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This article first appeared on Little Black Book’s Delhi website.
Agra is on most travellers’ Must-visit-when-in-India list, almost exclusively due to the Taj Mahal, which makes it a key component of India’s ‘Golden Triangle’ tour. But there is a fair bit more to see in Agra, and it’s certainly worth getting slightly off the beaten track.
Fatehpur Sikri
Created by the great Mughal emperor Akbar in the 1500s and located 36 kilometres away from Agra, this is a ghost city in itself. People visit mostly to pray at the famous Salim Chisti Dargah. It is believed that all wishes come true when one prays here with a pure heart, thus pilgrims amass here year-round.
Other sights to see in this town are the Diwan-i-Khas (palace of Jodha Bai), Panch Mahal and Buland Darwaza, which are all beautiful amalgamations of Hindu and Muslim architecture.
Price: INR 50+
Itmad-ud-Daulah
Image courtesy: Wikiwand
India’s first tomb made completely of marble, Itmad-ud-Daulah is Shah Jahan’s minister, Mir Ghiyas Beg’s tomb. This beautiful monument overlooks the Yamuna river and has exceptional architectural design. It is situated in the old Agra city and can be visited all year round.
Price: INR 10+
Agra Fort
Image courtesy: Yatra
Made of red sandstone and located 2.5 km away from Taj Mahal, Lal Quila, or the Red Fort of Agra, was completed by three generations of Mughals: Akbar, Shah Jahan and Jahangir.
It is a beautiful residential and military fortress that has some of the most exquisite architectural sights, like the Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Mina Masjid and many more. Hire a guide while touring this gigantic fort to fully understand why it’s even more beautiful than you first thought.
Price: INR 20+
Sikandra
Image courtesy: Helen Evans/Flickr
Being Akbar’s mausoleum, this monument is a perfect blend of Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jain themes. It is situated 10 km away from Agra and is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset and watch herds of deer running across its plush gardens. It resembles the Taj Mahal but is made of red sandstone and marble.
Price: INR 10+
Mehtab Bagh
Image courtesy: Wikimedia
The ultimate Taj Mahal viewing spot; it lies on the northern bank of the Yamuna river, opposite the Taj, and the four-compartment garden design allows a picturesque view from all sides. It has lush gardens with beautiful flowers and shrubs—a photographers’ paradise. Best time to visit is sunrise or sunset.
Price: INR 5
*All these places are open on all days from sunrise to sunset.
*Note that the entry fees quoted are for domestic visitors – international visitors are charged a fair bit more(!).
Featured image courtesy: Pbase
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