AGRA VACATIONS

Agra : The single most famous tourist destination of India.

There are very few cities in the world that can match the history and heritage of Agra - the city of Taj Mahal. Located at a distance of 204 km south of Delhi, Agra is the single most famous tourist destination of India. Situated on the west bank of River Yamuna, Agra is a part of the great Norther Indian plains.Travel to the great historical city of Agra and understand why Taj Mahal is considered as the "Love of a Man Epitomized in Stone".

Travel to Agra and discover the fact that Agra is not only Taj Mahal but much more. The architectural splendor of the city is reflected in the glorious monuments of medieval India built by great Mughals who ruled India for more than 300 years. Travel to Agra and experience the the organized chaos that is India. India is best understood from the rampages of Agra Fort and nothing else.

Tourist Attractions

Taj Mahal
What is there in India if there is no Taj Mahal? Perhaps no other symbol epitomizes India as Taj Mahal. One of the most photographed tourist attractions in the world, Taj Mahal is the attraction that pulls the tourists from all over the world. To India's first Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the Taj was a "teardrop on the face of humanity," an edifice that echoes the cry, "I have not forgotten, I have not forgotten, O beloved." The Taj today is source of attraction for millions of tourists from all over the world.

Agra Fort
Built by Emperor Akbar on the west bank of the river Yamuna and beautified with palaces and gardens by Jehangir, Agra Fort today dominates the centre of the city. The crescent-shaped fort with its 20-metre high, 2.4-km outer walls contains a maze of buildings that form a small city within a city. One can enter the fort only through the Amar Singh Gate.

Itmad-ud-daulah's Tomb
To the north of the fort, on the opposite bank of the Yamuna lies the tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah, built in memory of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, Jehangir's wazir. Also known as the 'baby Taj', it was the first Mughal structure totally built from marble and first to make extensive use of pietra dura. The place is the least visited of Agra's three great monuments

Sikandra
In the centre of a peaceful garden at Sikandra, 4 km north-west of Agra, lies the sandstone and marble tomb of Akbar. The mausoleum represents Akbar's philosophy and secular outlook blending Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Christian motifs and styles.

Jama Masjid
Built in 1648 AD, in memory of Sheikh Salim Chisthi and his grandson Islam Khan by Jehanara Begum, Shahjahan's daughter, the masjid has a wonderful assimilation of Iranian architecture. The building with its rectangular open forecourt, has no minarets but its sandstone domes have a striking marble patterning.

Around Agra
Let's take a trip beyond the Taj! Sightseeing tours are not just restricted to within the vicinity of the Agra city. If you looking for some relaxation, then move a little ahead from Fatehpur Sikri and you'll reach the bird paradise of India, the Bharatpur bird Sanctuary. Another optional tour that you can take while coming towards Agra is of the Braj circuit tour, that will take you to the spiritual land of Lord Krishna and the three towns associated with his legends Mathura- Gokul And Vrindavan.

Shopping in Agra
The magnificent city of Agra not only offers architectural delights but is also reputed as a shopper's paradise. The city has a number of markets and shopping malls that offers the best of handcrafted item specially the replicas of Taj Mahal that match in every detail of the real building. Agra also offers a variety of leather items including footwear, purses, bags, and decorative items. You can also shop for sandal and rose wood items, brass and stone decorative, embroidered rugs, stone inlay work and floor carvings in the local Handicraft Emporium.

Shopping Areas
There are many shopping area across the city but the major areas include Taj Mahal complex, Kinari Bazaar, Raja Mandi, Sadar Bazaar.