What are the attraction and sights other than Taj Mahal in Agra? What is weather like in Agra?

What are the attraction and sights other than Taj Mahal in Agra? What is weather like in Agra?

Whenever we think Agra, the beautiful Taj Mahal never fails to come to our mind. Situated on the bank of river Yamuna is the former capital of Hindustan. Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri along with Taj Mahal are listed in UNESCO World Heritage. There are also many other buildings and tombs from Agra’s day of glory. So it provide more than one reason to visit Agra.

Climate

Agra features a semiarid climate that borders on a humid subtropical climate. The city features mild winters, hot and dry summers and a monsoon season. However the monsoons, though substantial in Agra, are not quite as heavy as the monsoon in other parts of India. This is a primary factor in Agra featuring a semiarid climate as opposed to a humid subtropical climate.

Taj Mahal : Agra is famous as being home to one of the seven wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal  is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”.Taj Mahal is regarded by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Islamic, Persian,Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles.

Agra Fort : Built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D. the fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite building, including the Moti Masjid, Diwane-I-Aam, Diwani-I-Khas and musanman Burj, where the Emperor Shah Jahan died in imprisonment beside Jahangirs place, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal.

Fatehpur Sikri : Imposing gateways and light- hearted palaces were built in red sandstone within this fortified city only to be abandoned a few years later. Among its many architectural game are the places for his queens – Jodha Bai, Mariyam and his Turkish sultana, built in varying styles, each perfect in itself.

Itmad – Ud Daula : To the north of the fort and across the river Yamuna are several fine examples of Mughal architecture. The Itmad -Ud -Daula as a by the Empress Noor Jehan as a memorial to her father

Chini Ka Rauzaa : The tomb of Afzal Khan, the persian poet and minister at Shah Jehan’s court gets its name from the brightly coloured glazed tiles that decorate it . Lies just 1km beyond itmad -ud -daula.

Sikandara : Welcome to Sikandra, a suburb of Agra, only 13 km. From the Agra Fort. The last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal emperors and one of the most secular minded royalties of his time. He was the heir to a long tradition of oriental refinement, a great patron of the arts, literature, philosophy and science. A visit to Akbar’s monument opens before one, the completeness of Akbar’s personality as completely as the Taj Mahal does of Mumtaz Mahal’s.

The Diwan-e-Khas entirely unique in its concept is a tall vaulted room with an intricately carved central pillar and capital supporting a platform that once held the emperor’s throne. Narrow galleries link this to the corners of the room where it is believed his ministers sat The airy panch mahal a 5 storied structure rising in pyramidal fashion was probably used by the ladies of the court. Set like a jewel in a courtyard of pink sandstone is the finest building here, the marble tomb of Salim Chisti enclosed by finely carved, lacy marble screens. The Buland Darwaza, an imposing gateway 54 m high was built to commemorate Akbar’s Aligarh the famous university town is a center of Islamic studies. The city is also noted for its handicrafts and metal ware.