by KavitaK

Created on: March 27, 2009

Travel destinations: Agra, India

The Taj Mahal! Makes you smile just thinking about it.

A symbol of love, the Taj Mahal is one of the most imposing structures and the finest example of India's Islamic architectures.

Shah Jahan, the Mugal emperor who ruled India in the 16th century had many wives, but was deeply in love with Arjumand Banu Begam when he was still a teenager. He married her and changed her name to Mumtaz. They were inseparable and even took her on his military ventures. She died while giving birth to their fourteenth child. The emperor was so distraught that he vowed to spend the rest of his days constructing the most unforgettably beautiful monument in her memory.

The Taj Mahal mausoleum complex build entirely with white marble, with its beautiful gardens, fountains, marbled pavements, gateway structures, and mosque, was completed in 1653.

The garden contains four water channels to echo the four rivers of the Islamic Paradise. It rises from a platform, with one white marble minaret at each corner. The white marble exterior is inlaid with semi-precious stones arranged in Arabic inscriptions, floral designs, and arabesques. The interior is inlaid with agate, jasper, and coloured marbles.

The main tomb chamber is an octagonal room with the edifice of the royal couple. However, the royal couple are actually are buried in an underground vault.

Agra is an old city, the name of which was derived from Agrabana, a forest that is mentioned in the epic story of Mahabharata. It was during the rule of the third emperor Akbar, that the city came into its own and the massive Agra Fort was constructed.

All the great Emperors and Mughals that ruled after Akbar, such as Babur, Humayun, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here. The country was governed from here and contained the largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travellers and the highest dignitaries who participated in the making of history in India.

Other interesting places in and around Agra includes the Itmad-Ud-Daulah's tomb, described as the jewel box'.

How do you get to Agra?

By road: Agra is very well connected by road from the capital city of India, New Delhi. Distance between New Delhi and Agra is about 203 kms. Buses run frequently between the two cities and there is always the sightly more expensive method of hiring a car from New Delhi. All other major destinations near Agra such as Jaipur are also very well connected by road.

By air: Then there is by air where Agra is on a regular tourist air route. There are domestic flights from Delhi, Khajuraho and Varanasi 4 times a week.

By rail; there are 6 railway stations in Agra, Agra Cantonment being the largest and also has an Information centre. Trains come from Delhi, Gwalior, and Jhansi and the station is closest to most good hotels. There are express trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai that halt at Agra railway stations. Shatabdi Express departs from Delhi at 6 in the morning and reaches Agra at approximately 8:30-9:00 in the morning and returns back to Delhi at around 8:15 in the night.

Where do I stay?

Check this out. This site has all the information you would need to find the right accommodation whatever your budget.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/AllLocations-g2976 83-c1-Hotels-Agra_Uttar_Pradesh.html

So don't wait, visit Agra and have a happy journey!

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