TAJ MAHAL : The Taj Mahal is unquestionably one of Agra's most popular attractions. It is not only famous in India, but it is also a world-famous monument. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his dead wife Mumtaz, and it symbolises the emperor's deep love for her and the sadness he felt when she died. The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most admired Mughal masterpieces. It is nothing short of poetry crafted in marble. The Taj Mahal was designed by Ustad Ahmed Lahauri and is influenced by Indian, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles. The Taj Mahal took 21 years to build (from 1632 to 1652) with over 20,000 workers working night and day. The Taj Mahal, described by legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore as a teardrop on the face of eternity, never fails to impress tourists. Take a leisurely stroll through the grounds or simply sit and admire the grounds' beautiful, reflective pools and exquisite gardens. Visit the Taj Mahal early in the morning when it's quieter and less crowded, or on a full moon night when the white marble glows against the dark, night sky to fully appreciate its ethereal beauty.
AGRA FORT : This huge red sandstone fort, which spans 94 acres and is located 2 kilometres northwest of the Taj Mahal, runs parallel to the Yamuna River. The Agra Fort was first occupied by Sikarwar Rajputs before being captured by Delhi's Lodi rulers. The fort was taken over by Emperor Babur in 1526, after the Lodis were defeated in the Battle of Panipat. The fort was briefly lost to the Suri rulers before being recovered by Akbar, who made Agra his capital. The dilapidated fort was extensively renovated by Akbar using red sandstone, which took over 4,000 workers eight years to complete. The Delhi Gate and the Lahore Gate are the most striking of Agra Fort's majestic gates. The Elephant Gate, which is located between two red sandstone towers, is another magnificent gate. Despite their magnificence, only the Amar Singh Gate is presently open to visitors. Visitors should be aware that there are no facilities for purchasing water or other bottled drinks inside the fort, and it is recommended that they bring water with them because exploring the fort can be a long and exhausting experience.
MEHTAB BAGH : Mehtab Bagh, a garden on the banks of the Yamuna River, was built by Emperor Babur and was the last of a series of 11 such gardens built along the river's east bank. The Taj's gardens are perfectly aligned with Mehtab Bagh, making it the best place to view the Taj from. The Chahar Bagh Padshshi and Second Chahar Bagh Padshahi are two other gardens to the west of Mehtab Bagh. Only one of the four sandstone towers that once marked the corners of Mehtab Bagh remains today, on the south east edge. The gardens also have a large pond on the outskirts that resembles the Taj Mahal. A small tank is located in the centre of the garden, in addition to water channels that enhance the beauty of the natural scenery. Enjoy the wide walkways, breezy canopies, lovely pools, fountains, and fruit trees at Mehtab Bagh. The views of the Taj Mahal that one can get from Mehtab Bagh make for a great photo opportunity for shutterbugs.
MARIAM'S TOMB : Mariam's Tomb, a kilometre north of Sikandra (an Agra suburb), is the final resting place of Marium-uz-Zamani Begum, Akbar's wife and Jahangir's mother. Mariam's Tomb is a massive sandstone structure with intricate carvings covering its outer walls, despite being largely simple. Unlike other Mughal monuments, the tomb is devoid of domes, with large chhatris adorning the building's corners instead. The tomb's architecture is a distinctive blend of Islamic and Hindu styles that were prevalent during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir. The tomb's interiors are divided by a grid of crisscrossing corridors, and Mariam's grave is located in a vault beneath the tomb's surface, as is the case with most Mughal tombs.
SUR SAROVAR BIRD SANCTUARY : Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is situated on the Delhi-Agra Highway, 20 kilometres from Agra (NH2). The sanctuary, which covers 7.97 square kilometres, was designated as a National Bird Sanctuary in 1991. It is a wonderful place for a relaxing outing with your loved ones because it is home to the stunning man-made Keetham Lake. Sur Sarovar attracts more than 106 species of migratory birds each year. Furthermore, it is home to a variety of birds, including the little gerb, cattle egret, purple heron, darter, common teal, and pintail. The Sur Sarovar Lake is a great place to take the kids for a picnic.
