Agra – Golden Triangle Part 3
sAgra is famous for Taj Mahal , one of the wonders of the world. Many famous political and business leaders of the world visit Agra for that reason. This is also a major tourist attraction.
Checkout this video to know about the places you can explore near this fort. Please consider subscribing to my youtube channel if you find this information useful.
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How to reach Agra
Agra is well connected by road and railways. If you are traveling from Delhi, you can take a train from New Delhi called the Taj express which leaves at 6:55am from Delhi and reaches Agra Cantt at 9:20am. Another good option is Gatimaan express which starts at 8:10am from Nizamuddin station and covers the same distance in 1hr 40min. Both these trains run on all days. Both these trains are available in the evening at 6:30pm and 5:45 pm respectively from Agra station. The ticket price varies for 400-700 INR for an AC chair car.
If you want to travel by bus, you will find a lot of options from the Kashmere gate. You can even book in advance from bus booking apps. The buses run at almost all times and you have the ease to choose your preferred timings.
In case you choose to travel on your own, the Yamuna expressway is the best route. The total distance is around 136km and the road is also very well maintained. You can even book an Ola/Uber with outstation option. There are even services like BlaBla which are affordable. Please be careful in case you choose BlaBla if the user is verified etc. All the options are really good and can be chosen as per budget and availability.
Main Attractions
If you are planning a short trip, these are the major/top attractions. There are few other options which are mentioned at the end .
Taj Mahal
The visit to this place is a must in order to be mesmerized by the marvelous creation that Shahjahan built. You can book all tickets for places to visit in Agra from https://asi.payumoney.com/all .The tickets are available on site as well but it is a lot easier from the website. You need to present the QR code received after purchasing the ticket at the site. The information will be scanned, and you can enter the monument.
There are two gates for entry- Eastern Gate and Western gate. The Western gate is closer to Agra fort. The Eastern Gate does not allow cars after a certain point. You can take local autos that run on that road and will drop you somewhere close to the gate. Be judicious, do not pay more than 10/- from parking to the eastern gate.
As soon as you enter the place, you will see a large entry gate which takes you to the main area where you can see the Taj. On either side of the monument, you have two buildings – the Mosque and the Mehmaan khana (dining hall). Both the buildings and the Taj are so symmetrical. There is a garden on both sides of the monument, the water pathway in front, and river Yamuna flowing at the back . It is really amazing to know how people of that era were able to create such a masterpiece at that time, it really is a wonder. This is definitely an architectural excellence.
When you enter, you will usually find guides that you can definitely take if you want to understand the history, art and culture of that era. In case you go inside the mausoleum, you will pay an additional 200/- INR. Guide charges are additional, they will tell you they are government registered so select after verifying IDs or you can be fooled. You can spend 2-3 hrs easily here to visit everything and take pictures.
Outside the Eastern Gate, there are a lot of small restaurants and shops. These open around 9am. You can have breakfast here, all of them have decent breakfast options. The shops have many marble items and souvenirs that you can purchase.
Fees and timings :
45/- INR . Taj Mahal is open on all days except Friday so plan your visit to Agra on other days. The visitor entry starts at 6am and is open till sunset at around 5:30pm. The night visit for Taj Mahal is open for five days (2 days before to 2 days after full moon) in a month. The price is 510/- INR. It is said the monument glitters on full moon night so people pay a visit to capture that view.
Agra Fort
The Agra Fort is the Western Ghat of the Taj Mahal. The Fort is really a pig and is a collection of many small palaces. Also, you can get a view of the Taj Mahal. Are local guides available will help you understand the history of the Agra Fort. This monument is not as famous as the Taj Mahal, but its beauty is equally fascinating. You will find a really huge garden in the middle of Agra Fort. The brick red color of the fort is really beautiful. There are no food options or local shops available nearby, so have your breakfast before visiting this place.
Fees and timings :
35/- INR. The fort is open from 6am to 6pm everyday.
Mehtab Bagh
Mehtab Bagh is on the opposite side of river Yamuna visible from the Taj mahal. The garden is huge and has a number of plants, shrubs, flowers and was once a famous Mughal Garden. You will also find a variety of bird species peacocks in the garden. Mehtab Bagh gives a very beautiful view of the Taj Mahal from the other end. The garden is very well maintained by the government authorities.
Fees and timings :
The entry costs 20/- INR. The garden opens at 6am till sunset. If you are staying near Eastern Ghat, you need to cross the whole city to reach this place which may take around 20 mins.
