Location
Agra well known all over the world as the "City of the Taj Mahal" is a historical part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, lying in the great northern plains. Situated on the bank of the river Yamuna , Agra is 204kms far to the south of New Dehi.

Climate of Agra
Agra is a place of topical climate, Summers are extremely hot and humid. Maximum temperature rises to about 45°centrigrade, while winters are foggy and cold. Heavy rains mark the monsoon season. Winter is the best season to visit Agra.


About Agra
The dream destination Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi belonging to the Lodhi dynasty in the 16th century. But it was the Mughals who catapulated Agra to a great historical place by making it their capital and building a few splendid architectural masterpieces, of which the Taj Mahal occupies the pride of India.

Agra , holds on its lap some of the finest monuments of the mughal period including the magnificent Taj Mahal, where lies the tomb of Mumtaj Mahal and Emperor Shah Jahan. The area to the south of the Taj , is known as Taj Ganj popular for Agra's hotels. The city is famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery, and leather shoes.


Major Tourist Attractions
Taj Mahal - The love of Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife was the greatest inspiration for the breathtaking extravaganza of the monument built in memory of the queen and epitomised in stone for ever. The beautifully laid out gardens holding out to the Taj Mahal a thousand feet away and modelled on the persian Char Bagh is beyond imagination.

The Taj stands on a raised platform, on the entrance are two set of stairs, one leading to the sarcophagus and the other to cenotaph counterparts. Rising on all four sides are minarets and in the center lies the magnificent dome over the central hall. The square edifice represents the material universe while the dome symbolise the vault of heaven. Inside the vault a gem - encrusted with balustrade are 99 names of Allah inscribed within. Precious stones of lapis lazuli, agate, coral, onyx are embedded on the walls of the Taj, the art of which is commonly known as "Pietra dura."

Agra Fort - This majestic citadel is another tourist attraction built by Akbar with red sandstones in the year 1654. The Agra Fort worked as a military strategic point as well as the Royal residence of the king. The fort is cresent shaped, flattened on the east with a long nearly straight wall facing the river. The fort contains mazes of buildings which forms a city within a city.with two gates known as Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate. Many palaces were later added by the next generations of rulers like Jahangir and Shah Jahan.. The buildings have a structure predominantly conforming to the Islamic style.

Jama Masjid - Built by Shah Jahan in the name of his daughter at Sikri in 1571, the shape of it is like a dome, giving it a distinguish character. One of the largest Mosque in India flanked to its sides by the Zenena Rauza and the Jammat Khanna hall , it is a sacred place of worship . Ornamented with geometric interior patterns, colored tiles and calligraphic inscriptions, the walls of the Mosque are splendid examples of the Mughal architectural design. The massive central courtyard at the Jama Masjid, serves as a place for prayer and meditation for the Muslims over the centuries.

Sheesh Mahal - Just opposite the Mussaman Burj and below the Diwan -i-Khas hall to the nothern end of the Khas Mahal courtyard is the Sheesh Mahal or better known as The Glass Palace. Believed to have been the royal dressing room with glass mosaic decorations, the Mahal comprises two large halls connected to the center space.

Akbars Tomb in Sikandra - Akbar's tomb in Sikandra is built in a pyramidal shape, with an open terrace covered with carved latticework screens. The actual grave is in the basement and is decorated with paintings in colorful golden, green and blue hues on the stucco walls. While the tomb is not magnificent in the manner of the Taj Mahal, it has a quiet dignity that befits this royal emperor. Out side the gateway, deers can be seen and the place is a lovely retreat to spend sometime enjoying the peaceful nature.