Welcome to Agra- City Of Taj Mahal

When walking along the twisting lanes of the old city of Agra, you slip effortlessly into a bygone era of despotic monarchs and palace intrigues and marvel at the monuments that have outlived their creators. The Mughals started a building boom, with each ruler trying to leave behind a more impressive architectural heritage than his predecessors... with the spectacular Taj Mahal being the pinnacle. Tourists from all over the world visit Agra to see this magnificent monument, making it India's unique calling card. As a result there are some great Agra hotels and tours in Agra.

The visual impact of actually seeing the Taj Mahal cannot be conveyed by any photograph.

When the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan decided to build a mausoleum to honour the memory of his favourite queen, he set out to construct a monument to rival anything that the world had seen till then. Standing on a gigantic square base, its minarets made of the whitest marble carried, all the way from Persia and Italy tower skywards. All along the minarets is finely executed calligraphy, extolling the glories of Allah. A wonder of the world and aptly featured on UNESCO's World Heritage List, the Taj Mahal has immense recognition value. But the visual impact of actually seeing it cannot be conveyed by any photograph.

Though the central structure is the most awe-inspiring, the surrounding gardens are laid out in severe geometric perfection and the reflecting pools complement the building. Considering the fact that millions visit the Taj everyday, it is remarkably well preserved. This sublimely perfect building is in the Indian Muslim style of architecture. The strategically placed pools and the water channels cool the building during the long summer. Taking a Taj Mahal tour in Agra is the ideal way of learning about the history and significance of this fabulous monument.

Besides the Taj Mahal, there is a lot to see and do in Agra. The Agra Fort, made of red sand stone, bears a striking resemblance to the Red Fort in Old Delhi. This ancient monument has been spared the destruction that the Red Fort suffered when the British suppressed the mutiny for freedom in 1857. Though primarily meant to be a strategic fortress, the fort served as a royal residence for many years.

The city of Fatehpur Sikri was built when the Mughal Empire was at its zenith. Nowhere else can you find a better example of Mughal architectural splendour, synthesising as it does design elements from Muslim and Hindu architecture. Unfortunately Fatehpur Sikri suffered from perennial water shortage and had to be abandoned. As the sun sets over the structures, it is easy to imagine that Fatehpur Sikri still lives. The mosque here was built to resemble the mosque at Mecca.

If you're in Agra during cricket season and there is time left from monument hopping and shopping in Agra, you might consider watching a cricket match. There are excellent hotels in Agra hotels to suit every budget. If you want to stay close to a particular landmark, our Agra map shows you hotels in Agra you can book with us. Agra is a delight that cannot fail to please the most demanding tourist.

Agra was not always the heritage city it is now. Old texts refer to it as Agrabana, a forest that finds mention in the great Indian epics of old. Though the seat of Mughal power, Agra falls in the Brij region which is steeped in Hindu lore. The nearby town of Mathura, associated with the Krishna cult, is part of every Hindu myth. The Hindi dialect spoken in Agra, the attire of the people, their food habits and their music is deeply influenced by Brij culture. Alongside, you will find nuances of the courtly Mughal culture in the hospitality and refined warmth of local residents.

Agra is a multi-cultural society where many religions are practised and respected. This pluralism enriches Agra and adds a new dimension to it.

During the Taj Mahotsav which takes place in February, Agra gets into a flurry of activity. The city, decked in its best, comes alive with classical music and dance. Artists from all over India arrive here to give demonstrations of their talent. The ghazal programmes held at night weave a kind of magic around the listeners. There's fun for children of all ages too, with camel and elephant rides. During the Muslim festival of Muharrum, decorated tazias (pageants) are taken around. The festival of Id is the time to savour special meat delicacies not available otherwise.

A visit or tour in Agra, the erstwhile capital of the Mughal Empire, is a must for tourists visiting India. It is not the red-coloured sandstone fortress or the other innumerable monuments that beckon visitors here. It is the eternal monument of love, the Taj Mahal, an architectural marvel, which draws visitors to this land of rich cultural heritage and economic growth. Other splendid Mughal-era buildings in Agra are the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Choose a good value Agra hotel, find the right Agra tour and make the most of your Agra holiday.