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Food Guide In Agra

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Agra

Agra is also famous for its Mughlai cuisines. The superb Mughlai cuisine with its luscious sauces of milk, curd, cream and crushed nuts is available in major restaurants in the big cities. In Cuisines of Agra, some of the famous Mughlai dishes include tandoori chicken, seekh and boti kabab and even tandoori fish.
There are many eating outlets and hotels around Taj Mahal where one can taste the traditional dishes of Northern India. Agra travel is incomplete without savouring the Mughlai cuisine that the city of Taj Mahal is also famous for. Apart from trying out the Mughlai spread in the star hotels and restaurants, one should also try out the small dhabas that dots the city. Some of them serve even better fares than a regular five-star hotel in Agra

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Shopping Guide in Agra

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Agra

Agra is not only known for its monuments but also for its famous leather products, marble, rugs, brassware & traditional handicrafts made by the local peoples which they used to sell those outside the fort and Taj mahal.

The main shopping areas include: Taj Mahal complex, Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar, Raja-ki- Mandi and Sanjay place. Shopping is recommended at the Govt. Emporia or Souvenir Shops approved by U.P Tourism.

There are plenty of shopping areas and shopping malls where one can buy the specialties of the place. Agra has the privilege of being a shopper’s paradise too. It is the best place to buy Leather bags, chappals etc. One can buy leather items at cheap price (doesn’t mean not in good quality) & in best quality. Agra is noted for the leather industry, which produces a large number of leather items. These hand made leather items are made by the inmates of the Agra. This helps them earn a good livelihood. Comparing to Delhi the price is less in Agra. One can find all these leather stuff from Sadar bazaar as there are many shops who deal in these items.
Agra is famous for its marble inlay work. Many semi-precious stones are embedded in marble to create pleasing geometric or floral patterns, similar to those seen in the Taj Mahal. Marble artifacts painted with attractive designs are another form of marbleware seen in the markets of Agra. The main markets for shopping for marble in Agra are near the Taj Mahal complex. These areas include Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Munro Road.
Rugs and carpets, woven by master craftsmen who retain the secrets of carpet weaving taught generations ago by Persian rug makers. The main markets for shopping for rugs and carpets in Agra are near the Taj Mahal complex. These areas include Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Munro Road. The U.P State Emporium called Gangotri at the Taj Mahal Complex, offers a range of rugs and carpets. The Shilpagram crafts village is another venue where rugs and carpets are on sale, directly by the craftsmen themselves.

The City is also famous for its fine brassware which includes artifacts such as hookah bases, for those who wish to acquire an oriental souvenir. The brassware of Agra combines functionality with aesthetic beauty. Beautiful worked vases, jars, plates, jewel cases, caskets, decorative items and water pipe or hookah bases can be seen on display in the markets of Agra.

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Ram Barat In Agra

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The special marriage procession of Sri Ram, held annually at Agra, is known as ‘Rambarat’ and precedes Dussehra. It is a part of ‘Ramlila’, the staging of life of Rama that ends with killing of Ravana, on the day of Dussehra. Its specialty lies in the beautiful ‘jhankis’ of the deities and the special set of the palace arranged at the chosen venue as ‘Janakpuri’, the palace of Raja Janak who was the father of Goddess Sita. A major fair is organized in the locality and thousands of people visit the venue to see the fair and attend the elaborate royal wedding of the divine deities. The procession starts from Lala Channomalji Ki Baradari for the Janakpuri venue and passes through different parts of the town. Special chariot covered with silver leaves is used as the mount of Ram while his brothers mount the elephants. The elaborate and heavy headgears look stunning. Teenaged boys play the female characters of the drama.

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Bateshwar fair In Agra

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It is a month-long festival held annually during the month of October/November at a place called Bateshwar, which is situated at a distance of 65 km from Agra. It is an important spiritual and cultural centre boasting of 108 temples of the various gods and goddesses of Hindus.

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Kailash Fair In Agra

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The fairs of Agra include Kailash Fair, which is held at a distance of 12kms from Kailash. It is a major fair celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva who is believed to have appeared here in the form of a stone lingam. This fair is organized in the months of august/September.

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Taj festival in Agra

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One of the popular festivals of Agra is Taj Festival. This festival is meant to highlight the rich arts, crafts, music, dance and famous cuisine of Uttar Pradesh. Taj mahotsav is generally organized by the Uttar Pradesh tourism in the month of February.

One can also enjoy the folk music, shayari, classical dance performances, elephant, and camel rides at this festival of Agra. A food festival is also organized, the event is a celebration of traditional Indian art forms and crafts. This festival is also known as Taj mahal utsav. Those performances include both folk music and folk dances, like Dundelkhand, Nautanki (Drama) and Sapera dance of Rajasthan.

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Ferozabad, a famous place near Agra

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It is situated just 44 kms from Agra. It is an industrial city which is especially famous for its glassware. One can buy products such as glass bangles and chandeliers in abundance.

