Where is Agra. Sights of Agra: list, photo and description

Basic moments

In addition to the Taj Mahal, there are many other attractions in Agra. Agra was the capital of Akbar the Great. His fort is located there, his tomb is located outside the city, in Sikandra, and a few kilometers to the west is the amazing desert city of Fatehpur Sikri, which he built in honor of the birth of his son and which he left to fight on the northwestern border. The descendants of the artisans who lived here continue the traditions of their ancestors, creating jewelry, products from copper, ivory and inlaid marble.

In the lower part of the city you will encounter hordes of rickshaws, barkers, unofficial guides, and souvenir merchants, whose persistence sometimes infuriates.

Agra is located on a large bend of the sacred river Yamuna (Yamuna)... The fortress and the Taj, located 2 km from each other, look at the river from different ends of the bend. Main bus and railway station are a few kilometers further in the southwest.

Laborers and artisans who worked hard on the Taj built their homes just south of the mausoleum, creating a dense network of streets known as Taj Ganj (Taj Ganj)... Now it is popular place parking for budget travelers.

Story

The first mention of Agra in history dates back to 1501, when Sultan Sikander Lodi made this place his capital, but in 1526 the city fell into the hands of the Mughals - after Emperor Babur overthrew the last Sultan Lodi in Panipat. Agra reached its peak between the mid-16th and 17th centuries, during the reigns of Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. During this period, a fortress, Taj Mahal and other large mausoleums were built. In 1638 Shah Jahan built new town in Delhi, and his son Aurangzeb moved the capital to this city 10 years later.

In 1761, Agra was captured by the Jats, warriors who plundered the monuments of Agra, including the Taj Mahal. The Marathi reclaimed the city in 1770, but in 1803 the British came to replace them. After the first war of independence, the British transferred the provincial administration to Allahabad. Having lost its administrative role, Agra began to develop as a center of heavy industry, quickly gaining popularity for its chemical industry and air pollution. This was until the Taj and tourism became the main source of income.

Attraction tickets

The entrance fee for the five main attractions of Agra - Taj, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's Tomb and Itimad-ud-Dawla Mausoleum - consists of fees to two different organizations: Archaeological Exploration of India (ASI) and the Agra Development Association (ADA)... From the Rs 750 per ticket to the Taj Mahal, Rs 500 is you pay for a special ticket from ADA that allows you to save a bit on tickets to the other four attractions. You will save 50 rupees at Agra Fort and 10 rupees each at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's Tomb and Itimad-ud-Dawla. You can buy this ADA ticket (500 rupees) in any of the five locations. Just say you are going to visit the Taj Mahal later today.

Access to all other attractions in Agra is either free or only with ASI tickets (to places that are not included in the ADA one-day ticket price).

Children under 15 years old can see all attractions for free.

Where to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Agra

The annoying and ubiquitous barkers, merchants and rickshaws of Agra can suck your strength out of you. There are several ideas on how to get rid of their intrusive attention.

Relaxing in the garden

A walk among the dilapidated mughal gardens in Agra can be a good alternative to the bustling city streets. Visit Mehtab Bagh or Ram Bagh. In summer it is best to come here in an early cool morning. You can also sit in the shade of a lovely peaceful garden at the Sheela's restaurant, just steps from the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal.

Roof privacy

You will be practically dragged in all directions by persistent owners trying to convince you that you should choose their institution. But sitting on the rooftop of a cafe in the Taj Ganja, you will find the peace and quiet that you dreamed of, and you can enjoy the fabulous view of the Taj Mahal. We like Saniya Palace Hotel the most.

Rickshaw ride

Find a rickshaw with deep, comfortable padded seats, agree to pay Rs 100-200 for a half-day city tour, sit back and watch Agra float past you.

Near the swimming pool

If you want to disappear altogether, grab your bathing suit or swimming trunks and head to one of the expensive hotels in Agra for the whole day for a swim in the pool. Usually guests who are not staying at the hotel pay 300-500 rupees for such a pleasure.

