Tips and insights for your trip to Agra

The first thing that comes in one’s mind at the very mention of the city Agra is the majestic monument of love, the Taj Mahal. A visit to Agra is a must for every Indians. The city can be easily reached from the national capital of New Delhi and since the Delhi to Agra distance by train is just a matter of 200 kms, once you step inside the train, you will have reached your destination even sooner than you had expected.

The irresistible city of Agra, built by the banks of Yamuna in the state of Uttar Pradesh is home to not only the historic and world renowned ‘Taj Mahal’, it is also home to other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The two other UNESCO World Heritage apart from the Taj Mahal is Fatehpur Sikri and the Agra Fort. Agra has some of the best and richest line of ancient monuments and palaces which makes it one of the best places for sightseeing in India. It can easily and ideally be approached from New Delhi with the Delhi to Agra distance by train being just under 200 km. You can also choose to travel by road and embark on a short but exciting road trip and take pictures along the way.

Agra is slowly transitioning into becoming a proper city rather than just a small tourist city with historical sites. Modern amenities are available in the city, malls and newer buildings can be seen all around the city. And while up until recently, most of the accommodation facilities available were budget friendly and mid ranged hotels but now there are a few chain of well renowned luxury stays available for people who would like to splurge on their trip. Even with all the developments and changes in the infrastructure, the cleanliness of the city is a major concern as it portrays India to the rest of the world.

However, with all the changes the city is going through, the fact remains that regardless of all that, the whole city revolves around one place, the Taj Mahal. People do not travel halfway across the world to visit a small ill-maintained city just for the heck of it, they make that journey just to get a glimpse of one of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everything thing else that follows is secondary. It is believed that it took a staggering 22 years to fully complete this monument of perfection and took 20,000 workers to do so. A visit to the monument will reaffirm your belief in it as the whole monument is designed to perfection and every wall, every piece of marble inside the monument is inscribed with intricate detailing of art and some scripture scribbling. As you enter, take a good look at each and every corner of the monument, every wall corner, ceiling and every door, each and every tiny detail is the hard work and sweat of 20,000 workers and the mastermind design of Emperor Shah Jahan.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind while on your trip to Agra.

• Be careful of what you eat and drink. Make hygiene your priority in choosing the places you eat and always buy properly sealed bottled water.

• Carry basic meds with you at all times and dress according to the weather on that day.

• Don’t limit your sightseeing to Taj Mahal alone and visit all the other beautiful monuments, palaces, places of worships and gardens in the city.

• On your way back, book a taxi to the Agra railway station. Auto Rickshaws are unreliable and charge more inturn.

• Don’t rush your visits, take time to visit each monument properly and appreciate the intricate detailings and brilliant architecture of the Mughal period. In a world where things are built and destroyed easily, monuments like these are something you will never see coming up anywhere anymore.