Agra- Beyond “Taj”

The Taj Mahal being the one of the seven wonders of the world, is one of the most visited monument in all over the world and Best in Budget Pre-Wedding Shoot Destination. The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna river. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is also an UNESCO World Heritage site. We Recommend you to Visit the Taj Mahal during Full Moon Nights – An Experience like no other in the World. Best time to visit is during winter or in monsoon.

Tip- You can also buy tickets online on Official Website asi.payumonem & www.asiagracircle.in

Come to ‘The Taj’ with blissful pride! Bring the saga come alive!!
Come; fall in love, every time!!!

Akbar’s tomb is the tomb of the Mughal emperor Akbar. This tomb is an important Mughal architectural masterpiece. It was built in 1605–1613 by his son Jahangir and is situated in 119 acres of grounds in Sikandra. Akbar Tomb is a must visit tourist destination, because here you can also get a chance to view various species such as Deer, Antelope, rarely peacocks, and several birds and once you enter into the gateway, you will find Mughal styled gardens.

If you are planning to view the Taj Mahal without hustle bustle of the crowd, then head to the Mehtab Bagh. Mehtab Bagh is located on the left Bank of River Yamuna opposite to the Taj Mahal. At present, Mehtab Bagh, is popular as Pre-Wedding shoot destination. This park is originally built by Emperor Babur. The garden complex, square in shape, measures about 300 by 300 metres (980 ft × 980 ft) and is perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank. This is now one of the best places to view the great mausoleum.

If you are in Agra then Fatehpur Sikri is the must visit place. Fatehpur Sikri, a city predominantly in red sand-stone, situated at a distance of 37 kms from Agra, was built by the Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar. In Fatehpur Sikri be an eyewitness of Buland Darwaza highest and grandest gateway in India and ranks among the biggest in the world and Jama Masjid– one of the largest mosques in India. Now it is UNESCO World Heritage site. At Fatehpur Sikri during sunset and sunrise, the turrets and domes create shadows and silhouette against the copper red sky; which truly is an inspirational scene for a painter’s canvas or the visitor’s eyes. Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.

Like Red Fort in Delhi, Agra Fort is also known as “Lal –Qila”, “Fort Rouge” or “Qila-i-Akbari”. This fort is very expansive and contains many buildings that are worth a visit so you can very well check them out. On a visit to Agra Fort, you will be attracted to the intricate carvings and the pure marbles that are used in its making. Besides, the breathtaking views of the Yamuna River and Taj Mahal from the balconies of the pavilions will leave you absolutely mesmerized.

Guru ka Tal is a historical Sikh pilgrimage place dedicated to the memory of ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahudar Ji. The Gurudwara was built over the place where the Guru Tegh Bahadur offered voluntary arrest to Aurangazeb, the Mughal Emperor. During your visit to Gurudwara don’t forget to have the Guru ka Langar, which served the community in many ways, even the Mughal King Akbar came and sat among the ordinary people to share langar.

Tip- Visit during early morning or in evening for better experience. Advice to visit Akbar’s Tomb, which is near to this place.

Taj Nature Walk offers exceptional views of the famous Taj Mahal with just 500 meters away from the eastern gate of Taj Mahal. A great way to feast your eyes on the lesser-explored sites of the popular tourist destination, this takes you through a green belt situated on the right bank of River Yamuna. A trail covering roughly 9 km with grass mounds, watch towers and other viewing points of the Taj Mahal. This also has over 46 varieties of flowers. You can also spot local birds, butterflies and mammals such as jackals, blue bulls, hares, parakeets, kingfishers and hoopoes.

Dolphin The Water World was started in 2002. It is spread over an area of 14 acres. Dolphin The Water World is known to be North India’s biggest water park. Water Park is having different rides for teenager to adult which include Wave Pool, Multilane Slides, Cyclone, Lazy River, Little Kingdoms, Clusters Black Hole, Kiddies Slides, Rafting Slides, Dry Landing Slides, Rain Dance Zone, Attractive Water Bodies, Etc.

Taj Mahotsav, one of the most eagerly awaited festivals, is celebrated from 18th to 27th February every year at Shilpgram near the Eastern gate of “Taj Mahal”. Every year Mahotsav is celebrated with different themes and many artist participated in this festival such as “Shaan”, “Palak Muchhaal”, etc. In this 10 days long carnival you can find India’s rich arts, crafts, cultures, cuisine, dance and music. Taj Mahal is the most beautiful historical place of India which tells about incredible India.

Kailash Mahadev Temple is located on the banks of Yamuna. “It is said about these twin Jyotirlinga that this Shivalinga was established by Lord Parashurama himself and his father Rishi Jayadagni.” Experts tell that this Kailash temple was established in Treta Yuga. Once you visited this temple then, I am sure that you will find peace and harmony, as also this temple is at the bank of yamuna so, you will feel like never before.