Coffee break

For a short break, stop by Coffee Day Cafe at the east gate of the Taj Mahal. Yes, it's expensive and, yes, it's a chain cafe. But it has air conditioning and is the only place in Taj Ganj that serves good fresh coffee.

Shopping

Agra is famous for its marble products, decorated with colored stones, imitating pietra dura in the Taj. Sadar Bazar, the old town and the area around Tajj are replete with malls and shops. All of the Taj Mahal figurines are made of plaster, not marble. The cheapest ones are made of soapstone, which is easy to scratch.

Other popular purchases include carpets, leather and ornamental stones, although the latter are imported from Rajasthan. (in Jaipur they are cheaper).

Don't try to explore all of Agra in one day. It is possible (and of course better than missing it altogether) but that means you will see almost nothing but the Taj Mahal and, say, the fortress. Moreover, in this case, you will miss the opportunity to enjoy the unique beauty of the mausoleum, which changes at different times of the day.

Spending an evening in Agra means sitting in a rooftop restaurant with a couple of beers. None of the restaurants in Taj Ganja are licensed, but they can find alcohol for you if you ask politely, and even let you bring your own drinks if you don't advertise it too much. You can enjoy live Indian classical music and ghazal (Urdu love songs) in the restaurants of some of the upscale hotels in Agra. Most have bars, but they are all rather boring and soulless.

The main place in Agra to find cheaper hotels is the bustling Taj Ganj next to the Taj Mahal, to the south of it. Farther away, along Fatehabad Road, are mid-range hotels. Another area of ​​hotels is Sadar Bazar, where there are many good restaurants.

Ask the Taj Mahal Tourism office for the most up-to-date list of recommended 'home hotels', that is, private homes where you can stay. Here the quality of such housing is quite high, but often the houses are located far from the center. The price can fluctuate between 2000 - 4000 rupees per room.

When hiring a car or rickshaw for a trip to the Taj Mahal, make sure that the rickshaw knows which gate you need to drive to, and then negotiate the price. Otherwise, you will definitely be taken in a circle to the southern end of Shahjahan Gardens Road, where expensive tongs (horse-drawn carriages) or camels await tourists wishing to travel to the western gate. And they will definitely say that they realized that this is where you wanted to come. Cars cannot drive up to the Taj Mahal due to environmental law, but they can give you a lift much closer than these rickshaws.

Most of the "marble" souvenirs that are sold on the streets of Agra are actually made of alabaster or even steatite. (soapstone)... Mini Taj Mahals are always made of alabaster and are too complex to be quickly carved out of marble.

Information

Internet cafe

There are a lot of internet cafes in Taj Ganj (20-40 rupees per hour)... Many have Web-cameras installed for communication in Skyr. Some will let you use your laptop. There is a cafe where you can burn a CD with digital photos (Rs 50-100 per disc).

Tourist police

The guys in sky blue uniforms are located behind the railway station, but they are more often found at the tourist office. (2421204; railway station Agra Cantonment; round the clock).

Health care

Amit Jaggi Memorial Hospital (2230515; www.ajmh.in; Vibhav Nagar, off Minto Road) Reader Recommended Private Hospital. District hospital (District Hospital; 2466099) State local hospital on Mahatma Gandhi Road.

Money

ATM machines can be found in any part of Agra. But there is only one next to the Taj Mahal, at the eastern gate.

Moving around the city

Autoshaw

Agra's green and yellow auto-rickshaws drive compressed gas (not on gasoline), polluting the atmosphere less. Immediately at the exit from the Agra Cantonment railway station there is a prepaid autorickshaw cashier (around the clock)... You can get an idea of ​​the price here so you can bargain elsewhere later. Please note that cars are not allowed to enter Fatehpur Sikri. Examples of prices: Fatehabad Road 50 rupees; bus parking ISBT Rs 80; Sadar Bazar Sikandra 80 rupees; Taj Mahal 50 rupees; half day tour (4 hours) 200 rupees; full day tour (10 hours) 400 rupees.

