District of India
Agra district is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Agra is famous in the world due to Taj Mahal.
How to Reach Agra
By Air: From any part of India you can come to Agra Airport by Air.Buy a cheapest air-ticket from below site. This is my favorite site because it shows the different airline ticket prices of the same flight. So it makes easy for me to buy the lowest price ticket.
Select your depart and return date. If one-way, click on the 'X' in the return date box. Click on search.
By Train and bus: From Delhi, there are many trains leave. It takes about 2.35 minutes and fare starts from about Rs.170. Several Buses leaves from Delhi. It takes about 4 hours. Starting Fare Rs.250.
From Mathura, several buses go to Agra. It takes about 1 hour. Starting Fare Rs.100. Train leaves from Mathura. Fare about Rs. 140 for sleeper and Rs.50 for general (14212 Intercity Express).
Hotels in Agra
There many hotels in Agra at different price.You can book hotel from the below search engine, which compare Booking.com and other all hotel related website and show the different prices of the same room. So, you can book at the lowest price.
Select your check-in and check-out date and click on search.
Tourist Places in Agra
There is an interesting option for foreign tourists that if they purchase Agra Development Authority (ADA) toll tax ticket for Rs 500, then no need to purchase entry tickets and they can visit many monuments like Taj Mahal, Akbar's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb on the same day. That means the ticket is validate for one day only.You have to buy ASI Ticket from the counters.
ASI fees are:
Taj Mahal - Rs 250
Taj Museum - Rs 5
Agra Fort - Rs 250
Fathepur Sikri - Rs 250
Akbar's Tomb - Rs 100
Itmad-ud-Daula - Rs 100
Ram Bagh - Rs 100
Mariyan Tomb - Rs 100
Mehtab Bagh - Rs 100
Once you have the ADA and the ASI tickets, you need not to wait in the ques. Cause there are separate entrance ques for men and women.
Day-1:
Tomb of Akbar the Great
TombThe Mughal emperor, Akbar was planned to build a tomb and selected 119 acres of grounds in Sikandra for this. But after his death, Akbar's son Jahangir started this construction in 1605 and completed in 1613.
Visiting Time: 6 AM to 6 PM every day.
Entry Fee:
Indians and SAARC - Rs.30 (Saturday-Thursday) and Rs.25 (Friday or any day after visiting Taj Mahal)
Foreigners – Rs.310 (Saturday-Thursday) and Rs.300 (Friday or any day after visiting Taj Mahal).
How to go: 13 km from Agra towards Mathura district.
Sikandra Fort - Inside the premises of Akbar’s tomb.
Mariam Tomb
TombMariam was married to Emperor Akbar in 1562. She was honoured with the title Mariam-uz-Zamani after she gave birth to Jahangir. She died in Agra in 1623. Jahangir built a tomb for her in between 1623 and 1627.
Entry Fee: Rs.25 for Indians and SAARC and 300 for foreigners.
How to go: The tomb is just opposite of the road from Akbar’s tomb.
St. John's church
ChurchHow to go: It is situated at Sikandra, near Mariam tomb.
Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal
Sikh pilgrimageIt was built in the 1970s
How to go: It is situated about 1.85 km from the Tomb of Akbar the Great towards Agra at Maharishi Puram Colony.
Soami Ji Maharaj’s Samadh
Architectural StructureThe construction that originally began in 1905 and finished after 100 years later in 2005.
How to go: 3.82 km away from Gurudwara towards Agra at Dayal Bagh Road mor. Then turn left and go 1.22 km through Dayal Bagh Road.
Aram Bagh
GardenAlso known as Ram Bhagh. It is the oldest Mughal Garden originally built by the Mughal Emperor Babur in 1528.
Entry Fee: Rs.25 for Indians and SAARC and 300 for foreigners.
How to go: about 3.5 km away from Dayal Bagh Mor. After crossing a bridge you will reach at this place.
Chini Ka Rauza
MonumentThe tomb was built in 1635. There is a tomb inside the premises of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah, who was the poet during the reign of Jahangir and later the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
How to go: About 300 meters walking distance from Aram Bagh towards south.
