AGRA

ABOUT THE CITY
Perhaps no other historical monument has evoked as much awareness and admiration from tourists and travellers alike, as the magnificent Taj Mahal - fondly called by people as the ultimate requiem of love, from a great Mughal Emperor to his beloved.
So overwhelming is the exquisite beauty and presence of this marble mausoleum that centuries later today, even the very land where it has been located - Agra - has been immortalised as the City of the Taj. Yet, it doesn’t take much for the roving eye to discover that there's more to Agra than just the fabled Taj Mahal. The city is a virtual gateway to a world of discovery… a freeze-frame from a resplendant era that's long since gone by. In the great epic 'Mahabharat' the region of Agra is described as 'Agraban' (an integral part of the Braj Bhumi or the land of Lord Krishna).
Much of the city's impressive past lives in evidence even today, in the hunting presence inside the monuments, the majesty of the buildings, the exquisite arts and crafts and not to forget, the lure of an exceptional cuisine… all, cherished as priceless legacies of a nostalgic past. The older city of Agra has impressively retained much of its resplendent history… captivating every visitor with fond memories to take back home. Today, luxury and modern convenience also exist adjacent to tradition - luxury hotels, shopping malls and plazas, wide avenues and a superb choice of venues for recreation, business, sports, pleasure, education and the arts.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Taj Mahal

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 and it took 22 years to complete with the help of an estimated 20000 workers.

The Agra Fort

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.

Taj Nature Walk

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.

Itimad-ud-daula's : Tomb (Baby Taj)

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, this mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna River, exhibits a strong Persian influence.

Jama Masjid

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.

SHOPPING
Agra is also known for its fabulous handicrafts, made of marble and softstone inlay work. The Mughals were great patrons of arts and crafts. Empress Nur Jahan took personal interest and was an accomplished artist herself in zari embroidery work. Agra's major handicraft products besides inlay work are: leatherware, brassware, carpets, jewellery and embroidery work. Agra is also well known for its sweets 'petha' and 'Gazak' and saltish snack 'Dalmoth. The main shopping areas of the city are Sadar Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Raja-ki-Mandi, Sanjay Place Fatehabad Road, Munro Road, Shilphaat and the Taj Mahal Complex. Shopping is recommended at the Govt. Emporia or Souvenir Shops approved by U.P Tourism.
 
 

Government Emporia

• U.P. Handloom, Sanjay Place, Hari Parbat, M.G. Road, Tel : 2850512
• Rajasthali - Rajasthan Handicrafts, Taj Mahal Complex, Tel : 2330417.
• UPICA, Sanjay Place, Hari Parbat, M.G. Road,
• Gandhi Ashram Khadi Bhavan, Raja-ki-Mandi, Tel : 2857695.

Shopping Malls

• Pacific Mall, Fatehabad road.
• TDI Malls, Fatehabad Road, Tel. 4014034, 4014600

 
 Souvenir Shops
The city has a number of Souvenir Shops approved by U.P. Tourism details of which can be had from the local Tourism Office.


HOTELS
To find the info about the hotel accomadations in Agra  please click on the below link:

http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/agra/agra_accommodation.htm

RESTAURANTS

• Restaurant, Shilpgram Ph: (0562) 2233056
• Dasa Prakash, (South Indian) Gwalior Road, Ph: (0562) 2463535, 2463535
• Only Restaurant, Taj Road, PAC Crossing, Ph: (0562) 2226834
• Pizza Hut, Fatehabad Road, Ph: (0562) 2333051
• Priya Restaurant, Fatehabad Road, Ph: (0562) 2231579, 9412258533
• Quality Restaurant, Kailash Cinema, Fatehabad. Road, Ph: (0562) 4008477, 9759355185
• Mc Donald’s Rest., TDI Mall, Ph: (0562) 2225651,4014561
• Dawat Restaurant, Near Kailash Cinema, Ph: (0562) 2330310
• Cafe Coffee Day, Sadar Bazar, Ph: (0562) 3209940
• Maya Restaurant, Purani Mandi, Ph: (0562) 2332109
• Domino's Pizza Nand Plaza Sadar Bazar Ph: (0562) 2228416