Trishaw

The cost of the trip from the Taj Mahal: Agra Cantonment railway station 40-50 rupees; Agra Fort 20 rupees; bus parking Biili Ghar 30 rupees; Fatehabad Road 20 rupees; Kinari Bazaar 30 rupees; Sadar Bazar 30 rupees; half day tour 150-200 rupees.

Taxi

There is a prepaid taxi stand near the Agra Cantonment railway station (around the clock)... Here you can get an idea of ​​the cost of a taxi ride. Prices: Delhi 2500; Fatehabad Road 150 rupees; Sadar Bazar 70 rupees; Taj Mahal 150 rupees; half day tour (4 hours) 450 rupees; full day (8 ocloc'k) 650 rupees.

How to get there and leave

By plane

Kingfisher airlines (2400693; www.flykingfisher.com; airport; 10: 00-17: 00) operates one flight to Delhi per day (from 2000 rupees, 1 hour, 15:00)... Kneria Airport in Agra is the territory of the Indian Air Force, so you will not be able to enter it if your name is not on the list of those who booked your flight that day. You must book your ticket online or by phone.

Bus

There are buses departing from the Idgah bus stop:

• Delhi - unconditioned / unconditioned Rs 149/226, 5 hours, often, 24 hours (unconditioned)/6:00-18:00 (with air conditioning)
• Fatehpur Sikri - 21 rupees, 1 hour, every half hour, 6: 00-17: 00
• Gwalior - 82 rupees, 3 hours, often, 5: 00-1: 00
• Jaipur - 159 rupees, 6 hours, often, 6: 00-1: 00
• Jhansi - 141 rupees, 6 hours, 4 per day: 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 and 11:30

Buses from ISBT station go to Dera Dun (sitting / sleeping car Rs 512/574, 11 hours, at 20:00 and 20:30, both with air conditioning).

Biili Ghar Bus Station (Biili Ghar): buses leave for Mathura (42 rupees, 1.5 hours, every half hour, 6: 00-19: 00).

Autoshares for groups of passengers (10 rupees) travel between Idgah and Biili Ghar bus stations. To get to the ISBT parking lot, look at the Agra Cantonment train station for the bus to Dayalbagh (Dayalbagh; Rs 20) but ask to be dropped off at Baghvan Talkyes (Baghwan Talkies; 15 rupees), and from there a car for groups of passengers (5 rupees) will take you to ISBT.

A train

Train is the fastest way to travel to Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur and Khajuraho. Most trains depart from Agra Cantonment railway station (2421204) but some go from the Agra fort station.

Express train services are specially tailored for daytime tourists traveling to or from Delhi, while regular trains run to Delhi all day long. If you can't book a seat, just buy a "general ticket" for the next train (about 60 rupees), find an empty seat in the sleeping car and change your ticket when the controller arrives. In most cases, he will not even ask you to pay extra.

To reach Orchhi, take one of the many trains that run daily to Jhansi (Jhansi; sleeper Rs 150, 3 hours) then head to bus parking on a joint auto-rickshaw (5 rupees) and there change into one of the cars going to Orchha (10 rupees).

In an epic poem by the English writer John Milton Lost heaven describes the life of Adam. After the fall main character saw the great city of the Mughals Agra, which seemed to him one of the miracles of God's creation. This opinion was hardly an exaggeration: in the 17th century the city was larger than Constantinople, and London and Paris seemed dwarfs compared to the large population of Agra. A series of opulent palaces and “sweet-flowered scented gardens” sprawl on both banks of the Yamuna River. The chronicler of the Mughal emperor Abdul Aziz describes the city as "a miracle of the era, a center for trade by land and water, a meeting place for saints, sages and scientists from all over Asia ... a true guiding star for artists, writers and believers."

