Agra, The
Chosen City for Taj Mahal
Agra was the chosen city of the Mughal emperors during the early
years. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babur, laid
out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the River
Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson, raised the towering ramparts of
the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red
palaces, courts and gardens. Shahjahan embellished it with marbled
mosques, palaces and pavillions of gem-inlaid white marble. Agra
is globally renown as the city of the Taj Mahal, a monument of
love and imagination, that represents India to the world.
History of
Taj Mahal India
The origin of the name the "Taj Mahal" is not clear. Court
histories from Shah Jehan's reign only call it the rauza (tomb) of
Mumtaz Mahal. It is generally believed that "Taj Mahal" (usually
translated as either "Crown Palace" or "Crown of the Palace") is
an abbreviated version of her name, Mumtaz Mahal (Exalted One of
the Palace).
Red Fort Agra
Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in
1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into a
palace
during Shah
Jahan's time. Though the
principal structure was built by Akbar, many more additions were
made by his grandsons. This massive fort is 2.5 kms long and is
considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red fort. The colossal
walls are 20 feet high and the whole fort is encircled by a fetid
moat. Amar Singh gate towards the south is the only entry point in
the fort.
The building
and structures inside the fort gives an impression of a city
within the city. Many of the buildings inside the fort are now
closed for the public. The marble pearl mosque inside the fort is
one of the most stunningly beautiful mosques in India. The
monuments insided the fort are described below in detail
Itmad Ud Daulah
Itmad-ud daulah, one of the most beautiful of Mughal tombs,
stands across the river Yamuna from the Taj Mahal, nearly one and
a half kilometers up-stream. Belonging to the age of Jahangir, it
contains cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas and Asmat Begum, parents of the
powerful Mughal Empress Nurjahan queen of Jahangir, an exceptional
beauty and an astute administrator. Mirza Ghiyas had left Persian
in sheer penury in search of better prospects at the Mughal court.
He benefited much from the influence of his daughter who he had
once abandoned in the desert. Akbar offered him a good rank and
privileges. Jahangir made him his prime minister with the title
Itmad-ud-daulah (Pillar of the State). Nurjahan’s brother Asaf
Khan later became prime minister of Shahjahan. This Persian family
formed at the Mughal court giving the grand Mughals two most
celebrated queens-Nurjahan and Mumtaz Mahal (Lady of the Taj),
daughter of Asaf Khan.
Sinakdra
The Mughal Emperor Akbar, known as Akbar the Great, ruled an
empire that stretched across North India from 1556 to 1605. His
reign is considered the pinnacle of Mughal rule in India Akbar's
tomb is located in the serene ambience of Sikandra 3 km away from
Agra. Akbar began building it during his lifetime and his son, the
Mughal Emperor Jahangir, completed it. Some of its design features
are similar to the design of the Taj Mahal built later in Agra.
Akbar's tomb at Sikandra has a large arched entrance and green
lawns, on which deer can be seen grazing, surround the tomb.
Full Moon at Taj :
1 - The Supreme
Court has now permitted visit to Tajmahal by moonlight.
2 - The Tajmahal by
moonlight shall be open on Full moon day and 2 days before and 2 days
after the full moon.
3 - On every
Friday, it shall remain closed. (even for moonlight visit it shall
remain closed on Friday).
4 - The full moon
dates are given below.
5 - The entrance
tickets presently are as follows:
Adult
Foreigners - Rs.750/- +
Service Charge
Indians - Rs.510/- +
Service Charge
Children : 3 to 5 years
Foreigners - Rs.500/- +
Service Charge
Indians - Rs.500/- +
Service Charge
6 - The timings are 2030 to 2400 hours.
7 - Tajmahal for moonlight visits shall NOT be
open to visitors during the month of RAMZAN.
For Foreigners following required to obtain permit:
Name, Sex, Passport Number. Age, Nationality.
Full Moon Dates :
*The Tajmahal by moonlight shall be open on Full moon
day and two days before and two days after the full moon, except Friday.
Even for moonlight visit it shall remain closed on Friday. During month
of August 2011 Taj Mahal shall not open due to Ramzan.
* The tickets are issued ONLY ONE DAY in advance from ASI, Agra office.
There is NO same day issue of tickets.
The timings for ticket purchase are 1100 hours to 1700 hours one day
before.
* ASI needs following details in advance on the application form for ALL
guests :
Name, Sex, Passport number, Age & Nationality.
e For Indians need age / address and full names for all guests.
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2012 |
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2012 |
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7 |
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1 |
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8 |
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2 |
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January |
9 |
July |
3 |
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|
10 |
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4 |
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11 |
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5 |
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5 |
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|
6 |
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- |
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February |
7 |
August |
- |
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|
8 |
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- |
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|
9 |
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- |
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|
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6 |
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27 |
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|
7 |
|
FRI |
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March |
8 |
September |
29 |
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|
9 |
|
30 |
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|
10 |
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01 Oct. |
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|
4 |
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27 |
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|
5 |
|
28 |
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April |
6 |
October |
29 |
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|
7 |
|
30 |
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|
8 |
|
31 |
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|
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3 |
|
26 |
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|
FRI |
|
27 |
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May |
5 |
November |
28 |
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|
6 |
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29 |
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|
7 |
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FRI |
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2 |
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26 |
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3 |
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27 |
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June |
4 |
December |
FRI |
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|
5 |
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29 |
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|
6 |
|
30 |
Note : Entrances
shall be payable directly by guest or to be prearranged. Current
entrances & monument details are as follows :-
