Indian Visa for Tourists – Visitor Guide to Agra
In this post we cover popular and famous monuments in Agra, and also the not-so-famous ones. If you are coming on as a Tourist, this article provides a complete guidance to Agra and includes places like Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid, Itimad Ud Daulah, Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh, Shopping, Culture and Food places.
Agra is probably the most famous of Indian cities among foreign tourists for the beautiful marble mausoleum that is Taj Mahal which for many is synonymous with India itself. As such, this city is a huge tourist hotspot and if you are on a holiday in India it’s definitely a city that you must not miss out on. But there is a lot more to Agra than just Taj Mahal and in order to make sure that you have an all rounded experience in the city we are here with a complete guide to Agra for tourists. This contains everything that you should do and see while in Agra to have a good time there and enjoy your visit.
Famous Monuments of Agra
As the capital city during the Mughal period Agra has special historical significance. From the period of Akbar’s rule to Aurangzeb’s Agra has accumulated a great number of monuments all of which feature the most stunning architecture seen anywhere in the world, and some of them even have the status of being UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The first of these monuments that you should visit is obviously Taj Mahal so that you can see what the fuss is all about. Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal after her death, this is one of the most popular places in India. You should also visit the Taj Museum inside the Taj Mahal complex where you will get to find interesting facts about the monument’s building. But just as beautiful are other monuments in Agra, such as the Agra Fort, which was built by Akbar for the purpose of fortification and is actually big enough to be called a walled city in and of itself, and Fatehpur Sikri, which was also a fortified city built by Akbar and contains many other monuments such as Bulund Darwaza and Jama Masjid.
Some Less Famous Monuments in Agra
The thing about Agra is that there is no scarcity of monuments with stunning architecture there but some monuments are naturally more famous than other and thus more frequented by tourists. But if you know which other less famous monuments in Agra are worth visiting then you would gain an even higher appreciation for the city’s beauty and significance. Some of these are China ka Rauza, a memorial for Shah Jahan’s Prime Minister whose glazed tiles are said to have been exported from China; Anguri Bagh, or the Garden of Grapes, which was built as a garden for Shah Jahan, and is beautiful for its geometrical architecture; and the Tomb of Akbar which is significant for being the resting place of Akbar but also because it too is an architectural masterpiece and its construction was overseen by Akbar himself before his death.
Agra Fort
When enter Agra and explore cross many patios, you understand that Agra has one of the best Mughal icons in India. This red sandstone and marble engineering oozes force and pomposity. Agra post was principally started by Emperor Akber in 1560s as a military structure and was later changed into a castle by his grandson Emperor Shah Jahan. The monuments and noteworthy buildings in Mughal history are as yet a piece of this fortress, for example, Diwan-e-aam (Hall of general crowd), Diwan-e-khaas (Hall of private crowds) and Shish Mahal (Mirror Palace). The Amar Singh entryway, which was initially worked to mistake aggressors for its dogleg configuration, is presently the sole purpose of passage to the fortification.
Tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah
This tomb takes pride in being the first in being made of white marble rather than red sandstone, which authoritatively denoted the discontinuance of red sandstone from Mughal engineering.
Itimad-ud-Daula is now and then alluded to as the "child Taj" or a draft of the Taj Mahal, as it has been built with the equivalent expound carvings and pietra dura (cut-out stone work) decorate strategies.
The tomb is encircled by delightful nurseries that make it the ideal site to unwind and encounter the magnificence of an old period that was wealthy in workmanship, culture, and history.
The catacomb is frequently portrayed as a gem box or the infant Taj and it is said the structure was utilized as a draft complex for the Taj Mahal. You can see a few similitudes including the evenness, towers and long pool paving the way to the tomb. The tomb watches out over the Yamuna River and I found the nurseries an extraordinary spot to unwind in the shade for some harmony and calm away from the bustling avenues. Passage was just a few dollars yet tripods were not permitted inside.
Mehtab Bagh
The Taj Mahal nearly appears to stretch out over the Yamuna River at Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden), a square nursery complex estimating 300 meters on each side. It's the main outstanding park in a progression of about twelve Mughal-constructed cultivates in the territory.
The recreation center has some entirely blooming trees and shrubberies a distinct improvement from its state in the mid-1990s, when the site was only a hill of sand. The Archeological Survey of India is working diligently reestablishing Mehtab Bagh to its unique brilliance by planting Mughal-period plants, so later on, it might turn into Agra's response to New York City's Central Park.
The scene adjusts impeccably with the nurseries of the Taj, making it perhaps the best spot in Agra to get a view (or a photograph) of the dazzling structure-particularly at nightfall. Outside of the entryways to the mind boggling, you can search for Taj Mahal knickknacks and different gifts from venders in the zone.
Agra’s Culture
Agra is not just known for its monuments. Agra has a rich cultural heritage. There is a special fair that takes place in Agra called the Taj Mahotsav that is carried on for a total of 10 days. Artists and artisans from all over India come to the festival to showcase their art, craft, dance, food, etc. Foreign tourists who are interested in discovering more of India’s folk culture must make it a point to go to this festival and foodies would especially love it because of all the authentic regional food that will be available here. Kids will be able to enjoy the festival too for whom a Fun Fair is always put in place.
Shopping in Agra
With the number of tourists that flock to Agra at all times of the year, it is inevitable that it also have no scarcity of shopping centers and bazaars meant especially for tourists. You can get little souvenirs and trinkets to take back with you, such as small Taj Mahal replicas made of marble. You will also find endless number of shops that sell authentic handicraft in Agra and there are markets for everything, from jewellery to carpets to embroidery and textile. The popular shopping centers and bazaars of Agra that you must visit are Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Munro Road.
Food in Agra
Agra is famous for quite a few food items, such as Petha, which is a sweet made of pumpkin, and can be found in Sadar Bazar, Dholpur House and Hari Parvat; Dalmoth, which is a spicy and salty mixture of lentils and nuts, and can be found in Panchi Petha and Baluganj; various stuffed Parathas; Bedhai and Jalebi, which are street foods in Agra; and Chaat, which is especially popular in Agra, and the best Chaat can be found in Chaat Wali Gali in Sadar Bazar. These are some famous foods of Agra that you must definitely try out while visiting the city.
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