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Fatehpur Sikri, heritage site near Agra

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Fatehpur Sikri is located at the distance of 40 kms from Agra. This historical monument is having a huge gateway known as Buland Darwaza which has been built by Akbar to celebrate his victory over the rulers of Gujarat. Fatehpur sikri has been built to symbolize the power of Akbar’s empire, to represent the meaning of Allah’s message to mankind and to display the wonders of the Islamic faith. Completed in 1578, Fatehpur Sikri has a grand palace where Akbar’s court functioned for a few years, until the shortage of water caused the city to be abandoned.

Some of the other monuments in fatehpur sikri are Panch mahal, Buland darwaza, a mosque dedicated to Sheikh Salim Chisti, a tomb for Sufi saint in the mosque and the prayer hall for the new religion dinne-i-llahi started by the mughal emperor Akbar.

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Mathura, the Holy Place around Arga

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It is a major pilgrimage site for Hindu’s, Mathura, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna (reincarnation of Vishnu) is another popular destination for excursions from Agra. There are many tourist attractions in Mathura to keep you busy for a day. Initially a Buddhist center, today Mathura is famous as the birthplace of Lord Krishna besides its tourist attractions namely Dwarkadheesh Temple, Potara-Kund, Katra Masjid, Kans Qila, Sati Burj and Vishram Ghat.

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Mariam-Zamani Tomb In Agra

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She was the daughter of Raja Bharmal Kachhwaha of Amer and the wife of Akbar. This Rajput queen was known in Mughal History as ‘Mariam Zamani’ meaning ‘Compassionate to the World’. She was so named by Akbar after giving the birth to salim (Later known as Jahangir) in 1569 at fatehpur sikri. When she died in 1623 at Agra. Jahangir built a tomb near to the tomb of Akbar which is within the compound of Christian missionary society.

This was a beautiful tomb ever made by any mughal emperor. One could visit the crypt using the red stone stairs built for the purpose.

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Buland Darwaza In Agra

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The name Buland Darwaza means ‘High Door’ and this victory arch rises to a height of 40 meters or 175 feet. On the inner side of the gateway is an inscription of a saying by Jesus which advises people not to consider the world their permanent home. It also has calligraphic inscriptions from the Quran on the exterior wall.

The Buland Darwaza is a magnificent structure built in red sandstone with decorations in white marble. The Buland Darwaza is a grand gateway located in Fatehpur Sikri near Agra which was built by Akbar after defeating the king of Khandesh or Gujarat in 1573.

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Jama Masjid In Agra

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It is popularly known as Jami Mazjid. It is in perhaps known as the largest mosque in India which is constructed in 1571 A.D during the region of Emperor Akbar and in one of the most secred sites in fetahpur sikri. The mosque is built at a height due to its exalted purpose and has a large courtyard where the faithful can gather to pray. The main entrance to jama masjid mosque is the great gateway buland darwaza which is 40 mtrs high and was constructed to commemorate Akbar’s victory in the Kandesh military campaign.

It is one of the most important tourist attractions in Agra, a visit to the Jama Masjid would really be a worthwhile experience.

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Dayal Bagh Garden In Agra

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Dayal bagh Garden is located 15 Kms from Agra and is unique and pilgrimage site of the city. The Dayalbagh Gardens is also the headquarter of the Radhasoami religious sect, founded in 1861 by Shri Shiv Dayal Singh. Radhasoami movement combines elements from Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism and Buddhism.

It is also known as the gardens of the Supreme Court. The Dayalbagh Gardens would surely be an interesting place to visit for connoisseurs of art, who would love to watch the skilled artisans and marble cutters at work.

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Rambagh Garden In Agra

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It is located at a distance of 3 kilometers from the tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah, Rambagh Gardens is also known as Bagh-i-Gul Afshan in Agra and is a beautiful Mughal pleasure garden which is crated by “Babur” the founder of the mughal empire. The Rambagh Gardens in Agra has the distinction of being one of the first Mughal pleasure gardens in India.
As, water is an important part of mughal garden. Nur Jahan, the Mughal Empress and wife of Jahangir made further additions to the Rambagh Gardens. The garden is laid out in the charbagh pattern, with four main divisions made by paths and waterways.

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China Tomb In Agra

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It is another tourist attraction in Agra. China tomb is a Persian style tomb which is also known as Chini-Ka- Rauza, it is built of glazed tiles and is dedicated to the memory of Afzal Khan, who was the prime minister in the court of Akbar. It is built in 1635 AD, this beautiful tomb derives its name from the tiles or chini that were used to decorate its wall and ceilings.

