THE
HOST CITY
AGRA - The city of world
famous Tajmahal.
A mélange of the past and the present, with
warm people and a vibrant cultural heritage. Agra was in the 16th & 17th centuries,
the capital of Mughals. The city with its
laidback lifestyle and wealth of architecture,
handicrafts and jewellery, is amongst the most
remarkable cities of the world.
HISTORICAL
MONUMENTS
TAJMAHAL
Taj Mahal is not just beautiful
art and fine architecture but a memorial of love and
faith. This extravagant monument of love is
one of the most visited and photographed
places in the world. Taj Mahal was built by Shah
Jahan in the memory of his beautiful wife
Mumtaz Mahal in the year 1633.
Taj Mahal was the culmination point of Indo-
Persian architectural fusion. It is a sublime expression of
the greatest love story ever told. The Taj has been a
visual delight for viewers over the ages. Taj is a joy
for ever and for any imaginative visitor, a rare
experience.
Distance from the venue : 4.6 kms
Open : Sunrise to Sunset, Saturday to Thursday. (Friday closed)
AGRA
FORT
Within a radius of 3 km,
on the banks of river Yamuna rises the
crescent like Agra Fort. Designed and built by Akbar in
1565 A.D. , the fort is surrounded by a 70 foot
high wall.
It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces
including the Jahangiri Mahal, Diwan - i - Khas, Diwan -
i -Am, Machili Bhawan and Moti Masjid. Though the
principle structure was built by Akbar many more
additions were made by his grandsons.
Distance from the venue :
5.5 kms
Open : Sunrise to Sunset
ITMAD-UD-DAULAH'S
TOMB
The exquisite tomb of
Itmad-ud-Daulah on the left bank of Yamuna River was
built by Nur Jahan in memory of her father. This small
but elegant structure is built entirely in white marble,
a feature that appeared for the first time and was an
inspiration for Taj Mahal. The pietra dura or stone
inlay work is of highest quality, especially in the
blend of the colours of the semi-precious stones.
Distance from the venue : 10 kms
Open : Sunrise to Sunset
RADHA
SWAMI SAMADHI
Head quarters of the Radha
Swami religion.
Here the holy ashes of the
founder of the faith have been preserved. Also
a place where daily congregational service or
satsang is held.
Distance from the venue : 13 kms
Open : 9 AM to 5.30 PM
SIKANDRA
Begun by Emperor Akbar and completed by his
son Jahangir in 1613 AD, Akbar's tomb in Sikandra
is a fusion of Hindu and Muslim art and architecture which,
like the Emperor himself, characterized the era.
Distance from the venue : 14 kms
Open : Sunrise to Sunset
FATEHPUR
SIKRI
Thirty Six-Km southwest of Agra, on
the Agra Jaipur Highway lies a deserted sand - stone city, Fatehpur Sikri,
the royal capital of Akbar the Great. It
was built between 1571 & 1585. It is one of the
finest examples of Mughal architectural splendour
at its height. It is a place to visit if one
comes to Agra. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is said to
be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and has
designs, derived from the Persian & Hindu
architecture.
Distance from the venue : 39 kms
Open : Sunrise to Sunset
AROUND
AGRA
The places of interest around Agra
include :
FIROZABAD (44 KM)
It is famous for its glass industry. Exquisite
designs of glass works specially decorative items, toys,
bangles and chandeliers are available.
MATHURA & VRINDAVAN (50 KM)
On the banks of river Yamuna,
Mathura is the birth place of Lord Krishna.
It has been a sacred pilgrimage centre through countless
centuries and the temple and shrines
that line the waterfront testify to its antiquity.
Mathura & Vrindavan, the twin cities where Lord
Krishna was born and brought up,
still echo with sounds of the playful divine and are replete
with imposing temples, each dedicated to the stages of
Krishna's life.
BHARATPUR BIRD SANCTUARY (56
KM)
Also know as Keoladeo Ghana National Park,
it is a heaven for bird watchers and ornithologists.
Approximately 200 species of birds including the
famous Siberian Cranes and other Chinese and North
European birds can be seen here in winters.
JAIPUR (235 KM)
Forts, palaces, architectural marvels and tales of
valour, all in their own way, bear testimony to the
glory that Jaipur is and was conceived
by Sawai Jai Singh in 1727. The first planned
city in northern India. There are many places worth
seeing
such as the City palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Jal
Mahal, Moti Doongri, and temples such as Lakshmi Narain
temple, Jagat Shiromani temple, Govindji temple etc.
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