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Agra city is known for its Taj Mahotsav (Taj Festival).
This cultural festival is held every year in the month of February. The Taj Mahotsav brings traditional Indian music and dance on a single platform for the tourist to relish
Hotel Tara Grand
Taj Link Road, nr Shilp Gram Parking, Opp National Jalma Institute of Leprosy, Eastern Gate of Taj M
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More about Agra
Photos
Taj Mahal
Agra Fort
Building in Taj Mahal area 2
Other buildings at Taj Mahal, Agra
Forum Posts
Chennai to Agra
Hi,
I am planning for a day trip from Chennai to Agra. Is it possible to cover the Taj mahal alone in a day? I am starting from chennai and would like to cover Taj mahal and return back on same day to chennai(probably late nite flights). Please tell me.
Thanks
Viki
Re: Chennai to Agra
Hi - this is too long of a trip to do in a day. The flight from Chennai to Delhi takes about 2.5-3 hours. Then the drive (better way than train) takes about 3.5 hours depending how fast you go. It's probably about a minimum of 12.5 hours just to travel there and back. You'll be exhausted and wouldn't have anytime to enjoy the magnificent Taj! Try and stay over one night and at least you won't have to worry about getting back to Delhi for a flight that same night.
Re: Chennai to Agra
yah she is right better to spend night at Agra and give full day to the Taj.
But if you have less of time book a cab in advance get off from flight ahve cab and move fast to Agra.I think its a little buzy shedule but can manage it.
Happy travelling!!
Re: Chennai to Agra
thanks for your reply. yes, i believe it will be a hectic schedule for a day trip to agra.
Travel Tips for Agra
Babur
Agra achieved fame after Babur established here the capital of his new empire. But who was Babur?
Babur was a Muslim Emperor from Central Asia who founded the Mughal dynasty of India. He was a direct descendant of Timur the Lame, and believed himself to be a descendant also of Genghis Khan through his mother. Following a series of set-backs he succeeded in laying the basis for one of the most important empires in Indian history, the Mughal Empire.
After failing to conquer Samarkand in the north, Babur turned his attention towards the Industan (term referring to northwestern India and the Gangetic Plain), and the battle of Panipat in 1526 has marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in northern India. Babur moved his capital here in Agra and for the next century, the town witnessed a remarkable spate of architectural activity, as the new dynasty tried to outdo the grandiose monuments built by its predecessors throughout Central Asia.
History says that Babur was offered the Koh-i-Noor diamond at the gates of Agra.
According to his wish, Babur is buried in a park just outside Kabul Quote from Babur
I did not feel badly about my first wife, but I had not been married before and I was so modest and shy I used to see her only once in 10 or 15 days or even 20 days. Later on, when my first inclinations did not last, I got more dishful than ever. My mother used to send me to her once in a month or more, by driving and driving me and pestering and pushing.
In those idle days I found a strange inclination in myself, and so the poem says a maddened and hurt myself for a boy in the camp bazaar, he was called Baburi, and even the name fitted. Until then I never wanted anyone: I had not even heard or talked about love or desire, neither at first hand nor at second hand….he used to come to my presence but I used to be so modest and shy I could never look at him straight….One day in that period of longing and passion I was walking with friends along a lane and I suddenly came face to face with him. I was so afraid I almost run away…..
The massive AGRA FORT
OK, Agra has two United Nations "World Heritage Sites". Name them.
The Taj Mahal is easy, but the second one is Agra Fort, a massive structure built in the area some 400 years ago and was begun by Akbar the Great. Akbar's son (Jahangir) and grandson (Shah Jahan) added their own personal touches to the complex. And in its own way, Agra Fort is every bit as massive and impressive as is the Taj.
Basically, Agra Fort was where Akbar and his court lived. It was his capital, his palace, his very life. For most of his rule, Agra Fort was the seat of power in Moghul India. There was a short 15 (or so) year period that the capital/palace was moved to nearby Fatehpur Sikri, which itself is a World Heritage Site. But, much of the history and influence of Akbar the Great on this part of the subcontinent happened within the walls of Agra Fort. After Akbar's death, his progeny (Jahangir and Shah Jahan specifically) continued to rule from and live at Agra Fort. The last "great" emperor (Aurangzeb) built the final ramparts of the Fort. So as you can see, this was a work in progress for many, many years.
