The city of Agra situated on the bank of River Yamuna, is named after the Mughal emperor Akbar. The imprints of Mughal rule in the city of Agra can be easily noticed. The monuments of the city are known worldwide for their beautiful architecture and are among the famous tourist places.
Tourist Places in Agra
Taj Mahal
Located at a distance of 204 km south of Delhi, the Taj Mahal is the most famous tourist attraction not only in India but across the world. Taj Mahal is one place in India which finds mention in each and every travel guide to the country. The reason is its glorifying achievement of finding itself a secured place among the “Seven Wonders of the World". Symbol of eternal love, Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1681 in memory of his beloved Begum Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal stands on the bank of the River Yamuna and is built on a red sandstone base, topped by a huge white marble terrace on which rests the famous dome flanked by four tapering minarets. The floors and walls have fascinating calligraphy and mosaic work adorned with precious stones.
Agra Fort
Agra Fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the year 1565. Shah Jahan later converted the fort into a palace. The crescent shaped with a perimeter of 2.4 km is divided into several halls. Pearl Mosque, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khas, Jahangir’s Palace and Shish Mahal, all form a part of the Agra Fort.
Fatehpur Sikri
Located 35 km from the city of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is popular for the Buland Darwaza that the Mughal Emperor Akbar constructed here as a symbol of his victory over the state of Gujarat. The red sand stoned monument attracts tourists from all across the world.
Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb
This Mughal Mausoleum in the city of Agra was built at the orders of Nur-Jahan (wife of Jahangir) for her father Mirza Ghiyas Bagh, who was honored with the title of Itmad-ud-Daula (pillar of the state). This is where the mausoleum took its name from. The walls of the mausoleum are built in white marble and adorned with semi precious stones. The cenotaphs of both the father and mother of Noor Jahan lay side by side in the tomb.
Akbar’s Tomb
Akbar’s Tomb in Sikandra, 13 km from the famous Agra Fort is the place where the mighty Mughal Emperor Akbar is buried. It is said that the emperor selected the place himself as was the tradition of time and the tomb acquired its present form under Emperor Jahangir in 1613. The tomb has 99 different names of Allah inscribed on it. One can spot many tourists at the place admiring the silence and lush surroundings.
There are several other places in the city worth a visit. These include Chini ka Rauza, Guru Ka Tal, Swami Bagh Samadhi, Mankameshwar temple, Ram Bagh, Keetham Lake, Mehran Bagh among several others. The city has a lot to offer to the lovers of monuments and architecture.
Tourist Places near Agra
Once at Agra, you can also plan a visit to some very beautiful cities located in the close proximity of Agra. Here are few of the options that you can consider:
Mathura
Situated at a distance of 58 km from Agra, Matura is famous as the birthplace of Krishna. Now it is one of the major pilgrimage centers for the Hindus and has become a prominent spiritual tourist attraction in India. Shri Krishna Janam Bhumi, Vishram Ghat, Dwarkadheesh Temple, Gita Mandir are some of the places which find a connection to life of Krishna and are visited by his followers across the world.
Delhi
The capital city is located at a distance of 204 km from Agra. If free, one can always pay a visit to one of the fastest growing cities of India. Delhi has a lot to offer to the tourists. The architectural wonders like Red Fort, India Gate and Qutub Minar, The places of religious significance like Akshardham Temple, Jama Masjid and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, plenty of malls for shopping purposes, a plethora of amusement parks and a lot more add to the attraction quotient of the city for the tourists.
Dehradun
Travel 343 Km from the city of Agra and you can spot the amazing Dehradun. Famous for its lychees, the city is visited by a large number of tourists during summers as the weather of the place remains comparatively cooler. Magh Mela (in January) and Jhand Mela (in March) of the city attract numerous visitors across the country.
Haridwar and Rishikesh
The holy city Haridwar is situated at a distance of 386 km from Agra whereas picturesque Rishikesh is located at a distance of 398 km. There are numerous temples dedicated to different deities in the city of Haridwar. Each of these temples has a history. Rishikesh is a new favorite of the fans of camping and several people head to the place to amuse themselves amidst the exotic surroundings of the place.
Last updated on: 11/15/2011
