Agra on the Yamuna River

Agra sits on the banks of the Yamuna River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a city in India that tourists like to visit because it has the honor of being home to the fabulous Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal is one of the finest monuments ever built. In 1983 it became a UNESCO World Heritage site. This world-renowned wonder at times is referred to as the epitome of love. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction was started in 1632 and completed in 1653. The lovely monument sits on the banks of the Yamuna River. There are two smaller red stone buildings, one is a mosque and one a rest house. To be able to enter the mausoleum you have to put a cloth around your feet just like for any other temple in India. It is possible to rent a piece of cloth. You can see impressive marble carvings decorated with precious and semi-precious colorful stones.

Within the Taj complex, on the western side of the garden, you’ll find the small but excellent Taj Museum. On display are a number of original Mughal miniature paintings, among them a pair of 17th-century ivory portraits of Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. There are also some well-preserved gold and silver coins, architectural drawings of the Taj Mahal, and some celadon plates. It is said that these plates will split into pieces or change color if the food served on them contains poison.

In Sikandra, in the suburbs of Agra is the tomb of Akbar the Great. This is an important Mughal architectural masterpiece built between 1605 and 1613. It was Akbar himself who began the construction of the tomb, according to Tartary tradition. The South Gate of the tomb is the largest with four white marble chatri-topped minarets. The buildings were built from deep red sandstone. An inscription on the mausoleum reads: “These are the Gardens of Eden, enter them to dwell eternally”.

Mehtab Bagh is a garden complex that overlooks the Agra Fort and the Yamuna River. The name of the garden means moonlight garden. It is one of the most scenic spots in Agra. It is one of the eleven similar gardens built by the Mughals. It was built by Emperor Babur and offers an awesome view of the Taj Mahal. The garden is a recreational complex with pools, fountains, and trees.

One of India’s most historic structures and a UNESCO World Heritage site is the Agra Fort. The fort was the seat of the Mughal Empire. It took 4000 workers and eight years to build the fort. It was completed in 1573. The 94-acre fort has double ramparts with massive circular bastions. The fort is accessed through four gates.

The grandest gate is Delhi Gate which was the gate for the king’s formal entry.

Take a look at the impressive Octagonal Tower also known as Musamman Burj. It was built by Shah Jahan and dedicated to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The tower was built for the ladies, it has a fountain outside and a huge verandah. Unfortunately, this was the place where Shah Jahn spent his last years, imprisoned by his son. From here he could gaze out and see the Taj Mahal. When he died his body was taken by boat to the Taj Mahal.

Another structure in Agra Fort is Jahangir’s Palace, where the Rajut wives lived during the rule of Akbar. It was built with a mix of Hindu and Central Asian architecture. This palace was a token of the great Mughal emperor, Akbar to his beloved son Jahangir, who later succeeded him as emperor. There is a huge bowl which is known as Hauzi-Jahangir, carved from a single stone and holds fragrant rose water.

Kinari Bazaar is a colorful market. Here you can purchase almost anything clothing, shoes, fabrics, jewelry, spices, and even marble work. There are many snack stalls.

Don’t be surprised to see a buffalo or a working elephant making their way through the crowds.

Chini-ka-Rauza is the Persian-style riverside tomb of Afzal Kahn. He was a poet who served as Shah Jahan’s chief minister. The tomb was built between 1628 and 1639. It sits in a wonderful spot down an avenue of trees on the east bank of the Yamuna.

On the banks of the Yamuna River is the lovely Rambagh Garden. This was the very first garden of the Mughals that was built in India. The garden was created to entertain the Emperor’s guests and as a place where the Emperor and his loyal people could relax. The garden is popular for its design and natural setting. Four main sections are crisscrossed by waterways and pathways. Since it sits on the banks of the Yamuna River the garden draws its water from it. The water gets distributed throughout the park in a cascade that has been built over three terraces. You can also see some ruined houses that were built from red sandstone. The first level of the garden has flowers and vegetables, flower beds on the second, and tanks and terraces on the third.

Visit the pearly white Moti Masjid, a holy place in Agra. It was built by Shah Jahan so that court members had a place to worship. It consists of 12 arches facing from the North, East and South. The main entrance is on the east side. The prayer chamber is ornamented with intricate designs. The sanctuary is sheltered by three bulbous-sized domes.

Relax by the lovely Keetham Lake also known as the Sur Sarovar. This is a scenic lake in a pentagonal shape. There are artificially created islands for shelter and breeding grounds for migratory birds. Here you can find over 100 species of migratory and resident birds.

In 1972 India passed a law against cruelty to sloth bears. They could no longer be used for entertainment and cruelly treated. The answer was the Agra Bear Rescue Facility. Here you can see around 130 rescued dancing bears enjoying life and climbing trees. Tour guides tell visitors about the vanishing wildlife of India and conservation efforts.