Agra is a city situated on banks of Yamuna river in the Uttar pradesh state of India. It is just 206 km far south from the Indira Gandhi international airport. Sultan Sikandar Lodi, the Muslim ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, founded Agra in the year 1504. After the Sultan’s death, the city passed on to his son, Sultan Ibrahim Lodi. Later on mughal emperors make this vibrant city to their capital. In the Mughal era the development and constructions were on peek in the city. The world famous wonder called The Taj Mahal was also build by Mughal emperor Shahjahan. The red fort was also built by him but later other Mughal emperor did their contributions. You can not visit the whole Agra in a single day as it has so many secrets hidden in the old buildings and streets. Here I bring some of the very unique and hidden places, things to do in Agra if you visit.

  1. The Taj Mahal

Whenever outsider think of traveling India, Taj mahal is the first thing comes in their mind. Taj mahal is a stunning piece of architecture, from grand majestic buildings to intricate inlay marble work. These work will take you to the real history and make you feel the royalty in the era.  You can visit anytime it is beautiful to watch this amazing white structure but best time to witness its beauty is the early morning when the first ray of sun reflect on its marble, it glows like a golden tomb of heaven. You can purchase tickets by your cards they will give you a small discount.

  1. Agra Fort

Agra fort once was the main residence for the mughal dynasty when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. This is a big fort and having small palaces inside. This fort was built with heavy security features. Akbar used this fort for his army. It has a very unique relationship with Taj mahal. This fort provides a far view of Tajmahal from Musamman Burj. Musamman Burj is the most beautiful palace of this fort in fact it was built by emperor shahjahanand what a coincidence with this palace is that the same shahjahan imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. Shahjahan was used to sit at Musamman burj and spent his last days to watching his own creativity The Taj Mahal.

  1. Tomb of Itmaduddaula

Tomb of Itmadudaula is a mughal mausoleum often describe as baby taj. Built by Nur Jahan, in memory of her father Ghias-ud-Din Beg, who was conferred the title ‘Itimad-ud-Daulah’ meaning ‘Pillar of the Government’. It is the first tomb to be built in white marble instead of red sandstone. it has amazing intricate carved out motifs inside the tomb, beautiful inlay work.

 

  1. Mehtab Bagh

Mehtab Bagh is a charbagh complex in Agra, North India. It lies north of the Taj Mahal complex and the Agra Fort on the opposite side of the Yamuna River, in the flood plains. It is also known as moonlight garden. It was originally built by Emperor Babur as the last in a series of 11 parks bordering the Yamuna’s east bank, this Mughal garden was conceived before even the Taj Mahal. Best time to witness the Taj mahal beauty from this garden is the evening sunset.

  1. Chini Ka Rauza

Chini ka Rauza is a tomb and funerary monument of a scholar, Allama Afzal Khan Mullah. The mausoleum of Shahjahan’s prime minister and Persian poet Afzal Khan Aalmi known as ‘Maula Shukrullah, Shirazi’ was built in 1635. It exhibits fine use of glazed tiles, originally an exotic Persian art style, which finds itself a home in Agra. The Tomb is built facing the Makka (Saudi Arabia).

 

  1. Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid in Agra is situated opposite of Agra fort. The Jama Masjid is one of Agra’s oldest mosques.It is also famous as Jami Masjid or Friday Mosque ; Emperor Shah Jahan built it in 1648 in honor of his daughter Jahanara Begum. It is one of the largest mosques built by the Mughals in India and is of a special importance due to the assimilation of Iranian architectural elements.

  1. Mughal Heritage walk

It is one of the unique way to explore around taj Mahal. You can walk northern side of the Yamuna river and visit three hidden gems known as GyarahSiddi, Mehtab Bagh and Humayun’s Mosque, and it also gives a panoramic view of the TajMahal and the Agra Fort which is worth to see.

  1. Sheroes Restraunt

Sheroes hangout is a café nearby Taj Mahal, which is run by five women who all have survived acid attacks. The mission of Sheroes in unique in that it empowers economics independence and community outreach to bring to light in the women and eliminate the violence. Their food is as delicious as their cause fighting for rebuilding their future.