Agra Trip.docx

HOW TO MAKE YOUR ONE DAY TRIP TO AGRA SUCCESSFUL? Summer vacations or long weekends make the travel bug in all of us to go out and see new cities, hike and make a small tent at a campsite, have a little picnic with all our friends or just escape the city rush. Now there is a certain charm in leaving all the hustle-bustle behind and going to quaint place; but what if you could just experience a whole another city? That would be fun and if you visit the city this article talks about it will be easy, as well. I am talking less fancy, more cultural – I plan to take you to Agra. How about you give this article a read and then decide? I will help you pick the places to visit in Agra in one day. For all those making plans for weekends or a small trip, if you live somewhere near Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Bareilly, Meerut or the National Capital Region then Agra is the closest place where you can see a lot of Mughal architecture without missing out on the fun.

Why is Agra Historically Important? Agra is a small city that is situated right on the banks of the river Yamuna and just about 206 kilometers from the national capital, Delhi and 378 kilometers from the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow. It is one of the most visited places in India, mainly due to the various Mughal-era buildings and landmarks that have been carefully preserved by the state government. Agra is a part of the Golden Triangle, Braj cultural region and the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc. The history of the city dates all the way back to the famous epic, Mahabharata. And then was the assault on the city by the Mahmud of Ghazni. Later, Sikander Lodi moved the capital from Delhi to Agra. During the rule of the Lodi’s, several mosques, palaces and wells were constructed. Soon after, the battle of Panipat took place and the city was then ruled by the Afghans and then the Mughals. It was the capital of the Mughal emperors for almost over 150 years. It was during the Mughal era that a lot of the famous monuments, parks and palaces were built like the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Mumtaz Mahal and many others. After the reign of Akbar, the city flourished owing to the contributions made by the Radhaswami Faith. Many of these monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The places to visit in Agra in one day are numerous, so you can easily pick and choose or get up early and see them all! How to Reach Agra? The city is well-connected by all modes of transport – you can reach there by rail, roads and even flights. If your plan is to see all the places to visit in Agra in one day, then I would suggest that you drive to the city, if possible.

Railways – the rail network to Agra is highly extensive, connecting it to all the major cities with multiple trains running on the same routes. You can easily get an over-night train for longer journeys or take an early morning train if you stay in or around Lucknow, the National Capital Region or Meerut. Road – if you drive down to Agra, you will realize that the road trip just adds a little charm to your entire trip. Also, it is easier on a pocket if you are a group travelling in a car. You can easily get on the Yamuna expressway from the nearby cities like Lucknow, Delhi, Meerut, Kanpur or just about any city in Uttar Pradesh or the National Capital region. Another option would be to hire a cab from Ola or Uber and just have yourself driven to the city. It would be wiser to opt for a driven cab if you plan to drink or have some harmless fun over the weekend. Flights – now, this gets a little tricky. Most of the flights to Agra go via New Delhi. Also, there are not a lot of flights that go to Agra, so if you plan to fly to your vacation destination then you should book well in advance. Buses – another easy way to reach Agra without breaking the budget would be taking a Volvo or any bus that suits your needs and timing. But whatever mode of transport you choose, remember that it would be better to reach the place before sunset in order to avoid getting lost in the lanes or being tricked by local cab drivers or rickshaw pullers or the auto drivers.

Best Time to Visit Agra As a personal suggestion, I would say that the best time to visit Agra is between the months October to April. In the summer months, the city becomes really hot. However, if you really do visit in the months of summer, you should be ready to plan your day out according to the sun. To conveniently cover all the places to visit in Agra in one day between May and September, here are some tips you must know – 1. Always carry a water bottle for yourself. You may add some lime or cucumber slices to it for a little flavor. 2. Make sure you slather up some sunscreen before you head out in the sun. 3. You can always stop by the local vendors selling sliced cucumbers and have a snack as you are sight-seeing. 4. Always wear loose fitting clothes. 5. Remember to wear shoes; it would be unfair to your health to be walking around in anything but flat shoes. 6. If you are on a quick trip, look for local auto-drivers or rickshaw-pullers as they know all the small lanes and by-lanes.

