Även om Agra inte ligger i Rajasthan är det
ett resmål man inte får missa i Gyllene Triangeln
(Delhi-Agra-Jaipur).
Agra är en stad vid floden Yamuna i
västra delen av den indiska delstaten Uttar Pradesh, och är den
administrativa huvudorten för distriktet Agra. Staden ligger drygt 200 km
söder om Delhi, 168 m ö.h. Agra hade 1 275 134 invånare vid folkräkningen
2001, med totalt 1 331 339 invånare i hela storstadsområdet inklusive
Agras garnisonsstad, Dayalbagh och Swamibagh. Storstadsområdet har en
beräknad folkmängd av 1 592 000 invånare år 2007.
Staden hade 188 022 invånare 1901, när staden var då säte för Förenade
provinsernas brittiske guvernör. Det nuvarande Agra är trots den oerhörda
folkökningen under slutet av 1900-talet endast en skugga av det forna
Agra, som var Indiens mäktigaste stad. Staden grundades av Sikandar Lodhi
1504 (enligt en annan uppgift av raja Badal Singh 1475); i slutet av
1500-talet gjordes Agra av Akbar den store till de moguliska härskarnas
säte, men avtog i makt, sedan Aurangzeb gjort Delhi till sin och sina
efterträdares huvudstad. 1784 intogs Agra av maratherna och föll 1803 i
britternas händer. Agra är känt för Taj Mahal, ett mausoleum från
1600-talet
Agra,
http://sv.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Agra&oldid=10644181
(senast besökt februari 27, 2010).
Agra is famous as being home to one
of the seven wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal. The architectural
splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid remainder
of the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries.
While its significance as a political centre ended with the transfer of
the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has
secured its place on the international map.
A pleasant town with comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb
inlay work on marble by craftsmen supposedly the descendants of those who
worked under the Mughals on the Taj. The city is also famous for its
carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Agra was once the
capital of the Mughal Empire and even today it seems to linger in the
past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their passion for
building, endowed the city with some of the finest structures in the
world. It is very easy to slip away here through the centuries into the
grandeur and intrigues of the Mughal court. Agra is an old city and it is
said that its name was derived from Agrabana, a forest that finds mention
in the epic Mahabharata. In more recent times Agra came into prominence
when Sikandar Lodhi made it his capital city in 1501. The Lodi rule was to
end very soon and Agra passed into the possession of the Mughals. It was
during the time of the third emperor Akbar that Agra came into its own. He
embarked on the construction of the massive Agra Fort in 1565. Though
Akbar was diverted into building a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri not far
away.
Agra continued to retain its importance and Shah Jehan, Akbar's grandson
ornamented the city with that masterpiece of Mughal architecture - the Taj
Mahal and built several other beautiful buildings within the Agra fort.
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 resplendent era that's long since gone
by.
Much of the city's impressive past lives in evidence even today, in the
haunting 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.
Places of
Interests
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal Sheer poetry in marble. Majesty and magnificence, unrivalled.
The Taj Mahal, the one and only one of its kind across the world. The
monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen. The
ultimate realisation of Emperor Shah Jehan's dream. From 1631 A.D., it
took 22 years in the making. An estimated 20,000 people worked to complete
the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks of the Yamuna. For a breathtaking
beautiful view of the Taj Mahal, see it by moonlight.
Open : 6 days a week (Closed on Fridays), Sunrise - 7.30 p.m.
The Agra Fort
The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra
Fort in 1565, A.D. although additions were made till the time of his
grandson Shah Jehan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner
paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid - a
white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Diwan-I- Am, Diwan-I-Khaas,
Musamman Burj - where Shah Jehan died in 1666 A.D. Jahangir's Palace;
Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.
Chini Ka Rauza - This was constructed by Afzal Khan - a high
official in the court of Shah Jehan. Decorated by glazed tiles on the
façade, the structure clearly depicts the Persian influence in
architecture.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.
Ram Bagh - One of the earliest Mughal gardens, it was laid out by
Emperor Babar - the founder of the Mughal dynasty. It is said that Babar
was temporarily buried here before being permanently interred at Kabul in
Afghanistan.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.
Sikandra - The mausoleum of Emperor Akbar represents his philosophy
and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and Muslim architectures
in a superlative fusion. Completed in 1613 A.D., it is a well-preserved
monument.
Open : Sunrise to senset.
