A Visit to Agra |
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Posted on 6/10/2012 |
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Hi, I am Vaibhav and welcome to my experiences during my visit to Agra during 1st week of April 2012, along with my family. It was all of a sudden program prepared by my father. In fact we all were chatting in my Grand Mom’s house at Bharatpur on 30th March 2012 and I was asking my father to show me the historical places of Agra as I have read about them a lot during my previous classes and also heard a lot about Agra from my friends earlier.
My father agreed to my suggestion and declared that tomorrow morning i.e., on 31st March 2012 we are going to Agra. We planned to visit Agra by hiring a taxi. Myself, my father and mother all started for Agra early morning. I was very happy and excited. I had taken a video camera along with me to record the entire event.
After reaching Agra in Afternoon, we stayed in a very nice hotel near Taj Mahal. The Hotel was having a white marble model of Taj Mahal. We relaxed for some time there and then we visited Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. 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 the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles.
In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen.
Here I would like to say that India is a country of rich culture and centuries of history and tradition of its own. Thus the country is full of places which are rich in traditions, are important historically, economically, politically or sociologically. Moreover, the diversity that it presents baffles the people because the diversity is not only geographical but social and cultures as well. Thus, India attracts thousands of tourists from all over the globe.
Agra has been a great centre of art and architecture during the Mughal period. It goes to the credit of Akbar to transform Agra into a great city of cultural and historical importance.
Next day, we visited Agra Fort which is also known as Lal Quila, which is made rust colored sandstone. The fort was built by Akbar in AD 1565.It took 8 years to be completed. The fort is said to have 500 building in the style of Bengal and Gujarat. The fort stands on the banks of the river Yamuna with double walls to protect it. These walls are very high.
The fort has four gates. Presently, the entry to the fort is allowed through the gate in the south of the fort called the Amar Sing Rathore Gate. Just outside the gate is a stone statue of a horse’s head built by Amar Sing Rathore of Jodhpur in remember of his faithful horse that had jumped the walls of the fort and lost its leg in order to save its master.
Right behind is Akbar’s Palace-the roof and floor of which are made of red stone. The Diwan-e-Am of the palace was the place held his durbar and dispensed justice. We also saw the Diwan-e-Khas and the Machhli Bhavan. Close to the Diwan-e-Aam is the Meena Bazaar. To the west is the building which is a very curious kind of a Hide and Seek building.
Other places to be visited in Agra
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 Mirza Ghiyas Beg , is beautifully ornamented with pietra dura inlay and lattice work marble screens.
Chini Ka Roza: The tomb of Afzal Khan, the Persian poet and minister at Shah Jehan's court gets its name from the brightly colored 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.
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.
It is said that Akbar was indebted to the blessing of Sufi of Sikri, Sheik Slim Chisti for the birth of his three sons. Therefore, in order to show his gratitude Akbar built and developed Sikri and decided to shift his capital there. The place is 40 km to the south west of Agra. He named it as fatehpur sikri. There is Idadat-khana built for holing discussions on matters of religion. But the crowing glory of the city is the jama masque which can hold 10000 worshippers and is believed to be the replica of the mosque at Mecca. It is a monument example of the mixture of Persian and Indian style. Inside the mosque is the tomb of Sheik Slim Chisti. Right at the entrance at the mosque is the famous Buland Darwza which is 41 meters high. Other structures to see at fatehpur sikri are the panch mahal, jhodha bai’s palace, the sumhere makan and many other buildings.
Special sweets and snacks of Agra
As we all know Agra is Famous For Taj Mahal but apart from Taj mahal Agra is also famous For Petha & Dalmoth. Though Petha & Dalmoth are prepared in almost all cities or towns of India, Agra has its own place for specially Panchhi Petha.
This salt & sweet combination of Petha & Dalmoth will engulf your taste buds with sheer nirvana.
Dal moth is a spicy and crispy snack made from gram flour, turmeric powder, chili powder, moong, sugar, amchur, oil and salt. It’s delicious and is popular as an anytime snack or serves as a very good tea snack. Dal moth is a light and tasty snack.
Petha is made of natural and fresh white pumpkins. It is available in various tastes like Dry Petha, Kesar Petha & others.
Both have a longer shelf life and hence it makes an ideal gift to be presented to friends and relatives at festivals.
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Report: Vaibhav Khandelwel
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