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Hotel Moti Palace |
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Taj Mahal |
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Taj Mahal - Taj Mahal was built in the memory of queen Mumtaj Mahal by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. After she passed away in 1631, Shah Jahan created a mausoleum that is now known as a symbol of eternal love. Sheer poetry in marble, majesty and magnificence, unrivalled.
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Taj Mahal the one and only of it's kind in the world. The ultimate realization of emperor Shahajehan's dream. One of the wonders of the world. This enchanting mausoleum, on the bank of river Yamuna took 22 year (1631 to 1652 A.D.) to complete with the help of nearly 20,000 workers.
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Agra Fort |
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Agra Fort - The great mughal emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565. A.D. although addition were made till the time of his grand son Shahajehan. The forbidding exteriors of the fort hide an inner paradise.
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There are a number of exquisite builidings like the Moti Masjid- a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Dewan-e-Aam. Diwan- e-Khas, Jehangir palace; Khas mahal; Sheesh mahal and Musamman or Samman Burz-where shahjehan was held captive in 1666 A.D.
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Taj Nature Walk |
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Taj Nature Walk - A Beautful Natural forest cover spread over 70 hactares of area just 500 mtrs. away from the eastern gate of Taj Mahal. An excellent view can be found from the different mounts of the park. Flora and Fauna of different species are also found here.
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Fatehur Sikri |
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Fatehpur Sikri - An epic in red sandstone. A city of yesteryears. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar during 1564 A.D. A son- less Akbar had gone to Sikri to seek blessing of a muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. When his son was born, he in gratiude. constructed his capital city and named it Fatehpur Sikri.
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Later, due to shortage of water and unrest in north-west, Akbar had to abandon this city. The beautiful marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti still attract thousands who seek blessing of the revered saint. Other renowned palaces are Diwan-a-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas, Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Jodha bai's palace and Birbal Bhavan.
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Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) |
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Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) - A scenic lake, located within the Surdas Reserved forest, the Sur surovar is a tranquil spot, ideal for a relaxed outing. A wide variety of fish and water-birds add to the lakes natural charm and beauty.
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Sikandara |
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Sikandara - The Mausoleum of Emperor Akbar represent his philosophy and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and muslim architectures in a superlative fashion. Completed in 1613 A.D., it is one of the well preserved Monuments.
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Itimad-ud-daulah (Baby Taj) |
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Itmad-ud-daulah (Baby Taj) - This exquisite marble tomb was made by Emperor Jehangir's queen. Noorjehan, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Baig during 1622-1628 A.D. The craftsmanship at Itmad-ud-daulah foreshadows the Taj Mahal. It was here that pietra Dura'- .
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the inlay work on marble-so characteristic of the Taj was first used. |
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Radha Soami Samadhi Dayalbagh |
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Radha Soami Samadhi Dayalbagh - The head quarter of the Radha Soami sect. On the sprawing lawns here, is a beautiful marble temple with beautiful carving of fruits, flowers, leaves and plants which have been reduced in to stone true to nature, and are distinctive specimens of the plastic art.
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Taj mahal
Described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, it was constructed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal, made out of white marble took 22 years to complete (1630-1652 AD). Ustad Ahamad Lahori, a Persian Architect, is said to be the main designer and planner for this magnificent memorial.
On full moon nights, the glory of the Taj is at its best. Over the centuries, the Taj has attracted more visitors than perhaps any other Monuments in the country, and it is all too easy resort to conventional superlatives when describing it.
What makes the Taj Unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day and glowes pearl-like in the moonlight and during the monsoon.
Standing on a high plinth, the Taj Mahal is visible for miles around and forms a backdrop to mustard fields and mud-walled villages. It can be seen from guestrooms at some of Agra's hotels, as well as from the landscaped gardens to the west of the complex.
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Itmad-ud-daulah's tomb
This tomb belongs to the father of Nur Jahan, Ghias-ud-Din Beg. He was the Wajir or the Chief Minister of Emperor Jehangir.
This white marble tomb was built by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628.
The tomb may not be as mammoth as the Taj but the inlay designs and carvings are no less than Taj if not more.
The delicate marble latticework in the passages allows the light to enter the interiors.
A similar tomb was built by Nur Jahan for Jehangir in Lahore. This tomb was the first complete marble Moghul structure.
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Agra fort
Construction of the massive red sandstone Agra Fort on the bank of the Yamuna River was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, though additions were made up until the rule of his grandson, Shah Jahan. In Akbar's time the fort was principally a military structure, but during Shah Jaha regin it had partially become Palace. It is an imposing strcture with walls of red sandstone almost three kilometers long. Entered through the Amar Singh Gate, the eastern part of the fort contain palace, audience hall and mosques built by three emperors.
The fort presents a good sampling of their favoured architectural styles. Akbar drew on Islamic and Hindu traditions and the result is eclectic. By Shah Jahan's time the style had become so homogenized that it is impossible to seprate the Hindu and Muslim strands. The Diwan-i-Am (public audience hall), the beautiful Diwan-i-Khas (private audience hall) and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) were also added by Shah Jahan.
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Jahangir mahal
The biggest private residence in the Fort is the Jahangir Mahal, the Palace of Emperor Jahangir. It is an excellent blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The palace has a hall which is called Jodhabai's dressing Room. Jodhabai was Jahangir's Hindu mother. Its desigen and layout is essentially Hindu. Later the palace was used by Jahangir's Dressing Room.
Jodhabai was Jahangir's Hindu mother. Its design and layout is essentially Hindu. Later the palace was used by Jahangir's queen Noorjahan,the Light of the World. Jahangir was very found of wine as well as his queen whom he adored even more. The love of wine interfered in the day do day running of the Government.To help him out in administering imperial justice, Noorjahan sat with her husband to advise him in taking decisions. She was an iron lady and never tolerated opposition.Those who came in her way ended mysteriously in the yamuna river.
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Chisti's tomb
The Gateway buildings leads to the Friday mosque or the Jami Masjid. It is believed to be a copy of the main mosque at Meca. Nearby is the small white marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti.
It is ornamented with latticed screens and serpentine brackets. Shahjahan added exquiatie pieta dura work later as a mark of respect for the saint. The tomb was built over the exact spot where the holy man sat in meditation during his lifetime. Even, today, childess couples come to the tomb to seek the blessings of Sheikh Salim Chisti.
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Sikandra
Six miles north of Agra, is a glorious introduction to the city of Mughal wonders, Sikandra. The site of Akbar's mausoleum, Sikandra was begun by Akbar and completed by his son Jehangir in 1613 AD. It reflects the fusion of Hindu and Muslim art and architecture which characterised the era.
The tomb is situated in the centre of a large garden and four identical red sandstone gates lead to the tomb complex. The building, with three-storey minarets at each corner, is built of red sandstone with white marble polygonal patterns inlaid. Sikandra is named after Sikandra Lodi, the Delhi ruler who was in power from 1488 to 1517.
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