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Agra
Travel To Agra
"The world is divided between those
who have seen the Taj and those who have not. Very soon, I hope
to be on the side that has seen the Taj."
Words said by William Jefferson Clinton President,
United States of America while addressing the Indian Parliament
on 22.03.2000 rightly defining the immense architectural and
emotional significance the Taj Mahal has, in the hearts of people
around the world.
Agra, or the city of the Taj, as it is known all over the world,
forms the first destination on the itinerary of most travelers
coming into India. Forming part of the famous 'Golden Triangle'
(Delhi-Jaipur-Agra), it is placed on the western bank of the
Yamuna. The magnificent Taj Mahal which is the pride of this
city is set around a Charbagh or 'four garden' plan, which is
split by watercourses - a reflection of the Persian style.
The Taj Mahal itself is not set within the Charbagh but
is located towards the far end of the enclosure near the bank
of river Yamuna. The tombs of Mumtaz
Mahal and Shahjahan
are located in the basement, while their replicas are placed
directly above in the upper hall.
Besides the Taj Mahal, Agra is also home to some of the finest
monuments of the Mughal period - Agra Fort, Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-i-Khas,
Musamman Burj, Jehangir's Palace, Shish Mahal, Jama Masjid,
Tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah, Akbar's Mausoleum, and the Mariyam's
Tomb, to name a few. The Mughal love for nature can be seen
at Agra in the form of Ram Bagh, one of the earliest gardens,
laid by the Mughal ruler Babur, in 1528 AD.
Much of Agra's impressive past lives in evidence even today.The
older city of Agra has impressively retained much of its resplendent
history captivating every visitor with fond memories to take
back home. The old part of the city that includes the main marketplace
(Kinari Bazar) is northwest to the Agra fort. It has several
distinct areas whose names are attached with the Mughal period,
although they don't always bear relation to what is being sold
here today. To quote a few examples, the Loha Mandi (Iron Market)
and Sabzi Mandi (Vegetable Market) are still operational, however
the Nai ki Mandi (Barber's Market) has attained the new role
of a market famous for textiles. The area to the south of the
Taj is known as Taj Ganj - comprising of congested alleyways,
today it contains most of Agra's budget hotels.
Besides being a historic city, Agra has shades of modernity
as is typical of any Indian city. Today, luxury and modern convenience
also exist adjacent to tradition - luxury hotels, shopping malls
and plazas, wide avenues and a superb choice of venues for recreation,
business, sports, pleasure, education and the arts.
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