Agra is a place in India where every tourist must visit once. It is the culmination of a long-awaited vacation in India for some people. By reading here you will get all the information about the major things to do in Agra. I will tell you about the complete trip things to do in Agra in this travel blog, where to go, what to do, tips for female travellers and much more.
Agra has considerably more stunning monuments, the ancient city, gardens, and sunset locations than one might initially believe! There may be no better place in India to view breathtaking Mughal architecture than the former capital of Mughal India, which was established in 1501 and remained so until 1638 when Shah Jahan constructed a new capital in Delhi.
Even though there is a lot more to see in Agra than just the Taj, you won't want to miss it. Nothing truly prepares you for the first brilliant white look of the Taj Mahal through the entrance gate, glistening in the misty morning light, no matter how many pictures you've seen (or even if you've visited before).
The Taj Mahal has three entrances: the South, West, and East. You'll need to walk or take an e-rickshaw the final 500 meters to get to the Taj because traditional auto-rickshaws are prohibited due to pollution. The cost of the e-rickshaw is covered by the foreigner's ticket price at Shilpgram (east entrance).
One of the best Mughal forts in India is the Red Fort Agra Fort, which is superior to the very similar Red Fort in Delhi. Emperor Akbar started building the fort in 1565 and his grandson Shah Jahan completed it by converting it from a military fort into a palace and adding his trademark abundance of white marble.
The enormous fort, which rises over the Yamuna River, is a great place to spend hours exploring. If you want to avoid the tour groups, the best time to visit Agra is extremely early in the morning, ideally while they're still at the Taj. At first light, the fort opens. The photo opportunities facing the Taj Mahal are an additional perk for travellers arriving at sunrise.
The "Baby Taj," the mausoleum of Mumtaz Mahal's grandfather, a Persian aristocrat, is undoubtedly my favourite landmark in Agra. It is a visual feast for the eyes and a sore spot for tired tourists. Impressive specimens of Persian architecture, the complex decorations and carved marble lattice screens provide a tranquil setting for admiring the Yamuna views of Agra.
The best part is that the old Persian-style gardens are being brought back to life. According to Persian garden customs, these gardens once had cypress trees, roses and other flowers. The life and death represented by cypress trees were symbolised by a figure pointing to the heavens, which served as a bridge between this world and the next. Four water streams split the gardens, which are designed in the classic "Char Bagh" style.
Sikandra, the final resting place of Emperor Akbar, is located 10 km west of Agra and offers yet another breathtaking display of Agra's exquisite Mughal grandeur. The main cenotaph's walls and ceilings, as well as the four towers that make up the Sikandra entrance doorway, are particularly striking.
Opening from the doorway are vast lawned gardens (where, presumably, the old Persian style predated the British classification of these areas). Deer are roaming around, and the grounds are a tranquil place to unwind.
A new sunset viewing point has been installed that runs in front of the park, right next to the river; therefore, people in front of you may block your view of the park. For a long time, the park across the river from the Taj was a popular spot to see the sunset. The gardens also make for a pleasant stroll. Access to the observation point is charged (full moon visits incur significant surcharges), and there are extra fees for cameras.
The months of late October through early March are the busiest (and most favourable for weather) for travel to Agra. Agra has extreme cold in December and January, when you'll need a coat. This is also the time of year when Agra experiences a lot of morning fog. The best time for viewing the Taj Mahal in the mist of the morning is when there is both sun and mist (observing the mist rising and dissipating over the Taj is a unique experience). This is more likely to occur in February due to warmer temperatures than in January, when the mist tends to linger.
Whenever you decide to visit Agra, I advise against going on weekends because that's when most Indian domestic tourists arrive and the city and its main attractions get packed. Keep in mind that the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. If you wish to see the Taj during the full moon, there are additional costs and requirements.
Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Varanasi, and many other Indian cities are well-connected to Agra.
By Train: There are multiple rail stations in Agra, so be sure to verify which one your train arrives at and departs from. Agra is extremely easily accessible by train. Almost all trains arrive and depart from the largest cantonment, Agra Cantt. The 12050 / 12049 Gatimaan Express, which runs between Hazrat Nizamuddin in South Delhi and Agra Cantonment, is now one of India's quickest trains and is the ideal train to take to or from Delhi.
By Air: The airport at Agra, which is 13 kilometres from the city, is served by flights from major Indian cities.
By Road: The Delhi-Agra Yamuna motorway connects Delhi and Agra, and it takes just two to three hours to get there from Delhi. Taxis, intercity Uber, and several buses that run the Delhi-Agra route can all be reserved in advance.
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