Sep 2007 : Agra

Travel Title: Trip to New Delhi & Agra, India in 2009

When: September 2007

About The Trip:

Purpose: To visit the Great Taj Mahal in Agra and some other historical sites in New Delhi, India.

Days/Nights: 3 Days 2 Nights

Arrangements: ~~Travel Agent~~ / Self-guided Tour

Route: Kuala Lumpur MALAYSIA – Mumbai INDIA – New Delhi INDIA – Agra INDIA – New Delhi INDIA (2 nights) – Mumbai INDIA – Kuala Lumpur MALAYSIA

Traveling Method & Time:

Kuala Lumpur – Mumbai = by aeroplane (≈ 4 hours 45 minutes)

Mumbai – New Delhi = by aeroplane (≈ 2 hours 15 minutes)

New Delhi – Agra = in a hired taxi ( ≈ 5 hours)

Around Agra = in a hired taxi (whole day)

Agra – New Delhi = in a hired taxi ( ≈ 5 hours)

Around New Delhi = in a hired taxi (whole day)

New Delhi – Mumbai = by aeroplane (≈ 2 hours 15 minutes)

Mumbai – Kuala Lumpur = by aeroplane (≈ 4 hours 45 minutes)

Details:

Agra is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Historically, Agra was the capital of the Mughal emperors from 16th to 17th century. It remains a major tourist destination mainly because of its amazing, splendid Mughal-era buildings and landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The two buildings are also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Agra is also known for its fabulous handicrafts, made of marble, softstone inlay work, leatherware, brassware, carpets, jewellery and zari embroidery work. The Mughals were great patrons of arts and crafts and infact, empress Nur Jahan was an accomplished artist herself. Agra is also famous for its sweets ‘petha’ and ‘gazak’ and saltish snack ‘dalmoth’. Do visit the shopping area near the Taj Mahal Complex or shop at the Government Emporia or Souvenir Shops approved by Uttar Pradesh Tourism.

Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site built on the right bank of the river Yamuna, not far from the famous Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the most important and robustly built stronghold of the Mughals. It was constructed somewhere in the 16th century by the third Mughal emperor Akbar on the remains of an ancient site known as Badalgarh. Prior its construction, the fort was owned by Ibrahim Lodi (son of the great Sikandar Lodi, the first Sultan of Delhi) for 9 years until it was taken over by the Mughals in the battle of Panipat in 1526. Ibrahim Lodi was captured and killed in the battle and a vast treasure was seized, including the world famous ‘Koh-i-noor’ diamond.

Tomb of John Russell Colvin, the lieutenant-governor of the North-West Provinces of British India during the mutiny of 1857 can be found inside the Agra Fort.

Taj Mahal, needless to say, is one of the most recognizable and beautiful structures ever built on earth and is widely considered as a symbol of eternal love. The structure itself is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a combination of elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles. Arabic calligraphy played a dominant role in artwork during the Mughal era and the Taj Mahal was no exception. The construction of the Crown Palace (another name for Taj Mahal) started around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen. Due to the purity of the white marble, the exquisite ornamentation, the use of precious gemstones all over the bulding, and its picturesque location, Taj Mahal has won a spot as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

It is actually a mausoleum standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India and was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died during the birth of their 14th child, Gauhara Begum. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside the Taj Mahal building, the tombs of emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal can be found.

The entrance fees and timing are as below:

Agra Fort : Open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and the entrance fee is INR 300 per adult (foreigner).

Taj Mahal : Open daily except Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and the entrance fee is INR 750 per adult (foreigner).

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