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Itmud-Ud-Daulah Tomb In agra

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The tomb marks a significant departure from the tombs of the Mughal dynasty built before its construction. Itmad Ud Daulah’s Tomb situated on the banks of the Yamuna, has many design features that were later used in the Taj Mahal. Before the Taj Mahal was built, its design was already standing in the form of Itmad Ud Daulah’s Tomb. Built to represent a silver jewel box in marble, this mausoleum houses the body of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the father of the Mughal Empress Noor Jahan. The inlaid designs on the wall of the tomb include flowers, trees, fruit, animals and birds as well as wine jars and even people, which is surprising since Islam does not permit the use of human images as decorative forms.

When Noor Jahan married the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg was appointed the Lord Treasurer of the Empire or Itimad-ud-Daulah. After her father’s death, Noor Jehan built this mausoleum for him from 1622-1625 A.D. The first example of a tomb built on a riverbank in India,

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Akbar’s Tomb In Agra

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The Mausoleum of Akbar the Great is situated about 10 km from Agra, in Sikandra. Akbar, who ruled over the Mughal Empire from 1556 to 1605, began building his mausoleum in the spartan style of Timurid architecture. Akbar started the construction but it was completed by his son Jahangir in 1605. It is built partially in red sandstone and in marble, with a mixture of Hindu and Moslem design elements. Akbar’s tomb in Sikandra is built in a pyramidal shape, with an open terrace covered with carved latticework screens. The entrance of Akbar’s gate is similar to as that of Buland darwaza of Fetehpur Sikri.

The tomb carries the characteristic flavor of the airy tiered pavilions of the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. The complex consists of two buildings, one being the mausoleum and the other a gigantic gate, connected to each other via a wide paved walkway. The architecture of the mausoleum is very interesting as is it a good example of the mixture of the use of sandstone together with marble.

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Agra Red Fort In Agra

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A visit to the Agra Fort during your Agra tour will offer an insight to the grandeur of the Mughals and their architecture. Most of the buildings within this fort represent a unique blending of different architectural styles. Agra is also famous for the Agra Fort, which is a veritable treasure trove of the Mughal architectural tradition which is just 2 kilometers away from Taj Mahal, on the same river bank, One can find the impressive Agra Red Fort. It consists of a wall built in red sandstone and several buildings inside. The wall has 2 gates, the Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate.

Agra fort in himself having a great history where we can see that in mughal period from Shahjahaan to his son Auranzeb, so many places has been built in fort. The Khas Mahal, built by Shahjahan, is an airy edifice overlooking the specially laid Angoori Bagh (Grape garden- a simple formal Mughal garden). Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) or the royal hammam (bath) is decorated with myriad glass pieces and a central fountain.

Diwan-I Aam and Diwan –e –Khas was the two auditorium built by shahjahaan. Diwan-I-khas (Hall of Private audience) was built by Shahjahan in 1636-7 and is a small hall with double marble columns inlaid with pietra dura decoration. Here the Mughal Emperor received important dignitaries or foreign ambassadors. On the terrace, in front of this hall, are two marble thrones. The black throne belongs to Jahangir who, as Prince Salim in rebellion against Akbar at Allahabad, had ordered it for himself. Below this terrace lies the grand courtyard of Machchi Bhawan, meant for harem functions. On another side stands a small mosque built for Shahjahan by Aurangzeb.

Diwan-I-Aam (Hall of Public Audience). The famous Peacock Throne was kept here which is ordered by Shahjahan. Further north stands the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), its three domes in white marble raising their heads over the red sandstone wall. Moti Masjid is known for its sheer grandeur and perfect proportions and is not to be missed when travel to Agra.

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History of Taj Mahal

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The history of Taj Mahal is one of the greatest love stories of the world. Prince khurram was the son of Jahanggir. In the teenager he met beautiful Arjumand banu begum, whose good looks inspired the court poets to say that the moon hids its face before her beauty. After the period of five years they got married and in the year 1628, khurram was known as to be the ruler of the world, the great mughal emperor “Shah Jahan”. Anjuman begum was called as Mumtaj Mahal. She died shortly after giving birth to their 14th child in 1631. Her dying wish was that Shah Jahan would build her a mausoleum unrivalled in beauty anywhere in the world, which were fulfilled when he build Taj Mahal in Agra.

The Taj Mahal in Agra, India is considered one of the best examples of Mughal architecture in India. The architecture of the Taj Mahal is enhanced by delicate inlay work. The interiors of the Taj Mahal are decorated with inlay work known as pietra dura.

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Taj Mahal in Agra

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Taj mahal is build by the great mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the memory of his beloved queen mumtaj mahal. This beautiful and famous monument is made up of white marble and is embedded by semi-precious stone and also having beautiful marble inlay work on the walls due to which it takes more then 20 years to complete. The Taj Mahal was built between the years 1631 A.D. and 1648 A.D. A colony of 20,000 workers lived near the site in the area now called Tajgunj, and worked on constructing this Mughal monument in Agra.

The location of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. is within a formal garden on a bank of the River Yamuna. The main structure is surrounded by 4 minarets and flanked by a guesthouse and a mosque. All these structures rest on a high platform.

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