3 Best Things to Do Over the Summer Holidays in Agra
Even though the temperatures rise, spending your summer holidays in Agra is a great idea. As the crowds begin to thin, you can go for sightseeing easily and can get good deals on hotels and flight tickets. There are many things to do in Agra. Make sure to pack some cotton clothes, water bottles, sunscreen, and sunglasses to explore Agra at leisure.1. Gaze at the world’s most beautiful building - the Taj Mahal
It was the proud passion of a Mughal emperor’s love that turned a grave into one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations - the beautiful Taj Mahal stands on the river Yamuna’s bank in Agra. In the morning when the sun rises, the light turns the stones of the Taj Mahal pink. In the evening the Taj looks milky white, and when the moon rises over the trees at the large 300-meter Mughal garden, you can witness the marble tiles turning golden. On a normal operating day, the Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset.
Spectacular Taj Mahal
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A Little Bit of History:
Its creator, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, described the Taj as “a mansion that makes the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.” It was a 20-year long construction project completed by more than 20,000 workers that came from many Asian countries.
Visiting The Taj Mahal In Summer:
There is something surreal about traveling to Agra in summer. Every year, millions of tourists come to witness the architecture of this beautiful building. If you’re in India, particularly in the North Indian region, grab the opportunity and book a trip to the Taj Mahal.
You can access the Taj from the east and west gates after buying a ticket. Men and women are expected to stand in separate queues. If you are a foreigner, there’s a separate queue for you.
2. Admire these stunning architectures overshadowed by the Taj Mahal
Pose for pictures in front of the Agra Fort:
The UNESCO World Heritage site Agra Fort covers an area of 94 acres. It has four gates on its four sides and the outer walls are seventy feet high. The Agra Fort is still being used by the Indian military so only a small portion of the fort is open to the public.
When touring the Agra Fort, visit Musamman Burj which is an octagonal tower near Shah Jahan's private hall ‘Diwan-e-Khas.’ You can see the Taj Mahal from Musamman Burj. Shah Jahan spent his last few years here as a captive of his son Aurangzeb.
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Create countless memories at the Baby Taj:
Even though much of your summer holidays in Agra will be spent in and around the Taj Mahal, there is still a lot to see in and around the city. The Baby Taj, which is officially known as the Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, is regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal. Although it is not as beautiful as the Taj, this building is one of the best places in Agra to witness Mughal-era monuments beyond standard Taj Mahal tours.
Jahangir’s wife Nur Jahan built this tomb for her father Mirzā Ghiyās Beg. The man was also the grandfather of Mumtaj Mahal. Beg served Akbar and was awarded the title of “I'timad-Ud-Daulah” which translates to “The Lord treasurer.” During your trip to this tomb, you can also visit two more nearby places called Mehtab Bagh and Chini-ka-Rauza on the east bank of the river Yamuna.
Tour the lush landscape at Mehtab Bagh:
Visit the last of eleven Mughal gardens built along the Yamuna. Reach an hour before sunset to enjoy Taj away from the shoving crowds. The garden was built by Emperor Babur more than 100 years before the Taj Mahal. This garden complex predating Taj Mahal by more than 100 years.
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Seeing the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh
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If you want to capture some stunning photographs of the Taj, summer is the best time. The head-on view from the Taj Mahal’s entrance is always beautiful, but you should try views from Mehtab Bagh. It is one of the best spots for a panoramic view of the Taj Mahal that gives you unique opportunities to capture the river and the marble monument in a single shot.
3. Take a stroll across markets
Gorge on local delicacies:
Don’t let the luxury hotels and resorts fool you - Agra has a thriving street food culture. When in Agra, Petha (a sweet dish made from pumpkin and glucose) should be at the top of your list. Packed with sweetness and fragrance of rosewater, Agra’s Petha is good for health and is very popular across India.
Agra not only boasts big monuments, but it also packs more flavors. Take Chaat Gali (Snack alley) for instance, it is the place where you can find different varieties of local foods including Dal Moth (traditional spicy nibbles), Bedhai Kachori (spicy snack), Gajak (sweet made from sesame seeds and jaggery), etc.
Most restaurants do not have online reservations system. They heavily rely on walk-ins and also offer to-go boxes. Taj Ganj is another popular market in Agra where you can find a wide variety of food items including some vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food options.
Read more about 7 Agra Famous Food 10 Best Restaurants in Agra
Head out for an amazing shopping experience
When in Agra, there’s no one-stop shopping. Although the city has a shopping mall and market areas where you can find everything in a single place, as a tourist, you should visit more areas.Apart from less crowd, there’s one more reason why summer holidays in Agra make total sense. The markets remain open till late at night in summer. During rainy and winter seasons, you won’t see many shops open after 10 PM.
• Sadar Bazaar: Indie designers, local arts, and leather gift items. You can also find several food joints here.
• Raja Ki Mandi: The place is full of shops offering jewelry, sweets, garments, and religious items.
• Subhash Bazaar: Located near the Agra Fort, this market is famous for silk dress material, especially for traditional silk sarees.
• Shah Market: For all your electronics purchases, Shah Market is the right place where you can even find used smartphones at very low rates.
• Kinari Bazaar: On a tour to Jama Mosque, Agra, you can visit this market to buy handicrafts, marble items, and Agra’s world-famous rugs.
• TDI Mall: This is just another shopping mall with a touch of local culture. You can find branded as well as generic products here. There’s also a huge food court offering delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods.
Read more about 5 Popular Local Markets in Agra