Agra: general information

With a population of 1 million 686 thousand (2010), Agra is the 19th most populous city in India. It became known as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1526 to 1658 and remains large today. tourist center thanks to the large number of beautiful surviving Mughal buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Fort Agra and Fatehpur Sikri, all three are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The golden age of the city began during the reign of the Mughals. Originally Agra was named Akbarabad. Since Akbarabad became the capital of India during the reign of the Mughals, construction was actively underway here. Akbarabad achieved the greatest prosperity during the reign of Akbar the Great (1556-1605), who built the Agra Fort here, making the city a center of science, art, trade and religion.

Shah Jahan, who immortalized his name with the construction of the Taj Mahal, became the culprit for the decline of Akbarabad, deciding to move the capital to Shahjahanabad, now known as Old Delhi. Although Aurangzeb ordered the return of the capital, the city continued to be the capital of the empire for only a few years, and then gradually fell into decay along with the Mughal Empire. Captured by the Marathas, it was renamed Agra.

Today, Agra is the center of the heavy and chemical industry in India, which has given rise to serious ecological problems cities. Along with Delhi and Jaipur, Agra is the third city in the "Golden Triangle" - the most popular tourist route in India. Tourism makes up a significant share of the city's economy.

Agra is a huge, spread over a vast territory and heavily polluted industrial city... Few city visitors will say Nice words about this large metropolis in India. For many, it represents the best and worst sides of India. A visit to it will be a difficult test even for the most experienced travelers. Corruption and neglect of basic needs have already worsened Agra's infrastructure: dirty water and open sewers, power outages and air pollution can be shocking. Smog and garbage are common here, crowds of merchants and rickshaw owners (a rickshaw is a two-wheeled cart pulled by a man by the shafts) pester tourists near every monument, mosque, temple or palace. In addition, tourists have to deal with large crowds near the main attractions, absurdly high fees for visits. The perseverance of street vendors, some individuals striving to become a guide and make money on visitors, has no boundaries.

Despite these shortcomings, the magnificent sights of Agra are well worth a trip here, and a trip to India cannot be considered complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal.
Agra is located on the main rail routes between Delhi - Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and Delhi - Chennai. Located just 200 km south of Delhi, it is easy to take a day trip to and from Delhi. The train leaves Delhi early in the morning and breakfast is served on the train (included in the fare). About 20 trains from Delhi transit Agra every day. Both cities are notorious for their heavy fog in winter, which reduces visibility to nearly zero. If you are traveling in late December or early January (fog season), trains arrive late due to limited visibility.

The sights of Agra cannot be seen in a day, the Taj Mahal alone deserves much more - a fleeting visit will not provide an opportunity to enjoy the diversity of its views (it changes color during sunrise or sunset), and if you have time, be sure to take an excursion and visit Fatehpur Sikri and the Red Fort, which takes a few more days.

Attractions in Agra

Taj Mahal

One of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, is located in Agra. It is the most famous and durable structure of the Mughal Empire. Designed by a group of architects, the Taj Mahal is arguably the most impressive architectural masterpiece of the past 400 years. The mausoleum was built of white marble in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, one of the most beloved wives of Shah Jahan. According to the chronicler Qazvini, "the closeness, deep affection, attention that His Majesty had for Mumtaz exceeded a thousand times what he felt for anyone else."

Mourning the loss of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, spent 22 years of his reign building the world's largest monument of love, the Taj Mahal, in the city of Agra. Almost four centuries later, this legacy of Persian architecture continues to inspire contemporaries' admiration - so much so that the monument was included in the list of the new Seven Wonders of the World according to an international poll.

Fort Agra

At a distance of several kilometers from the Taj Mahal, there is another famous monument cities. Fort Agra (sometimes called the Red Fort), was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great in 1565, is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its unattractive exterior hides the complex's inner beauty. The most famous buildings of the Fort include the Pearl Mosque, Public and Private Meeting Rooms, Jahangir Palace, Khas Mahal, Shish Mahal ( mirror palace), and the Tower of Musamman Burj.

