Akbar Tomb, Sikandra Agra

Date: 14th Oct 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi, Muthusamy, Vijayalakshmi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 15.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Food: Snacks available outside the complex.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Mariam Tomb.

The Akbar tomb is located in Sikandra on the outskirts of Agra. The tomb is final resting place of the Mughal emperor Akbar. It is believed that the tomb was planned and construction was begun by Akbar himself. The construction was completed by his son Jahangir after Akbar's death. The tomb is located in the center of a garden. The main entrance is via the south gate which was built with red sandstone with a huge central arch. The gateway is adorned with four marble minarets at each corner. The main structure is five storied with unique domed chattris which give a place look to the tomb. The chattris resembles the panch mahal in fatehpur sikri. The well maintained garden around the tomb is home to few animals like deep, peacock and monkeys. Visitors are permitted to enter the burial chamber to see the cenotaph but entry to upper levels and basement are restricted.

Few pics from the place.

One of the top attractions in Agra that should be visited.

Jama Mosque, Agra

Date: 16th Oct 2018

Visitors: Arun and Shilpi

Fee: None.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Food: Small snacks available outside the fort.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Agra Fort.

Jama Masjid or Friday Mosque is one of the largest mosques in India. Built by Shah Jahan in 1648 was dedicated to his daughter Jahanara Begum. The mosque is located close the Agra railway station which was built after destroying tripoli chowk. The mosque has three domes and built using red sandstone and white marble. The bulbous domes are decorated with lotus and kalash finials. The fountain at the center of the courtyard has four kiosks in each corner. The mosque is surrounded by the crowded bazaar and is open to tourist to visit.

Few pics from the place. 

One of the biggest mosque in India and a famous landmark in Agra can be visited by interested tourist.

Agra Fort, Agra

Date: 16th Oct 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi, Muthusamy, Vijayalakshmi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 30 for Agra Fort.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Food: Small snacks available outside the fort.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Taj Mahal.

Agra fort is one of the oldest and historically significant forts in India. It is one of the UNESCO world heritage monument. Agra was the capital of Lodi and Mughal dynasties and most Mughal rulers ruled from here. Agra and the fort was briefly captured by Suri dynasty from 1540 to 1555. Mughals recaptured it and ruled till the dynasty went into decline. The fort is built of red sandstone and the seventy feet walls fortify the place. There are four gates to the fort of which two are famous and called as Delhi gate and Lahore gate or Amar singh gate. A part of the fort is still used by Indian army and access to Delhi gate is restricted. Some of the other historic sites inside the fort build by various Mughal kings over a period of time are Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Musamman Burj, Anguri Bagh and moti masjid.

Few pics from the fort.

Must visit tourist attraction in Agra. Hire a guide to understand the history and hear interesting stories about the fort.

Anguri Bagh, Agra Fort, Agra

Date: 16th Oct 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi, Muthusamy, Vijayalakshmi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 30 for Agra Fort.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Food: Small snacks available outside the fort.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Taj Mahal.

The garden of grapes was built by Shah Jahan in 1637. The garden produced finest grapes during the harvest season. The royal women used to stroll around the park in privacy. The garden is divided into four part with a fountain in the center. Each section is further divided in to geometrically symmetric shapes. The royal bath or Hammams was located in the north east and again closed for public. The Khas mahal is located on the east of the garden and other three sides are surrounded by zenana apartments where royal women lived.

Few pics from the garden.

Musamman Burj, Agra Fort, Agra

Date: 16th Oct 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi, Muthusamy, Vijayalakshmi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 30 for Agra Fort.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Food: Small snacks available outside the fort.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Taj Mahal.

Musamman burj is the most ornate structure in the whole fort. It is believed to be built by Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal. Built between 1631 and 1640 the place offers beautiful view of Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan spent his last years looking at Taj from here after he was imprisoned by Aurangzeb. Originally Akbar had built a marble palace here and Jehangir destroyed that to build newer building. Those buildings were destroyed by Shah Jahan to build this marble tower. The famous attraction in the Burj is the impressive fountain in the center made of marble and inlaid with semi precious stone. It is said that Shah Jahan died lying in this place looking at the Taj.

Few pictures from Musammam Burj.

Most intricately carved part in all of Agra fort is a visual treat to the visitors.

Diwan-I-Khas, Agra Fort, Agra

Date: 16th Oct 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi, Muthusamy, Vijayalakshmi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 30 for Agra Fort.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Food: Small snacks available outside Fort..

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Taj Mahal.

Diwan-I-Khas, the hall of private audience is located inside the Agra fort. Mughal emperor would meet the important guests like kings and ambassadors in this place. It has two halls one inner and another outside and both are closed for public. Visitors can click pictures from only outside and see the two thrones placed in the terrace. One throne was made of black marble and another of white. One can get a glimpse of Taj from the terrace of Diwan-I-Khas.

Some pictures from the place.

An important part of the Fort which would have hosted lot of heads of states.

Diwan-I-Am, Agra Fort, Agra

Date: 16th Oct 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi, Muthusamy, Vijayalakshmi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 30 for Agra Fort.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Food: Small snacks available outside the fort.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Taj Mahal.

Diwan-I-Am, from where the emperor Shah Jahan met the public audience. It is a multi pillared hall facing a vast courtyard. The emperor would meet the public sitting on a marble throne in the ornate chamber. To the right of the hall is the moti masjid and to the left was the public entrance gate. The front of the hall has nine arches and the hall has three aisles. The marble dias below the chamber was the seat of wazir.

Few pictures from the hall of public audience.

Part of the Agra fort is this important structure from where the emperor would have addressed the public grievances.

Mehtab Bagh, Agra

Date: 15th Oct 2018

Visitors: Arun and Shilpi.

Fee: Rs 15.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Food: Snack available outside.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Taj Mahal.

One of the eleven Mughal gardens located in Agra is the Mehtab Bagh. Also known as Moonlight garden was built by Babur. Shah Jahan identified a place to view the reflection of Taj in a tank in the garden. There is also a Myth that Shah Jahan planned a black Taj for himself in this garden opposite of Taj Mahal. Narrow roads through few villages will take us to the Mehtab Bagh. Place generally gets crowded in the evenings as tourist try to get a view of the Taj from the garden during sunset. On other times there is nothing much to see or do in this garden.

Not a good tourist attraction and nothing notable in the garden except a far view of Taj.