Agra

Agra city is renowned as the home of the legendary Taj Mahal mausoleum that was built to commemorate Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth in 1631. She was the wife to Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Mughals. The architecture of the Taj Mahal rises out out behind a reflecting pool in its famous courtyard. The imposing dome carved in white marble inlaid with precious stones is a site that is simple awe inspiring. The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world because of its beauty, its perfect symmetry and the fact that is was a building feat that took over twenty-two years to construct. Thousands of laborers, masons, and jewelers worked on a marble platform above a sandstone to bring this work of art to life and to now be one of the highlights of your holidays to Agra.

The Agra Fort, also known as the Agra red fort is in itself a beauty to behold. It was first used as a fort and then converted into Shah Jahan's palace. It has a stone tablet at the gate that is inlayed with marble and pietra dura. It is a show of Mughal architecture and a homage to the different North Indian style of construction.  Agra fort is a great tourist destination, which should definitely not be missed.

I'timād-Ud-Daulah is often called the ‘baby Taj’ due to its similar construction. It is also known as ‘the jewel box’ due to its many intricate jewel decorations. Baby Taj is located on the left bank of Yamuna river and was constructed by Empress Nur Jahan for her father.  It has many of the Taj Mahal’s features albeit on a smaller scale. The main chamber of this mausoleum is ornamented in pietra dura with mosaics and stones in the white marble. This main chamber also contains the tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah and his wife.

This monument stands out because of its architecture and because it is a funerary monument containing the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah, a scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. This tomb was built in 1635 and is said to be ‘usual’ because it is unusually plain with a simple sultanate style dome. The façade however is called one of the finest examples of glazed tile work from the Mughal era. This usual tomb is not to be missed on your holiday to Agra.

Holidays in Agra are easy when you know how to use the transportation system. You can access Agra via air, road or rail. Air India flies to Agra from Delhi via Varanasi on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The flights from Agra to Delhi via Khajuraho and Varanasi are on the same days as from Delhi to Agra. Flights from Mumbai to Agra and back are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Air India connects Agra to the rest of the world via Mumbai, Delhi five days a week. Agra uses the central train line between Bombay station and Delhi station and between Delhi and Madras. Many trains like Chennai Rajdhani, Bhopal Shatbdi, Bhopal Express and Taj Express connect Agra city to other Indian cities like Bombay, Delhi, calculate, Bhopal among others. Close to twenty trains operate from New Delhi and Gwalior junction daily. Agra has many railway stations. Major bus terminals in Agra are Taj depot, Idgah bus stand, Ford depot and interstate bus terminal. It has three national highways and one expressway. It's a four hour drive from Delhi to Agra. Vehicles that pollute the environment are not allowed near Taj Mahal hence need to take Tanga or Tongas buses.

The best time to take a holiday to Agra are between October and March. This is during the winter season and temperature remain mild.

Prices and tourists however will remain high in this time but the up side is you will avoid heavy rains of the monsoon season or the unbearable heat of summer.

Miserable Monsoon

The monsoons bring substantial rain that although mild in comparison to other parts of India, is enough to paint the city green and settle any dust. The monsoons kick in from around June and hang around until September.

Sizzling Summer

Agra summers are notoriously hot. They run from March till the end of June and the temperature will easily soar beyond 46 degrees Celsius. The nights will however be a bit cooler but don’t expect them to fall below 30 degrees. The temperatures and the high humidity makes Agra quite a challenge in summer.

Warm Winter

It may sound like a contradiction but it is true, the weather in winter in Agra is actually quite nice. It’s not too hot nor too cold. Winters runs between December and February. You will never experience sub-zero temperatures and you will be free to enjoy your food, the sceneries and partake in many festivals during this season. That is why during the warm winter is the best time to have an Agra holiday.