Agra, once the capital of the Mughal Empire during the 16th and early 18th centuries, is four hours by road from New Delhi. Tourists from all over the world visit Agra not to see the ruins of the red sandstone fortress built by the Mughal emperors but to make a pilgrimage to Taj Mahal, India's most famous architectural wonder, in a land where magnificent temples and edificies abound to remind visitors about the rich civilization of a country that is slowly but surely lifting itself into an industrialized society.

General Information - 

• Population : 11,11,086 (Urban, as per 1991 Census) 

• Altitude : 169 Metres above sea level 

• Area : 82 sq. km. 

• Language Hindi, Urdu, English 

• Temperature Summer - 21.90° C - 45.00° C; Winter - 4.20° C 31.70° C 

• Rainfall : 66 cm. Average yearly 

• Clothes: Summer - Cotton; Winter - Light Woollens 

• STD Code : 0562
  

Perhaps no other historical monument has evoked as much awareness and admiration from tourists and travellers alike, as the magnificent Taj Mahal - fondly called by people as the ultimate requiem of love, from a great Mughal Emperor to his beloved.

So overwhelming is the exquisite beauty and presence of this marble mausoleum that centuries later today, even the very land where it has been located - Agra - has been immortalised as the City of the Taj. Yet, it doesn't take much for the roving eye to discover that there's more to Agra than just the fabled Taj Mahal. The city is a virtual gateway to a world of discovery... a freeze-frame from a resplendant era that's long since gone by. In the great epic 'Mahabharat' the region of Agra is described as 'Agraban' (an integral part of the Brij Bhumi or the land of Lord Krishna). The latter part of Indian history outlines the origins of Agra to 1475 A.D., when the reign of Raja Badal Singh.

However, Agra came into limelight during the rule of Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi - who had made it the capital of his empire.

Later in 1526 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Babar took upon himself the task for rendering Agra, a unique character and beauty of its own. The visionary that he was and a great patron of the arts, Emperor Babar brought in a change in the culture and life-style among the people of Agra, which then brought forth some of the finest craftsmen, artists, statesmen, warriors and nobility, this part of India had ever withnessed. The golden age of Agra's history, thus began to set in.

The next few hundred years of Agra witnessed the rise of the pomp and pageantry of three great Mughal monarchs - Emperor Akbar, Jehangir and ShahJahan - all of whom lavished on this fabled city, their love and riches immeasurable to transform the land into one of the great centers of art, culture, learning and commerce. 

Much of the city's impressive past lives in evidence even today, in the hunting presence inside the monuments, the majesty of the buildings, the exquisite arts and crafts and not to forget, the lure of an exceptional cuisine... all, cherished as priceless legacies of a nostalgic past. The older city of Agra has impressively retained much of its resplendent history... captivating every visitor with fond memories to take back home. Today, luxury and modern convenience also exist adjacent to tradition - luxury hotels, shopping malls and plazas, wide avenues and a superb choice of venues for recreation, business, sports, pleasure, education and the arts.

Accessibility - 

Air : Agra is well-connected to cities like Delhi, Khajuraho, Varanasi etc. Kheria airport is 6 km from Agra town.

Indian Airlines, Hotel Clarks Shiraz, 54, Taj Road, Tel : 2226801, 2226821. 
Jet Airlnes, Hotel Clarks Shiraz, 54 Taj Road, Tel : 2226259, 2226527

Rail : Agra is connected by rail with major cities, like Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Jaipur, Madras, Secunderabad and Trivandrum. 

Agra Cantt. Railway Station, Enquiries, Tel : 131. Reservation Tel : 22364244, 22364611. 
Agra Fort Railway Station, Enquiries, Tel : 132. Reservation, Tel : 2364131. 
Raja-ki-Mandi Railway Station, Enquiries, Tel : 133 Reservation Tel : 2354477. 
Tundla Railway Station (26 km), Enquiries, Tel : 05612-229631.

Road : Agra is well-connected to the following cities by road : Mathura, Delhi, Chandigarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, etc. Agra's distance by road, from the main cities is as follows :- Delhi - 203 km.,  Khajuraho - 393 km., Gwalior - 118 km., Jaipur - 237 km., Calcutta - 1287 km.,  Varanasi - 657 km., Mussoorie - 417 km., Mumbai 1204 km., Mathura - 58 km., Bharatpur - 60 kms.

UPSRTC Bus Stand, Idgah, Enquiries, Tel : 2366588 
UPSRTC Bus Stand, Opp. Power House, Enquiries, Tel : 2364557.

SIGHT SEEING : 
Taj Mahal :: Agra Fort :: Chini Ka Rauza :: Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb :: Ram Bagh :: Sikandra :: Mariyam's Tomb :: Marble Temple at Somibagh :: Jama Masjid

EXCURSION :
Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) :: Fatehpur Sikri :: Mathura-Vrindavan

FAIRS & FESTIVALS: 

Kailash Fair (Aug. / Sep.) : Held at Kailash, 12 km. It is major fair celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva who is believed to have appeared here in the form of a stone lingam.

Sheetla Fair (July/Aug.) : It is held near Delhi Gate.

Bateshwar Fair: This month-long festival is held annually during the month of November at Bateshwar, situated at a distance of 65 km from Agra.

Urs (Fatehpur Sikri) : This fair is organised at Sheikh Salim Chishti's Dargah, during the month of Ramzan.

Taj Mahotsav : A festival of art, craft, culture and celebrations. Organised by U.P. Tourism, it is held every year between 18th -27th February.

SHOPPING : 
Agra is also known for its fabulous handicrafts, made of marble and softstone inlay work. The Mughals were great patrons of arts and crafts. Empress Nur Jahan took personal interest and was an accomplished artist herself in zari embroidery work. Agra's major handicraft products besides inlay work are : leatherware, brassware, carpets, jewellery and embroidery work. Agra is also well known for its sweets 'petha' and 'Gazak' and saltish snack 'Dalmoth. The main shopping areas of the city are Sadar Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Raja-ki-Mandi, Sanjay Place and the Taj Mahal Complex. Shopping is recommended at the Govt. Emporia or Souvenir Shops approved by U.P Tourism.