 Agra is home to the monument that is an 'Ode to love- The Taj Mahal.' Agra is situated at a distance of 204 kms from Delhi, the capital city of India. There are very few cities, which can match the rich heritage of Agra.
The Wonder
Agra is home to the eighth wonder of the world- the Taj Mahal. This architectural marvel made in marble epitomizes love. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took the labour of twenty thousand workers for a period of 22 years to build this splendid mausoleum, which still inspires awe. The Taj Mahal is built on the west bank of River Yamuna. As you step inside you'll find there are works inside the Taj, which are in several precious gems like jade, crystal, turquoise, lapis, lazuli, sapphire, coral and diamonds inlaid in very beautiful patterns on the marble floor. You will also find some exquisitely done calligraphy based on the verses in the Holy Quran.
For the lovers of the Taj there is still more to be discovered in the Taj Museum, which has some of the original drawings by the architect. It also has the drawings of the interiors showing the positions of the graves.They are posited in such a way that the foot of the graves face the watcher from any angle. In keeping with the Islamic custom there is a mosque next to the Taj on the left, made of red sandstone. Here, prayers are offered every Friday. Interestingly, there is also a mosque to the right of the Taj, to keep the symmetry of the place. Prayers aren't offered here since it faces west, away from Mecca.
Other Major Tourist Attractions
The other tourist attraction around the place is the mausoleum of Akbar. The mausoleum is barely 4 kms from Agra. The structure is an amalgamation of the Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Jain styles. You can also visit the city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in red sandstone. Emperor Akbar built the city, yet he never lived there. The city has motifs from the Mughal and Hindu architecture.
The Red Fort in Agra stands majestically on the banks of the River Yamuna. Akbar built this Fort in 1565 AD. It houses many palaces such as Jahangiri Mahal, Diwan-i-Am, Moti Masjid and Diwan-i-Khas as well as the beautiful Pearl Mosque.The Diwan-I-Am & Diwan-i-Khas used to be the halls for Public Audiences in the old times. The Diwan-i-Am was used for the local and domestic government business whereas Diwan-i-Khas was reserved for foreign dignitaries. The Jahangiri Mahal is built up of stone.
Agra is also famous for shopping. You can also carry a souvenir of Taj Mahal, a little memoir carved in marble by the local artisans. Agra is also famous for its handmade leather items, zari and embroidery work, carpets and durries.
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