Agra Tourist Guide

Agra – a glorious heritage city on the bank of river Yamuna, known as Agravan in the Epic Mahabharata. The famous 2nd century Geographer ‘Ptolemy’, marked it as Agra on the World map. It is generally accepted that Sultan Sikandar Lodhi, the Ruler of Delhi founded it in the year 1504 AD but the golden age of the city began with Mughal rulers after 1526 AD. It was than called as Akbarabad and remained the capital of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Agra’s significance as a political centre ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi by Emperor Shah Jahan.

Taj Mahal at sunset from Mehtab Bagh, Agra

How to reach Agra, Uttar Pradesh State, INDIA

By Road (Delhi to Agra)

Delhi / Agra by Car ……. just 200 km drive takes about 3 – 4 hrs.

Yamuna Expressway is best way to reach Agra via Delhi – Greater Noida.

By Rail (Best Express Train)

H Nizamuddin / Agra Cantt. 0810/0950 hrs by Train …. in just 100 minutes by Gatiman Express.

Agra Cantt. / H Nizamuddin 1750/1930 hrs By Express Train

By Air (nearest Airport)

Best air connection is from Delhi Airport. which is 230 km (oneway).

Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, Agra

Places to Visit

Taj Mahal

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his beloved wife Arjumand Bano Begum entitled as Mumtaj Mahal. Shah Jahan invited master craftsmen from Italy and Parsia to design his ambitious tribute to love.

Construction of this enchanting mausoleum started in 1631 AD and it is beleived that it took about 22 years to complete the whole premises with the help of an estimated 20,000 workers.

Visiting Hours: Opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset.

Entrance fee: (updated June 2020)

INR 1300 Per Person (Foreigne Tourist)

INR 530 Per Person (Citizen of SAARC Countries)

INR 50 Per Person (Indian National)

No Entry Fee for children below 15 years of age (any nationality)

Taj Mahal at sunrise
– look at the glowing precious stones at sunrise –

Visit Taj Mahal – at sunrise

Best time to visit Taj Mahal is at sunrise. Ticket window opens with sunrise. Your local guide will tell you sunrise time when you arrive Agra and you can fix wake up call accordingly.

Taj Mahal in day light

Visit Taj Mahal – in day light

Taj Mahal is a beautiful building, you may visit any time. Taj opens with sunrise and closed with sunset all days except Fridays.

Taj Mahal Sunset from Mehtab Bagh, Agra

Visit Taj Mahal – at sunset

Best time to visit Taj Mahal is at sunset from Agra Fort or from Mehtab Bagh.

Taj Mahal on Full Moon night

Visit Taj Mahal – at Night on Full Moon

Night viewing of Taj Mahal is possible only five days in a month, i.e. on full moon night plus two nights before and two nights after full moon night. Entry tickets for night viewing of Taj Mahal is available 24 hrs in advance (one day before the visiting date). Contact us for details of full moon nights and entry tickets ………..

Agra Fort, Agra

Agra Fort

Agra Fort – a World Heritage monument in red sandstone. The most part of Agra Fort was build by Emperor Akbar in eight years (1565 – 1573 AD). Yet successive monarchs added personalised palaces and mosque like Moti Masjid, Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas, Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Musamman Burz (where Shah Jahan was held in captivity).

Itimad-ud-Daula (Baby Taj)

Itimad – ud – Daula (Baby Taj)

Itimad-ud-Daula Tomb was built by the Emperor Jahangir’s Queen Nur Jahan, in the memory of her father Mirza Chias Beg during 1622-1628 AD. This beautiful mausoleum built in white marble and inlaid with semi-precious stones, located on the bank of Yamuna River. Being precursor to Taj Mahal, this Itimad-ud-Daula is also known as Baby Taj.

Sikandara, Agra

Sikandara – Tomb of Akbar

Sikandara is the mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Emperor Akbar himself planned the tomb and selected a suitable site for his tomb. After the death, his son Jahangir constructed his tomb between 1605 – 1613 and spend Rupees 1,500,000 which took 4 years to complete.

Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, Agra

Mehtab Bagh – sun set point

Mehtab Bagh is located on the left bank of Yamina River, just opposit Taj Mahal. This garden complex is a huge square measuring approximately 300m x 300m and in straight alignment with Taj Mahal. It is mentioned that this garden was built by Emperor Babur in 1530. It is also noted that Emperor Shah Jahan had identified a site from the crescent-shaped, grass covered floodplain across the Yamuna River as an ideal location for viewing the Taj Mahal. It was than created as “a moonlit pleasure garden called Mehtab Bagh.”

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