There
are very few cities in the world that can match the history and
heritage of Agra - the city of Taj Mahal.
Located at a distance of 204 km south of Delhi, Agra
is the single most famous tourist destination of India.
Situated on the west bank of River Yamuna, Agra
is a part of the great Norther Indian plains and has a tropical
climate. The city has hot and humid temperature that sometimes
touch a high of 45 degree Celsius. Winters are cold and foggy
but pleasant enough to warrant a visit from the tourists coming
from all around the world.
Travel
to the great historical city of Agra and understand
why Taj Mahal is considered as the "Love
of a Man Epitomized in Stone". Travel to Agra
and discover the fact that Agra is not only Taj Mahal but much
more. The architectural splendor of the city is reflected in the
glorious monuments of medieval India built by great Mughals who
ruled India for more than 300 years. Travel to Agra and experience
the the organized chaos that is India. India is best understood
from the rampages of Agra Fort and nothing else
Mathura
Built by Emperor Akbar on the west bank of the river Yamuna
and beautified with palaces and gardens by Jehangir, Agra Fort
today dominates the centre of the city.
The crescent-shaped fort with its 20-metre high, 2.4-km outer
walls contains a maze of buildings that form a small city within
a city.One can enter the fort only through the Amar Singh Gate.
The public access is limited to the southern part of the fort
which includes nearly all the buildings of tourist interest. The
Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audience) and Diwan-i-Khas (hall of
private audience) were built by Shahjahan for receiving audiences.
Jehangir's palace built by Akbar was the largest private residence
in the fort. Close to Diwan-i-Khas, stands an octagonal tower
known as Musamman Burj. It was here that Shahjahan breathed his
last after seven years of imprisonment. Other places to see within
the fort include the Khas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (the mirror palace)
and the Anguri Bagh (the Grape Garden).
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Vrindavan
Not far away from Mathura lies Vrindavan (10 km). Most of
the childhood of Lord Krishna was spent here. There are scores
of temples, memorial stones, shrines, and hermitages of saints
and follower's of Krishna. Some of the important spots to visit
in Vrindavan are Govind Dev Temple and Rangaji Temple.
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Gokul
Gokul, according to Hindu pythons, was the place where Lord
Krishna was raised secretly. Gokul is located around 16 km south
of Mathura and again a small place full of temples. Some of the
important places to visit are Chaurasi Khamba, Utkhal, and Brahmand
Ghat
Govardhan Hill
According to the legends, Lord Krishna lifted this small hillock
to save the villagers from torrential rain caused by God Indra.
The hillock is located 25 km away from Mathura.
Other
Krishna Related Places
Entire Brajbhoomi is related in one or other way to the exploits
of Lord Krishna. It is said that even in the dust of Brajbhoomi
Lord Krishna is present. Some of the other important places related
to Lord Krishna in this region are Bhandirvan, Keetham Lake, and
others.
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri was the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty between
1571 and 1584. Built by the Mughal emperor Akbar, this royal city
is one of a kind. The architectural grandeur of this deserted
city cannot be described in words and one can only experience
the aura of its magnificent edifices by seeing them.
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Ferozabad
For those interested in glass products, a visit to Ferozabad
becomes necessary. Situated about 44 km away from Agra, this industrial
city is famous for its glassware. You can buy products such as
glass bangles and chandeliers in abundance here.
Gwalior
The city of Agra is famous world over for the Taj Mahal and
millions of tourists from all over the world come here every year
to savor the different moods of this magnificent edifice. As Agra
was the seat of the great Mughal rulers for many years, it also
has a number of historical monuments in and around the city, dating
back to the 16th and 17th century..
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Jaipur
Among all the states of erstwhile princely India, Rajputana
is undoubtedly the one with the most martial record—warring
factions locked in deadly warfare, thousands of royal ladies consigning
themselves to flames preferring death to dishonor. In this land,
towering forts were built as much for ostentation as for intimidating
the enemy. The city of Jaipur is the prime example of the culture
and traditions of this region...
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Bharatpur
The Keoladeo Ghana National Park or—as many people prefer
to call it—the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary lies between two
of India’s most historic cities, Agra and Jaipur. This north
Indian sanctuary is situated in the country’s northwestern
state of Rajasthan, about 190 km from the national capital of
Delhi.
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Aligarh
Situated
at a distance of 86 km from Agra, Aligarh is famous for being
the home to the Aligarh Muslim University. The university was
founded by Sir Syad Ahmad Khan in the 19th century. The city is
also known for its locks.
