fort

AGRA TRAVEL GUIDE

The journey towards Agra Tour from the capital city of India Delhi. Agra is a beautiful city located on the banks of River Yamuna in the Indian state Uttar Pradesh. The city was once the capital of Famous Mughal Rulers. Currently, it is one of the prime tourist attractions of the country as it has some most notable Mughal-era buildings like Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri. All of these places are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.

How to Reach Agra from New Delhi

The distance of Agra from New Delhi is 233.1 Km via Taj Express Highway or Yamuna Expressway. By road, this is the shortest route from New Delhi to Agra. A local cab will charge around Rs 3000 fora whole day Agra tour from Delhi. It will take around 4 hours to reach Agra from Delhi via this road. Due to several lanes, the traffic moves smoothly. Moreover, the condition of this road is perfect.

Hence, you can expect a speedy, no disturbance journey here. However, there is one disadvantage here, though nominal, this route has toll taxes. Other than private cars, there are also train and bus services available from Delhi to Agra. A train will take around 2 hours to reach Agra from Delhi. The fare is around Rs.150 per person. Bus fare is around Rs. 400 per person. (Approx)

Where to stay in Agra

There are numerous hotels and resorts available in Agra where you can put up for the night. All of them have online booking facilities. A typical mid-range hotel will charge around Rs 2000 for one night. Many hostels are available for Travelers in Agra.

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN AGRA

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal comes under 7 wonders of the world. Its the most popular tourist place in Agra as well as all over the world. Upon reaching Agra 1st go to visit Taj Mahal. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions of India. If you are visiting the Taj Mahal by your own car then you have to get down from your car1 Km before the main building because the parking space of the Taj Mahal is 1 Km ahead of the main building. From there you can avail battery operated cars, buses, local horse carts, or rickshaws to go to the adjacent ticket counter of the Taj Mahal.

Important facts to keep in mind while visiting the Taj Mahal

• The bus rate is Rs 10 per person and the battery-operated car rate is Rs 20 per person.
• The entry fee for the Taj Mahal is Rs 50 for Indian tourists, Rs 1110 for foreign tourists, and Rs 540 for citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries.
• There is one additional charge of Rs200 for visiting the main mausoleum which is optional.
• Children up to 15 years are free to enter the premises.
• If you are visiting the main mausoleum then you have to purchase disposable shoe cover which will be charged Rs 20 per pair.
• Friday Closed.

Taj Mahal is an integrated complex of structures. This magnificent ivory-white marble mausoleum was built by the 5th Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is also among the winners of the new 7 wonders of the world. The place attracts 7-8 million visitors from all over the world throughout the year.

After entering through the main entrance you will see a long passageway passing through a well-manicured garden. In the middle of the passageway, there is a beautiful water fountain. On a public holiday or Sunday, you will see a large crowd roaming here and there and taking pictures in front of this wonder of the World. The view of the Yamuna River and surrounding from the basement of the main mausoleum needs a special mention.

Agra Fort

This is another UNESCO world heritage site. Agra Fort, one of the oldest Mughal residences in India was build and redesigned by three great emperors of the Mughal dynasty Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. After you enter through the main entrance the 1st building you will see is the Jahangiri Mahal. This red sandstone building was built by Emperor Akbar. It is a two-storied building and was once the main residence of Emperors Akbar and Jahangir. You will be amazed by the beautiful architecture of  Agra fort.

Moving from this palace you will come to the Diwan-i-aam or the public Audience hall. This is a beautiful hallway famous for notable artwork on its pillars. The main imperial buildings behind Diwan-i-aam was built by Emperor Shah Jahan. Behind it, you can see the residence of Emperor Shah Jahan and his two daughters Jahanara and Roshanara. Throughout the year you can see a large number of tourists visiting this beautiful fort and enjoying themselves. Visitors are entertained in the evening by the projection of a light and sound show. You can also purchase entry tickets online.

Tickets Price :

• Indian Rs. 50/- each and for student Rs. 40/- each.
• Foreigner Rs.650/ – each.
• 7.00 pm to 8.pm – Hindi show
• English show time 8.00 to 9.00 pm.
• Friday Closed.

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is a town in Agra district of Indian state Uttar Pradesh. After the victory over Gujrat, this city was established by Mughal Emperor Akbar.  After entering through the main entrance you will see Diwan-i-am or the public audience hall of Emperor Akbar. Behind Diwan-i Am there is a big open space.

In the middle of this open space stands the Diwan-i-Khas or the hall of private audience. The beautifully decorated pillar which is the main attraction has a square base and an octagonal shaft. On the left of Diwan-i-Khas is the treasury building of Emperor Akbar.

Behind it, you can see Anup Talao build with red sandstone. It is a tank in front of the khwabgah. In front of Anup Talao, there is the Panch Mahal.

Panch Mahal

Built by Akbar the Great. This palace was near the harem was a summer retreat for royal family members. Going from bottom to top each floor is smaller than the other. There are 84 pillars on the first floor. Each pillar had a jali work from where women can have a glimpse of the city. Besides the Panch Mahal,

Khas Mahal 

There is Khas Mahal or the Emperor’s private palace. It is a two-storied building that is connected to the Ladies harem. At the center of the ladies’ harem stood the palace of Jodhabai, the Hindu Rajput wife of Emperor Akbar. This Gujrati Influenced architectural palace. Special care was being taken to ensure the privacy of this Palace. In this Palace complex, you can see the summer and winter Palace of Jodhabai. These two are double-storied structure famous for intricate Jali work. On the third side, you will see the Temple where Jodhabai used to worship God. At the ground floor of this complex, you can be entertained by an audio-visual show which tells the story of Fatehpur Sikri. On one side of Jodhabai’s Palace, you can see the horse stable.

Birbal’s Palace

At the end of the horse stable, there is Birbal’s Palace. The palace was built on the basis of Mughal and Persian architecture and is of two stories. On the other side of Jodhabai’s palace, there is another palace that belonged to the Christian wife of Emperor Akbar. From the back of the harem complex, you can clearly see the entrance of the fort. In front of the Panch Mahal, you can see PachisiCourt.

PachisiCourt

A Pachisi Court was built by Akbar to play the Pachisi game. A ground with black and white checks was built and humans were used instead of mohras to play the game. Emperor Akbar used to play this game with his queens and other important royal members. This fort is now a UNESCO world heritage site and experiences thousands of visitors every day.

Important Facts

If you are traveling Fatehpur Sikri by your own car then you have to park the car just after entering through the outer gate of the city. The parking place here is a large complex where you can get every facility. From this parking place, you have to avail of government buses to go to the main fort entrance.

• The bus fare is Rs 10 per person.
• The entry fee to Fatehpur Sikri fort is Rs.50 for Indian tourists, Rs. 610 for foreign tourists.
• Children up to 15 years are free to enter the premises.

Agra travel guide helps you to explore the town to its fullest. The ‘Land of Taj Mahal’ and therefore the City of Pethas’, Agra is inarguably one among the most-visited travel destinations in India. Be it the historical sites that take tourists back to the rich Mughal history, bustling streets, vibrant shopping markets to shop for some amazing stuff, and therefore the lip-smacking fares to treat your taste buds with indelible tastes.