Location: Agra
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10 Things to do in Agra That You Shouldn't Miss
Where better to go for a romantic vacation than to the great testament of love, the Taj Mahal? Built by the grieving Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal’s unrivaled beauty explains why it’s regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. A visit to India wouldn’t be complete without it. Other must-experience destinations in Agra are two other UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the sandstone Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
Restaurants in Agra
1. Wildlife SOS
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,110 reviews
Wildlife SOS Agra Bear Rescue Facility is home to nearly 200 sloth bears that were rescued from the brutal practice of bear dancing. The kalandar gypsies that depended on exploiting these bears were established in alternative livelihoods by Wildlife SOS to ensure the safety of the bears and a legal way of life for the community. This center is run entirely from Donations raised by Wildlife SOS. The Forest Department charges an Admission of Rs 500 for Foreign Nationals and Rs 50 for Indians. These fees do not go to support the bear rescue center. Wildlife SOS offers conservation educational visit combined with interaction with bear experts. A donation is requested from visitors to help care for the animals. Receipt is issued for donations. Wildlife SOS also runs India's only Elephant Hospital at the Elephant Conservation & Care Center, home to over 20 rescued elephants ; a 15 min drive from the bear sanctuary. Contact Wildlife SOS for more details.
Reviewed By christopherjj
Julia and I visited the elephants and we learnt so much about the terrible cruelty of the wonderful animals. Up close with the rescued elephants you could feel the love and care being taken to give them happy lives, a million miles away from the circuses,wedding accessories, and private toys of rich businessmen . We watched them being fed,washed medically cared for. Then we went to the sloth bear sanctuary which showed equally how wildlifeSOS are giving the lives back to these animals who have been used for human entertainment with such cruelty. Please visit both places and spread the word and support this charity that is not funded by the government.
2. Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,354 reviews
Reviewed By FazulM2
This is a mausoleum that enshrines the remains of Mumtaz Mahal's parents, her first husband and first child plus her close lady in waiting. This was a piece of history that I didnt know whereby she had an earlier marriage. All the while she had been associated with Shah Jahan and the Taj Mahal. The building is a smaller version of Taj Mahal and with lesser architectural finery when compared to Taj Mahal. Nevertheless the architecture is very much like that of Taj Mahal where Iranian workmanship can be seem on the walls. Scriptures were crafted into the stones of the wall and the way the mausoleum was built ensured that the 4 corners be used to entomb the related figures to Mumtaz. You cant leave Agra without seeing this.
3. Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 244 reviews
Reviewed By callingindiatour - New Delhi, India
The Missionaries of Charity (Latin: Missionariarum a Caritate) is a Roman Catholic (Latin Church) religious congregation established in 1950 by Mother Teresa, now known in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. In 2012 it consisted of over 4,500 religious sisters. Members of the order designate their affiliation using the order's initials, "M.C." A member of the congregation must adhere to the vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, and the fourth vow, to give "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor."[1] Today, the order consists of both contemplative and active branches in several countries.
4. Sheesh Mahal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 510 reviews
Reviewed By wacotom - Leander, United States
We were so lucky to have a great guide. Walking through the Fort stopping at the amazing interior Palace rooms was really enhanced by our guide. Having him point out how they carved the marble and then inlaid with the semi-precious stones was great. The combination of the wonderful workmanship and a detailed history of India during this timeframe really enhanced our visit.
5. Agra Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
A factory demonstration of inlay work( semi precious stones in marble articles ) and a souvenir showroom in the city of taj
Reviewed By ReMaOl
We were taken to Agra Art Gallery after visiting the Taj Mahal by our tour guide. We were shown some of the skills used by the craftsmen who hand calve marble and inlet semi precious stones to make highly intricate designs into table tops and other ornaments We were given refreshments and then shown some of the items for sale. When you visit the Taj Mahal and see the amazing stone work in inlaid designs of beautiful stones it very difficult not to want to buy something from the same family craftsmen that help maintain this lovely building We ended up purchasing two table tops , some coasters and a lovely elephant again calved from marble. My son bought a chess set and board The table tops had to be sent to my home address, this did take around 4 weeks and there was some confusion being told my package had been sent and being given tracking info when it was someone else’s parcel. However this eventually was resolved and when sent it arrived quickly. It was well packed with no damage Rahul the owners son was very helpful he was in frequent contact with me via WhatsApp and kept me informed of the status of my order which was reassuring when you have spent quite a large some of money. When I assembled the base I painted it myself and shabby chic’d as I felt it was a better finish than the gloss varnish base I’m very happy with my purchases and it is a lovely souvenir to remind me of a fantastic holiday
6. Imperial Wax Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Celebrity Wax Museum housed with handcrafted 26 wax figures of world renowned personalities from political, history, social, sports and hollywood/bollywood. Visitors can have selfie/photo with their favourite celebrity and have fun. A new place in Agra to visit and enjoy after watching historical monuments and cultural heritage.
Reviewed By yashshivhare - Agra, India
This place is very unique Uttar Pradesh 1st wax museum now in agra recently we visited here with my friends its was amazing place for clicking pictures with worlds famous faces... Here you meet with Narendra Modi, donald trumo,Michel jackson, salman khan etc..... This museum perfectly maintain here vibes are very beautiful special agra & our tourists verg recommend place because its uniqe .... You never find this wax museum in other cities... Checkout my pictures you get excited for visiting this place......