Places to See When Visiting Agra These are all the famous places to visit in Agra in one day but, if you feel swamped you can pick and choose as per your interest. 1. Taj Mahal – it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan for his beloved wife after she died. The body of the queen lies in a tomb inside the Taj. A myth runs about this place that after the monument was built, the workers were blinded. Some also believe that they were not blinded but their arms were cut off. This was done because the Emperor did not want any other monument to be as beautiful as the Taj Mahal. The designs are a mix of Persian and Mughal architecture. It is completely made of marble and is a huge complex. The exterior is adorned with very intricate designs and gardens, fountains and a river which flows right behind the Taj. 2. Agra fort – it is built right next to the garden of the Taj Mahal on the banks of the river Yamuna. The walls have the fort surrounded for up to 2 kilometers. Inside the fort are the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Palace. This fort is an ode to the rich culture and legacy of the Mughal era. It was built by Akbar and houses two mosques and several other attractions. 3. Jama masjid – it was another great monument built by Shah Jahan, originally named as Masjid Jahan Numa. It took around 6 years to make this mosque and several stones and valuable affixed in the mosque were gifted by the nobles. 4. Fatehpur Sikri – this place is not situated in Agra but nearby. It was built by Akbar as his capital and remained so for many years. The design and the layout of the city were all planned by the Mughal Emperor himself, right from the gardens to the moques and even the market areas. 5. Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb – the mausoleum is well known for the architectural beauty that it is. It has been built using only red sandstone. It is also known as Baby Taj by the locals because the interiors are very similar to the interiors of the Taj Mahal. In this complex as well you will find several beautiful gardens, fountains, walkways, etc. Many of the Mughal royals have been buried here. 6. Akbar’s Tomb – this tomb is situated in over 119 acres of land, the construction was started by Akbar himself. As per the old texts, it was a custom back then to construct your own tomb and the construction was completed by his son, Jahangir. It is in the shape of a pyramid and is very close to Mariam’s tomb. 7. Moti Masjid – also known as the Pearl Mosque, the monument was built by Shah Jahan. When the sun shines bright, the mosque shines like a pearl, thus, enjoying the name. The mosque has a very big prayer chamber and several smaller chambers made to carry out religious activites. 8. Sikander fort – this fort is again a timeless beauty made of red sandstone, depth and great intricacy of designs. It is enclosed in high walls surrounded by gardens and

fountains. You will enjoy taking a wall in the garden as you see beautiful flowers and various waterways flowing through. 9. Jodha Bai Ka Rauza – this was the palace where Jodha Bai, also Akbar’s favourite queen resided. It is very close to the Jahangir Mahal and is a very simple but elegant building. The designs are inspired by the Rajasthani and Gujarati architecture of the yester years. The ceiling is triangular in shape and very carefully designed. The designs which showcase Hindu culture depict how people were very tolerant of each other’s culture and religion. 10. Wildlife – you can visit the Wildlife SOS to see the wildlife around Agra and also make some donations towards a better and well balanced eco-system. It is managed by an agency which looks after the interests of the wild animals. Places to Have Your Meals At If you really love to eat local food, you must try the little shacks and stalls. They serve the best food, authentic and less complicated. However, you might not find the food here very hygienic. If you are looking for a fine dine, or a nice meal after a long day of sight-seeing, these are a few places you can try – 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Peshawri Taj Bano by ITC MoMo Café Green Park Hangout Pinch of Spice Bon Barbecue restaurant Joney’s Place Belleveu

You must try the local jalebis and pethas. If you miss out on the sweet shops, you really have not done the Agra trip properly. Also, carry some packet back home for your relatives. While you are covering the places to visit in Agra in one day, then do not miss out on the local mithai shops and restaurants like Peshwari, Belleveu and Pinch of Spice. Places to Shop in Agra After seeing the places to visit Agra in one day that you had decided upon, these are the markets you can easily see and shop from – 1. Sadar Bazaar – this is where you can find good leather products at reasonable prices. 2. Subhash Bazaar – this is the place that has the biggest market for silk sarees, suit lengths and other cloth pieces. 3. Kinari Bazaar – for hand crafted pieces made of marble, glassware or rugs and textiles; visit this place for sure!

4. Shoe market – the biggest and the largest market that sells all kinds of shoes – local as well as branded and even export rejects. You must visit this place and trust me, you will not come out without a pair.

How to Make the Most in One Day in Agra Morning tour (9am to 11am) – your main attraction, Taj Mahal is what you should be visiting first. It requires a lot of walking and being in the sun. If you are in Agra during the summers, this will be the best time to see the wonderful, magnificent monument. Going there in the morning will also help you avoid the swarms of people that come there every day. Early noon (11am to 12pm) – the Itmad-ud-Daulah tomb which was built by the Mughal Queen for her father is much like the Taj. It has eerily similar carvings and designs on its walls. It is right on the banks of the river, and is less crowded. So this is where you can take a small stroll and enjoy the view. Afternoon (12pm to 12:30pm) – here you can fit in the Mankameshwar temple. It is one of the four ancient temples which were built in four different corners of Agra. Post this, you can sit down at one of the restaurants and enjoy a good meal before you leave for another long tour of walking, discovering and learning. Afternoon (2pm to 4pm) – this is when you can go see the local markets, shops and buy some souvenirs or anything else that catches your eye. Near Agra you will find plenty of leather factories, which is why, leather products are very cheap in Agra. At a throw away price you can buy some great boots or jackets or even bags! Evening (4pm to 5pm) – now that it is a little less sunny, you can go and see the Akbar’s tomb and experience the old Mughal architecture. Here if you get a guide, he will also give you an insight into the bygone era. Evening (5pm to 6pm) – now before you move onto anything else, you should see the Ram Bagh. It is the oldest garden in the city, built by the Mughals. This garden always has a cool breeze blowing no matter how the weather is in the city. Late Evening (6pm to 8pm) – at last, visit the Agra fort; you can go see the place in the day time as well but it looks way more beautiful at night. Also, if you go here at night you will be able to see the light and sound show which is a regular attraction for tourists. After this, you can settle down for a nice meal before you go back to your hotel or leave for another destination. This could be your itinerary for your places to visit in Agra in one day trip without much hassle.

So here is your entire day planned in the city of Agra to the very last detail. I hope you found this article helpful and if you require any other information or more assistance, we would be happy to help. Make sure you make the most of your trip and come back satisfied even if you go visit the city for just one day!