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Welcome to Hipfig's Video Guide Series on Agra, India.
In this DIY video we'll show you how to get to Agra and what to
see once you arrive. Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal in the
state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra is part of the Golden Triangle, a popular tourist
route which also includes Delhi and Jaipur. The easiest way to get to Agra
from Delhi is by train or car. If you're taking a train, get off at Agra Cantt
station. At the station, use the prepaid taxi or auto rickshaw to get to your
hotel. It will take three or more hours to get to Agra from Delhi. We recommend taking
a chauffeur-driven rental car from New Delhi or once you get to Agra. Cars are
clean well maintained and air-conditioned. The driver tourist/ guide
knows how to get to all the attractions and available to you at all times. He'll
remain with you and guide you through your itinerary and will make stops along
your road trip. For instance on most recent roadtrip from Jaipur to Agra and back to New Delhi
we were able to stop and see local marble and stonemasons, roadside
entertainers, and we saw a huge local gathering. We also ate at a local
roadside cafe, and viewed the countryside, and when needed, he made stops for our
personal needs. For us this is a comfortable and up close way to travel
in India. Look below in the description section for the link for private car
rentals for this tour in Agra. Agra is located on the banks of the
Yamuna river in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra has become a major
tourist destination because of the Taj Mahal, the Agra fort, and the Fatehpūr Sikrī
all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We started our golden triangle tour in
Delhi and then drove to Jaipur and then drove another four and a half hours from
Jaipur to Agra. We arrived in Agra in the evening and as we traveled through its
streets we saw cows, vegetable carts, stores, stalls of all kinds, and crowds of
people and of course extreme traffic during the peak hours. As we drove
through one of the street markets going to our hotel, we were stuck in heavy
traffic but you don't need to be frustrated with traffic if you get
caught in it. Instead consider it part of the Indian local experience and be
amazed as I was watching what appears to be chaos and deadlock resolve itself
through honks and shouts. After a delicious and relaxing breakfast we visited the
Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal or the Taj is a white marbled mausoleum built along the
banks of the Yamuna River in the city of Agra. The Taj Mahal is open from sunrise
to sunset generally 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and Sunday and is
closed on Fridays. You can purchase your tickets at any of the three gates west,
south, or east. The East Gate provides the easiest access. Whether you arrive by
taxi or rickshaw or a private car, your driver will probably drop you off at the
Shilgram parking area where the ticket office is located. In an effort to
preserve the Taj, polluting vehicles are not allowed near the complex so once you
purchase your tickets you can walk either the 15-20 minutes to the actual
entrance of the Taj Mahal or you can catch an electric bus from the ticket
center to the entrance. If you are not an Indian citizen or a visitor of a SAARC or
BIMSTEC country, you have to pay the foreigner entrance fee
Once you arrive at the entrance, you'll have to go through security. Your bags
will be checked. You may be frisked, and you will go through metal detectors.
There are separate lines for men and women. Make sure to take your passport
with you. Please purchase the correct tickets for your status or you will be
turned away. This process can be cumbersome but once you see the Taj for
for yourself it is so worth it! Please note that large bags and backpacks are
not allowed in the Taj Mahal complex. There are many restrictions, please check
at their official website. Please also note that children below the age of 15
are free. Once you pass through security, follow the signs to the main gate into
the complex and be prepared to be wowed. Once you see the Taj for yourself you
will agree that it is one of the seven wonders of the world. At the far end of
the complex you'll see the Taj Mahal with two large red sandstone buildings which
is a mosque and a guest house which mirror each other and face the sides of
the Taj. In front of those buildings will be a 300 meter square Mughal garden.
