Agra is a medieval city situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. It has long been renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. This has often overshadowed the fact that this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many magnificent monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architectural achievement. Not even Delhi, the seat of kings and emperors for over a thousand years, can boast such a heritage of architectural and cultural splendor from the golden age of the Great Mughals. Agra came into limelight during the rule of Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi - who had made it the  capital of his empire. Later in 1526 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Babar took upon himself the task for rendering Agra, a unique character and beauty of its own. The visionary that he was and a great patron of the arts, Emperor Babar brought in a change in the culture and life-style among the people of Agra, which then brought forth some of the finest craftsmen, artists, statesmen,warriors and nobility, this part of India had ever witnessed. The golden age of Agra's history, thus began to set in.

Tourist Attractions in Agra

Taj Mahal -Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. Taj Mahal is built by the Mughal Emperor shah Jana's for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is synonymous with India. Its curving, gently swelling dome and the square base upon which its rests so lightly is a familiar image from hundreds of brochures and travel books. The Taj is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular buildings of the world. Renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty, it counts among man's proudest creations and is invariably included in the list of the world's foremost wonders. As a tomb, it has no match upon earth, for mortal remains have never been housed in greater grandeur.

Agra Fort - The fort at Agra stands next to what is perhaps India's best known monument, the Taj Mahal. Most of the buildings within this fort represent a unique blending of different architectural styles. The most noteworthy building inside the Agra Fort is the Jahangiri Mahal (Jahangir's Palace), which was the principal zenana palace (palace for women belonging to the royal household), used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers and crossbeams. One can still spot remnants of decoration in gold and blue done in the prevalent Persian style. Jahangiri Mahal mixes Transoxanian (Central Asian) features with courtyard halls styled in the broader Gujarat-Malwa-Rajasthan tradition as it had been passed onto the Mughals by the early 16th century architecture of Raja Man Singh of Gwalior. Tourists on Agra holidays will notice that the Jahangiri Mahal is the most important building of the Akbari period in the Agra Fort.

Fatehpur Sikri - Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendor at its height. 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.The city is entirely built out of red sandstone, there are many places to see like Diwani-i-Am,Diwani-i-Khas, Ankh Michauli,Jodhabai’s Palace,Friday Mosque and Salim Chisti’s Mausoleum.

Other Attractions - Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, Jama Masjid, Chini Ka Rauza, Ram Bagh, Soami Bagh Samadh, Sikandra (Akbar's tomb), Mariam's Tomb and Mehtab Bagh.

Climate of Agra - It is very hot in summer (April - July) and cold in winter (December - January). The average temperature can vary from 25°C to 46°C during the summer and 22°C to 5°C during the winter. The weather is humid during the monsoon season.

How to Reach Agra?

By Air -Kheria Airport is 6 km from Agra. From the International Airport at Delhi, Agra is 220km.
By Rail - Connection to important cities from Agra Cantt, Agra fort station, Raja-Ki Mandi and Tundla. Important trains for Agra are: 2001/2002 Shatabdi Exp (Delhi )Bhopal);2179/2180 Taj Exp(H. Nizamuddin-Agra/Gwalior); 2615/2616 G.I. Exp (Delhi-Madras); 4677/4678 Jhelum Exp (Jammu tawi-Pune); 847771/ 8478 Kalinga Utkal Exp.

By Road - Agra is well connected to all other parts of the country by good motorable roads.