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Whereas the rest of India is merely relegated to the backdrop, Agra is de rigeur in every trip, not least when it is the climax of India’s most popular tourist itinerary, the Golden Triangle. From a map of Agra, the city should be accessible by train from Delhi.
Aside from the Taj, another sight worthy of one’s rapt attention in Agra is the Red Fort, just some distance from the gardens of the Taj. Built in the 16th century, the Agra Fort is a powerful Mughal bastion of red sandstone circumscribing edifices straight out from fairytales. Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal are here, along with the Sheesh Mahal.
Off the journey goes to Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned capital of the Mughal Empire, now sprawled like a majestic ghost town.
In the end, Agra’s main event would always be the Taj Mahal, built in 1653. Around the world this structure, overlooking the banks of the lovely River Yamuna, is unreservedly revered more than anything else as an emblem of love. |