As you walk through the mughal garden to the Taj, you will observe raised pathways
that divide each of the four quarters of the garden into sixteen sunken
flowerbeds. Halfway between the tomb and the gateway in the center of the garden is a
raised marble water tank with a reflecting pool. It is at this spot that
you will find the main photo bench. You won't miss it, there's usually a crowd
waiting for their turn on the bench. The tomb is the central focus of the Taj
Mahal complex. This white marble structure stands on a square plinth and
consists of a symmetrical building topped by large dome and finial. Four
large minarets trim the tomb, one in each corner of the plinth facing the
chambered corners. The main chamber houses the false tombs of Mumtaz Mahal
and Shah Jahan. The actual graves are located at the lower level. Before going
up to the tomb. you must wear your shoe covers
which were provided with your ticket then you will climb up the stairs to the
main chamber level. The Taj began construction in 1632 by over 20,000
artisans and was completed in 1653. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built this
mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after her death. The Taj Mahal
complex is 42 acres. What makes the Taj Mahal so spectacular are not only the
marble structures but the artistry in the decorations on the inlay tiles as
well. The Taj Mahal is certainly my favorite place to visit in India and is
a must-see. Take the time just to take it all in before you leave the Taj Mahal.
Once we finished our visit to the Taj Mahal
we visited the Agra Red fort. the Agra Red fort also known as the Agra fort is
a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Agra, India and is about 2.5 km
northwest from the Taj Mahal. You can get to the fort by a taxi or rickshaw or by
private car. The Agra fort is open from sunrise to sunset generally 6 a.m. to 7
p.m. daily. If you are not an Indian citizen or a visitor of a SAARC or
BIMSTEC country, you'll have to pay the foreigner entrance fee. You may also be
charged a video and a camera fee. Personal guides are available for an
additional fee and can be hired where you purchase your tickets. They will
approach you. Guides may be helpful in maneuvering through relatively quickly
however it's not really necessary. Once at the entrance, you'll have to go
through security. Your bags will be checked, you may be frisked, and you will
have to go through metal detectors. There are separate lines for men and women
Agra fort was built in red sandstone as a military base and royal residents for
Akbar and the capital of the Mughal Empire until it was moved to Delhi in
1638. Once you pass through security, you will enter the fort through the
Amar Singh gate. Once you pass the gate you will see Jahangir's palace which is
made of red sandstone. In front of the palace you'll see the Hauz-i-Jehangir
a huge bowl carved out of a single block of stone which was used for bathing
If you continue walking east you'll find the Musamman Burjand Khas Mahal, the
Khas Hall is a white marbled octagonal tower and palace where Shah Jahan was
imprisoned for eight years and until his death in 1666. It was from here where Shah
Jahan could gaze out at the Taj Mahal You will also see the Mina Masjid, Shah
Jahan's private mosque which is now closed to the public
Another mosque is the Nagina Masjid or gem mosque built in 1635 by Shah Jahan
for the ladies of the court. Below was the ladies bazaar where the court ladies
bought their goods. Along the eastern wall of the fort is the Diwan-i-Khas , the hall of
private audience. The hall once housed Shah Jahan's Peacock Throne which was in
set with precious stones and the Koh-i-noor diamond. Overlooking the Yamuna
River and the distant Taj Mahal is a huge slab of Onyx with an inscription
around the edge. Near here is the Sheesh Mahal , the mirror palace with walls inlaid
with tiny mirrors. As you continue into the complex, you will go to the Diwan-i-Am
the Hall of public audience. In front of the hall is the grave of John Colvin a
lieutenant governor of the Northwest provinces who died of an illness in the
fort during 1857. On your way in or outside of the complex, don't forget to
see the main and the largest gate the Delhi Gate which faces the city on the
west side and is embellished with inlay work in white marble. There's also a
wooden drawbridge flanked by two life-sized stone elephants.
The fort will take you an hour more depending on your interest. You can visit
the Agra fort, Taj Mahal, and the Fatehpur Sikri in one day. If you plan to go
to multiple attractions in Agra, consider buying a composite ticket for a discount
On our tour of the Golden Triangle we started out in Delhi, we flew in and
toured around Delhi for a few days and then took a chauffeur-driven road trip to
Jaipur which took about five hours. After we completed visiting Jaipur, then we
went and drove from Jaipur to Agra which was about four and a half hours; and then
we drove back to New Delhi which took three and a half hours. We have gone
road tripping through the Golden Triangle several times and we prefer
this itinerary, mostly because it's shorter back to New Delhi.
Happy Travels
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