The total length of the perimeter walls is 2.4 km, with double jagged ramparts of red sandstone on top alternating with bastions. A moat 9 meters wide and 10 meters deep surrounds the outer walls.
Fort Agra is one of the most important fortresses in India. During the reign of Akbar, the Fort was mainly used for military purposes, during the period of Emperor Shah Jahan it served as the court of the emperor. Some interesting and fun facts:

Agra Fort won the 2004 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. In honor of this event, a postage stamp was issued in India.
Fort plays a key role in the Sherlock Holmes detective series Sign of the Four. The writer Arthur Conan Doyle describes the Fort as follows: “We took refuge in the old Agra fortress. I don’t know, gentlemen, if any of you have heard of it. This is a very strange structure. I've seen it in my time. "
The fort became the site of a fierce battle during the Indian uprising of 1857. The defeat of the rebellion marked the end of the British East India Company’s rule in India, and a period of direct rule by Great Britain began.
In the second add-on for the video game Age of Empires 3, Asian Dynasties, the Fort is presented as one of the five wonders of Indian civilization.
The Mughal emperors Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived and ruled the empire from here.
Fort Agra housed the state treasury and the mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travelers and high dignitaries, who left their mark on the history of India.
The fort can be more accurately described as a luxurious walled city, which, in fact, grief, and can be seen in the photographs.
The fort combines elements of Hindu and Islamic architecture. Islamic jewelry here depicts forbidden images of living creatures - dragons, elephants and birds, instead of the usual patterns and inscriptions typical for Islamic jewelry.

Fatehpur Sikri

The Mughal emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km from Agra and moved his capital there. It was the first designed Mughal city and also the first city built in the Mughal style (a fusion of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture). It served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. The city was abandoned just 14 years after construction began. It is believed that the reason for this was the water supply, or rather the impossibility of providing the growing population of the city with water. Today, the Fatehpur Sikri complex of buildings is a popular tourist attraction of Agra, since 1986 it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Major memos with significant historical meaning: Buland Darwaza (High or Great Gate), Jama Masjid Mosque, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Palace Panch Mahal. Fatehpur Sikri city with a population of about 30,000 is located near the historical part.

Mausoleum of Itmad ud Daula

Located in the city of Agra, the Itmad ud Daula mausoleum (sometimes called "Child of Taj") was built by Empress Nur Jahan for her father Jahangir. The mausoleum is set in a large garden, crossed by canals and footpaths. At the corners, six-sided towers with a height of about thirteen meters rush up. The mausoleum is small compared to many other tombs of the Mughal era.
White marble walls are inlaid with semiprecious carnelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx and topaz in the form of cypress trees and wine bottles, or more intricate decorations such as cut fruit or vases with bouquets. Light enters the interior through fine, patterned holes in the white marble.

Many of Nur Jahan's relatives are buried in the mausoleum. The only asymmetric element of the whole complex is the tombs of the father and mother, installed next to each other, following the example of Tajd Mahal.
Along with the main building, the complex consists of numerous outbuildings and gardens. The tomb, built between 1622 and 1628, exemplifies the transition from the first phase of monumental Mughal architecture - mainly built of red sandstone with marble decorations, like the tombs of Humayun in Delhi and Akbar in Sikandra - to its second phase, based on white marble, most elegantly implemented in the Taj Mahal.

Tomb of Akbar the Great

The tomb of Akbar the Great is a famous masterpiece of Mughal architecture, located at a distance of 8 km from the center of Agra. The third ruler of the Mughal Empire, Akbar the Great (1542 - 1605), himself began its construction around 1600, in accordance with the tradition of Tartary (Tartaria is a term used in Western European literature to designate territories that were once part of the Golden Horde) to begin the construction of its own tombs during his lifetime. After his death, Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction in 1613.

There are a number of other interesting historical sights in the city of Agra, but the most important ones have already been described in this article.

