Agra, a city on the banks of the Yamuna River is known for its history. It is the favorite place of tourists and is famous for its Mughal-era buildings. Agra is one of the best tourist cities in India and also a major example of the Mughal emperor’s architectural activities. Loved by Indians Agra is equally beautiful. Also, foreigners come to this city because of its magnificent architecture and history which starts from Mahabharata and continues till Mughal emperors.
There are a number of monuments in Agra and some or others in building Agra tourism. Mainly the history of Agra brings us to the rule of the Mughal dynasty, but other rulers also have one or the other contribution in building the history of Agra. The man who founded Agra is Sikandar Lodi and he founded it during the 16th century. Earlier Delhi was the capital. However, Sikandar Lodi made Agra his capital. Moreover, it was ruled by his son for nine years. Additionally, Agra was also the capital city when Sher Shah Suri ruled from 1556 to 1658.
Magnificence of Mughal Construction
During the Mughal reign, Agra was known as Akbarabad, and new dimensions were added to the city. Then, Marathas changed its name from Akbarabad to Agra. Akbar built Agar Fort, Jahangir modified palaces and gardens, and Shah Jahan brought architecture to another level when he built the Taj Mahal. Then the Jats, Marathas, and British ruled the city, creating a different part of history. Moreover, Agra is also a great city because of the amalgamation of religions present here. Agra has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri. There are many popular sightseeing places in Agra and one must visit the city at least once.
We have compiled a list of the best 5 tourist destinations and popular sightseeing places in Agra. Let’s take a look.
The Taj Mahal
Whenever you think of Agra’s popular sightseeing places then the name of Taj Mahal would come into mind. As per ancient stories, the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal. Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631, while she was giving birth to their 14th child. A total of 20,000 people worked together to construct the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal represents the mesmerizing beauty of architecture made by the Mughals.
It is one of the wonders of the world. Do you know? Taj declared as a World Heritage Site in the year 1983. Believe us, nothing is more incredible. Just Imagine watching the Taj Mahal on a full moon day. The Taj has gates from east, west, and south directions. East and West gates are for your groups and south gates are for independent travellers.
Timings: It opens at six in the morning and closes at seven at night. Additionally, you can go between 8:30 PM and 12:30 AM if you’d want to see it at night. At that point, they illuminate it, and it looks stunning in dim light
Entry Fee: You have to pay 50 rupees if you’re an Indian visitor, and 1,100 rupees if you’re a foreigner, to enter the mausoleum. Friday closed.
Agra Fort
Agra Fort is also one of the most famous sightseeing places in Agra and a magnificent example of infrastructure. Built in the 16th century by the Mughal emperor Akbar. Thereafter, it was modified by his grandson Shah Jahan. This fort became a prison for Shah Jahan when his son overthrew him. It is called the ‘Red Fort of Agra‘. The emperors of the Mughal Dynasty used to live in Agra Fort till 1638. The distance between Agra Fort and Taj Mahal is 2.5 km. The main entry gate is ‘Amar Singh Gate’ which is in the south. This is an ear-shaped fort with more than 20 meters high walls.
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: This place is 50 rupees to visit. However, it costs 650 rupees if you’re from outside of the nation. This is due to their desire to both invite tourists from all over the world and keep it cheap for Indian residents. It is therefore less expensive for Indians to go.
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is a city that was built by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1570 and is 40 km west of Agra. Red sandstones were used to build the city. Akbar built three places in the city for his three favorite wives, one was Christian, one was Muslim and one was Hindu. This city was also the capital of the Mughal emperor for around ten years. On three sides, this city is surrounded by 6 km of long wall and there are many gates and towers. Some of the famous architectural buildings in Agra like Birbal’s House, Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, and Panch Mahal are inside the city.
Timings: Opens from 6 in the morning and closes at 6:30 in the evening.
Entry fee: The charges are nearly 35 and 50 rupees to visit if you’re from India. However, it costs 600 rupees for foreigners or from another nation.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah
India’s first tomb made with marble – Itmad-Ud-Daulah. With the construction of Itmad-Ud-Daulah, the use of marble started for building architecture. Built during the period of Jahangir. This tomb is 21 meters in height. Jahangir constructed this tomb in memory of his father-in-law Mirza Ghiyas. The meaning of Itmad-Ud-Daulah is a pillar of the state. There are wall paintings that are incredible to see. Known as the Baby Taj. It is also the first tomb. Moreover, it was built on the Yamuna banks. It is one of the must visit places to visit in Agra.
Timings: From morning 6 to evening 6
Entry fee: 30/- for Indians whereas the entry is from 150 to 300/- for International visitors
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is an incredible architectural structure. Built by Shah Jahan and originally names Masjid Jahan Numa. They used a thousands of laborers and sculptures. Involved in the construction of Jama Masjid, representing immense hard work. Additionally, it took six years to complete it. Shah Jahan dedicated this mosque to his daughter Jahanara Begum. The main entry to this mosque is from the east direction and has prayer chambers on the west side. Constructed with red stones and decorated with white marble. It is at the center of Agra and is a great example of architecture. Very well decorated with inlaid stones, glazed titles, paintings, and carvings. The mosque brings out the beauty of vintage art. Don’t forget to add this in your list on your next visit to Agra.
Timings: It’s open from 6 AM in the morning until 8 PM
Entry fee: The fee is INR50 for Indian visitors and INR300 for International travelers.
Conclusion
Fatehpur Sikri is truly a unique and amazing place that offers an experience unlike any other. The blend of palaces and the masjid creates a historical wonder worth exploring. Most of Agra’s tourist spots are conveniently located in the city center, saving you travel time. People from all around the world come to witness the spectacular beauty of these architectural masterpieces. Booking packages through agencies allows you to customize your Agra tour, making it stress-free.
You can also savor the delicious food at the numerous restaurants and bars in the area. To make your trip easy, you can arrange round-trip private transportation and have a dedicated guide. You have the flexibility to set your schedule for pick-up and drop-off. If you have any questions about accessibility, we’re here to assist you. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to explore the wonders of Fatehpur Sikri and the whole of Agra.
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