Itmad-ud-Daula
MonumentThe tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his wife Asmat Beghum. He was the father of Nur-Jehan. He was made Prime Minister after Nur Jehan's marriage with Jehangir in 1611. He died in 1622. A few months later his wife died. Nur Jehan then built this tomb for them between 1622 and 1628.
Entry Fee:
Indians and SAARC - Rs.30 (Saturday-Thursday) and Rs.25 (Friday or any day after visiting Taj Mahal)
Foreigners - Rs 310 (Saturday-Thursday) and Rs.300 (Friday or any day after visiting Taj Mahal).
How to go: About 1 km south from Chini ka Rauza.
Mehtab Bagh
GardenFrom where you can see Taj Mahal view.
Entry Fee: Rs.25 for Indians and SAARC and 300 for foreigners.
How to go: Mehtab Bagh is at the opposite side of Yamuna River from Tajmahal, and 2.3 km south from Itmad-ud-Daula.
Day-2:
Jame Mosque
MosqueIt is one of the largest mosques in India. The Mosque was built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in the honour of his eldest daughter, Jahanara in 1648.
How to go: It is situated besides the Agra Fort Railway Station and Agra Fort.
Agra Fort
FortIt was a palace of Ibrahim Lodi. In 1526, Mughals Emperor Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the battle and used this palace as his home. He then modified the palace. In 1530, Babur’s successor, Humayun took place at the fort. In 1540, Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun at Bilgram and took over the ownership of the fort from Humayun. Later he made minor changes to the fort. In 1555, Humayun recapture Agra and the fort again. But in 1956, Hemu Vikramaditya, the general and military commander of Adil Shah Suri captured Agra. On November 5 1556, after few months kingship of Hemu, Akbar defeated the forces of Hemu. Akbar decided to rebuild it with red sandstone. During the reign of Shah Jahan, the fort was modified considerably and took the current form. During the early 17th century, the fort was captured by the Maratha Empire. In 1761, Ahmad Shah Durrani, founder of the Durrani Empire defeated the Marathas. The emperors of the Durrani dynasty made the fort their home until 1785. In 1785, the fort was recaptured by the Marathas under the reign of Mahadji Shinde. The Marathas then lost their battle against the British in the Second Anglo-Maratha War. The British then enjoyed the comfort of the fort until it was handed over to the government of India in 1947.
Inside Premises:
It has four gates. Out of the four gates, the Delhi gate and Lahore gate are the most prominent ones. The Lahore gate was later renamed as Amar Singh Gate.
The fort has various palaces and halls. Among the palaces, the prominent ones are Macchi Bhavan, Khas Mahal and Shah Jahani Mahal, Jahangir Palace. The magnificent Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience) is on the right hand side. Diwan I Khas, Nagina Masjid, Moti Masjid and Mina Masjid. The fort also has royal baths made out of marbles, which were used by the princesses. Also, places of worship and a private market place for the ladies were built within the fort. At the base of the fort, a secret passage was dug in an attempt to access it with ease, during times of emergency. Other attractions of the fort include a grape garden, a jasmine tower, a mirror palace (Shish Mahal), courtrooms and the ruins of Akbar’s once magnificent palace.
Entry Fee:
Indians - Rs.50 (Saturday-Thursday) and Rs.40 (Friday or any day after visiting Taj Mahal)
Foreigners – Rs.650 (Saturday-Thursday) and Rs.600 (Friday or any day after visiting Taj Mahal).
SAARC – Rs.90 (Saturday-Thursday) and Rs.40 (Friday or any day after visiting Taj Mahal).
Day-3:
Taj Mahal
MonumentIt was declared one the 7 Wonders of the World (2000–2007).
Taj Mahal was established by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the grandson of Akbar in the memory of his wife Mumtaz, who died on 17 June 1631. Construction started in 1632 and completed in 1643. The surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later.
Visiting Time: Sunrise to Sunset. Friday remains closed.
Ticket Counter: There are 3 gates (southern, Eastern and Western) and 3 ticket counter at the gate.
