Know Our Agra

 

                             


Agra has two history one of the ancient city on the bank of Yamuna river to be lost in legends of Lord Krishna the hero of Mahabharata. The modern city founded by Emperor Akbar in 1558 on the right bank of river among Mohammedans still relating to its name of Akbarabad which is immediately associated with romance of great Mughals and known all over the world as the city of Taj and is now an educational and business/export centre known for its craftsmanship in, Handicrafts, marbles, soft stone, inlay work in marble, carpets/rugs ,embroidery, Jewellery, garments & leather goods all by the skilled families through generations since period of Mughals. And finally for its Monuments …..

Taj Mahal

 

                             

India's pride forever `Taj Mahal' has always been a captivating medium for the tourist throughout since centuries. It is situated right on the bank of river Yamuna and is 3 km. towards the southof the city, Agra. This splendid and magnificent monument was built by Shahjahan, who not only had the every thing a monarchwished for, but also included in it a vast empire, unlimited wealth and a adorable companion , MumtazMahal. Taj Mahal's designwas designed by a Persian Architect, Ustad Isa. It was built in the memory of Queen Mumtaz Mahal who breath her last after giving birth to her fourteenth child at Burhanpur. Before she left her adoring companion she took a promise from Emperor Shahjahan that he should build a marvellous monument in her memory which would become a beautiful remembrance of their everlasting love for years. After the death of Mumtaz, Shahjahan was shrouded with grief and left all his worldly pleasures and the person who usually dressed in heavy robes took to wearing simple white clothes. He now only had one thing in his mind which was to full fill her beloved's wish, to build a tomb which would never lose its beauty, splendour and importance. Taj Mahal was made totally in white marble. Many precious and semi precious gems were imported from all over the world, which were used in designs of flowers. The process used was pietra-dura. The time and money spent on building Taj can't be calculated. The construction of Taj was very systematic. Discovering the secrets of Taj is like discovering the different moods of a woman. Like jewel, the precious stones inlayed in white marble makes the Taj sparkles in moonlight. During dawn Taj becomes soft pinkish it reflects tints of setting sun in the evening. Though the beauty of TAJ is in moonlight but its splendour and loveliness can not be denied even during the bright light of the day. The Taj Mahal is timeless wonder and will always be a captivating medium for all tourists for years and years.

Agra Fort

 

                             


Apart from Taj Mahal, there's yet another important building which should be mentioned. Its none other than Agra fort, it was built by Akbar mainly but its also said to be an amalgamation of buildings built by Akbar, and Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. It is situated on the left banks of river Yamuna. It is surrounded by strong and thick walls. This fort is surrounded by two ditches. The one inside is still there but the outer ditch has been filled and took 7 years to complete. The cost of this building was 35 Lakhs. According to Abul Fazal there were at least 500 buildings but now only some of them existed. Initially there were four gates, but now only two are used, namely Amar singh gate and Delhi gate the rest two, namely, water gate and Darshani gate are closed forever. After we enter the Amar Singh Gate we come across Jahangiri Mahal, Angoori Bagh, Khas Mahal, Samman Burj or Jasmine Tower, Nageena Masjid, Diwan-e-Aam and Moti Masjid. Another main entrance is the Delhi Gate which is being used by army now a days. After crossing this, we see Tahkhana, Kala Takht, Safed Takht and Salim's house.

Sikandra

 

                             


This monument is one of the best monument of Mughals. This is situated about 12 km away from Agra and is on Agra- Mathura road National Highway no. 2. A brave ruler of Lodhi dynasty, Sikandar Lodhi, made Sikandra its capital in 1492. Though the beauty of Sikandra is not maintained but still there is a beautiful stone baradan. Akbar choose this place where he could rest forever in peace, but he could not finish the building work of this monument and this building was completed by Jahangir in 1613. 15 lakhs rupees were spent on this building. It is situated in the garden, Bahishtabad and covers 150 acres of land and its wall about 25 ft high. There are four doors on four sides of the building . The main entrance is very beautiful and is
located towards south. The main door is 74 ft high and there are four minarets on four sides which are 75 ft high. There were 92 stairs to reach the top of the Minar but these stairs were destroyed in 1857 and rebuilt by Lord Curzon in 1905. On top floor of the entrance there is a Naubat Khana where drums were played in the memory of the dead king. The road from main entrance to the main building is made of red stone. Akbar's tomb is situated in the centre of main building. Towards north of the tomb there is a writing saying Allah-o-Akbar and towards south it says, Jat-e-Jalal and there are about 99, different names of god written. On south-east side of Akbar's tomb there is Jahangir's Sheesh Mahal which was built by jahangir for Noor Jahan. Main
building is surrounded by garden and one can see many variety of Deer's and langurs here. 

 
Fact File
  Area
Altitude
Population

120.57 sq km
169 m above sea level
(2004)37,00,000
Languages
Best time to visit
STD Code
Hindi, Urdu & English
September to March
91 - 0562
Just  for your information
Temperature



Clothes


Temperature in Dec/Feb reaching below 7 degrees in evenings & 15 to 18 degrees in afternoon.


Will need warm clothes, Coats, Cardigans are must in winters. More over Indian homes are geared for the summer.
 
Electric
 


Timing of  Monuments




Entrance at Agra


Need to electric converters & adapters from 110 Volts to 220 Volts

All monuments
in Agra including Fathepur Sikri open at Sunrise & close at Sunset. Only Tajmahal is closed on every Friday


 Tajmahal - Rs.750 /-, RedFort - Rs.250 /- Sikandra - Rs.100 /- ,
Fathepur Sikri - Rs. 250 /-
 
THFS Provides
 
1. Home Stay, Including Meals
2. Local Transportation to all Monuments
THFS Does Not Provides
1. Travel costs from any district  to Agra
2. Entrance of the monuments
3. Personal Souvenirs.

"THFS can provide home hospitality to a maximum of 15 couples (30 Rotarians) at a time, and for the purpose Rotarians  should inform the secretary at least 30 days prior starting their trip & also get confirmation from the secretary contact at wadhwa@sancharnet.in. So  that the proper & adequate arrangements can be made"



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