Agra, India
Agra is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. It has a long and rich history:
• Agra finds its first mention in the Epic of Mahabharata as Agrevan. It was part of the kingdom of Undivided Kalinga during the Vedic period.
• In the 11th century, Agra became part of the Delhi Sultanate. The Mamluk ruler Ghiyas-ud-din Balban built the massive Agra Fort in the 12th century CE. The fort contains within it the famous Moti Masjid.
• In the 16th century, the Mughal Emperor Babur established the Mughal rule in Agra. Under the Mughals, Agra reached new heights of prominence, grandeur and opulence.
• Emperor Shah Jahan built the impressive Taj Mahal in the 17th century as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture and a worldwide symbol of eternal love.
• After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, Agra went into a slow decline. It suffered defeats and destruction at the hands of the Marathas and the British.
• In the 20th century, Agra was incorporated into the Oudh province of British India. After India gained independence in 1947, Agra became part of Uttar Pradesh state.
• Today, Agra remains prominent as a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world to see its Mughal-era monuments like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Sunheri Masjid. Despite its rich history, Agra still retains a sleepy, provincial look and feel.
1. **Taj Mahal**: The iconic white marble mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. – Cost: INR 50 (Indians), INR 1300 (foreigners) – Hours of operation: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM (closed on Fridays) – Address: Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India – Phone: +91 562 222 7261 – Website: https://www.tajmahal.gov.in
2. **Agra Fort**: A historical red sandstone fort built by Mughal Emperor Akbar, featuring palaces, gardens, and mosques. – Cost: INR 40 (Indians), INR 550 (foreigners) – Hours of operation: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Address: Rakabganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282003, India – Phone: +91 562 296 0457 – Website:https://asi.nic.in/
3. **Fatehpur Sikri**: A well-preserved ancient city built by Emperor Akbar, featuring magnificent Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. – Cost: INR 40 (Indians), INR 550 (foreigners) – Hours of operation: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Address: Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh 283110, India – Phone: +91 562 222 7261 – Website: https://asi.nic.in/
4. **Itmad-ud-Daula**: Also known as the “Baby Taj,” this white marble tomb is the final resting place of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his wife, and is known for its intricate carvings and inlay work. – Cost: INR 30 (Indians), INR 310 (foreigners) – Hours of operation: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Address: Moti Bagh, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282006, India – Phone: +91 562 222 7261 – Website: https://asi.nic.in/
5. **Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandra**: The tomb of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, featuring a blend of Hindu, Islamic, and Jain architectural styles. – Cost: INR 30 (Indians), INR 310 (foreigners) – Hours of operation: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Address: Sikandra, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282007, India – Phone: +91 562 222 7261 – Website: https://asi.nic.in/
6. **Mehtab Bagh**: A well-maintained riverside garden offering a stunning view of the Taj Mahal, perfect for photography. – Cost: INR 25 (Indians), INR 300 (foreigners) – Hours of operation: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Address: Near Taj Mahal, Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Nagla Devjit, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India – Phone: +91 562 222 7261 – Website: https://asi.nic.in/
7. **Jama Masjid**: A large and impressive mosque built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, featuring intricate carvings and a spacious courtyard. – Cost: Free – Hours of operation: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM – Address Masjid Rd, Kinari Bazar, Hing ki Mandi, Mantola, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282003. https://asi.nic.in/
8. **Chini Ka Rauza**: A tomb of Persian poet and scholar Allama Afzal Khan Mullah, featuring glazed tile work and a unique architectural style. – Cost: Free – Hours of operation: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Address: Ram Bagh, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282006, India – Phone: +91 562 222 7261 – Website: https://www.asi.nic.in/
9. **Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani**: The tomb of Emperor Akbar‘s wife, Mariam–uz-Zamani, featuring a blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. – Cost: INR 25 (Indians), INR 300 (foreigners) – Hours of operation: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Address: Mathura Delhi Highway, Raja Ki Mandi Station Rd, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282006, India – Phone: +91 562 222 7261 – Website: [https://www.asi.nic.in/]https://www.asi.nic.in/
10. **Guru ka Tal**: A historical Sikh pilgrimage site and Gurudwara, featuring beautiful architecture and a serene atmosphere. – Cost: Free – Hours of operation: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM – Address: Sikandra – Bhagwan Talkies Rd, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282007, India – Phone: +91 562 260 3375.
1. **Fatehpur Sikri**: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri is a well-preserved city built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. It is known for its stunning architecture and historical significance. – Distance from Agra: 36 km – Cost: INR 610 for foreigners, INR 50 for Indians – Hours of operation: 6 am to 6 pm – Address: Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India – Phone: +91 562 222 7261 – Website: [ASI Fatehpur Sikri](https://asi.nic.in/monument/fatehpur-sikri–agra/)
– Transportation:
Bus (INR 50–100) Bus Website: [UPSRTC] https://www.upsrtc.com/
Taxi (INR 1000-1500) Taxi website: [Savaari] https://www.savaari.com/
2. **Mathura and Vrindavan**: Known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura and Vrindavan are pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The cities are famous for their beautiful temples, including the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple and Banke Bihari Temple. – Distance from Agra: 57 km (Mathura), 75 km (Vrindavan) – Cost: Free entry to temples – Hours of operation: Temples usually open from 5 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm – Address: Mathura and Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India.
