Agra is a city situated in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is famous for being home to the beautiful Taj Mahal, the symbol of love between the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Has it ever happened that you thought of Agra and the images of Taj Mahal clouded your mind? Well, you are not the only one doing that. Agra is a city situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is home to the gorgeous Taj Mahal, known globally as a symbol of love. It was built in loving memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan. It is a perfect amalgamation of Ottoman Turkish, Indian, Persian, as well as Islamic architectural styles and has been the center of attraction for tourists for several past decades. Apart from Taj Mahal, there are several other interesting places to visit in the city.
You should visit the Agra Fort whenever you are in Agra. It is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Taj city and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was originally a brick fort known as Badalgarh, while the present structure was built by the Mughal dynasty. Jama Masjid lies in front of the Agra Fort and is also popular by the name Friday Mosque or Jami Masjid. You can also visit Guru ka Tal in Agra, which is a Sikh pilgrimage site with historical significance located near Sikandra. It is dedicated to the memory of ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Mughal regime in Agra brought with itself several architectural marvels including Musamman Burj and Moti Masjid. All the major attractions are covered in the Agra Tour Packages.
Agra is also famous for the Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah also known as the “Baby Taj” as historians regard it to be a draft copy of Taj Mahal. It is a beautiful Mughal Mausoleum. Another great visit to architecture lovers is the Tomb of Akbar the Great, a mesmerizing architectural masterpiece. If you are a Shopaholic, there can be no better place to be than in Agra. You can shop till you drop for stone studded trinkets and jewellery, indigenous artwork, carpets and metal figures. Some of the most popular shopping areas of Agra include Munro Road, Gwalior Road, Sadar bazaar, Taj Ganj and Kinari Bazaar.
If you are planning on staying in the city of Taj, you can choose from the numerous hotels in Agra that serve their guests with warm hospitality and comfort. Some of the leading Agra hotels include Clarks Shiraz, Hotel Taj View- A heritage hotel, Oberoi Amarvilas, and Howard Plaza. For the budget travelers, there are numerous budget options in Agra that can make a great choice for you. These include Howard Park Plaza, Mango Suites Ascent, Hotel Royale Residency, Hotel Gloria and The Grand Imperial. All these hotels are sure to make your stay comfortable and memorable with their facilities and comforts.
Agra is a beautiful city and definitely deserves a visit. So it does not matter if you are in Agra for business or leisure, just make sure to visit the popular attractions of the city. Its rich cultural heritage and history will amaze you and you are sure to come back soon again.