Tourist Places In And Around Agra

Taj Mahal	Completed in 1653 A.D., The Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his favourite Queen, Mumtaz. Finished in by Marvel, it is perhaps India most fascinating and beautiful monument. This perfectly symmetrical monuments took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, Masons and Jewellers to built and is set amidst landscaped gardens. Built by the Persian architect, Ustad Isa, The Taj Mahal the bank of the Yamuna river. It can be observed like a Mirage from the Agra Fort from where Emperor Shah Jahan stared at it, for the last eight years his life as a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb. It is a masterpiece of symmetry, Seeming to be floating in the air from a distance, and each revealed as an illusion experienced as one enters through the main gate. The verses of Holy Koran as inscribed on it and at the top of gate 22 small domes, signifying the number of years the monument took to built. The Taj Mahal has been built on a Marvel Plateform that stands above a standstone one. The most elegant dome of the Taj, with diameter of 60 feets, rises 80 feets, over the building and directly under the dome is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan's tomb has been irected next to her's by his son Aurangzeb. Fantastic Inley works using semi-precious stones decorate and interiors. Open Time : 6 A.M. to 7.00 P.M. (Friday is closed)
Agra Fort	The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 A.D., although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shah Jahan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hight an inner pardise. The fort is crescent shaped, flattended on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 k.m., and is ringed by double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9 mt. wide and 10 mt. deep moat surround the outer wall. There are number of exquisite building like the Moti Masjid-a white marvel mosque akin to a perfect pearl, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khaas, Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Shish Mahal and Musamman or Samman Burj-where Shahjahan was held captive in 1666 A.D. Open Time : Sunrise to Sunset.
Sikandara	The mausolumn of emperor Akbar represent his philosphy and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and Muslim architectures in a superlative region. Completed in 1613 A.D. by his son Jahangir, it is one of the well preserved monuments. This is the last resting place of the Mughal Empror Akbar. Open Time : Sunrise to Sunset.
	Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary Approximately 15 km from Agra, on Agra-Mathura highway, an area of 4.03 sq km was declared a sanctuary under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in 1990, seeing its ecological importance. This is the only representative “Protected area” in UP under “Punjab Plains” biotic province. Values, flora and fauna: This wetland sanctuary situated near Agra supports nearly 50000 waterbirds and a large and only heronry of breeding waterbirds including rare birds like the Black-necked Stork. The *Prosopis juliflora* trees being the main species of tree that support the mixed heronry. Apart from the waterbirds, there are many species of woodland birds as well. More than 150 species of birds has been listed in this sanctuary. The Sanctuary also supports a sizable number of *Rock Python.* A “Bharatpur” in Agra, it is “must see” for the tourists visiting Agra.



Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Itmad-Ud-Daulah	Itmad-ud-Daulah is the tomb of Mirza Ghyas Beg, a persian who had obtained service in Akbar Court. The Marvel tomb was made by Emperor Jehangir's Queen, Noorjahan, for his father Mirza Ghyas Beg during 1622-1628 A.D.. The Craftmanship at Itmad-ud-Daulah foreshadows that of the Taj Mahal. It was here that. "Pietra Dura"-the inlay work on marble-so characteristic of the Taj-was first used. Open Time : Sun rise to Sunset.
Fatehpur Sikri	Fatehpur Sikri is an epic in red sandstone. A city of yeasteryear, today lost in the mists of time. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 A.D.. Mughal Emperor Akbar had no heir. He visited holy men to enlist their prayers for his son. When he visited Sheikh Salim Chishti who was living at the village of Sikri the saint foretold the emperor that he would be blessed with a son. When is son was born, he is gratitude, constructed his capital city and named it Fatehpur Sikri. Later, due to sortage of water and unrest in North-West, Akbar has to abandon this city. The beautiful marvel tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti still attract thousands who seek blessings of the revered saint. Other renowned places are Dewane-e-Am, Dewane-e-Khaas, Buland Darwaja, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai Palace and Birbal Bhawan. Fatehpur Sikri is about 39 K.M. from Agra. Open Time : Sunrise to Sunset.
Radha Swami Samadhi	This is the head quarter of Radhaswami religion, here the holy ashes of the founder of the faith have been preserved. On the sprawing lawns here, is a beautiful marvel temple with beautiful carving of fruits, flowers, leavesand plants which have been reduced into stone true to nature, and are distinctive speciments of the plastic arts. This is under construction for almost 100 years. Open Time : 9 A.M. to 5.30 P.M.
Taj Mahotsava (ShilpGram)	Come February, and it's springtime. The time of the year when nature dawns all its colourful splendour and Agra bursts into colourful celebrations. For 10 days there is sheer celebration of U.P.'s rich heritage of arts, crafts, culture, cuisine, dance and music. Yes, it is Taj Mahotsav time again. There are festivities all around and Agra truly puts on the colours of joy and gets transformed into one non-stop carnival. Organised by U.P. Tourism and held as an annual event at Shilpgram, literally next door to the Taj Mahal, the Taj Mahotsav is indeed a fitting tribute to the legendary skills of mastercraftsman and other exponents of art, music and cuisine. Not only this, it is also a gentle peep into the rich heritage and extraordinary legacies of this wounderful land. The festivities commence with a spectacular procession inspired by mughal splendour. Bedecked elephanbts and camels, drum beaters, folk artistes and mastercraftsmen... all help recreate a visual delight reminiscent of the golden era of the Mughal Darbars. 18-27 FEBRUARY
OTHER PLACES CHINNI KA ROJA This was constructed by Afzal Khan, A high official in the court of Shah Jahan. Decorated by glazed tiles on the facade, the structrure clearly depicts the Persian influence in architecture. Open : Sunrise to Sunset MARIYAM'S TOMB This uniqe tomb in red sandstone was built in 1611 A.D. a memory of Emperor Akbar's Goan christian wife Mariyam. The tomb has some exceptional carvings. Open : Sunrise to Sunset JAMA MASJID This building, with a rectangular open forecourt was constructed in 1648 A.D., by Shah Jahan's daughter, Jehanera Begum in memory of the famous Shiekh Salim Chistti and his grand son Islam Khan. Of perticular importants is its wounderful assimilation of Iranian architecture. RELIGIOUS PLACES KAILASH TEMPLE MANKAMESHWAR TEMPLE BALKESHWAR TEMPLE PRITHVINATH TEMPLE RAJESHWAR TEMPLE GURU KA TAL GURUDWARA BAPTIST CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH DIGAMBAR JAIN MANDIR OTHER TOURIST PLACES NEAR AGRA BATESHWAR (ABOUT 65 K.M.) MATHURA (ABOUT 53 K.M.) VIRNDAWAN (ABOUT 65 K.M.) KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK (GHANA BIRD SANCTUARY) BHARATPUR (ABOUT 65 K.M.) PATNA BIRD SANCTUARY (ABOUT 54 K.M.) CHAMBAL SAFARI (ABOUT 80 K.M.) FESTIVALS KAILASH FARE Held at Kailash about 12 k.m. from Agra in the month of August/September. It is a major fair celeberated in honour of Lord Shiva who is belived to have appeared here in the form of stone Lingam. SHEETLA FAIR It is held near Delhi Gate in July/August month. BATESHWAR FAIR A month long festival is held annualy during the month of November at the place called Bateshwar, Which is about 65 k.m. from Agra. URS (FATEHPUR SIKRI) This fair is organised at Sheikh Salim Chistti's Dargah during the month of Ramzan. RAM BARAT