– Transportation: Train (INR 30–150) Train website: [IRCTC] https://www.irctc.co.in/
Taxi (INR 1500–2000) – – Taxi website: [Savaari] https://www.savaari.com/
3. **Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary**: Also known as Keoladeo National Park, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a famous bird-watching destination, home to over 370 species of birds, including the rare Siberian Crane. – Distance from Agra: 56 km – Cost: INR 75 for Indians, INR 500 for foreigners – Hours of operation: 6 am to 6 pm – Address: Agra-Jaipur Highway, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India – Phone: +91 5644 222 777.
– Transportation: Train (INR 30–150) Train website: [IRCTC] https://www.irctc.co.in
Taxi (INR 1500–2000) – Taxi website: [Savaari] https://www.savaari.com/
4. **Chambal Safari**: Experience the beauty of the Chambal River and its diverse wildlife, including gharials, mugger crocodiles, turtles, and various bird species, on a boat safari. – Distance from Agra: 70 km – Cost: INR 1500–2500 per person for the boat safari – Hours of operation: 6 am to 6 pm – Address: National Chambal Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh, India – Phone: +91 999 777 8787 – Website: [Chambal Safari] https://www.chambalsafari.com/
– Transportation: Taxi (INR 2000–2500) – Taxi website: [Savaari] https://www.savaari.com/
The major types of transportation in Agra include:
Train: Agra has a well-connected rail network and trains are an affordable option to reach Agra. Fares start around ₹200–₹500 for a general coach. https://www.irctc.co.in
Bus: Agra has bus services connecting it to major cities. Bus fares range from ₹300 to ₹1000 depending on the bus type.
Rickshaw: Cycle rickshaws or auto rickshaws are popular for short distances. Fares are around ₹30-₹100 per kilometer.
Taxi: Air-conditioned taxis and Ola/Uber options are available for around ₹8–₹15 per kilometer.
Shared Cars: Services like Mega Cabs and Meru Cabs offer shared taxis and private hire options starting at ₹1400–₹3000 for Agra trip. https://www.merucabs.com/
Helicopter: For a luxurious experience, one can take a helicopter tour from Delhi to Agra and vice versa. Fares start around ₹75,000 per person.
Private Car: For a comfortable private car rental, you can check at the airport or on sites like RentACarIndia, Hertz, Avis, etc. Fares start around ₹7000-₹15,000 per day.
**Agra Airport (AGR)** is the closest airport to Agra, located about 5 km (3.1 miles) from the city center. You can reach the city center by taxi or auto-rickshaw. The cost varies depending on the type of vehicle and distance. A taxi may cost around INR 250–300, while an auto-rickshaw may cost around INR 50–100. Unfortunately, there is no official website for Agra Airport.
**Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)** is another option, located approximately 220 km (136 miles) from Agra. The travel time is around 3–4 hours by car or bus. You can also take a train from New Delhi Railway Station to Agra, which takes around 2–4 hours depending on the train. The cost of transportation varies depending on the mode of transport and service provider. The approximate cost for a taxi is INR 3,000–4,000, while a bus ticket may cost around INR 500–800, and a train ticket may cost around INR 150–1,000. The official website for Indira Gandhi International Airport is https://www.delhiairport.com/
The currency of Agra is Indian Rupee (₹). Agra does not have its own separate currency. Some facts about Indian Rupee (INR):
Paper bills:
• ₹10
• ₹20
• ₹50
• ₹100
• ₹200
• ₹500
• ₹1000
• ₹2000
• ₹5000
• ₹10,000
Coin denominations:
• ₹1
• ₹2
• ₹5
• ₹10
• ₹20
Agra has a subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. Some key facts about the climate of Agra:
• Summers (April to June) are very hot with average high temperatures around 45-50°C (113-122°F). The temperature can go up to 52°C (126°F) at times.
• Winters (December to January) are chilly with average low temperatures around 1-5°C (33-41°F). Occasionally, the temperature can drop below 0°C (32°F) at night.
• Agra gets most of its rainfall from the monsoon between July and September. During this season, there are heavy downpours and occasional floods. June-October sees about 75-80% of the annual humidity is high in the monsoon season and can go up to 80-90% in July-August. Winters see low humidity around 30-40%.
• Agra has a semi-arid climate with little water availability. The annual rainfall is around 670 mm (26 inches) which is scarce. There are frequent droughts in the region.
• Agra experiences thunderstorms, dust storms and hailstorms at times, though rarely.
• The city is very hot in summer and quite cold in winter. The weather remains pleasant from October to February.
• Fog occurs in the winters, reducing visibility. Pollution also rises in the winters due to crop burning in the neighboring areas.