Entry Fee: Rs.50 for Indians, Rs.1100 for Foreigners and Rs.540 for SAARC. Rs.200 for all additional for visiting main mausoleum. It is optional. If you want to visit main mausoleum, then pay Rs.200 with entry fee. No Entry fee below 15 years from any countries. Tourist must carry his/her Identity Proof.
Package: If you don't want to manage yourself, then book a package and just enjoy the view for Itimad-ud-Daulah, Agra Fort, and Taj mahal Tour.
Day-4: Fatehpur Sikri
Buland Darwaza
GateBuland Darwaza was built in 1601 by Mughal emperor Akbar for his victory over Gujarat. Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world.
Jama Mosque, Fatehpur Sikri
MosqueMughal emperor Akbar was constructed this mosque in 1571.
How to go: One has to reach there pass through the Buland Darwaza.
Tomb of Salim Chishti
TombSalim Chishti (1478 – 1572) was a descendant of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Saint) of Ajmer. Tomb of Salim Chishti constructed by Akbar during the years 1580 and 1581 as a mark of his respect for the Sufi saint, who foretold the birth of Akbar's son, who was named Prince Salim after the Sufi Saint.
How to go: One has to reach there pass through the Buland Darwaza.
Jamat Khana - Jamat Khana is situated on the east of Salim Chishti’s tomb. This was the place where Sheikh Salim Chishti used to worship with his disciples.
Zanana Rouza - The entrance of Zanana Rouza or the women’s tomb lies between Jamat Khana and tomb of Salim Chishti. This tomb was connected by an underground pathway to Sheikh Salim Chishti house. The women of the family of Salim Chishti used this path to go to the saint’s house and listen to him.
Fatehpur Sikri Fort
FortThe fort was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1569 and made it his capital from 1571 to 1585.
Visiting Time: 6 AM to 7:30 PM every day.
Entry Fee:
Indians and SAARC - Rs.50 (Saturday-Thursday) and Rs.40 (Friday or any day after visiting Taj Mahal)
Foreigners – Rs.310 (Saturday-Thursday) and Rs.300 (Friday or any day after visiting Taj Mahal).
Structures inside Premises:
Jodha Bai's Palace - Jodha Bai was Akbar’s third wife and one of his three chief queens.
Birbal’s House - Birbal was the prime minister of Akbar. So emperor Akbar thought of making a palace for him. But the palace was used by the queens Ruqaiyya and Salima.
Panch Mahal - Panch Mahal was built by Akbar. The palace was near the harem. It was built in such a way that it provides relaxation during summer.
Ibadat Khana - Akbar built the Ibadat Khana in 1575 to hold meetings with the religious leaders of different religions.
Diwan-i-Aam - Diwan-i-Aam is situated near Agra Gate.
Diwan-i-Khas - Diwan-i-Khas is the building in the complex which was used by the emperor to welcome royal guests and hold royal meetings.
Khas Mahal - Khas Mahal was the palace of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Anup Talao - Anup Talao is a tank in front of the khwabgah.
Hujra-i-Anup Talao - Hujra-i-Anup Talao is a small structure having carvings on friezes, brackets, and pillars. The ground floor a pavilion having a verandah and a portico. This connects the tank to khwabgah.
Naubat Khana - Naubat Khana was situated at the entrance. The court musicians beat the drums if an announcement was to be made to the public. If a royal person or king arrives to or departs from the city then also the drum was beaten. Besides the drums, musicians used to play Shehnai if there is a wedding or a festival celebration.
Pachisi Court - Pachisi is a game just like chess and was played during the Mughal period. A Pachisi Court was built by Akbar to play the game. A ground with black and white checks was built and humans were used instead of chess pieces.
Hiran Minar - Hiran Minar was built by Akbar to commemorate his favourite elephant that’s the reason it was built on its remains. It is said that the topmost of the tower was used to put a lamp to show the way to the travellers. This lamp is called Akash Deep or Heavenly Light. The height of the tower is 80 feet.
Hope this post will help you. Write your comment below and please share it with your friends.
Click below to go
No comments:
Post a Comment