History of Temple- In Treta Yuga Parashurama and his father went to Mount Kailash to perform the hard penance of Lord Shiva. Due to his severe penance, Lord Shiva asked him to ask for a boon. On this, both these devotees asked him to go with him and demanded that you stay with us forever. After this, Lord Shiva gave both the father and son as a Shivalinga. When both fathers and sons left for their ashram Renuka in Agrawan (Renukadham’s past is mentioned in the Srimad Bhagwat Geeta), then stopped for a night’s rest 4 km before the ashram. The next day I went to the first fiddle in the morning for daily routine. After that, when the Jyothirlinga came to worship, the twin Jyotirlinga got there at the root of the earth. Both of these Shivalingas tried to lift it a lot, but at the same time, there was an air that it would now be considered as Kailash Dham. Since then this religious place has been named Kailash.

It is said that the shiv linga is covered by silver metal and was founded by Lord Shiva himself during Dwapara era, when Krishna was born in Mathura. The temple has one sanctum sanctorum where the vigraha of Lord Shiva sits. It is surrounded by the typical Shiva family idols. One has to descend down a score of stairs to reach the sanctum sanctorum. One can reach fully close to the main vigraha provided one does not wear leather items and English style pants, pyjamas, and salwaar suits.

Sadar Bazaar is a popular shopping destination for tourists visiting Agra. Shops in Sadar Bazaar sell leather products, petha (sweet), handicrafts and garments. The market sees heavy activity in the evening when the streets are filled with locals and foreigners alike. The area is also renowned for its street food, with stalls selling chaat snacks and Agra-specialty petha sweets. No-frills eateries offering simple Indian fare are scattered throughout the area. One of the famous shop is Mama’s Chicken. The market is closed on Tuesdays.

Food Joints & Eating Places That You Never Miss in Agra

Not only The Taj Mahal , Agra is also having another legend in town that you never miss and it is Pinch of Spice. Pinch of Spice also awarded under top 10 India’s best restaurants. With exclusive interiors and amazing lighting, comfortable chairs run down the space, it has the dazzling gold of the ceiling lamps shining off the gloss of the wooden tables. The Pinch of Spice chain consist of fine dining with a five star feel and promises all food lovers a journey of specialised north west frontier cuisine with exotic picks from regions of Punjab and the Mughal era, at a substantial pricing.

The Salt Cafe Agra is the place you want to be. No matter what your age is, what you want to eat and who you are with. It is the happiest place in town to enjoy Agra nightlife with the view of Taj Mahal. The Salt Café is a casual dining resto-bar. With beautiful interiors and Santorini styled awe-inspiring terrace, it is one of the best restaurants in Agra.

Panchhi petha is a reputed name in premium quality petha and namkeen & other delectable delicacies…perhaps the best that has won the heart of millions… around the globe. In Agra this is the best place to have world famous petha.

Tip- Panchhi petha is having limited stores in Agra i.e. Hari parvat crossing, Guru ka taal, Agra cantt, opp. Bhagwan cinema, Near Rameshwari Devi School, Fatehpur-sikri road and Near Ramada Hotel ring atehabad Road Agra. Beware fraud stores.

If you ever visited Punjab then I am sure that this restaurant will remind of you taste of Punjab. Amritsari Kulcha Junction is a pure veg restaurant and provides variety of tandoori kulcha, Soyabean chaap, pasta, noodles,etc. although the ambience is not so good but the quality of the food is like you never have before.

Mama chicken Mama Franky is the name that suggested by all locals in Agra for delicious non vegetarian food. This shop is in famous sadar bazaar in the side street lane with aromatic atmosphere. Mama chicken is having two outlets in Agra one in Sadar Bazaar and other is in Sanjay Place. Good times always accompany great food, so enjoy food with your loved one’s.

As the name suggest, the Greener Side is a very Eco-Friendly Cafe with no use of plastic from plates to spoon everything is made from recyclable materials. It has quality food, quality ambiance, one should really visit there for a quality experience. The Greener Side is having varieties of Waffles, Drinks, Sandwiches, Burgers and many more.

The breakfast in Agra is never completed without Bedai, Kachori and Jalebi. The bedai (sometimes spelled berahi) is a fried, puffy bread, much like kachori, served with a bowl of spicy green sabzi dotted with hunks of potato and a dollop of curd. I suggest you for famous Deviram’s sweets near pratapura crossing for freshly prepared bedai and jalebi. You can also have it at GMB Sweets & Food Plaza in Tajganj but if you want more spicy bedai and kachori then I recommend it near Hanuman mandir St. John’s crossing.

Since 1921, Dasaprakash Restaurant serves authentic South Indian vegetarian cuisine in the form of delicious dosai varieties, medu vadi, idli varieties, rice preprations, South Indian thali etc. with signature vegetarian Continental dishes from the 1960’s (like Lasagane, Spice Corn Toast, Spaghetti Burmese, Mexican Pizza to name a few), fresh juices and our famous American Ice cream Sundaes.

Agra is not famous only for the Taj Mahal or Petha, it also has something and it is Chaat Gali, for the true chaat lovers or Basket Chaat lovers or we can say that for the street food lovers. Chaat gali has everything from gol gappe to pasta. If you ever visit chaat gali so never miss Turban Master Chef Street Food, Mr Jassi, popularly known as the turban chef, also former contestant on Masterchef India. He served a variety of pastas, pizzas, breads, tikkas, momos etc.