Sunset Point
You may or may not have seen this point on many social media pages. To find the sunset point, simply follow the route to the Eastern gate. Once you are at the end, instead of moving left, turn right. After walking for some distance, you will find a middle point, continue walking straight or lets say, turn left. After a few minutes, you will reach the Ghat. There is also a temple at the Ghat. Try and reach at least 15 mins before sunset to get the best experience. The temple prayers and the view of Taj gives an excellent mix of the atmosphere. There are usually a lot of people here so no need to worry.
Boating
The boating starts from the Eastern Ghat. There are local vendors that take you for a group or solo boat ride which also gives a unique viewpoint of the Taj. They are not allowed to cross the river but will take you somewhere in the middle that gives a good view of the Taj Mahal from the back. You can prefer to take a ride in the morning for a sunrise view.
Fees and timings:
Boating starts at 6am and can go till sunset. The cost is 200/- INR and you know the rule – bargain.
Taj Mahotsav
Taj Mahotsav is something that happens every year for a period of 10 days. Usually this happens in the month of February or March. During this Mahotsav, there are various display of art and culture, and history about Indian civilization. The timing of the event is from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. And the location is shilpgram near the Eastern Ghat of Taj Mahal, Agra. The entry ticket is priced at 40/- INR. If you are planning to visit agra in the month of February or March, you can plan your travel days to coincide with the event. You can find more information on http://www.tajmahotsav.org
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is outside Agra but very close to the city so people choose to visit this place too. The city was founded by Akbar and consists of various forts, palaces, and masjids. Out of all the places, a famous and vibrant one is the Buland Darwaza. Also visit Deewane Aam, Deewane Khas, Jama Masjid, Jodha Bai Palace, panchmahal and so on. It is believed, Akbar choses 9 gems here.
Fees and timings :
35/- . Visitors need to buy a separate ticket for ADA toll tax from the counter of the monument.
Apart from these, you can even visit Akbar tomb Sikandara(20/- INR for ticket) , Mariam tomb Sikandara(20/- INR for ticket) and Ram bagh(20/- INR for ticket)
Stay Options
If you are a solo Traveler or budget travel, the best option is to stay near the Eastern Ghat. There are a lot of hostels present near the Eastern Ghat road. From these hostels, the main gate to the Taj Mahal is hardly a kilometer. That makes it a walking distance to visit Taj Mahal and sunset point. One such hostel is the Moustache hostel. They even have a viewpoint. The hostel also has a cafe. Order online food delivery apps. There are also hostels available on the eastern Ghat road. The madpackers is also a good stay option. Both places have open parking available if you are traveling with your own vehicle.
For the extravagant travelers, you have the Oberoi very close to the Taj Mahal.
Food options
Sadar market
Almost all places in North India aur famous for street food. Agra is no exception. You will find a variety of street food like samosa, chaat, jalebi, chole bhature. If you want to experience street food you can visit the Sadar Bazar. This is basically a market for leather items but they also have a specialty of street food. The shops open after 3:00 p.m. And you can visit the place and have a wholesome experience.
Sheroes cafe
Dedicated to the acid victim survivors, Sheroes cafe is run by these female heroes. The cafe has a lot of snack options and is one of the most famous places to hangout. This place is close to the Gostops hostel. The cafe opens at 10:00 a.m. The budget is around 400 to 600 for two people. My personal recommendation will be cold coffee and Noodles.
Panchi petha
Petha is the speciality of Agra which is basically a desert made out of ash gourd. You’re find a lot of variety of petha like mango, strawberry, chocolate to even strange but tasty options like Pan Petha and sandwich petha. One of the most popular shops is the Panchi Petha. They do have a lot of branches and some can be fake as well. You can buy one which is in the cant area which is supposed to be the original one.
2 Day Agra itinerary
Agra can easily be covered in 2 days. I can help you with the planning so that you can make the best out of your trip. Visit is between October to March where there is no harsh hot weather. That is a problem here is the large number of people that you will find or all the tourist spots. To beat the crowd it is best that you travel to these places at sunrise. Since most of the monuments open at 6:00 a.m., reach there before time to avoid long queues. So your first day starts with the visit to Taj at 6:00 a.m. It will take around 2 to 3 hours to cover everything. After the visit you can have breakfast at a local restaurant on the eastern Ghat road. After this you can shop for anything if you like. In the evening the sunrise point to capture the beautiful Taj Mahal. You can even go boating if you like. This Ends your day one.
The next day you can start with a visit to Mehtab Bagh morning, post you can go to Agra Fort. Post the visit, half breakfast at the sheroes cafe. In the evening visit Sadar Bazaar and other local markets. And definitely get a box of petha from Panchi Petha. With this we end day 2.
Start your day with the visit to Fatehpur Sikri then reach your destination.
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Also read
Top places to explore in Jaipur
Best places to explore in Delhi
Royal stay near Delhi NCR – Neemarana Fort
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Why is Agra famous?
