Agra - Stay In The Land Of Taj

By Author: Rashmiranjan Patil
Total Articles: 261
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Taj Mahal in Agra, situated on the banks of Yamuna River, is considered as the most visited place by the travellers in India. India is known as the land of Taj Mahal in the foreign countries. The foreign tourists consider that no trip to India is complete without a visit to this 17th century eternal monument of love. The other tourist attractions in Agra are Agra Fort and the nearby Fatehpur Sikri. In fact all the three monuments are in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This monument of white marble, built between 1631 and 1648, was the symbol of love of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan towards his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. This masterpiece of Indian Muslim architecture is considered as the most photographed monument in the world. The emperor was also buried in the Taj Mahal premises next to his most beloved wife. The Taj Mahal, considered as one of the Seven Wonders in World, is open to visitors from 6.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. except on Friday.

The other tourist attraction in Agra is the Agra Fort. Similar in layout to Red Fort in Delhi, the Agra Fort was built by Emperor Akbar during the year from ...
... 1565 to 1571. The Agra Fort is better preserved unlike the Red Fort in Delhi which was razed to the ground by the Britishers after the First War of Independence.

Fatehpur Sikri, situated about 35 km from Agra, was also built by Emperor Akbar. This 16th century monument comprises Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Other attractions in Agra are Sikandra, Itmadud Daula, Soor Sarovar, Jama Masjid, Diwan-i-Am and Buland Darwaza.

Agra is 200 km from Delhi and is one of the points of the tourist's Golden Triangle of Agra-Delhi-Jaipur. Agra is well connected by air, rail and road. The best time to visit Agra is during the winter months from September to March.

Agra has large number of hotels. Among the high-end Agra hotels are Clarks Shiraz, Orient Taj, Mansingh Palace, Grand Hotel, ITC Mughal, Howard Sarovar Portico, Utkarsh Vilas, Hotel Amar, Oberoi Amarvilas, Trident Hilton, ITC Mughal, Radisson Hotel, The Gateway Hotel, Wyndham Grand, and Hotel Marina. These high-end Agra hotels offer modern facilities like made-to order meals, laundry, a/c rooms, generator, room service and bar.

Among the medium and budget range Agra hotels are Dayal Lodge, Hotel Mandakini Villas, Laurie's Hotel, Hotel Raj, Rajmahal Hotel, Hotel Sheela, Hotel Amba Inn, Hotel Kamal, Hotel Neel Kanth, Youth Hostel, Saniya Palace, Shanti lodge, Harshit Paying Guest House, Hotel Priya, Hotel Taj Resorts, Pawan Hotel, Saniya Palace Inn, Hotel Royale Residency, Hotel Sidhartha, Amba Inn Hotel, Hotel Sakura, Apollo Hotel, Hotel Anand Villa and Basera Hotel.