Agra India

Agra

The city of Agra represents the architectural splendor of the Indian mausoleum emperors. The historic monuments and gardens in the city vividly indicate the opulence of the legendary ‘Mughal’ empire, of which Agra was the capital in the 16th and early 17th century. The city lies on the west bank of river Yamuna and is located at the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. Agra, along with Jaipur and Delhi, completes the famous ‘golden triangle’, India’s most favorite tourist destination. The city is also well known for its beautiful carpets, leather shoes and gold-thread embroidery works.

Best time to visit: The climate in Agra is highly variable. It is quite hot in summer (April-July) and equally cold in winter (December – January). During summer, the temperature varies between 25°C and 46°C and the average temperature during winter is 22°C to 5°C. The monsoon in Agra is very humid. Winter, however, is the perfect time to visit Agra. During this time, the days are warm and sunny which is ideal for sightseeing.

International Flights: The ‘Kheria Airport’ in Agra is 20 kms away from the city. It is a domestic airport which is efficiently connected with the International Indian airports. Almost all the principal domestic Indian airlines have daily flights to Agra. Majority of the international tourists prefer to take a domestic flight from The ‘Indira Gandhi International Airport’ in New Delhi to reach Agra. The Emirates, Virgin Atlantic Ocean, Swiss Air, British Airways, Air France, Aeroflot, TWI, Lufthansa, Air Canada, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Japanese airline companies, Air Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Biman connect New Delhi to all the principal cities in the world.

Accommodation: The hotels and restaurants in Agra enjoy a considerable growth along with the increasing surge of the tourists. Tourists can find plenty of mid-range and budget hotels together with the traditional and contemporary 5 star hotels here. All modern amenities like parking area, conference rooms, gymnasium, Jacuzzi, golf courses, swimming pool, beauty parlor and special recreation equipment for children are provided by these 5 star hotels. The rooms here can be reserved online, by credit cards.

Popular Tourist Spots:

1. Taj Mahal: Taj Mahal is one of the most evocative and globally recognizable specimens of Indian architecture. It was built in 1632 A.D. by the Mughal emperor ‘Shah Jahan’ in the loving memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. This place shines at its best at dawn and at dusk when the sunlight reflects on the dome and its color changes from white to shades of pink.

2. Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb: The Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb is another marvel of Mughal architecture. It was constructed between 1622 -25 A.D. by Empress Noor Jahan, in memory of her father. This ornate tomb, popularly considered a precursor of the Taj Mahal, reflects the taste and sophistication of an accomplished sovereign.

3. Agra Fort: On a walking distance from the gardens of Taj Mahal lies another important Mughal monument called the Agra Fort. This colossal citadel of red sandstone comprises other exquisite constructions like the Khas Mahal, Moti Masjid, Jahangir Palace, Sheesh Mahal (The Glass Palace) and more.

4. Fatehpur Sikri, later deserted by Emperor Akbar, was the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1585. It was constructed under the personal supervision of Akbar. The city was built on the site where he had met the Sufi saint, Sheikh Salim Chishti whose blessings helped the emperor to have his first son, as the legend says. The city, however, was abandoned only after fifteen years due to severe shortage of water in the locality.

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