Agra

Overview:

Entrenched on the banks of the Yamuna river is the city of Agra. The quondam capital of the anterior India, Agra is stationed in the Indian northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The city of Agra has a perpetually incessant tryst with history. The Hindu epic Mahābhārata, refers to the city as ‘Agrevaṇa’ which literally translates to "the border of the forest". The city of Agra gave birth to Dīn-i Ilāhī religion, which found encouragement and proliferated under the reign of Akbar. With an ever increasing number of followers counted to be above two million worldwide, the Radhaswami Faith traces its genealogy to Agra as well. Historically, during the period of 1000 BC, Agra is believed to have had links with Shauripur of Jainism and Runukta of Hinduism. The Sikarwar Rajput king - Raja Badal Singh belonging to the ‘Hindustan’ of yore, is ascribed by legends as the founder of the city. Numerous battles and wars were waged and fought to either claim or preserve the prerogative of this monumental city by the likes of Shāhī King Jayapala, Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, Sher Shah Suri, Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, etc. In 1506, the charlatan Sultan Sikandar Lodī became the first to shift his capital from the city of Delhi to Agra. Sultan Sikandar Lodī was preceded by his son Ibrāhīm Lodī, after he died in 1517. The epic battle of Panipat in 1526 eventuated in the termination of Ibrāhīm Lodī’s reign. Agra however effectuated its prominence, illustriousness and acclamations serving as the capital of the Mughal Empire from the period of 1556 to 1658. Disseminated by a multitude of intricately designed architectural structures which stand testimony to the cenotaph of Mughal-era, Agra is also the ziggurat to the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Tāj Mahal, Fatehpūr Sikrī and Agra Fort. With a population substantially north of 2,000,000, the plush culture of the au-courant city entwines Hinduism, Islam, and Jainism into a harmonious co-existence. Acquiesce to the 2011 India census, the average literacy rate of Agra is 81%. A semiarid climate bordering on a humid subtropical climate prevails in Agra. The winter period from November to February is the best time to visit the city. Tourists like to travel from Delhi to Agra by car rental hire services. Agra is at an approximate distance of 363 kilometers from Delhi. Tourists prefer car rentals as they make traveling to and within the city fast and comfortable.

Places of interest:

Listed amongst the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is one of the most prominent architectural creations in the world. The construction of the mausoleum concluded in 1653. Mughal king Shah Jahan built it as the final resting place for his beloved wife, Mumtāz Mahal. Set amidst landscaped gardens and finished in marble, this consummately symmetrical and commensurate cairn, took 22 years from 1630 to 1652, and more than 20,000 workers, masons and jewellers to build. The monument was a brain child of Persian architect Ustād 'Īsā. Sited on the south bank of the river Yamuna, Taj Mahal can be observed from Agra Fort. Taj Mahal is widely sanctioned as a magnum opus of symmetrical design. Koran verses are inscribed on the wall. Twenty-two small domes signifying the number of years the monument took to build can be seen at the top of the gate. The Tāj Mahal stands above a marble platform which in turn is constructed on a sandstone one. The biggest and the most elegant dome of the Tāj Mahal has a radius of 30 feet or 9 meters, rising to a height of 80 feet or twenty four meters; the tomb of Mumtāz Mahal is placed directly under this dome. Shah Jahān's tomb was later erected next to hers by their son Aurangzeb. Fine inlay work, incorporating semi-precious stones decorate the interiors.

Sometimes referred to as the Red Fort, the Agra Fort was commissioned in 1565 by Akbar the great Mughal Emperor. The site is another of Agra's World Heritage Sites. A stone tablet at the Fort’s gate declares the fort to have had been built before 1000 AD, and was later renovated by Akbar. However, the red sandstone fort was converted into a palace under Shāh Jahān's reign. The permutation of the fort consisted of renovations and modifications which were reworked extensively with pietra dura inlay and marble. The most notable buildings within the fort include the Dīwān-e-'Ām and Dīwān-e-Khās,Jahāngīr's Palace, Motī Masjid, Khās Mahal, Musamman Burj, and the Shīsh Mahal. The crescent shaped fort is flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. A nine meter wide moat which is 10 meters deep surrounds the outer wall. It is believed that in its heydays the moat was a breeding ground for crocodiles and other ferocious and dangerous wild animals and reptiles. The forbidding exteriors of this fort conceal the paradise within. The fort is an excellent example of the Mughal style of architecture, which effectively displays the differences of North Indian style of fort construction from that of the South.