Agra, located in the northern part of India in the state of Uttar Pradesh, is famous for its historical and architectural treasures. The city is primarily renowned for being the home of one of the most iconic monuments in the world, the Taj Mahal. Here are a few reasons why Agra is famous:
1. Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is a magnificent white marble mausoleum. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, it is known for its stunning architecture, intricate details, and its symbolization of eternal love.
2. Agra Fort: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Agra Fort is a massive red sandstone fort that was the main residence of the Mughal emperors until the capital shifted to Delhi. It showcases a blend of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles and offers impressive views of the Taj Mahal
What is the real story behind Taj Mahal?
The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The true story behind the Taj Mahal is a tale of love and grief. Mumtaz Mahal was Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, and they shared a deep and passionate love. In 1631, Mumtaz Mahal died while giving birth to their 14th child. Devastated by her death, Shah Jahan decided to build a grand mausoleum as a tribute to her. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and took approximately 22 years to complete. It involved the efforts of thousands of artisans, architects, and craftsmen from India and other parts of the world. The white marble used for the construction was brought from various regions of India and beyond. The Taj Mahal’s design is said to have been inspired by various architectural styles, including Persian, Islamic, and Indian influences.
Why was Taj Mahal so famous?
The Taj Mahal is famous for several reasons:
1. Architectural Beauty: The Taj Mahal is renowned for its exquisite architectural beauty. It is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, combining elements of Persian, Islamic, and Indian styles. The symmetrical design, intricate carvings, and the use of white marble make it visually stunning.
2. Symbol of Love: The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is considered a symbol of eternal love and devotion. The story behind its construction adds a romantic and emotional element that captivates people worldwide.
3. UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Taj Mahal is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which further adds to its fame and prestige. It is considered a cultural and historical treasure and is protected for its outstanding universal value.
4. Seven Wonders of the World: The Taj Mahal has been included in the Seven Wonders of the World.
फतेहपुर सीकरी क्यों प्रसिद्ध है?
फतेहपुर सीकरी एक ऐतिहासिक स्थल है जो भारतीय राजस्थान राज्य में स्थित है। यह एक पुरानी नगरी है जो मुग़ल सम्राट अकबर द्वारा बनवाई गई थी। फतेहपुर सीकरी की प्रसिद्धता कुछ मुख्य कारणों से है:
ऐतिहासिक महत्व: फतेहपुर सीकरी को मुग़ल सम्राट अकबर ने अपनी सती के संदर्भ में एक नगरी के रूप में बनवाया था। इसका नाम “फतेहपुर” है, जिसका अर्थ होता है “जीती हुई नगरी”। यह स्थल उनके राजदरबार का महत्वपूर्ण केंद्र था और मुग़ल साम्राज्य की विवादित समय की एक अहम घटना के संदर्भ में महत्वपूर्ण है।
वास्तुशिल्प और विशेष निर्माणशैली: फतेहपुर सीकरी के भवनों और संरचनाओं की वास्तुशिल्प और मुग़ल शैली में निर्माण की गई है। इसमें रेड सैंडस्टोन से बनी इमारतें, जिनमें पंच महल, दीवान-ए-खास, दीवान-ए-आम, जोद्हा बाई का महल, शेख सलीम का मकबरा आदि शामिल हैं।
सुंदरता: फतेहपुर सीकरी के भव्य भवन और संरचनाएँ उनकी सुंदरता के लिए प्रसिद्ध हैं। इनमें एक प्रमुख आकर्षण है बुलंद दरवाजा, जो एक ऊँची प्राचीनतम के रूप में जाना जाता है और वास्तुशास्त्र में मान्यता है।
यात्रा का स्थल: फतेहपुर सीकरी एक पॉपुलर यात्रा का स्थल है और पर्यटकों के बीच में प्रसिद्ध है। इसके ऐतिहासिक महत्वपूर्णता, आकर्षणों की सुंदरता और कला के क्षेत्र में यह एक महत्वपूर्ण स्थल है।
फतेहपुर सीकरी का दूसरा नाम क्या है?
फतेहपुर सीकरी का दूसरा नाम “शेखुपुरा” है। यह नाम उस समय के मुग़ल सम्राट अकबर के द्वारा उसकी सलतनत की महिला जोद्धा बाई के पिता शेख सलीम के नाम पर रखा गया था। “शेखुपुरा” का अर्थ होता है “शेख सलीम का शहर”। फतेहपुर सीकरी एक ऐतिहासिक स्थल है जिसे मुग़ल सम्राट अकबर ने अपनी विजय की स्मृति में बनवाया था और इसका नाम “फतेहपुर” है, जिसका अर्थ होता है “जीती हुई नगरी”।