Itmad-ud-daulah - This exquisite marble tomb was got constructed by
Emperor Jehangir's queen, Nurjahan, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg during
1622 - 1628 A.D. The craftsmanship at Itmad-ud-Daulah foreshadows that of
the Taj Mahal. It was here that 'Pietra Dura' the inlay work on marble -
so characteristic of the Taj - was first used.
Open : Sunrise to sunset. Entry Fee Rs. 10.50
Mariyam's Tomb - This unique tomb in red sandstone was built in
1611 A.D. in memory of Emperor Akbar's Goan-Christian wife - Mariyam. The
tomb has some exceptional carvings.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.
Jama Masjid - This building, with a rectangular open forecourt was
constructed in 1648 AD by Shah Jehan's daughter, Jehanara Begum in memory
of the famous Sheikh Salim Chishti and his grandson Islam Khan. Of
particular importance is its wonderful assimilation of Iranian
architecture.
Radha Saomi Samadhi, Dayalbagh - The headquarters of the Radha
Saomi sect. On the sprawling lawns here, is a beautiful marble temple
under construction for almost 100 years now. Open : 8.am to 7 pm. (Entry
free upto 15 years age and free for all on Fridays). These monuments are
open to visitors everyday throughout the year).
Excursions
Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) 23 km.
A scenic lake, located within the Surdas Reserved Forest. The Sur Sarovar
is a tranquil spot, ideal for a relaxed outing. A wide variety of fish and
water-birds add to the lake's natural charm and beauty.
Fatehpur Sikri (39 km.) - An epic in red sandstone. A city of
yesteryears, today lost in the mists of time. Fatehpur Sikri was built by
the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 A.D. A sonless Akbar had gone to
Sikri to seek blessings of a muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. When his
son was finally born, he in gratitude constructed his capital city and
named it Fatehpur Sikri. Later, due to shortage of water and unrest in the
north-west, Akbar had to abandon this city. The beautiful marble tomb of
Sheikh Salim Chishti attracts thousands who seek blessings of the revered
saint. Other renowned places are Diwan-I-Am, diwan-I-Khaas, Buland
Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai's Palace and Birbal Bhavan.
Open: Sunrise to sunset. Entry fee Rs. 0.50.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary 54 Km or Keoladeo Ghana National Park --
Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, India's most renowned water
bird sanctuary lying in the neighboring state of Rajasthan, is the winter
home of the rare Siberian Crane. Approachable from Agra by road, a variety
of accommodation is available, within and outside the National Park.
(Season - October to February)
Kaitham Lake 23 Km - This 2.5 sq. km lake, surrounded by the Surdas
Reserve Forest, harbors a variety of fish and water birds and is popular
picnic spot. Bus services are available up to Runkata 3 Km away.
Mathura 54 Km - Mathura, on the banks of the River Yamuna, is
celebrated as the birthplace of Krishna. The groves and ghats of nearby
Vrindavan with its thousands of shrines and temples still echo with
stories and songs that recount the exploits of this charming god, Lord
Krishna.
Van Vihar Widlife Sanctuary 60 Km - It is situated 50 km from Agra
and spreads over an area of 52 square km. It harbors many species of
animals and birds. It can be approached from Agra by taxi or bus or by
train upto Dholpur. Accommodation is available in Forest Department rest
houses within the sanctuary itself.
Bateshwar 70 Km - A temple town, whose presiding deity is Lord
Shiva. A huge cattle fair is organized from mid-October to mid-November.
It is also a pilgrimage center for Jains.
Firozabad (44 Km) - An important handicrafts and industrial center
renowned for glassware, especially glass bangles.
Pinkcity Holidays,
http://www.pinkcityholidays.net/agra.html,
2011-02-28
Boende
The Trident, Agra,
set amidst beautiful gardens, fountains, landscaped central courtyards, is
built of red stone reminiscent of the Mughal era. The Hotel is literally,
a stone's throw away from one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, the Taj
Mahal.
The Trident, Agra's 136 rooms and 2 suites are set amongst Mughal style
gardens, courtyards and architecture to make guests feel one with the
history.
All rooms are
equipped with standard features like:
Centrally air conditioned | Wired and Wireless Internet access | Direct
dial telephones | Personal bar | Tea & coffee maker | 24 hour room service
| Satellite television | Electronic safe | Hair dryer | Voltage 110-220
Address: Trident, Agra, Fatehabad Road, Agra 282 001, India
Tel. +91 562 223 5000
Tel. +91 562 233 1818
Fax. +91 562 233 1812
E-mail:
reservations@tridenthotels.com
(Trident Hotels,
http://www.tridenthotels.com/agra/index.asp,
2011-02-28)