Agra – Taj and Beyond

Home to one of India's truly biggest tourism attractions, Agra is best known as the home of the Taj Mahal. But there is more to the city than the Taj.Like many populous settlements that have started on the banks of a river, Agra also began as Akbarabad by the banks of the Yamuna River.

The Taj Mahal is obviously the highlight of any trip to Agra - even to India, for foreigners. The 17th century monument which is widely regarded as a tribute to love and longing is visited by thousands of tourists each day. Built as a mark of remembrance for his beautiful queen, Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan spent the better part of 22 years and his vast wealth to erect this marble marvel. Other important sightseeing options in Agra include the Agra Fort and Sikandra. The former is where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by Aurangazeb while Sikandra is where Emperor Akbar was laid to rest. An ideal day itinerary which is followed by the majority of tourists who come in to Agra from Delhi and surrounding cities include a mandatory visit to the Taj Mahal, followed by one to Agra Fort, Sikandra and then on to Fatehpur Sikri, on the outskirts of the city. This was built by Akbar and today is an important landmark for visits to Agra.

Agra has also made a mark in commerce. Its leather industry is one of the leading in the country. Tourists make it a point to shop at the hundreds of leather product outlets and take home footwear, bags and jackets. The other important thing to shop for in Agra is the souvenir of the city's premier icon, the Taj Mahal. Miniature models made of marble can be bought all over Agra's markets, besides other products made of the white stone that has given the city its character.Agra's semi-arid climate means a visit to the city of the Taj cannot be comfortable all year round. The summers can be extremely hot and the winters quite cold.

Connectivity to Agra has been fairly good, given its tourist prominence. To reach Agra from most towns in the North is easy but Delhi is the best connected city. It is possible to fly in to Agra but the majority of tourists take a train from Delhi or other cities as Agra falls on the main line that connects North to the South. Also, a sizeable section of the tourist population take the bus as plenty of tourist buses ply between Delhi and other nearby cities and Agra. Given the excellent highway connection that Agra enjoys with all major cities and towns, taking a cab or driving on one's own is also an enjoyable option.