Agra: The City of History and Romance

The historic city of Agra is an epitome of perfection as it resembles a hand drawn page from an art book. Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Agra is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

Agra finds its first mention in as early as the Mahabharata, which signifies its importance historically and politically. It was referred to as "the border of the forest" in Sanskrit.

It is a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which have been declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

"A teardrop on the cheek of time," wrote Rabindranath Tagore when asked to describe the Taj Mahal. It is a timeless example of the eternal love story of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It was built in her memory and houses the tombs of the couple.

The intricate minakari work on the dazzling white marble slabs, unique utilization of physics and horticulture planners collectively contribute to the grandeur that this majestic palace has been enjoying for centuries. Despite a lack of nightlife in Agra, a simple walk in the Taj Mahal complex especially on a full moon night is eerily beautiful. One may also visit it at the time of the Taj Mahotsav in February for 10 days. This festival is held at Shilpgram. It showcases handicrafts of craftsmen who attend it from all over the country. Classical and folk performances are also a part of this joyful festival.

Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri or City of Victory in the 16th century. This erstwhile capital of India during the Mughal era consists of various monuments like the entrance Buland Darwaza, temples and one of the largest mosques in India, Jama Masjid. The architecture is notably uniform. This was the first planned city of the Mughals. The reverent Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti lived here, and to pay his respect Akbar chose Sikri as his capital.

Near Taj Mahal is the third most important monument of Agra called the Agra Fort. This fortress resembles the Red Fort in Delhi as it is made of the same of red sandstone. It comprises of the famous Sheesh Mahal and Diwan-i-Khas among others. It has withstood many a tales of bravery and passed down various dynasties from the 11th century. Shah Jahan is believed to have made the final transformation to the fort.

Apart from the classic monuments, there are various gardens or Baghs. Resting here after a long day of sightseeing is refreshing. Each of these gardens has a story to share.

Since tourism is the major source of income, most people speak the local dialect of Braj Bhasha along with Hindi, English and Urdu. Due to the historically rich culture and traditions, most Indian festivals are celebrated with great pomp and ceremony in Agra. The festivals of Ram Lila, Dusshehra and Janmashtami are celebrate on a large scale as the neighbouring towns of Mathura and Vrindavan are predominantly about the timeless tales of Radha-Krishna and Rama-Sita.

Without doubt, Agra is a true example of indigenous sophistication with a unique attractive force.