Top 5 Things to Do in and around Agra

It was Mark Twain who rightly said, “There are two kinds of people in this, one who have seen the Taj Mahal and the other who haven't.” But Agra is not just famous for the Taj, the magnificent marble monument which is very aptly one of the seventh wonders of the world.

 Here, we shall list 5 most important things you ought to do when you pay homage to Agra, the first capital and the royal city of Indian heritage.

#1. Visit the Taj Mahal

   Out of the several ancient places to visit in Agra, the Taj Mahal is the most important. Built in pristine white marble, the Taj is an architectural masterpiece that cannot be replicated. It was built by the Emperor Shahjahan for his wife Mumtaz as a symbol of eternal love.

#2. Make a visit to the Agra Fort

Among the several things to do in Agra, a very significant one is visiting the Agra Fort. Situated at a distance of 2.5 km from the Taj Mahal, this majestic monument was initially a brick fort erected by the Hindu Sikarwar Rajputs. It was later used by Sikandar Lodhi, the first Sultan of Delhi as his residence. The Delhi Gate is grand in its architecture and historically prominent. It was considered to be a masterpiece in Akbar’s era. Now, the Delhi Gate has been closed to the public because the Indian military is utilizing the Northern portion of the Agra Fort for its functions.

#3. Eat Mughlai Cuisine

Agra had seen the reign and foundation of the Mughal power and art for a very long time. This has greatly influenced the cuisine here and gives it a sublime edge over all the other cities in India. The most enjoyable things to do in Agra is to have a sumptuous  Mughlai cuisine. Some great restaurants in the city can serve you the most delicious Mughlai dishes. The must-haves during your trip to Agra are the boti kebab, tandoori and seekh chicken.

#4. Bird Watching and Chambal River Safari

You can witness Agra’s natural and scenic beauty here . River Chambal is situated at a distance of about 77 km from Agra. The National Chambal Safari boasts of around 242 species of resident as well as migratory bird species, gharials, Gangetic dolphins. muggers and eight species of turtles.

#5. Visit Fatehpur Sikri and Akbar’s Mausoleum at Sikandra.

Fatehpur Sikri was the initial Mughal capital during Emperor Akbar’s era (1571-1585) and was founded by him in the year 1569. The important places to see in Fatehpur Sikri are Buland Darwaza, the Jama Masjid, the Diwan-i-Aam, the Ibadat Khana, the tomb of Salim Chisti, Naubat Khana, Anup Talao, Mariam-uz-Zaman’s palace and Birbal’s House. The entire monument is constructed out of red sandstone. This ancient Mughal palace city is surrounded by a wall on three sides and a lake on the fourth side.

Akbar’s Tomb in Sikandra is another marvelous and mesmerizing piece of art that should not be missed when in Agra. This tomb sprawls over 199 acres of land. It was commissioned by Emperor Akbar himself and was later on completed by his Son Jahangir.