The city of Agra is the greatest city in India with many beautiful historical monuments... The city is a unique gem of India. At the time of the Mughals, Agra was the capital of India, its greatness has not faded to this day. , in Rajasthan and the city of Agra form "" - the most popular tourist route India. And Agra is the apex of this triangle. Tourism accounts for a significant share of the Agra economy.

Geographical position of the city of Agra.

The city is located in the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the river - Yamuna (Jamna), a tributary of the Ganges River. The river divides the city in half. The population of the city is 1,334,900 inhabitants (according to the data of 2004). One of the most most interesting places in India - the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. It is also called the "Dead City". Also near the city of Agra, 150 kilometers away, there is famous city Jaipur, which is popular for its famous (Amber Fort), Maharaja's Palace and many more.

Agra city climate.

The climate of the city is subtropical and humid. The city almost always stands hot weather... During the day, the temperature reaches 42 - 46 ° С, and only with the onset of darkness does the temperature drop to 30 ° С. On average, about 695 mm of precipitation falls per year, mainly from June to September. It is best to visit the city in winter, when the weather is sunny and warm.

Historical background of the city of Agra.

The city was founded in the 15th century. The city is young, but this did not stop it from becoming successful shopping center in those times. The first fortifications in Agra appeared during the reign of Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, who captured the city in 1526.

In the 16th century, Agra became the capital (under Babur's grandson Akbar), from that time the city began to flourish. The time of this reign is called the "Golden Age" of the city. During this time was built, the city became a center of trade, science and art. There were already about 500 thousand people in the city. But in 1658, the decline of Agra began, this was due to the fact that Aureng Zeb moved the capital of India to Aurengabad.

Further, the city often changed its rulers, Agra began to be subjected to numerous destructions by the Marathas. Initially, the city of Agra was called Akbarabad, but after the capture of the Marathas, it was renamed Agra. In 1803, the city was captured by the British Empire, under its rule it began to flourish again. Industry began to develop, Agra was connected railways with the city of Kolkata, Delhi and Benares.

Sightseeing in the city of Agra.

Undoubtedly, the most important attraction of the city is, which attracts many tourists from all over the world. The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is the greatness of history, it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Taj Mahal is famous building of the Mughal Empire, built of white marble, and located on the banks of the Jamna River.

Shah Jahan built a mausoleum for his most beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. Grieving over her loss, he erected a monument to his love and sorrow for 22 years (1632-1650). The building was erected by 20 thousand of the best craftsmen and artisans. Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs: the shah and his beloved wife. The mausoleum complex includes a high entrance, a front yard, a Mughal garden with many fountains and a swimming pool. The walls of the Taj Mahal are lined with translucent marble. During the construction, agate, malachite, turquoise, etc. were used. An amazing feature of marble is that it is white in bright daylight, pink at dawn, and at night, in the moonlight, it is silvery. Therefore, of course, a fleeting visit to the mausoleum is not enough to see all its magnificence.

It amazes with its splendor located in the city of Agra, it was built by Empress Nur Jahan for her father Jahangir. The mausoleum is located in a huge garden with many walking paths. Itmad ud Daula is certainly a small structure compared to other tombs, but very beautiful. The walls are built of white marble, decorated with semi-precious stones. Through the patterns in the marble, light enters the interior of the room. In addition to the main building, the complex includes numerous gardens and outbuildings.

Another attraction of the city is the Pearl Mosque, built by Shah Jahan. The domes of the mosque shine and resemble pearls, hence the name. Historically, it is believed that the mosque was built by Shah Jahan for members of the royal court.

Tourists who come to see the city of Agra also always try to visit the Shah - Jahan Marble Palace and the Dramma Mosque. Many just wander the streets of the city and see the local sights.

Excursions from the city of Agra.

