Agra Tourism

"The city of Taj Mahal, the monument of eternal love" Agra Tourism Home to one of the 7 wonders of the world, theTaj Mahal, Agra is a sneak peek into the architectural history with other structures such asAgra FortandFatehpur Sikriand hence makes for a must visit for anyone living in or visiting India. When you talk about Agra, one thing has to stand out - yes, the Taj Mahal. Agra is host to the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World in India, Taj Mahal, which makes the whole country proud. But that's not the only thing Agra has to boast of. Agra has three UNESCO World Heritage sites and Taj Mahal features in the 50 most popular tourist destinations in the world. History, architecture, romance all together create the magic of Agra which is almost the lifeline of Indian tourism. History fanatics as well as architecture buffs can have a ball here with the sheer expanse of the Mughal art and culture on display. Apart from its monuments, the city also has some exciting stuff for foodies - including the famous Agra ka Petha and amazing chaat and Lassi. Download Agra PDF Guide > What's Great? The epicenter of Indian culture. Well connected by rail, road, and air. Can be visited almost throughout the year. What's not so Great? Congested in peak seasons, and quite polluted. Might be risky for respiratory patients. Unofficial guides and touts can get enraging.Travel scamsare very common. For Whom Apart from the evergreen Taj Mahal, this is ideal for all history zealots, whether from archaeology, or culture, or even literature. Also, ideal for the foodies, owing to the vibrant cuisine of the city. 

History of Agra Agra is one of the most significant cities in the history of India (Mostly during the Mughal Period. Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, this beautiful city gained public interest when Sikander Lodhi decided to make Agra the capital city. It remained the capital city even during the reign of Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. It was during the Mughal Period when Agra gained some of the incredible monuments like the Taj Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the Agra Fort. Agra?s influence declined when Mughal?s influence declined. By this time, the British had attained significant power. Agra came under the British control in the 1800?s. With the capital city being changed to Capital city, Agra lost the powerful significance it held during the Mughal Period. After the independence, Agra developed into an industrial city and a popular tourist destination. Some of the famous monuments were also listed under UNESCO?s World Heritage Sites. Read more aboutHistory of Agra A confluence of history, culture, and beauty  Who doesn't know about the 'Taj Nagri'? The city, known first in historical sources as Agrevana, or 'The Border of the Forest', is famous for the epitome of love, and one of the 'Seven Wonders of the World' i.e. Taj Mahal. The charm of the medieval architecture, which can be noticed even from the top of the Agra Fort, makes it the ultimate destination for travel enthusiasts the world over. Apart from Taj Mahal, this city is also popular for Itimad Ud Daulah's tomb, the famous Agra Fort, and the capital city of Akbar the Great, i.e. Fatehpur Sikri. Apart from being a tourist hotspot, Agra is also famous for its art and crafts industry, which includes the royal craft Pietra Dura, marble inlay and carpets.

Itinerary Day 1 - Reach Agra by early morning and check into your hotel. Then, head to Fatehpur Sikri, the capital the capital of Akbar the Great during the 16th century. Do remember to visit the tomb of Itimad on your way back. In the evening, go to the famous Agra Chaat House and get a taste of the variety of street foods Agra is known for. Do not forget to taste the lip-smacking pethas. Day 2- Begin your second day early. Have a hearty breakfast and head towards the famous Taj Mahal. Try to reach Taj Mahal early as the entry becomes difficult as the day proceeds due to the heavy crowd. In the evening, go to the shops that bear the exquisite designs of the craft of Pietra Dura.  Day 3- On the third day, visit the Agra Fort. It is 20 minutes away from the Taj Mahal. Next, you can visit the Kalakriti and experience the grand cultural Centre with beautiful art exhibits. Later on in the evening, you can go shopping at the Sadar Bazaar.

Restaurants and Local Food in Agra Whether you love the spicy chaats or you have a sweet tooth, Agra never ceases to fascinate.Petha, a soft candy made from ash gourd is almost synonymous with Agra's cuisine and is a speciality which you just cannot miss. There are various new flavours and innovative presentations of this ever popular sweet dish from Agra. Panchi petha is the most popular shop in Agra, and there are so many of these that you won't even have to think where to get it from. Another equally delicious item is the Chaat here. Agra has varieties of Chaat available including Aloo Tikki, Pani Puri, Papri Chaat, Samosa, Kachori etc all over the city. Another popular snack here is Dalmoth, which is a spicy lentil mix. The cuisine of the town also offers countless North-Indian and Punjabi relishes with a distinct influence of Mughlai cuisine. Read more about Street Food of Agra View 10 Restaurants in Agra >>

Oct-Maris the best time to visit Agra October to March is a good time to visit Agra because of its pleasant weather. In summers, temperature can go up to 45C and winters can be as cold as 1C. Weather in Agra Loading... Agra in Summer (Apr - Jul) The summer months are extremely hot in Agra - the day temperature can be as high as 45 degrees, making it virtually impossible for you to venture out during the days. Most of the sightseeing in Agra are the monuments, which get really hot in the sun and are uncomfortable to visit. We would recommend you avoid visiting Agra during these months, although if that is the only option, make sure you visit the Taj as early in the morning as possible. Agra in Monsoon (Jul - Sep) The monsoons are not a bad time to visit Agra - temperature is not as high as the summer, and there is not so much rainfall as to spoil your plans. It might be quite humid (and still uncomfotably hot) during the monsoon, but you can still visit the monuments - make sure you carry water around with you as you will sweat a lot. Agra in Winter (Oct - Mar) These are the best months to visit Agra - the weather is nice and pleasant throughout the day, and you can easily visit all the tourist attractions without any discomfort. However, most of the tourists make a visit during these months, so it can get a little crowded, and you'll need to book hotels in advance. Monthly Weather in Agra Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January 7 22 February 10 26 March 15 32 April 23 40 May 26 40 June 27 39 July 27 35 August 27 34 September 25 35 October 20 36 November 13 28 December 10 24

Events in Agra Taj Mahotsav 18th - 27th February Kicked off in 1992, this festival provides the platform to the artisans from various states to display their exquisite works of art at the same time also making them available to the tourists at the most reasonable prices. Apart from that the festival is also a paradise for, food aficionados with a supply of a plethora of varieties of cuisines, children with a Fun Fair in place and the appreciators of folk culture. Ram Barat 17th - 22nd September Marked by a footfall of over 20 lakh people every year, this festival celebrates the divine marriage ceremony of Lord Rama by taking out his marriage procession and carrying out all the ceremonies related to marriage. Janakpuri, the bride's place, is elaborately decorated with lights and flowers for the royal wedding to welcome the procession.