Agra

There are certain locations that stand apart from other sites for the sheer excellence they have to offer in terms of natural beauty or man-made wonders. Agra, located in Uttar Pradesh, is one such place that will pamper you with its natural wonder and will also surprise you with its man-made marvel. Agra is a beautiful amalgamation of cultures, due to the result of Rajput, Muslim and British rule in this region. The city has been the nourishing ground for art, architecture, music, poetry, literature and crafts. It is also due to influx of tourists every year that Agra has developed a unique culture of its own.

History Agra’s magnificent monuments hold memories dating back to centuries ago. The city was re-designed when the Mughals took over in the 15th century. The Mughal ruler called Sultan Sikander Lodi is the main founder of Agra. Agra continues to attract many tourists from around the world. People come all the way to sight the world famous Taj Mahal known for its symbol of love. Not to forget the formidable Agra Fort, gated Fatehpur Sikri, enormous Buland Darwaza, plush Mughali Gardens and of course the interesting historical tales that each monument has to say.

Tourist Attraction
Taj MahalYou cannot think of Agra, without thinking of Taj Mahal. In fact, Taj Mahal can very well be named as the face of Agra. It is because of this beautiful monument that the city is famed around the world. Taj Mahal, the white marble beauty was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The monument stands proof for the brilliance of Mughal architecture.

Agra Fort Being in Agra and not visiting the Agra Fort will be a regretful decision. Another brilliant example of architectural marvel of Mughals, Agra Fort is situated near the gardens of the world famous Taj Mahal. The fortress comprises many palaces namely, Jahangir Palace, Khas Mahal and so on.

Fatehpur SikriA perfect blend of Indian, Islamic and Persian architecture, Fatehpur Sikri was built using red sandstone. Fatehpur Sikri houses some of the important buildings of the city, namely Buland Darwaza, Birbal’s House, Panch Mahal and Jama Masjid.

Wildlife SOS - Wildlife SOS is a voluntary organization that works for the welfare of animals in India. Visiting this place will make you aware about the various projects the organization has been working on to preserve wildlife.

Art and Culture in Agra An important arts, culture and conventional centre in Agra, the Kalakriti Cultural and Conventional Centre, aims to celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of Indian culture and heritage. The visitors are offered a chance to view intricate inlay work on marble. The Cultural Centre also has a handicrafts showroom where one can purchase items made of marbel, metal, wood and thread.

Fairs and Festivals in Agra Taj Mahotsav held annually is a great cultural event to celebrate the rich arts, crafts and culture of India. Artisans from all over the country come together and display their work here, for instance, bamboo work from the North East, stone carvings from the Tamil Nadu, wood carvings from Saharanpur, Chikankari work from Lucknow and pottery from Khurja.

Bateshwar Fair The town of Bateshwar is known for its cultural as well as spiritual significance as it has 108 temples of several Hindu gods and goddess. An annual fair is organized here in the months of October/November, dedicated to Lord Shiva. During this month-long event, thousands of devotees of the Lord take a dip in the holy waters of River Yamuna. Livestock and Cattle Fair is a part of this fair. The festivities can be seen in Agra too.

Kailash Fair Organized at a location, just 12 km away from Agra, Kailash Fair is held at Kailash temple for paying homage to Lord Shiva. The festival is organized in the month of August/September for celebrating the appearance of Lord Shiva as a stone lingam. Devotees from nearby places attend this fair.

Food Agra offers a variety of cuisines for travelers from far and wide. Besides the Mughlai cuisine, which saw its birth in this region, the city offers a varied fare in its eating out option. In Cuisines of Agra, some of the famous Mughlai dishes include tandoori chicken, seekh and boti kabab and even tandoori fish.