7. Mehtab Bagh
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,488 reviews
Reviewed By VaidyaVikrant - Mumbai, India
Mehtab Bagh is back of taj to speak as Taj looks same from all sides.yamuna lies between Taj and Mehtab,its told that its the site where Shahjahan wished to build Black Taj Mahal.U can get the beautiful view of Taj and if u are lucky there may be water flowing along the Yamuna which will give u a memorable view of Taj U should visit but sadly its closed by 5.00 clock that's the hitch.or u may enjoy Taj in nights which is a Blessing of god
8. Kalakriti Cultural & Convention Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 338 reviews
Reviewed By SCORPYO1952 - Vaughan, Canada
Mohabbat the Taj is a saga of love. You get headphones, so you can follow in the language of your choice. It immortalizes the Taj Mahal love story. It’s loaded with gorgeous costumes, spectacular dancing, state of the art light and sound. They’ve created the world’s largest replica of the Taj Mahal in marble. Brilliant! It’s a fitting wrap-up of your Taj Mahal experience. Don’t miss it!
9. Agra
Reviewed By captaincoolest - New Delhi, India
Taj Mahal has always fascinated people of all generations through centuries.Every visit to Taj is filled with lots of memories and each visit is like a first time visit to this beautiful monument.It was my third visit to Taj and every time it makes you feel special and it leaves you mesmerized by its astonishing beauty in pristine white marble.We stayed at Trident during our last visit which is quite close to Taj Mahal.The Cars are not allowed within a certain radius of taj and needs to be parked in dedicated Parking Area.There are Battery run Golf Carts which ferry passengers to and fro from Taj Mahal.The Tickets for entry can be bought Online from ASI website,otherwise it can be bought at Ticket counter near main entrance of Taj.There are certain items which are not allowed to be taken inside and to my surprise Camera Tripod is one of the items which cant be taken along with your camera.There is a Cloak Room next to the ticket counter where you can deposit such items at nominal charges and you can also buy Shoe Covers from outside.There are Guides available who can accompany you and give details about Taj Mahal's architecture and some unknown facts which are not commonly known to people.It is advisable to have a tour guide along with you as he can give details about history behind Taj Mahal. There is a security check at the entrance which leads you to the main entrance of Taj Mahal.The Taj Mahal is always full of tourists and sometimes you really have to wait to click pictures of your choice and angle.The Parks,Gardens and water bodies are well maintained within the complex.The forecourt at Taj is about a floor high which could be accessed through staircases built within the monument.The entire marble work is superb and everything is just carved to perfection.The central hall of Taj is a no photography zone and visitors are queued up in a line to move inside premises.The stay is short and leads to opposite gate facing Yamuna river.The Taj is built on banks of River Yamuna and provides a breathtaking view of the place. We clicked lot many pictures in this entire courtyard and finally moved to garden area.The Taj trip finally came to an end with lots of memories and a promise to return back soon.
10. Agra
An important medieval complex with beautiful mosques and palaces.
Reviewed By goanjock
Like The Baby Taj, Agra Fort was somewhere else that I had thought of dropping due to time but also like the Baby Taj what massive mistake that would have been. From the outside you get the sense of the enormity of the structure with the huge redstone walls, turrets and gates but not the eloquent tranquility, artwork and beauty that lies within the walls. As you walk past the moat that was once filled and infested with crocodiles you go through the huge arched gate and then make your way up a fairly steep path and yet again we felt that we were back on a film set and not actually there. When you reach the top you a greeted with the sight of lovely gardens and beautiful courtyards and a real sense of eloquence and your mind can't help but think of what scenes were played out in the past within these walls. Our guide was again fantastic giving us the history, pointing out the artwork and just bringing the whole thing to even greater life. We walked slowly through the various sections, courtyards and ornate palaces. Everywhere we looked was simply stunning. We then entered another courtyard and at one end was Khas Mahal, which is a beautiful marble pavilion and pool that formed the living quarters of Shah Jahan. From the marble arches you get fantastic framed views of the Taj Mahal which still looked magical and mystical in the misty white light. Close to Khas Mahal is the Mathamman Burj, which is an intricate, ornate and quite stunning white-marble octagonal tower and palace where it is said that Shah Jahan was imprisoned for eight years by his son before his death and from where he could sit and daily gaze out at the Taj Mahal where is wife lay in the tomb of his wife. Our guide had another theory and that was is that Shah Jahan chose to stay in apartment so that he could gaze out from the balcony to the Taj Mahal as he was so struck with grief. He explained that why would his son imprison him in such a luxurious apartment with the perfect view over the Taj and I could understand where he was coming from. We stood for quite a while just soaking up this beautiful palace, balcony and fabulous views of the Taj Mahal in the distance....truly memorable moments. We the explored some more still in awe of everything we were seeing as we had no idea that Agra Fort would be so incredibly impressive and all this eloquent beauty was hidden within the most impressive fortified walls. I could wax lyrically (or not so lyrically haha) for longer about everything we saw and the history but I don't want to get boring so you will just have to go and see it all for yourself. Eventually and yet again reluctantly we made our way to the exit, down the ramps and through the impressive entrance and back out to the streets as hawkers swamped us trying to sell all kind of things whilst shouting only 20 only 20 (everything seemed to be 20 and by 20 they actually mean dollars haha). Within 30 seconds or so and as if by magic Michael Ryaz appeared with the car and we climbed in. Another simply must see in Agra.
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