Agra - Experience Mughal Style

By Author: Rashmiranjan Patil
Total Articles: 261
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The city of Agra is renowned world over for the exquisite Taj Mahal that is said to be a symbol of eternal love. This ancient city finds mention in the Hindu mythological epic Mahabharata where it is referred to as Agraban.

Agra owes its popularity to the numerous Mughal architectural marvels that dot the city. Mughals being patrons of art and architecture gave Agra its identity with the beautiful monuments such as the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Jama Masjid, Mariam-uz-Zamani Palace, Buland Darwaza, Tomb of Salim Chisti and Panch Mahal and the Sikandra. Apart from these, Agra is also famous for the many beautiful Mughal gardens that adorn this city such as Mehtab Bagh, Ram Bagh, Soami Bagh, Shah Jahan Park and Dayal Bagh.

Taj Mahal, the elegy in memory of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's wife Mumtaz Mahal is an epitome of love. Considered the seventh wonder of the world, this mausoleum made of beautiful white marble is best viewed on a moonlit night.

Fatehpur Sikri houses many prominent monuments inside it such as the famous mosque Jama Masjid, Mariam-uz-Zamani's Palace, Buland Darwaza, Tomb of Salim ...
... Chisti and Panch Mahal. Few other popular monuments in Agra are the Chini Ka Rauza, Soami Bagh Samadh and Tomb of Akbar the Great.

Another prominent attraction here is the Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses Anguri Bagh gardens, Diwan-e-Khas, Jahangir's Palace, Ladies' Bazaar, Moti Masjid, Nagina Masjid and Shish Mahal inside its premises. Itmad-Ud-Daulah is another Mughal mausoleum in the city, often called 'Jewel Box' and more famously known as Baby Taj.

Agra is a prominent tourist destination that offers many sightseeing attractions and also a range of accommodations to suit everyone's tastes and needs. Agra Hotels are most popular and famous for their luxury accommodations such as Oberoi Amarvilas, Trident, ITC Mughal, Radisson Hotel, Jaypee Palace Hotel and Convention Centre, The Gateway Hotel, Clarks Shiraz and Hotel Marina. Elegantly designed interiors with a wide variety of services on offer such as swimming pool, luxury spa, in room television, bathroom with hot shower and toiletries and restaurants offering many different types of cuisines are some of the standard offering of all these hotels.

Among the budget Agra hotels in the city, Amar Yatri Niwas, Hotel Ranjit, Hotel Taj Heritage, Hotel Apollo, Chandra Pushp Palace, Hotel Chanakya, Hotel Raj Bed and Breakfast, The Karawan Grand Casa are some of the popular hotels in this range. Agra Hotels also cater to the mid-range budget tourists looking for good facilities at reasonable rates such as Grand Hotel, Hotel Regency, Hotel Crystal Inn, Hotel Atithi, Hotel Royale Residency, Hotel Amar and Hotel Ganga Ratan that combine comfort and elegance with economy.