Agra, India

Located in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is the Indian city that houses the Taj Mahal, just about 200km away from New Delhi. There are 3 listed UNESCO World Heritage sites in Agra which include the Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Taj Mahal. There are many other tombs and buildings as well which remind visitors of the glorious days when Agra used to be the capital of the Mughal Empire. Besides this, there are still many other things why you should visit the city. Unfortunately, pollution mostly resulting from litter and smog is very rampant here and visitors are pestered away by the swarms of hawkers and touts selling their wares at every palace, temple, mosque, or monument. That said, some of these sites are recorded as wonders of the world which makes visiting Agra worthy of your efforts while on a trip to India.

While the popularity and growth of Agra were only realized in the 1600s when it used to be the capital city of the Mughal Empire, the old city was established much earlier. The city has a rich history which mostly highlights how it changed hands among different kings, both Muslim and Hindu. There are readily available means of transport in Agra which include Tongas, electric tempos, and electric buses. No cars are allowed to Taj Mahal but you can reach there using cycle and auto rickshaws. If you want to experience the best of the city, just walk along Mall Road and you will be amazed by the many leather goods and handicraft shops.

The most notable tourist attractions in Agra are the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal which are incomparable to any other attraction nearby. The immense mausoleum of the Taj Mahal comprises of white marble and was built in the early 1600s. Taj Mahal is translated to mean Crown Palace and has remained as one of the best-preserved and architecturally beautiful mausoleums in the world. It is a masterpiece of the Indian Muslim Architecture and a great world heritage site.

He next inline after Taj Mahal is Agra Fort which shares a similar layout of the Delhi’s Red Fort but is well preserved. It was built as a defensive structure and palace at the same time. It was built by Emperor Akbar when he also built the Humayun’s Tomb in his efforts of consolidating power. Luggage services are available where you can leave your luggage free of card and you can also hire audio guides at the site as well.

Agra is also a home to several gardens such as Soami Bagh, Ram Bagh, and Mehtab Bagh gardens. Temples are also many here as well and include the Balkeshwar Temple, Kailash Temple, and Mankameshawar Temple. Other sights worth a visit in Agra are such as Sikandra which is where Akbar’s tomb lies. It is equally an amazing architectural piece worthy of a visit. Adlabs Multiplex houses an interactive theatre. The Taj Mahostav is a 10 day festival of culture, art, and craft that starts in late February and ends early March. Finally, you can go for Agra Food Tour which will help you discover nearby places, local cuisines and ancient monuments as well.