Wyndham Grand Agra

A Glorious Heritage

Agra, an old heritage city on the banks of the river Yamuna, finds its mention in the Epic Mahabharata as Agraban.

Enriched with an affluent historical and cultural backdrop, the city of Agra goes back to several centuries. It finds mention in the Mahabharata (third century BC), where it has been referred to as Agrabana or Paradise City. In the 16th and 17th centuries it became the capital of the Mughal Empire and many of the city's best-known monuments were built during this period. The city reached its zenith between 1556 and 1658, under the successive rule of Emperors Akbar, Shah Jahan and Jahangir. Akbar's reign was the most memorable in the city's history. This was when Agra flourished and became renowned as a centre for art, culture and commerce. Since then, the city has continued to attract artists and intellectuals from all over the world.

In terms of artistic ambience and culture, the city is still associated with the Mughal period. It has a laid back lifestyle and an immense wealth of architecture, handicrafts and jewellery. Situated along the Yamuna River, which meanders down from the ancient towns of Mathura and Vrindavan, Agra is a significant district headquarters in Uttar Pradesh. The city charms world wide tourists with various historical and architectural attractions.

Additional places to visit...

Originally planned as an impregnable military structure by Akbar, the Agra Fort has acquired all the elegance, lavishness, and majesty of an imperial palace.

Fatehpur Sikri was built by the side of an artificial lake about three kilometres long. This complex of palaces, mosques, gardens, and pavilions is a rich legacy of the Mughal era.

The Sikandra tomb is a combination of Muslim and Hindu architectural styles, built in 1492 by Sikander Lodhi. Akbar, in his time, ordered the construction of Sikandra again. This time as a site for his mausoleum, but he died before it could be finished. The work was completed by his son Jehangir in 1613.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is home to large numbers of cormorants, darters, spoonbills, egrets, storks, and black ibis during the season.

Dayal Bagh (Soami Bagh) is the headquarter of the RadhaSoami religious sect. Being built to commemorate the supreme creator, this tall, unfinished façade of marble, lined with exquisitely carved pillars and panels, was estimated to cost about five million rupees when it was conceived.

The ancient temple complex at Bateshwar on the river Yamuna consists of more than 100 temples dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. It is also said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna's mother. Bateshwar is associated with numerous myths and legends.

Arts & Culture

• Taj Mahotsav (festival) - In February, the Taj Mahotsav (festival) is held in Shilpgram, a crafts village and open-air emporium situated about a kilometre along the road running from the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal. The festival features live performances of music and dance.

Points of Interest

• Fatehpur Sikri (40 kms)
• Taj Mahal (1.5 kms) - Described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, this stunning mausoleum has become the de facto tourist emblem of India. It was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
• Agra Fort (5 kms) - Emperor Akbar began the construction of the massive red sandstone Agra Fort on the banks of the Yamuna River in 1565. Additions were made until the rule of his grandson, Shah Jahan, under whose reign it was partially converted into a palace.
• Dayal Bagh Temple (15 kms) - The white marble Dayal Bagh Temple of the Radah Soami religion has been under construction since 1904 and is not expected to be completed until some time in the 21st century. If you're lucky, you may get to see the pietra dura (inlay work) in process.
• Akbar's Mausoleum at Sikandra (17 kms) - The sandstone and marble tomb of Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal emperors, is situated in the middle of a peaceful garden where deer graze, at Sikandra, 4 kms northwest of Agra. Akbar started its construction himself, blending Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Christian motifs and styles, much like the syncretic religious philosophy he developed called Din-E-illahi.
• Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - Situated 60 km from Agra. During the season, cormorant, darter, spoonbill, egret, stork and black ibis are found in large numbers

Shopping

• Kinari Bazaar - The alleyways of Kinari Bazaar, or old marketplace, start near the Jama Masjid. There are several distinct areas whose names are relics of the Mughal period, though they don't always bear relation to what is sold there today.