When you visit Agra Fort, you'll be overwhelmed by the size and scope of the grounds and buildings. And as you're rubbing your eyes at its sheer size, be impressed even more to know that the Indian Army occupies some 90% of its grounds - sections that you never see. So, for every bit of the fort that astounds you, there are nine more parts that you don't even see. Huge.
As you tour and explore the grounds of Agra Fort, you'll see a conglomeration of styles and influences. The Fort predates the Taj Mahal, and incorporates both Hindu and Moghul building practice and design. Additionally, whereas the Taj was designed and built as a project alone, Agra Fort is one of those "they built it and then they added on, and then they added on again" type of places. Whenever someone would get tired of one palace or throne-room, another would be designed and constructed. And of course, if you keep getting new wives, they've got to have a place to live, right?
Among the many structures you'll see during your time in Agra Fort are
<> John Russell Colvin's tomb. Mr. Colvin was a British officer who died within the walls of Agra Fort during the Mutiny of 1857. Apparently there was some question of a communicable disease, or an epidemic in progress... something like that. So, it was not possible to return his remains to his compatriots, and it wasn't considered wise to cremate him. So, he's buried in his own special place at Agra Fort.
<> Jahangiri Mahal, Jahangir's private palace. (note, Akbar's private palace is in ruins)
<> Anguri Bagh, the grape arbor.
<> Khas Mahal, which is Shah Jahan's private palace
<> Mussaman Burj, an octogonal tower that affords a nice view of the Taj Mahal, some 3-5 km away. (see my photos)
<> The Diwan-i-Khas, which is the hall of private audiences. Big shots who came to see the emperor would be escorted to this fine structure for a royal audience. A terrace outdoors holds two separate thrones that were occupied by the emperor, including one made of black marble that faces the Yamuna River.
<> Machi Bhavan, which is a collection of pools and fountains, surrounded by administrative offices.
<> Najina Mosjid, a private mosque that Shah Jahan built for the women of the royal household
<> Moti Masjid, a pearl marble mosque constructed by Shah Jahan. Emperor Jahan, as you'll notice in the Taj Mahal that he also constructed, was quite fond of pearl white marble. :)
I suggest that you allow a good three hours to explore Agra Fort. You'll still feel a bit rushed. The cost of entry is 300 Rs, and I believe there's a small video camera fee as well. When we were at Agra Fort, it was blazing hot... the middle of the afternoon on a sunny sunny day. I was particularly interested in hearing about the Moghul "air conditioning" that was employed at the fort some 400 years ago. Basically, they'd surround shady courtyards or rooms with leaf-reeds from the Yamuna River. They'd allow water to flow in a cycle down and back to the top of the reeds, so that it was always wet. Then, they'd let the wind - or sometimes the servants with fans - to circulate air through the water-cooled reeds. I'm not sure it would meet the desires of the sweaty 21st century traveler. But, it must have felt pretty good to the royals in Akbar and Shah Jahan's day. Remember, these guys used to wear heavy woolen outfits. Whew!
Restoration work
Restoration work was being carried out to some of the walls and decorations as we were there. The scaffolding and work methods were very primitive in our eyes. It was fascinating to see how painstakingly and lovingly they would do this though.
Fatehpur Sikri
About an hour west of Agra (or 40 km away) lies Fatehpur Sikri, the ephemeral capital of the Mughal Empire. It was built in 1571 by Emperor Akbar at the location where a revered Sufi mystic lived, and it served as the capital of the empire until the emperor's death in 1585. By then, it was evident that water shortage in the area could not sustain a growing capital of an empire, and the city was thus swiftly abandoned after its founder's death. This quick evacuation has left us with a 16th century architectural ensemble frozen in time and devoid of subsequent modifications, one whose importance has earned it a place among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city consists of a magnificent grand mosque and an exquisite imperial palace complex, surrounded by numerous lesser structures, ranging from ramparts and caravanserais to palaces and mausoleums. While most of the architecture of the city is typically Mughal, the imperial palace complex exhibits a unique blend of Hindu, Jain and Islamic styles. Fatehpur Sikri makes an excellent day trip from Agra, or a stop along the drive to Jaipur.
For more on this ghost city, check out the separate page dedicated to Fatehpur Sikri.
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Questions and Answers
Q: Driver to Agra "We've decided to go to Agra as a day trip . Should we arrange a driver before arriving ? Any suggestions ?"
A: "Drivers are fairly numerous. Don't do what I did and have the bell man set something up on the side. It was an adventure that I won't repeat. If you are staying at a..."
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