Top 20 Things to Do and Places To Visit in Agra in Golden Triangle Tour

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Top 20 Things to Do and Places To Visit in Agra
in Golden Triangle Tour
Home to the epitome of love, Taj Mahal Agra packs
in a host of options for tourists to experience
the culture and history of Mughals. This
semi-urban city serves a perfect contrast to the
highly crowded and urban life of Delhi as one
also gets a slice of village life away from the
crowds while in
Agra. Situated at a distance of 217 km from
Delhi, the city forms a part of the Golden
Triangle Circuit along with Delhi and Jaipur.
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TOP THINGS TO DO IN AGRA
While Taj Mahal remains the most visited site in
Agra, the city is proud of its other eminent
attractions that deserve every bit of the
attention of travelers who want to explore
the history of India. If you feel too confused to
think about which other places to travel to or
things you should not miss in your Golden
Triangle Tour to Agra, take a look at our list of
things to do and places to visit in Agra.
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1. Photography at Taj Mahal
Revered as the most beautiful monument built by
Mughals, Taj Mahal is the most important part
of Golden Triangle Tours India and a scenic spot
for taking picture-perfect snapshots. The
exquisite architecture of the monument coupled
with intricate patterns and paintings decorating
its
interiors are worth every shot you take here.
However, its better to take all the permissions
required to capture the interiors of this
heritage building to avoid last minute
interruptions. For best snapshots, you have to
reach the spot early in the morning when it is
still dark so you are able to capture the
monument under the rays of rising sun from
different angles. Taking pictures on a clear
sunny day is recommended as the white marble
monument looks most beautiful against a clear
blue sky.
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2. Taj Nature Walk
A walk through Taj Nature Park located just 500
meters away from Taj Mahals eastern gate, on the
banks of river Yamuna is the best way to gather a
birds eye view of the monument and the flora and
fauna surrounding the palace. The park houses
many varieties of butterflies, birds, mammals and
reptiles which
let you have a close view of the wildlife
abounding in the region. Besides being a good
place to relax and rejuvenate amidst the
greenery, the park has several mounds and
platforms which let you capture some of the
most amazing views of the Taj.
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3. Shopping at Kinari Bazar
During Golden Triangle Tour Agra you can shopping
at Kinari Bazar is an another activity that
indulge in to spend your afternoons in Agra. The
narrow streets of this popular bridal market make
it easy to hop from one shop to another to find
best quality products at most reasonable prices.
Here, you can buy traditional bridal jewelry,
clothes and art objects. You can also try the
sumptuous street food at various food joints
located inside the market.
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4. Bird Watching In Chambal Sanctuary
Chambal Sanctuary, located an hours drive away
from Taj Mahal, is known for the great variety of
birds especially migratory birds found in this
region. To best explore the flora and fauna of
Chambal forest, you can take river safaris on
Chambal River which will give you a close-up view
of the animals and birds residing within the
sanctuary. Some of the birds you will spot in
this nature park are cranes, blue rock pigeons,
spoon hills and partridges.
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5. Attending Marble Inlay Workshop
The most beguiling character in the architecture
of Taj Mahal that gives it the recognition of
being the most beautiful monument is the marble
inlay work. This art form enlists inlaying of
gemstones within marble to form different patterns
and is used extensively on the interior walls of
Taj Mahal. To better understand the history of
the craft, attending a marble inlay workshop
at Kalakriti Cultural Convention Centre in
Agra is an amazing part of Agra city tour and
must for anyone who wants to unravel the mystery
behind the intricate motifs which attract so much
attention. In the workshop, you will get a chance
to watch the craftsmen making marble wares like
table tops, figurines, boxes, and other items.
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6. Mohabbat-The-Taj Drama Show
An evening spent watching Mohabbat-The-Taj
show at Kalakriti Cultural Centre, lets you
witness the epic tale of love between Shahjahan
and Mumtaz Mahal in an entertaining way. The show
is put together in a series of drama and dance
acts performed
by talented artists. Apart from the saga of love
depicted in the drama, the show also gives a peek
into the lavish lifestyle of Mughal rulers. The
dance performances are another interesting
feature that arrests your attention.
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7. Taj Mahotsav
A celebration of art, craft, culture and food of
the Mughals, Taj Mahotsav held in the month of
February in Shilpgram give you a chance to soak
in the luxury enjoyed by Mughals. Being a part of
this festival is the best way to complete
your Taj Mahal Tour experience. The festival is
organized
by the tourism department of India to promote the
work of artisans and craftsmen from different
parts of India. The most striking part of the
festival is the procession of bejeweled camels
and elephants accompanied by folk dancers and
musicians. The ten-day festival showcases Indian
handicrafts and food in various exhibitions and
stalls.
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8. Heritage Walk in Kachhpura Village
Kachhpura village in Agra is a major tourist
attraction that gives a peek into the rural life.
The heritage village is designed to offer the
best village experience to the tourists. One can
visit numerous lesser-known monuments built by
Mughals. The tourists are welcomed by a special
ceremony which
enlists greeting the tourists with a special
prayer and garlands. A street play enacted by the
village youth gives an insight into the Mughal
era. Apart from the amazing hospitality of the
locals, the outstanding views of the Taj Mahal
you get from this village is another thing that
will capture your heart.
