AGRA

Agra in all its beauty is a place located in Uttar Pradesh in Northern India to be exact. It is home to a great number of well-known and very widely recognized places of attraction. Some of these attractions include Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Tomb of l’timad-Ud-Daulah, Akbar’s Tomb and lastly Mehtab Baugh.

This Agra tour is one filled with adventure, fun, mystery, and room for learning new and interesting things. To go sightseeing in Agra is quite affordable and very much worth the price as you will without a doubt get value for your money. Agra travel guides which are government approved are available at the Government of India Tourist Office.

Taj Mahal- A tour

The Iconic domed Mughal Mausoleum, affectionately known as Taj Mahal, meaning “Crown of the Palace”; Taj Mahal is the most visited place of attraction in Agra to date. It was built in honor of the wife of Shah Jahan whose name was Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan was the ruler of Mughal and his wife Mumtaz died during childbirth in 1631 and so her tomb is housed at Taj Mahal. The main building features a gigantic dome and elaborately carved white marble, ornamented with precious stones. There is also a courtyard which holds a reflecting pool defined by four slender towers called minarets. The tomb itself is a large structure made of marble and is said to be the center of attention for the entire 42-acre Taj Mahal compound. There is also a mosque and a guest house in beautifully enthralled gardens bounded by crenelated walls on three sides.

Famous For:

• Mumtaz Mahal’s Tomb

 Visiting Hours:

• Taj Mahal is opened from half an hour before Sunset up to half an hour before Sunrise every day except Fridays.
• The attraction is closed on Fridays but is opened to accompany only those persons who need to attend prayers inside the Mosque at Taj Mahal.

 Duration of visit:

• 2-3 hours within normal visiting hours

 Tickets (Entry Gate Ticket Counter):

• Taj Mahal Western Gate-Tickets are available at the Western Gate which is near Saheli Burj one hour before Sunrise and up to 45 minutes before Sunset.
•  Eastern Gate-Tickets are available before Sunrise and  45 minutes before Sunset.
•  Southern Gate- Tickets are not available at this gate as this gate is used only for Exiting the complex.
• Foreign Tourists will pay a total of Rs. 1000 inclusive of taxes.
• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectorial Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) citizens will pay Rs. 530 inclusive of taxes.
• Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Domestic and Indian Cardholders will pay a mere Rs. 40 inclusive of taxes.
• There is no entry fee for children under 15 years of age.
• Persons can also visit an official site called asi.payumoney.com to purchase e-tickets.

 

Agra Fort- A tour

The Agra Fort, also known as “Lal Quila”, “Fort Rogue” or “Qila-I-Akbari” is a monument which was built in 1573 while one of the greatest emperors, Akbar,  ruled Mughal. The fort was built by over 4000 persons in approximately 8 years. In just a few words, this fort can be described as a wall-city with its 70 feet high walls and 94-acre surface. The fort symbolizes great strength, power, and resilience. Entry to the Agra Fort is only allowed through the Amar Singh Gate as a portion of the fort is used by the Indian Army. Visitors are not allowed to set foot on this part of the fort.

Famous for:

• Jahangir’s Palace (built by Akbar as a private palace for his son Jahangir)

 Visiting Hours:

• 6 am to 6 pm seven days a week which is basically from Sunrise to Sunset

 Duration of visit:

• A tour of the fort lasts for 2 to 3 hours within opening hours

 Tickets:

• Rs. 40 per Domestic or Indian Tourist
• Rs. 550 per Foreign Tourist
• No entry fee for children under 15 years of age

 

The Tomb of l’timad-Ud-Daulah- A tour

This is a Mughal Mausoleum affectionately known as Baby Taj. The Baby Taj was commissioned by Jahangir’s wife Nur Jahan, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg, who was given the title” l’timad-Ud-Daulah” which means “Pillar of the State”. Baby Taj was built from 1622-1628 with white marble walls ornamented with all kinds of precious stones like Jasper, onyx, and topaz. The intricacy of it all is nothing but breathtaking.

Famous for:

• Stone inlay made from  wine glasses with a perfect geometric structure

 Visiting Hours:

• 6 am to 6 pm seven days a well (Sunrise to Sunset)

 Duration of visit:

• Tours last approximately 2 hours within normal visiting hours

 Tickets:

• Indian Adults-Rs. 10
• Foreigners-Rs. 250
• Below 15 years  are allowed to enter for free

 

Akbar’s  Tomb- A tour

This tomb belongs to the Mughal Emperor Akbar and is located in Sikandra which is in the Suburbs of Agra. It was built from 1605 to 1613 and occupies approximately 119 acres of land. The creation of the tomb first took place by Akbar himself and was continued by his son Jahangir after his death. Like the Taj Mahal, the gate of the tomb has 4 white marble minarets. There are writings known as inscriptions on the mausoleum which say “These are the Gardens of Eden; enter them to dwell eternally”.

Famous for:

• Mughal-styled Gardens

 Visiting Hours:

• Sunrise to Sunset 7 days a week

 Duration of visit:

• Approximately 1 to 2 hours during normal operating hours

 Tickets:

• Indian Adults- Rs. 15
• Foreigners-Rs. 200
• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations-RS. 15
• Children under 15 years  are allowed to enter for free

 

Mehtab Baugh0 -A tour

This Mughal-era garden is a 25-acre Baugh with a large octagonal tank with 25 very beautiful fountains on the southern part, a small central tank, and pavilion on the East. They also call it the moonlight garden as the view of the Taj Mahal under the moonlight is nothing but spectacular. The garden is decorated with beautiful aroma-filled flowers, breathtaking pools, spectacular fountains, colorful fruit trees and windy canopies.

Famous for:

• Beautiful and tranquil view of the Taj Mahal

Visiting Hours:

• 6 am to 6 pm daily all week long

Duration of visit:

• 1 to 2 hours

 Tickets:

• Indians-Rs. 10
• Foreigners- Rs. 100
• Children under 15 years old get to enter for free

 

 

 

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