See all Deals for Agra
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Top Agra Hotels
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Hotels(271)|Ratings(906)|Reviews(906) Last rated May 16th 2013
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#1 |
Rs. 10000
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#2 |
Rs. 400
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#3 |
Rs. 2700
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#4 |
Rs. 1600
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#5 |
Rs. 550
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#6 |
Rs. 2600
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#7 |
Rs. 11000
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#8 |
Rs. 3500
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#9 |
Rs. 4700
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#10 |
Rs. 6000
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Agra, the land of the Taj Mahal, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is situated on the banks of River Yamuna in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is bounded by Mathura district in the north, Dhaulpur district in the south, Firozabad in the east and Bharatpur in the west.
History of AgraAgra is mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. Even before that, the city was referred to as Arya Griha or ‘home of the Aryans’. Sikandar Lodhi of the Delhi Sultanate is believed to have founded modern day Agra in 1504. After his death, his son Ibrahim Lodhi continued to rule, until his defeat in the first battle of Panipat at the hands of the Mughal Emperor Babur in 1526.
People & Culture of AgraAgra owes a large part of its heritage and culture to Mughal rulers like Babur, Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjahan among others. Each of these emperors added not only to the architectural brilliance of the city but also to its history and culture. While Babur introduced the Persian-styled gardens, Akbar built the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Shahjahan’s Taj Mahal, the eternal monument of love built in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, marks the pinnacle of Mughal architecture.
The Department of Tourism organises the Taj Mahotsav in February every year, which attracts national and international tourists to the Agra. The festival celebrates Mughal art and culture and is a profusion of musical and dance performances, a food festival and crafts mela.
Things to do in AgraAgra’s rich historical background is reflected through its numerous monuments. Apart from the Taj Mahal, the city is home to other UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort, and has carved a place for itself on the world tourism map. Other attractions of this historical city include Sikandra, Itmadud Daula, Soor Sarovar, Jama Masjid, Diwan-i-Am, Buland Darwaza, etc.
Travelling to AgraAgra is well connected by air, rail and road. The nearest airport to reach Agra is Kheria Airport, located at a distance of 8 km from the city centre and is connected to various cities in the country including Delhi and Varanasi.
The city has four major railway stations – Agra Cantt, Raja ki Mandi, Agra Fort and Idgah Agra Junction. Agra can also be reached by road from Lucknow (over 300 km), Kanpur (over 70 km) and Delhi (200 km).
Tourist buses run by private operators as well as state run buses are available to reach Agra.
Travelling within AgraTourists can travel around the city of Agra using electric buses, Tongas, tempos, cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws. All major areas are covered through Electric buses in Agra, but these are usually crowded. Tourists can also use Tongas; horse drawn carriages, to explore the city. Tonga charges are around Rs 5 to 15 per person.
The city has a sub-tropical climate. The summer season, from April to September, can be hot with temperatures rising to 45° Celsius at times. The best time to visit Agra is from October to March.
Accommodation Options in AgraRanging from budget hotels to luxury hotels the accommodation options in Agra are plenty. Agra hotels offer accommodation options to suite all budgets. |
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Situated along the banks of River Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, the Agra District is known for its rich cultural heritage, which echoes its historical past. The city contains numerous attractions, including monuments, temples and landmarks, most of which were built during the Mughal Era. One of the most notable monuments in Agra is the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being home to the Taj Mahal, Agra is often known by the nickname 'Taj City'.
Besides Taj Mahal, another major landmark of Agra is the Agra Red Fort, which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main monuments located within the fort include the Anguri Bagh Gardens, Diwan-i-Khas, Jahangir's Palace, Ladies' Bazaar, Moti Masjid, Nagina Masjid and Shish Mahal.
Tourists visiting Agra can also visit the Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb, which is often referred to as ‘Baby Taj’, due to its similar architecture. Other notable landmarks and monuments in Agra are the Chini Ka Rauza, Soami Bagh Samadh and Tomb of Akbar the Great.
Located 38.8 km away from the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri is another notable attraction in Agra. Built during the 16th century by Mughal Emperor Akbar, this city houses numerous monuments and temples. One of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid, is located in Fatehpur Sikri.
Some of the other popular monuments in Fatehpur Sikri include Mariam-uz-Zamani’s Palace, Buland Darwaza, Tomb of Salim Chisti and Panch Mahal, among others. Those who wish to learn about the history and culture of Agra can visit the two most popular museums, the Spiritual Museum and the Taj Mahal Museum. Keetham Lake, better known as Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, is a popular picnic spot near Agra.
Besides monuments and landmarks, Agra has some beautiful parks and gardens, including the Mehtab Bagh in central Agra, which is the most famous. From the garden, unobstructed views of the back of the Taj Mahal are available. The first Mughal-style garden created in Agra, Ram Bagh is another popular park in Agra. Tourists can also visit other parks and gardens like Soami Bagh, Shah Jahan Park and Dayal Bagh.
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