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9. Visit Korai Tribal Villages
One thing that you should never miss on your trip
to Agra is the Korai Tribal Villagelocated on the
highway from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri. The village
is home to Kalandhar tribe whose main occupation
was bear charming some time ago. The activity is
now banned and replaced by other jobs in the
tourism industry to sustain the tribe. A guide
will accompany you during your visit to Korai
village to help you witness the simple life of
these tribal folks. Watching local people
commence their daily activities in their handmade
huts lets you forget about everything else for a
moment and helps develop a new perspective on
life.
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10. Savouring Mughlai Cuisine
The rich Mughal history of Agra has made it
the best destination in India to sample Mughlai
cuisine. The city has many hotels and restaurants
serving traditional Mughlai dishes.
Be it biryanis, kormas, parathas, pethas,
jalebis, and other dishes loaded with a generous
sprinkling of dry fruits, you will get it all
here. The city is famous for its street food also
and your visit to the different street markets
wont be complete without tasting aloo tikkis,
gol gappas and chaats of Agra.
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PLACES TO VISIT IN AGRA 1. Taj Mahal
This seventh wonder of the world and a UNESCO
World Heritage site is unquestionably the best
tourist place to visit in Agra. The white marble
monument with delicate artwork and marble inlay
motifs attracts lots of visitors from around the
globe. The magnificence showcased in the
Indo- Persian architecture of this heritage
building has fetched it the title of the most
beautiful monument in the world. A visit to the
Taj Museum is recommended to gain an insight into
the history of this monument.
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2. Agra Fort
This sixteenth-century monument made entirely
from red sandstone stands tall on the banks of
Yamuna River. Built by Akbar as a military
establishment, the monument was later transformed
into a grand palace by making some additions
inside the fort like Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am,
mosques,
audience halls, and some more palaces. Lying at a
close distance from the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort is
the second most famous site in Agrathat stuns
every visitor with its magnificent architecture.
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3. Akbars Tomb
Third on the list is Akbars Tomb, the resting
place of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The tomb is
located on Mathura National highway, 14 km away
from Taj Mahal. Surrounded by lush Mughal
gardens, this architectural masterpiece built in
sixteenth-century is made from red sandstone and
white marble which gives it a
regal look. Jaali patterns, stucco paintings,
marble inlay work and minarets placed at the
corners work to add a royal brilliance to the
monument.
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4. Jama Masjid
Also known as Friday Mosque, Jama Masjid is
the largest mosque in India. This red sandstone
monument was built by Shahjahan for his daughter
Jahan-ara-begum. The mosque contains a tomb of
Salim Chishti. Every Friday, prayers are held in
the mosque. There are a beautiful courtyard and a
fountain within the masjid. The use of
multi-colored marble throughout the monument is
what sets this mosque apart from other
eminent monuments in Agra.
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5. Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is an ancient city lying on
the western part of Agra and was also the capital
of Agra in earlier ages. Today, this fort city is
a popular nearby Taj Mahal tourist attraction.
The city is named after Sikri village that used
to exist in the spot in ancient times. Built by
Akbar, the building was left
abandoned by the emperor as the place suffered
drought-like conditions. After years of
renovations and repair work, the building was
transformed into an ancient fort complex with
numerous palaces, mosques, and gates built in
Indian and Muslim style architecture.
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6. Itimad-Ud-Daulahs Tomb
This Tomb carries an elegant feel with its
impressive architecture and marble inlay work.
Referred to as a jewel box, the architecture of
this tomb closely resembles the Taj Mahal and for
this reason, this tomb is regarded as a miniature
version of Taj Mahal. The construction of this
building was
commissioned by Nur Jahan and it is believed that
the architecture of Taj Mahal is inspired by this
Tomb. The monument, however, has not yet been
able to garner the attention it deserves which
makes it the best option to escape the crowds you
see in other places in Agra.
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7. Moti Masjid
Moti Masjid in Agra is another highly recommended
spot that carries an unmistakable charm.
Constructed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the
mosque is an architectural wonder in the true
sense. The most exquisite feature of this
building is its white marble domes supported by
red sandstone walls.
The monument is also known as Pearl Mosque, as it
shines like a pearl when viewed from a distance.
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8. Jodha Bais Palace
Jodha Bais palace is located within Fatehpur
Sikri fort complex. The building was constructed
by Emperor Akbar for Queen Jodha Bai and is a
fine blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture
which is rarely found in other monuments built by
Mughals. Made from red sandstone, the monument
has several motifs and
intricate patterns that decorate the walls and
the ceilings to give it a regal look. The
turquoise detailing done on the ceiling receives
most of the attention.
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9. Mehtab Bagh
Popularly known as the garden of the moonlight,
Mehtab Bagh is a prominent attraction lying close
to Taj Mahal. The garden is designed in charbagh
style with lots of greenery to offer a relaxing
experience to the tourists. The garden has a
Persian design with symmetrically planted
garden and walkways. There are fountains and
pavilions all around which add a soothing effect
to its surroundings. After the visit the Taj
Mahal you will feel about the width of this
garden is same as that of the Taj Mahal which
makes it the perfect spot to capture
picture-perfect shots of the historic building.
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10. Anguri Bagh
Located within Agra Fort complex, Anguri Bagh is
an interesting place to calm you amidst the
serenity of its symmetrically planted grape
garden. Built by Shahjahan, the garden used to be
a leisure place for the royal women. The garden
also has several hammams, which were the
traditional bathhouses used by the women in the
Mughal era to ensure privacy. Since this place is
not open for tourists one can still manage to
view this place from the buildings surrounding
the garden.
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