Agra: special features, festivals, events
City peculiarities
Taj Mahal
According to ehistorylib, Agra was once the capital of the Mughal Empire (1526 – 1648) and still reveals many monuments from this time that were created because the earlier Mughal rulers tried to outdo each other in building gigantic structures.
Good examples of this past include Itmad-ud-Daulah (Baby-Taj), Akbar’s tomb in Sikandra and, of course, the Taj Mahal.
This magnificent tomb attracts a large number of visitors every year, especially from America and from there especially from the USA, as well as from Europe, Russia, Japan and China.
Animals
Since cows are considered sacred, they run around on the streets and often disrupt traffic considerably. But you can also encounter camels and, more rarely, elephants. Of course there are stray dogs and cats, monkeys can be found next to goats and chickens.
Celebrations and events
Agra is dominated by the Muslim and Hindu population and celebrates the festivals common in these religions. Major Muslim celebrations include Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha and Moharram and Hindu Holi, Ramnavmi, Janmashtami, Ramlila, Dussehra and Diwali. Apart from these festivities, there are other local festivities, of which the following are a few examples:
Rambarat Festival
This festival is also called the wedding ceremony of Lord Rama because it commemorates them. It is celebrated during the Ramleela celebrations and lasts 10 days, with artistic performances based on the holy book of Ramayana taking place every evening.
Taj Mahotsav (February)
This festival is celebrated in Shilpgram, about 1 km from the Taj Mahal. Uttar Pradesh’s rich heritage of art, culture, dance and music will be honored for 10 days. Festivities take place all around Agra. The festival is organized by Uttar Pradesh Tourism.
Agra: Well-known people
Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar (1542 – 1605)
This Great Mughal of India ruled from 1556 to 1605 and is one of the most important rulers in the history of the country alongside Ashoka. Akbar died in Agra in 1605 .
Mumtaz Mahal (1593 – 1631)
The real name of Mumtaz Mahal was Arjumand Banu Begum. She was the main wife of Prince Shah Jahan.
The desperate prince had the Taj Mahal built in memory of her and her early death. Mumtaz Mahal was also buried there. She died giving birth to her 14th child.
Shabuddin Mohammed Shah Jahan (1592-1666)
Born as Prince Khurram (pers. Flowering), Shah Jahan ruled from 1627 to 1658 as the Great Mogul of India.
In 1658 he was ousted by his son Aurangzeb. Shah Jahan was best known as the builder of the famous Taj Mahal, which he had built from 1631 to 1648 after the death of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Jahan ordered a two-year state mourning and withdrew more and more from the government business, which he left more and more to his sons. Shah Jahan was imprisoned in Agra Fort after his son was disempowered, where he spent the rest of his life as a prisoner.
In 1666 he was buried next to his wife in the Taj Mahal.
Agra: Recommended excursions
Fatehpur Sikri
This red sandstone city is located 40 km from Agra and was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1564 in honor of the Muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chisthi. It was intended to make this city the capital, but water scarcity and unrest in the northwest caused Akbar to refrain from this project. One of the main attractions is the marble tomb for Sheikh Salim Chisthi. Auto rickshaws are forbidden from entering Fatehput Sikri, so taxis or buses must be used.
Ferozabad
This place is for anyone interested in glass products. It is about 44 km from Agra and its industrial downtown area is famous for its glassware.
Mathura
47 kilometers from Agra is the place where Lord Krishna is said to be born. It is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus and one of the seven holy cities of India. The city is also an important location for handicrafts.