Akbar, the Mughal emperor built - one of the most interesting places in India. The city is abandoned, it is also called the "Dead City". The city is located 40 kilometers from Agra. The emperor founded it in honor of the long-awaited birth of his son. For about 12 years after its construction, the city was the capital of the Mughal Empire. Mosques, palaces, various houses were built in Fatehpur Sikri, but due to lack of water over time, the inhabitants left the city. Currently, the city has remained unchanged.

In 150 kilometers from the city of Agra is the city of Jaipur, which is popular with the famous Amber Fort (Pink Fort), the Palace of Winds and many others. Jaipur is called the "Pink City", the name was given because of the unusual pink stone that was used in the construction of the city.

A famous masterpiece of Mughal architecture is the tomb of Akbar the Great, located 8 kilometers from the center of Agra. Akbar himself began construction of the tomb around 1600. The entrance to the structure is superbly decorated with marble mosaics and leads to the carved paneled tomb on the fifth floor. After the death of his father, Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction of the tomb in 1613.

Agra is connected with the city of Delhi by the national highway number 2, the distance between the cities is 200 kilometers. It's about 4 hours away. Agra Highway No. 11 connects with the city of Jaipur, the distance between the cities is 255 kilometers. The distance to the city of Gwalior is 122 kilometers.

The city of Agra is a fairly large railway junction, which covers a lot of cities in India.

Places for entertainment and shopping in the city of Agra.

The city has many shops, souvenir shops for tourists with various decorations, wooden figurines, which India is famous for. The minicopias of the Taj Mahal are the most popular souvenirs for tourists, everyone is trying to buy them for themselves. Marble chess is also popular. Other marble and red sandstone crafts are also available for purchase. In the shops you can buy different types of clothes, national costumes and much more. There are various cafes and pizzerias in the city. Throughout the city, there are small city parks where tourists enjoy spending time.

Conclusion.

The city of Agra today is the center of the chemical and heavy industry in India. The sights of the city are striking in their magnificence and beauty. The Taj Mahal alone attracts many tourists from all over the world. But the fortress - the Akbarabad palace (Red Fort) - is not inferior in its grandeur. Currently recognized as an object World Heritage Unesco Taj Mahal Mausoleum and City Fort.

For exploring the entire north of India, the city of Agra is best suited for its location, as it is connected by high-speed railways with the cities of New Delhi and Delhi.

In this mausoleum is buried the poet and minister Shah Jahan, who died in the first half of the 17th century. The mausoleum was pretty badly destroyed, but it retained its beautiful lines and laconic forms of medieval Persian architecture.

Prices and market

Agra is considered one of the most expensive resorts India, although not here beach holiday with all its charms. But the shopping here is excellent. We recommend visiting local markets to buy souvenirs and gifts in memory of sultry India.

Once on the market, be sure to bargain. If you do not do this, you will simply not be understood. If you have the time and mood to bargain, you can easily bring down the price of the offered product several times.

Souvenirs

Here you can inexpensively buy national clothes of bright colors and patterns, incl. sari. India has excellent and inexpensive silk, cashmere and other fabrics. You can buy local bedspreads, which are completely different in each state, but beautiful every time.

Indian women are big lovers of gold and precious stones, even bigger than Russians. If you are good with jewelry, buy, they are cheaper here than in Russia, but you can easily get a skillful counterfeit.

And the most important jewel of India is spices. It is easy to choose and purchase quality spices here. But it is best to do this right on the plantations, where they are the freshest and cheapest.

Another great souvenir is Indian jewelry made of semi-precious and semi-precious stones. There is also a wonderful chasing, statuettes, carved in stone, etc. And how good Indian incense is - you cannot describe it!

Near the Taj Mahal, where you will definitely find yourself, there is a small workshop in which chess, figurines, etc. are carved from marble and semi-precious stones. These crafts are inexpensive, and in Russia they will look just great.

Transport

Agra has its own international Airport where airliners arrive from all over the world. Well developed and land transport... Several national highways pass through Agra, connecting the city with Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior, etc.

