Agra Tourist Attraction

Taj Mahal was built by a grief stricken Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. A world-renowned wonder, Taj Mahal sits pretty on the northern side of this green paradise. It looks the same from all the four sides! The Quranic inscriptions on its four entrances are carved in such subtle increase in size that may appear to be of the same size from top to bottom! Shahjahan invited master craftsmen from as far as Italy and Persia to help design his ambitious tribute to love.

The Taj Mahal is phenomenal not in the beauty alone that shines forth, but in the deep planning and design that went into its making, and the ethereal idea of immortalizing love. Delicate carvings in marble vie with gorgeous pietra dura for attention. Lapis-lazuli, Cornelian, Mother of pearl, Agate and Emerald are inlayed in floral and geometrical patterns in the marble itself. This enchanting mausoleum, on the bank of river Yamuna started in 1631 it took 22 years to complete with the help of an estimated 20000 workers.

The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1666, A.D. although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shahjahan.

The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid - a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khaas, Musamman Burj - where Shahjahan died in 1666 A.D. Jahangir's Palace; Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal.

Mausoleum of Shahjahan's prime minister and Persian poet Afzal Khan Aalmi entitled "Maula Shukrullah, Shirazi" buit in 1635, exhibits fine use of glazed tiles. A certain raiser to an exotic Persian art style, which finds itself a home in Agra.

A beautiful natural forest cover spread over 70 hectares of area just 500 mtrs away from the eastern gate of Taj Mahal . An excellent view of the Taj can be found from the different mounds of the park. Flora & Funa of different species are found here.

It is a tribute to the founder of Radha Swami faith. Devout followers believe the service, purifies the soul. At soamibagh their services bears fruit in an edifice as spectacular as the Taj Built in white and coloured marble, it is continuously being decorated for more than 100 years now with extra-ordinary feast in stone and gems.

One of the earliest Mughal gardens, believed to be laid out by Mughal Emperor Babur, the founder of Mughal dynasty. It is said that Babur was temporarily buried here before being taken to Kabul in Afganistan.

Mehtab Bagh is located on the left bank of river Yamuna opposite to the Taj Mahal. The garden complex is a huge square measuring approximately 300m X 300m and in straight alignment with the Taj Mahal. The excavation has revealed a huge octagonal tank on the southern periphery : baradaris or pavilion on the east and west: a small octagonal tank at the center and a gateway at the northern wall.

This exquisite marble tomb was made by Emperor Jahangir's queen, Nurjahan , in the memory of her father Mirza Ghias Beg during 1622-1628 A.D. Built entirely in white marble and inlaid with semi-precious stones, their mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna River, exhibits a strong Persian influence.

It is the mausoleum of Emperor Akbar. It represents his philosophy and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and Muslim architectures in a superlative fusion. Completed in 1613 A.D., it is one of the well preserved monument.

This unique tomb in red sandstone was built in memory of Emperor Akbar's wife Mariyam Zamani. The tomb has some exceptional carvings.

The building with rectangular open forecourt was constructed in 1648A.D. by Shahajahan's daughter, Jehanara Begum of particular importance is its wonderful assimilation of Iranian architecture.

Mankameshwar Mandir, Rawli, Balkeshwar Mandir, Prithvinath Mandir, Rajeshwar Mandir , kailash Mandir, Renuka Dham (Shanidev Tample).

Buddha Bihar, Agra Fort Bus stand (Monastery)

Guru ka Tal Gurudwara, Sikandra Mathura Road, Maithan Gurudwara, Fulatti Hathighat Gurudwara.

Cathedral St. Peter's, St. Patricks, Baptist Church, Sai Ka Takia, Catholic Church,Sadar Bazar

Jama Masjid near Bijlighar, Taj Mahal, Shaikh Salim Chisti Dargah, Fatehpur Sikri

Digambar Jain temple, Taj Ganj, Tirthadham, Mangalayatan, Sasni, Aligarh, Chintamani Parshwanath, Roshan Mohalla, Dadabari, Shahganj.

A scenic lake, located within the Surdas Reserved Forest. The Sur Sarovar is a tranquil spot, ideal for a relaxed outing. A wide variety of fish and water-birds add to the lake's natural charm and beauty.

An epic in red sandstone. A city of yesteryears, today lost in the mists of time. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 A.D. A sonless Akbar had gone to Sikri to seek blessings of a muslim Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti and he was blessed with a son, he in gratitude, constructed his capital city and named it Fatehpur Sikri. Later, due to shortage of water and unrest in north-west, Akbar had to abandon this city. The beautiful marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti attracts thousands who seek blessings of the revered saint. Other renowned places are Diwan-I-Am, diwan-I-Khaas, Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai's Palace and Birbal Bhavan. Open: Sunrise to sunset.

Just an hour's drive from Agra, on the banks of the river Yamuna, is situated this birthplace of Lord Krishna. The entire land is dotted with magnificent temples, each dedicated to various aspects of his life. The twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan, where he was born and where he grew up, still resound to the sound of his laughter, antics and his magical flute.

Some of the more famous temples are : Govind Dev Temple, Rangaji Temple, Dwarikadhish Temple, Bankey Bihari Temple and the ISKCON Temple. Gokul, Barsana and Goverdhan are the other townships associated with the legend of Lord Krishna. Gokul is the hideout where Lord Krishna was secretly brought up - away from the eyes of His maternal uncle, Kansa. His consort Radha belonged to Barsana, where the unique Holi festival 'Latthamar Holi is celebrated with great gusto. At Goverdhan, Krishna raised a mighty mountain on His little finger to protect the locals from the wrath of rain-god Indra.

Bateshwar is renowned for sky-high Hindu Temples. In the arena, there is an atmosphere of Hindu religion, which depicts Hindu Mythology, faith, culture, and old architecture with sophisticated religious designs, besides Bateshwar Nath Temple & Lord Shiva the worth seeing the famous temple at Bhimeshwar, Narmadeshwar, Rameshwar, Moteshwar, Jageshwar, Panchmukhishwar, Pataleshwar, Gauri Shankar's Nemi Nath Jain Temple. The cattle fair of Bateshwar also attracts huge crowed of farmers, shopkeepers, and cattle merchants. Accommodation: Rahi Tourist Bungalow, Bateshwar and Many Dharmshalas.

Emerging like an oasis in the arid zone of Jalesar Taluq of Etah district, is the Patna Bird Sanctuary, Spread over about 108 hectares of land, this resort for migratory and local birds was given recognition as a protected sanctuary in the year 1991. Omit holists have accounted for about 300 different spices of exotic birds with multicolour plumes clustering here for roosting and breeding during the peak season of winter months. Besides the migratory birds, Patna Bird Sanctuary, is a permanent abode for local birds also, which abound all through the year. An old and historic temple dedicated to lord Shiva, attracts thousands of piligrims for spiritualistic pursuits every year.

An opportunity to experience the natural and historical heritage of the Chambal Valley.