Around Agra Important information

Tourist Acctration in Around Agra

• Fatehpur Sikri
• Buland Darwaza (Gate of Victory)
• Sheikh Salim Chisti's Tomb
• Panch Mahal
• Aligarh
• Bateshwar

Fatehpur Sikri (39 kms.)

Emper°r Akbar visited the small village of Sikri in 1568, to seek blessings for a son from the renowned mystic, Sheikh Salim Chisti. He became the father of a son, as foretold by the sufi saint and shifted his capital to Sikri to honour the saint and named it as Fatehpur Sikri. The construction of the new capital city began atop a rocky ridge sheikhSaitm Chisti's Tomb in 1569 and was completed in 1575. An artificial lake was dug out and construction of magnificent Jama Masj id marked the beginning of the new city. This first planned city in Indo-Islamic style was built around Jama Masjid. The palace courts were laid out parallel to the cardinally aligned mosque and the sequential order of the palaces were emphasised by change in level. Due to the shortage of water and unrest in north-west, Akbar had to abandon the city after sixteen years. The remains of this 'ghost' city are still in a perfect state of preservation.

Buland Darwaza (Gate of Victory) : The 53.5 metres high gateway commemorates Akbar's successful campaign of Gujarat. It is the highest gateway in India and leads to the sacred tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti.

Sheikh Salim Chisti's Tomb : The white marble mausoleum of Salim Chisti is held sacred by people of all faiths and beliefs. The enchanting tomb in the courtyard of the mosque has its interior embellished with mother-of-pearl, lapis-lazuli and topaz.

Panch Mahal: The open five storeyed columnar structure used as a pleasure pavilion by Akbar is set in the corner amidst the female zone of the palace. It affords a fine view of the palaces below and noted for the stone cut - work walls. Ankh - Michauli, a fine hall is said to be the place where the emperor played hide and seek with royal ladies. Other j interesting sites are Diwan - i - Am or Hall of Public Audience; Diwan-i-Khas or the Hall j of Private Audiences, an astonishing chamber dominated by a massive carved pillar ; Pachisi Court, with a gigantic game board on which the game Pachisi was played using slave girls ; Private Living Quarters clustered around a pool ; Mariam's Palace ; Jodhabai's Palace; Hawa Mahal; Jama Masj id etc.

Aligarh (83 kms.)

It is famous for Aligarh Muslim University, founded by Sir Syad Ahmad Khan in the th century. The town is also well known for manufacturing excellent locks.

Bateshwar(70kms.)

ateshwar, the 'abode of Lord Shiva' set on the west bank of Yamuna, has a number of cred shrines and bathing ghats. The first temple of Bateshwarnath was built here by aJa Badan Singh of Bhadawar in 1646. Later on, the temple of Thakur Bihari was built V Diwan Bakht Singh and the Nikunja Bihari Temple by the Raja of Bhadawar. Shauripur, the ruins of an ancient town located 2 kms. north of Bateshwar is said to be the Birthth Place of Lord Neminath, the 22nd Jain tirthankar.