In addition, Agra is a large railway center, from here there is a direct connection with Delhi, Chennai, Bombay, incl. by means of high-speed trains. There is a well-developed intercity bus service, a decent road surface on the highways.

Inside the city there is public transport and a taxi. Tourists, as a rule, rent a car during their holidays in rental offices for trips and excursions. So don't forget to take your driver's license with you.

Taxi

There is a prepaid taxi stand near the Agra Cantonment railway station (around the clock)... Here you can get an idea of ​​the cost of a taxi ride. Prices: Delhi 2500; Fatehabad Road 150 rupees; Sadar Bazar 70 rupees; Taj Mahal 150 rupees; half day tour (4 hours) 450 rupees; full day (8 ocloc'k) 650 rupees.

Bus

There are buses departing from the Idgah bus stop:

• Delhi - unconditioned / unconditioned Rs 149/226, 5 hours, often, 24 hours (unconditioned)/6:00-18:00 (with air conditioning)
• Fatehpur Sikri - 21 rupees, 1 hour, every half hour, 6: 00-17: 00
• Gwalior - 82 rupees, 3 hours, often, 5: 00-1: 00
• Jaipur - 159 rupees, 6 hours, often, 6: 00-1: 00
• Jhansi - 141 rupees, 6 hours, 4 per day: 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 and 11:30

Buses from ISBT station go to Dera Dun (sitting / sleeping car Rs 512/574, 11 hours, at 20:00 and 20:30, both with air conditioning).

A train

Train is the fastest way to travel to Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur and Khajuraho. Most trains depart from Agra Cantonment railway station (2421204) but some go from the Agra fort station.

Express train services are specially tailored for daytime tourists traveling to or from Delhi, while regular trains run to Delhi all day long. If you can't book a seat, just buy a "general ticket" for the next train (about 60 rupees), find an empty seat in the sleeping car and change your ticket when the controller arrives. In most cases, he will not even ask you to pay extra.

To reach Orchhi, take one of the many trains that run daily to Jhansi (Jhansi; sleeper Rs 150, 3 hours) then head to the bus stand in the shared auto-rickshaw (5 rupees) and there change into one of the cars going to Orchha (10 rupees).

Excursions

1) Treasures of Agra.

This is a historical and cultural excursion, during which tourists are invited to explore the beautiful temples, palaces and tombs, of which Agra is so rich. First of all, these are the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. The tour costs $ 160-180.

2) The pearl of India - Agra.

This historical excursion dedicated only to the Taj Mahal, the pearl of the world cultural heritage included in the UNESCO list. You can go around the entire tomb, buy souvenirs in the workshop nearby. The tour costs $ 120-140.

3) Golden triangle.

During this excursion, you can visit Delhi, Agra and Jaipur with a professional Russian speaking guide, see magnificent temples and ancient cities, chat with local residents, imbued with the spirit of real India. The excursion costs $ 400-800.

Pros and cons of Agra

This is an expensive resort, which is accessible only to the middle class of Russia and even more wealthy people. There is a great selection of hotels and excellent service. You can always find Russian-speaking service staff, incl. drivers and guides.

At the same time, there is no sea here, and it is better not to swim in the local river Jamna, because the tropics are very close along with dangerous crocodiles, as well as little-studied microorganisms. You can only enjoy relaxing by the pool.

Remember that in northern India, there are tensions between local Muslims and Hindus, which arose as early as 500 years ago when the Mughals came here. Try not to hurt anyone's religious feelings.

Should not be worn too revealing clothes... Anything that is not paid attention to in Russia or Europe can offend here. Keep in mind that India is a very patriarchal society that honors its traditions.

In India, it is customary to tip service personnel for services performed. Throwing money, as the nouveau riche like to do, should not be, but every time do not forget to tip the maid, elevator operator, taxi driver, etc.

In this country, even in winter, you need to be careful so that you are not overtaken by sunstroke or skin burns. So don't forget about hats, dark glasses, and protective creams.