Taj Mahal
They say love can work wonders, and, in this case, Emperor Shah Jahan built this splendid mausoleum in his wife Mumtaz Mahal’s memory. Considered the finest instance of Mughal architecture, it’s a style that’s a fusion of Persian, Ottoman, Indian and Islamic styles. This world heritage site, an integrated complex of structures, stands on a walled garden entered through a spectator area on the main bloc.
The tomb, raised on a porch, is enclosed in marble, while the mosque and counter-mosque get their brilliance from red sandstone. The four symmetrical minarets, heightens the effect of the central rounded dome.
The dimly lit interiors command an exceptional ambience through pierced marble patterns and demonstrate a genius display of carved marble. Outwardly, the structure secures an unearthly class from its marble facings, which fabricates an astonishing charm from changing sunlight and weather. The mighty entrance with its domed hall, standing by the watercourse is monumental by itself. In spirit, this riverside-stage is a mosque courtyard with a tomb at its heart.
Agra Fort
Resting on the banks of the Yamuna river, rises this fort in a curved fashion. Brought to life in 1565 AD, its 70-foot high wall accommodates the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces. Guarded by four gates and enclosed by double barricaded walls of red sand stone, the fort is reached through a striking doorway. The inner courtyard holds exquisite halls, stone carvings, piers and cross beams. Most of the eastern hall is beautified with Persian styled stucco paintings in gold and blue. It is believed that a century later, Shahjahan changed most of the structures to white marble pavilions sheltered with intricate inlay work. Of these, the most outstanding ones are - the Diwan-i-khas, the Mausam Burj and the Shaha Burj. Staring gracefully at the waterfront is the Moti Masjid and the Diwan-i-Am.
Itmad-ud-Daulah
A graciously ornate edifice, this tomb is looked upon as a forthcoming ancestor of the Taj Mahal on the carvings and inlay work forefront. The elaborately carved tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah is yet another masterpiece of Islamic styled architecture. This belief is clearly supported by the use of arched entrances, octagonal towers, elegantly carved floral patterns, obscure marble-screen and inlay work. The presence of a closed kiosk and the use of small canopies supported by pillars atop the four towers, instead of expected domes, reflect a strong local influence.
Sikandra
This isn’t just a classic illustration of a mixture of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Jain designs and motifs, but Emperor Akbar’s peculiarity of religious tolerance and secular views. The tomb of Emperor Akbar has three-storeyed red sandstone minarets flaunting phenomenal inlay work of marble. Apart from tourist, langurs and black-faced monkeys enjoy heavenly moments in the gorgeous gardens that enclose the mausoleum. The Baradi palace, shaped like a condensed pyramid, has five storeys while the main tomb is distinctly square. The well decorated entrance is strongly highlighted by delicate carvings, artistic paintings and inlay work in geometric and floral designs, that surrounds the tombstone of Akbar. The ornamental arches and square pillars possess matchless prettiness on each storey that is built in red stone except the fifth one, which is entirely sheltered in white marble.
Fatehpur Sikri
This magnificent fortified ghost city, built by Emperor Akbar, was a result of a prediction that came true; a Sufi saint envisaged the birth of an heir to the Mughal throne. A brilliant Indo-Islamic masterpiece, this well-preserved palace and still-used mosque are a frank reminder of Mughal architecture at its peak. You won’t be able to resist wandering around the ruins that lie scattered around the mosque. And, to add to that, sunsets enhance the beauty of the red sandstone palaces.
Kaitham Lake
The Surdas Reserve Forest embraces this 2.5 sq. km lake. It interests enthusiasts with its massive collection of fish and water birds.
Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary
This is where flora and fauna exist in harmony on this 58 sq. km natural home. The sanctuary is a blend of two different worlds; Van Vihar on the Vindhya plateau and Ramsagar around a charming lake. Dotted with endless hills, it is sliced with a large number of streams. Among other animals that enjoy the surrounding are leopards, wild boars, blue bulls, sloth bears and hyenas. In the kingdom of feathered beauties, you’ll never fail to see partridges, peafowls, quails sand grouses, herons, egrets and spoonbills. Just like tourists, a large number of migratory birds flock here every season.
Bateshwar
Situated on the holy banks of the Yamuna, this unfussy town has a massive collection of temples that once summed up to 101. Today, only 42 temples have survived the damage done by time. But the beauty of this kingdom is in its long line of Ghats spotted with temples all along. Another mesmerizing view is the long river front with fascinating threads of temples. Without any intentions to shop, you could walk around the famous Cattle Fair, which is the biggest and the most spectacular in northern India.
Bharatpur National Park
Eminent as an Ornithologist's Paradise, this is the only park where the habitat has been a Maharaja’s creation. Soil excavated for structuring an earthen dam against the monsoon floods, created a mighty dent that resulted in a stunning lake. It offers a serene atmosphere for more than 400 species of exotic and rare birds and also a temple devoted to Lord Shiva that stands in the center of the park. Apart from countless bird lovers, this heritage park is also visited by numerous migratory birds from as far as Siberia and Central Asia.
Mathura
The Land of Eternal Love among conscious Hindus, where Lord Krishna is thought to have been born, rests on the western bank of the Yamuna river. Branded as a culture and civilization hub for about 3000 years, its great school of sculpture flourished for 1200 years. Such productive creativity and expressive devotion to Art and sculptures are rare in the archives of Indian Art History. A survey of this splendid School of Art can be garnered at the Government Museum. Presently, it flourishes with religious and historic interest with a large number of festival and fairs with very many performing Arts.
Vrindavan
Dusty and crowded Vrindavan is where Lord Krishna spent his mischievous young days. Lying in Mathura’s shadows, this celebrated town is a united image of untold beauty and religious purity, eternally dreaming and imaginatively reliving its romantic past. Among the jigsaw of ghats, sacredly lie numerous amply-venerated shrines. The most famous and finest one being Govinda Deva, dating from 1590, that’s an arched edifice of red sandstone with a 100-foot nave.
Chini Ka Rauza
Mulla Shukrullah Shirazi, the Prime Minister of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who fancied building his own mausoleum in 1639, elaborately ornamented this masterpiece of glazed tiles. Every bit of this royal monument is generously decorated with bright color schemes recognized as Chini ka Rauza.
Ram Baugh
Exhibiting influences of Persian and Islamic flavour, this Mughal-styled garden houses the tomb of Itimad ud Daulah, held close by pathways and waterways. What captivates most visitors is the tranquilized and calm aura.
Mehtab Bagh
Enriched with over 40 species of plants, this garden’s prime attraction is the Taj Mahal itself that casts a majestic reflection in the pool at night.
Mariyam's Tomb
Exceptional and charming, this red sandstone tomb completed in 1611 AD was built in memory of Emperor Akbar's Christian wife from Goa, Mariyam.
Jama Masjid
Built at a great height in 1571 AD, in memory of Sheikh Salim Chisti, this sacred building is beautifully decorated with paintings along with inlaid stones, carvings and glazed tiles that warmly hold royal tombs and a Sufi shrine. Its vast courtyards and majestic halls whose entry is through monumental gateways are outstanding.