Taj Mahal: By the banks of the river Yamuna, Taj Mahal a poignant poetry in marble, the most extravagant monuments ever built for lover is a tribute to the timelessness of art and love. Built by Shahjahan in 1652 in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the lady of the Taj. The main architect, Isa Khan, came all the way from Shiraz in Iran..
Its pure white marble shimmers silver in the soft moonlight, exudes a shell pink glow at dawn and at the close of the day, takes on the tawny fiery hue of the majestic sun. The Taj serves as a symbol of eternal love where the heart broken Shahjahan was finally buried and reunited with his beloved Mumtaz.
Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra, one of the most powerful cities in the medieval world. Agra is a part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is a part of the great northern plains and is situated on the west bank of river the Yamuna. Agra is 204 km south of Delhi.
Architecture of the Taj Mahal : The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the wonders of the world. The architecture of the Taj Mahal has been praised by historians, architects, poets and travelers from all over the world. Built of white marble brought from Makrana in Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal appears different at different times of day and during the changing seasons. The color of the sky is reflected by the white marble, and the rays of the sun give it an almost ethereal appearance. The sight of the Taj Mahal on a full moon night is an enchanting experience. When seen from Agra Fort across the Yamuna River on a foggy morning, the Taj Mahal appears like a fairytale castle floating on a soft carpet of air.

The architecture of the Taj Mahal is enhanced by delicate inlay work. The interiors of the Taj Mahal are decorated with inlay work known as pietra dura. Semi precious stones such as jasper, jade, turquise, lapis lazuli and sapphire, were used in these decorative devices, many of which can still be seen. These decorative elements include inscriptions from the Quran, geometrical designs and graceful depictions of flowers and plants. The inlay work has been carried out with great skill, creating a seamless and smooth surface with no visible joints. The pristine white marble of the Taj Mahal contrasts with the colors of the inlaid stones creating a beautiful and majestic effect.

The beautiful proportions of each element of the complete complex, their exquisitely decorated interirors, the brilliance of the carving in the latticed screens that surround the tomb and the setting of the Taj Mahal add up to the sublime experience that is a glimpse of the Taj Mahal. The architecture of the Taj Mahal Agra, is considered the most spectacular example of Mughal architecture in India.

 Agra Fort - An Architectural Treasure

Though Agra is more famous world over as the city of Taj,  Agra Fort is another dimension to the city that attracts tourists in hordes. Built by Akbar in Red Sandstone when he was through with the consolidation of his power after accession to power in 1654, Agra Fort worked both as a military strategic point as well as the royal residence. Many of the palaces inside the fort were later added by next generations of Mughal Emperors like Jahangir and Shahjahan.
Most of the buildings within the Agra Fort are a mixture of different architectural styles. The assimilation of these different styles has given the buildings within the fort a distinctive look. For instance, the Jahangiri Palace built by Akbar is a good blend of Islamic (Persian) and different local Hindu styles. Other buildings either have a mixed style or conform predominantly to the Islamic style.

Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb : After Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, the monument that is most important in Agra is the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah or "Baby Taj" as it is called sometimes. A highly ornate edifice, this mausoleum is considered as the imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. Though the structure does not have much to offer architecturally, it makes a clear departure from the earlier Mughal tombs built during the period and is more softer and with a lot of inlay carvings.

Sikandra Akbar's Tomb : Sikandra, Akbar's tomb in the former Lodi capital, is a grand affair, much under-rated in comparison to the Taj Mahal. Akbar started building his mausoleum in the true Timurid tradition, but the actual monument was completed by his son Jahangir. He pulled down most of the earlier structure and redesigned it according to his wishes and the result is more than impressive. There is a huge gateway, Buland Darwaza, modeled on the famed victory gate at Fatehpur Sikri, leads to the great garden enclosure. The decoration on the gateway is strikingly bold, with its large mosaic patterns. The walled garden enclosure is laid out in the char bagh style with the mausoleum at the center.

The four minarets on the splendid gateway, striking inlay work of white marble on red sandstone, and perfect calligraphic ornamentation are still grand. The unique pyramidal tomb structure is topped by an open terrace contained within large panels of jail screens. The portico in front of the grave in the basement is covered with the most lavish stucco paintings in gold, blue, brown and green colors, unsurpassed in splendor by any Mughal building. Close by stands the red sandstone sample baradari-the tomb of Mariam Zamani, Jahangir's mother.

 Agra Excursions

Agra in Uttar Pradesh is undoubtedly the most sought after tourist destination in India. Every second tourist in India is in a hurry to travel to this colorful city and have his fill of Agra's monumental treasures, especially the Taj Mahal. What can be a better way than embarking on a few Agra excursions to know about the city and its surrounding places? In fact, a single day is not enough to have your fill of Agra and its neighboring tourist attractions.
While you are in Agra, you can visit its main attraction, the Taj Mahal along with the Agra Fort, the Rambagh Gardens, Itimad Ud Daulah and the Chini ka Rauza. You can also travel a few kilometers and visit the ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri, the former Mughal capital under Akbar that had to be deserted due to acute water shortage. Adorned with some of the most beautiful monuments of the Mughal period, it is a must visit place. Every Agra excursion should also include a visit to Sikandara where the Mughal great Akbar has been entombed.
If you want some more fun and adventure, you could always drive to some of the tourist hotspots in the neighboring states of Uttar Pradesh. The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, situated at a distance of 70 kilometers from Agra is one of the most popular places to go on excursions from Agra. Another popular getaway is Vrindavan located at a distance of 55 kilometers from Agra. If you are willing to go further, you can travel to the 'pink city' of Jaipur in neighboring Rajasthan, which is perhaps the most colorful place to visit in India.

Fatehpur Sikri : The imperial city of the Mughal dynasty between 1571 and 1584, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The architectural grandeur of this deserted city cannot be described in words and one can only experience the aura of its magnificent edifices by seeing them. Fatehpur Sikri is the most popular day excursion from Agra, the city of Taj and capital of invincible Mughals for a long time.

Shopping in the city of Agra: Synonymous with India, the Agra is undoubtedly the epitome of India tourism. India travel is incomplete without experiencing the Agra. And the City of the Taj, Agra is undoubtedly a great place for shopping. Agra tour is considered incomplete without shopping at the markets near the Taj Mahal. Being a major tourist destination, the markets of Agra are full of the artifacts and other useful items. It is a paradise for the lovers of leather goods and sweets.
Your Agra tour is incomplete if you return without taking a replica of the Taj Mahal. It is a mini Taj Mahal that you can take back home. These mini Taj Mahals are made by local artisans and is must included in every visitors shopping list.
Leather goods are the other major buying products. All leather items like bags, shoes, belts, leather jackets etc are available in various designs. There are many leather industries in Agra so leather goods are available in large variety. A good range of decorative articles made up of metals like brass, silver, copper is also available.