The city which houses the beautiful Taj mahal– the symbol of love built by Shah Jahan; we all have heard about Agra. But what most of us fail to realize is that Agra has many more things to explore other than the Taj Mahal. The colorful culture-rich city will not disappoint its visitors in any manner!
Below is a list of tourist attractions which you must check out on your trip to Agra
Taj Mahal – If you are planning a trip to Agra, then it is quite apparent that you won’t miss out on the glorious Taj mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world and was made as a symbol of love by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz mahal. This ivory-white marble structure is an epitome of marvelous Mughal and Persian architecture blend. The tourists can visit the magnificent monument any day. Night viewing is allowed only on the nights of the full moon and two days before and after that. Be it a day or night, the beauty of this cultural extravaganza will find a special place in your heart. You can easily spot tour guides who help you know about the historical significance of each and every corner of the mausoleum.
Kinari Bazaar – If you wish to explore Agra in its real sense, then kinari bazaar is where you need to go. These narrow lanes behind the Jama masjid are always bustling with people moving around, women bargaining, cars bumping into each other, and many more eye-catching sights. At first, the crowd might scare you, but the vibrant, colorful goods being sold at these tiny stores will surely give you the motivation to enter these lanes. It is one of the most popular markets in Agra to get the best jewellery, clothing, and handicrafts. One can spot many brides-to-be, looking for their ideal bridal veils, accessories, and other clothing in these small stores.
Mehtab Bagh – A four-garden complex located just opposite to the Taj Mahal, mehtab bagh, is the ideal place to have a tranquil time on your trip to Agra. One can find the area always full of photographers who wish to capture the glory of taj mahal from different unique angles. Mehtab bagh is more than just a garden since it gives visitors the best views of the famous taj mahal. Since it is located just near the mausoleum, there is no reason for you to miss out on this one!
Agra Fort – How can a trip to Agra be complete without visiting the beautiful Agra fort! It is one of the best masterpieces of the Mughal era. The monument, built-in red sandstone, depicts the grandiosity and power of the emperors. From the time you step your foot inside the first courtyard, you will be awe-inspired! The magnificence of this marvelous structure will be one of the best takeaways of your trip to Agra. The iconic Mughal structures like sheesh mahal and diwan-e-khaas are still as famous as they were when built by Akbar and Shah Jahan. The only entry point of this fort is the royal Amar Singh gate. This gate has a dogleg design, which was initially made to confuse the attackers in that era!
Fatehpur Sikri – Founded by the Mughal emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri is a city built in red sandstone. The town had been the capital of his empire for more than fifteen years. The popular tourist spots in this city are Jodha bai’s palace, Buland Darwaza, the tomb of Salim Chisti, to name a few. The moment you set a foot inside this city, you can feel the vibes of royalty of the Mughal emperors. All the architectural marvels are a perfect blend of religious beliefs and cultures of the Mughal era and Persian cultures. The city can indeed be called an indo-Islamic masterpiece built by Akbar. It has an 11 km fortification wall constructed to protect it from outside invasions. Nowadays, this wall has several entrances open for visitors.
Jama Masjid – Popularly known as the “Holy heart of Agra,” Jama masjid is a must-visit on your trip to Agra. It is one of the largest mosques built in India by the Mughal emperors. Designed with multi-colored marbles and sandstone, the Jama masjid has a lot of religious significance. It was built by Shah Jahan for his beloved daughter Jahan ara begum. The monument is an evidence of the royal Mughal architecture. It has a beautiful fountain in the center, and much like other Mughal architectural marvels, it also has enormous walls and courtyards. The interior walls of this architectural marvel have Persian scriptures written in the praises of shah Jahan and Jahan ara begum. The famous tomb of Salim Chisti is a part of the Jama masjid only. Every day, thousands of devotees attend the prayers held in the large compounds of this architectural masterpiece.
If you are planning a trip to Agra, then we would sincerely advise you to plan it at such a time that the dates clash with the grand Taj Mahotsav. This is an annual 10-day festival that showcases the royal art and crafts, dance, cuisines, etc. made by the people from across the country. It’s a cultural extravaganza that started in the year 1992 as a platform for artists to showcase their talents. Since then, every year thousands of tourists from across the country and even abroad come here to enjoy the best time of their life.
Agra is a city known for its religious significance and grandiosity. The Mughal emperors built this as their hub, and since then, millions of tourists from across the world are visiting this city every year. Be it the colorful cultures or the mouth-watering delicacies, Agra will treat all its tourists with the best! If you wish to explore the Mughal culture and know about their ways of living, then definitely, Agra is your place to go!
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