A Journey Through the Mughal Marvel: Exploring Agra's iconic Taj Mahal and beyond
Welcome to Agra, the timeless gem nestled on the banks of the Yamuna River in India. Renowned globally for its breathtaking architectural marvels like the magnificent Taj Mahal, Agra is synonymous with the iconic symbol of love. Beyond this architectural wonder, Agra unfolds a rich tapestry of history, culture, and heritage that mesmerizes every visitor.
From the majestic Agra Fort to the splendid tombs and mausoleums scattered throughout the city, Agra’s skyline is adorned with architectural treasures that gives a better look into the past as of the Mughal Empire. Join me as I embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries and marvels of Agra, where every monument narrates a saga of love, power, and artistic brilliance.
You might also like: Discover the Hidden Gems of New Delhi
For your information, all these pictures were taken in January 2024.
Table of Contents
Some information about Agra
How to get to Agra?
Agra lies remotely close to New Delhi, the capital of India, so it’s quite easy to reach this city. We reached Agra with a private driver from New Delhi, but another option is the train.
To get to Agra, you typically have several options depending on your starting location:
1 | By plane
The nearest airport to Agra is the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Airport in Agra itself, also known as Agra Airport. However, it has limited flight connectivity. Alternatively, travelers can fly to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, which is approximately 200 kilometers away from Agra, and then proceed to Agra by road or train.
2 | By train
Agra is well-connected by train to major cities across India, like New Delhi. The Agra Cantonment Railway Station and Agra Fort Railway Station are the primary railway stations in the city. Several trains connect Agra with cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kolkata, and more.
3 | By car
Another way can be by car. and then I mean not driving yourself as it’s very dangerous to drive in Indian traffic. But you can hire a private driver to drive you around the different cities.
So, if you prefer to travel by car, you can reach Agra via national highways and expressways. Agra is well-connected by road to nearby cities and states, making it accessible by private or hired vehicles.
Best time to visit Agra
The best time to visit Agra is between October and March, as it’s dry and not that hot. But in the peak winter season (December and January), it can be quite cold in the north of India. Another important thing to know it that the smog is quite bad in the winter months, where you can’t see further that 100 meters in front of you.
1 | Winter season (December - April)
December to April is typically the winter season, whereas it can bring cooler temperatures, but also pleasant weather as it’s not that hot. Only, the northern region is way more chilly. In the northern part of the city, like in Agra, this will be the period where you have the most problems with the smog and pollution. I sometimes saw nothing 100 meters in front of me.
2 | Spring season (April - June)
The summer months, or also known as pre-monsoon season, is between April and June. This concludes very hot months. Think about temperatures around 32 – 40 °C (90 – 104 °F)
3 | Rain season (June - September)
The monsoon or rain season starts in June and runs all the way to September. In these months, there is a lot of rainfall, that starts in June and is less frequent in September.
4 | Post rain season (September - November)
Post wet season is actually autumn in India, and lasts between October and December. This season brings less rain and cooler temperatures.
Where to stay in Agra?
I stayed at Joey’s Hostel for my 1-night stay in Agra and it was the perfect hostel for this short trip! The hotel is so close to the Taj Mahal, which makes it easier to wake up for sunrise. And as a bonus, it has the best view when you go to the rooftop cafe
Best things to do in Agra
Agra is definitely chaotic and busy, but once your used to the busy street life, you will find the beauty in this city. It’s a metropolis with different sights, flavours, people, but most of all the most beautiful historic buildings, including one of the seven wonders of the world, which you will discover below.
To buy tickets online, check out the website below.
1 | Agra Fort
Just like the Red Fort in New Delhi, there is one in Agra as well, called the Agra Fort. This is a historic fort that is located in the city of Agra and it served as the main residence of the Mughal dynasty until 1638. Mughal emperor Humayun was crowned at this fort, and was later renovated by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565. This fort is the peak combination of the Mughal architecture. Hence the importance of this structure. That’s why it became a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Opening hours: The Agra Fort is open from sunrise to sunset.
Entrance fee for Indian residents: The online ticket costs Rs 35 for the Agra Fort. If you buy the ticket at the counter, it costs Rs 50 for Agra Fort.
Entrance fee for foreigners: The online ticket costs Rs 550 for the Agra Fort. If you buy the ticket at the counter, it costs Rs 600 for Agra Fort.
Important to know: It’s a really enourmous fort, so calculate a lot of time to see everything.
2 | Itmad-ud-Daula
The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, or better known as the Baby Taj, is a Mughal mausoleum that’s located at the banks of the Yamuna river. This tomb was built between 1622 and 1628 and consists of numerous outbuildings and has a big garden. The reason for the nickname is that it represents a transition from the red sandstone (like at Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi) and the white marble (like the Taj Mahal).
Opening hours: Itmad-ud-Daula is open from sunrise to sunset.
Entrance fee for Indian residents: The entrance fee is Rs 20 per person.
Entrance fee for foreigners: The entrance fee for foreigner is Rs 250 per person.
3 | Taj Mahal
This building is probably the reason why people travel all the way to Agra and even India. I know it was for me (believe me when I say I fell in love with more than just the Taj Mahal). The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum, located at the Yamuna river. In 1631, the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, ordered to make a tomb for his wife. His own body is also placed inside the mausoleum.
Opening hours: The Taj Mahal is open from 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. It’s closed on Friday.
Entrance fee for Indian residents: The online ticket costs Rs 45 for the Taj Mahal only. If you also buy a ticket for the mausoleum, the total price is Rs 245.
Entrance fee for foreigners: The online ticket costs Rs 1050 for the Taj Mahal. If you also buy a ticket for the mausoleum, the total price is Rs 1250.
Important to know: It’s best to arrive very early at the entrance gate, as it’s one of the most visited sites in whole India!
You might also like: Mesmerizing Taj Mahal Viewpoints through the Lens
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Hello, I’m Ellen and welcome to this blog! I’m in love with exploring the world and hopefully I get to inspire you with these blog posts and pictures to feel the same. You will find detailed itineraries, hidden gems, tips and so much more!
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