The I'timād-Ud-Daulah's Tomb was commissioned by Empress Nūr Jahān, who dedicated the cairn to her father Mirzā Ghiyās Beg who was the Chief Minister of Emperor Jahāngīr. Situated on the left bank of river Yamuna, it is also referred to as the "Baby Tāj". The tomb is set in a large cruciform garden which is criss-crossed by water courses and walkways at regular intervals. At each corner of the edifice is a thirteen meters tall hexagonal tower. Comparably smaller to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes epitomized as a jewel box. The garden layout of the tomb along with the use of pietra dura inlay designs, white marble and latticework presage various elements of the Tāj Mahal. White marble produced in Rajasthan, wadded and encrusted with semi-precious stone decorations. Images of cypress trees and wine bottles decorated with onyx, cornelian, lapis lazuli, jasper and topaz. Even more elaborate and extensive decorations include cut fruit or vases containing bouquets. Delicate ‘jālī’ screens which were intricately carved out of white marble allow the natural light to penetrate within.

Tourists can also hire Delhi Airport Taxi to travel from Delhi to Agra. Agra Municipal Corporation manages and runs bus services in and around the city. Other para-transit modes include auto-rickshaws and rickshaws. Travelers are required to negotiate rates for the rickshaws. The rickshaws even after negotiations can still prove to be expensive. The bus service in Agra is in a destitute condition; however, the UP State Road Transport Corporation does run a few air-conditioned as well as non-air-conditioned low-floor buses within Agra. These buses travel through specific routes and are virtually insubstantial and non-existent.

Things to do:

The grand ten day long fiesta called as the Taj Mahotsav enthralls everyone who witnesses it. This annual festival is held each year during the month of either February or March near the Taj Mahal, at Shilpgram. Many famous and renowned Indian artists participate and perform at this prestigious event. Another star attraction of this event is the Taj Food Festival.

Another popular annual gala event of Agra is Ram Barat. The marriage procession of Sri Rama is organized each year just before Dussehra as celebrations of the event. The marriage procession of Sri Rama passes through and around various parts of Agra.

Located at a distance of seventy kilometers from Agra is the town of Bateshwar, which is famous for organizing the Bateshwar Fair. This gala event is celebrated in honor of Bateshwar Mahadeo, who is the presiding deity of the region. The fair is organized annually during the months of either October or November.

The Kailash Temple is sited at a distance of just twelve kilometers from Agra. It organizes the famous Kailash Fair. It is yet another event that travelers should not miss out on. A massive and festive fair is organized in honor of Lord Shiva. It is organized during the months of either August or September each year.

The country’s leading musicians and dancers perform at various historical locations in Fatehpur Sikri and the Agra Fort, for the cultural show called Sharadotsav. The show is held in the month of October.

As a part of the community development program which is being implemented with the support of Agra Municipal Corporation, USAID and Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (an NGO), the Mughal Heritage Walk seeks to build sustainable livelihoods and improve the living environments of women and youth from low resource communities, through infrastructure services and integration within the city. The Mughal Heritage Walk is approximately a one kilometer loop, which connects the ancient village of Kuchhpura, the Mughal aqueduct system, the Heritage Structure of Mehtab Bagh, the Gyarah Sidi and the Humanyun Mosque.

The city of Agra is renowned for its translucent soft candy or sweet dish called ‘petha’. Orignally the ‘petha’ is served either in rectangular or cylindrical shapes and is made from the ash gourd vegetables. However, with innovation and growing demand, a huge variety of the original preparation is available today.

Shopping for local handcrafted items made employing the skills and technique of the royal crafts such as ‘Pietra Dura’ with marble inlays, marble merchandise, expertly designed and weaved carpets, leather goods and footwear; could prove to be a good purchase in Agra. Kinari Bazar which is located in the center of the city has a multitude of shops popular for their jewelry and garment merchandises. ‘Choube Ji Ka Fatak’ is the hub for the silver and gold jewelry. Sanjay Place is the trade center of Agra while the Shah Market area is an electronics market.

Travelers can also pay a visit to Asia’s largest spa - Kaya Kalp or The Royal Spa, which is located at the Hotel Mughal, for a relaxation and rejuvenation.