Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal, figures on the itinerary of every tourist to India.
If this is your first visit to the Taj, there is only one thing to remember – everything that has been said about it is at best inadequate. This mausoleum is a piece of poetry in marble; you will find yourself stopping before every marble screen, every bit of inlaid wall to marvel at the craftsmanship of those who created this architectural wonder. Recently, the Taj was voted amongst the Seven Wonders of the World.
Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place of his favourite queen, Mumtaz Mahal, built the Taj Mahal. A monument of marble, it is perhaps India’s most fascinating and beautiful monument. Built by Persian architect Ustad Isa, this perfectly symmetrical monument took 22years (AD 1630-52) of hard labor and 20.000 workers, masons and jewelers to build.
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The red sandstone entrance to the Taj has verses from the Koran inscribed on it. The four minarets, its vaulted arches, the inlaid semi-precious stones are just a preamble to the central dome of the Taj. Right below this dome are the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. These are just for display, though- far below in a locked basement; hidden from the human eye, the Mughal king and his queen lie in their actual tombs, united in death.
HOW TO REACH
By Air: the airport at Agra is connected by domestic flights to major Indian cities. There are daily round trip flights from Delhi to Agra, Khajuraho, and Varanasi.
By Rail: Agra is well connected by the Taj Express and the high-speed Shatabdi Express to Delhi, Varanasi, and cities of Rajasthan as well as South India. The main railway station is the Agra Cantonment.
By Road: Agra is connected by road to Delhi, Gwalior, Jaipur and several other major cities; national Highway 2 connects Agra with Delhi, which is only a 4-hour drive away. There are UP State Road Transport (UPSRTC) AS WELL AS PRIVATE BUSES PLYIG TO AND FROM Agra. The main bus terminus is the Idgah Bus Stand, close to the Agra Cantonment Station:
MUST DO
Watch pigeons in flight
Get introduced to pigeon fancying, an established tradition in Agra. Four of five flocks fly above Taj Ganj every evening around 4pm. Agra’s kabootar baaz of pigeon fanciers don’t race their pigeons but fly them in flocks, controlling them with a code of high-pitched whistles and calls. This is a sight to be seen and heard to believe!
What to Eat:
From the star restaurants to fast-food giants, Agra has it all. As it is an important tourist destination, Agra is dotted with eateries of every size, to suit every pocket.
Agra is also famous of its sweets-Petha and Gazak-and the salty snack, Dalmoth.
What to Shop for
Shopping in Agra is an exciting affair, as you wind through labyrinthine streets and bustling bazaars. Agra is famous for exquisite handicraft items such as marble tabletops, soft stone lay work and hand-made leather items, like fancy juttis. A small replica of the Taj Mahal makes one of most popular souvenir items.
Jewellery items are another famous buy in Agra. The Mughal-style designs are quite popular among both foreign and Indian tourists. Carpets, durries, textiles and sandalwood items are also popular in Agra.
The main shopping areas of the city are sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar, Raja-ki-Mandi, Sanjay Place and the Taj Mahal complex. You can shop at the government emporia or government-approved souvenir shops.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The winter months are a bit chilly, but that is the best time to visit Agra.
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