359th Urs of Shah Jahan held in May

For the 359th year, Agra commemorated the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan with a three day celebration at the Taj Mahal marking the anniversary of the ruler’s death in a ceremony known as an Urs.

The Taj Mahal in Agra is marvel of Mughal architecture commissioned by Shah Jahan.Shah Jahan’s cenotaph (a gazebo-like memorial) was wrapped in a 2,400 foot-long muslin cloth, called a chadar, as part of the memorial celebration that opened the Taj to muslin cloth, called a chadar, as part of the memorial celebration that opened the Taj to the public for free during the ritual mourning period.



The Taj Mahal At SunrisePrince Yakub Habeebuddin Tusi of Hyderabad, who claims to be the heir of the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, comes to the mourning ceremony annually on a prayer pilgrimage.

Shah Jahan ruled the Mughal Empire for 30 years before dying in 1666. His rule is considered the zenith of Mughal architecture, and his finest work, the Taj Mahal, was built as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Agra tourist destination, is part of India Tours offered by Easy Tours of India - Highest Rated tour agency in US.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal in Agra is without any doubt the finest monument in the country. The remarkable white marble mausoleum was built on the bank of River Yamuna by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. A mere sight of Taj Mahal Agra will hold you spellbound. Feel the charm of yesteryear while touring the magnificent white marble monument. Taj Mahal is described as a symbol of eternal love and beauty.

Agra is home to the marble wonder called Taj Mahal. A tours to Agra allows travelers to experience the architectural glory of the past. While touring the city of the Taj, you must visit its three UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.

Taj Mahal It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Taj Mahal “the essence of love”. A monument of beauty beyond measurement. The beauty of this outstanding monument is such that it is beyond the extent of words. Located royally on the banks of River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal Tours is synonymous with love and affection. It is supposed that the name “Taj Mahal” was derived from the name of Shah Jahan’s wife Mumtaz Mahal and it means “Crown Palace”.

The purity of the white marble, the superb embellishment, expensive gemstones used and its charming location, all make Taj Mahal Travel add a place amongst the most admired ones. However, unless and until, one knows the love story behind the Taj Mahal of India Tours, Taj Mahal will come up as just a gorgeous building. But, the affection and love behind this terrific memorial is what has given a life to this monument.

As one passes through a high wall, he suddenly comes upon the Taj – raised upon a marble platform, and framed on each side by striking mosques and grand minarets. In the forefront large gardens surround a pool in whose waters the upturned palace becomes a trembling dream. Every section of the composition is of white marble, valuable metals, or expensive stones. The structure is a multifaceted stature of twelve sides, four of which are portals. A slender and lean minaret rises at each corner, and the crown is a gigantic spire dome. 

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Mehtab Bagh - Agra

Taj Mahotsav, a 10 days annual festival organized in the month of February (but this year Its organized from 16 March to 25 March due to election in Uttar Pradesh) at Shilpgram, near Taj Mahal. This mega event invokes the memories of the old Mughal period which was prevalent in the 18th and the 19th centuries in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The Festival highlights the rich culture, arts, crafts, cuisine, music and dance of Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Taj Mahal Utsav. The festival is a golden chance for the renowned artisans to display their magnificent works of art.  

Taj Mahotsav commences with a splendid procession inspired by the Mughal rulers. The procession comprises of beautifully ornamented camels and elephants, folk artists, drummers and master craftsmen. The handicrafts exhibited during the festival include silk of Banares, handmade carpets of Badohi, woodcarvings of Saharanpur, chikan work of Lucknow, and blue pottery of Khurja. One of the major attractions of Taj Mahotsav consists of amazing performances by the folk artists of different states of India.

Mehtab Bagh grew just across the northern waterfront of Yamuna when the Taj Mahal was built on its south bank. This place was once a heavenly garden with shaded pavilions, fountain jets, fragrant flowers and fantastic pools. But gradually the site became desolate. This site has now turned in to an epicenter for the project to establish protective green around the Taj Mahal.

The interest in Mehtab Bagh has developed again recently due to the increasing concern for the Taj Mahal. Its grounds are facing a great threat due to too many tourists.

Air pollution is causing decay to the shrine's marble exterior. As this 25 acre plot is being reclaimed, historians and geographers from around the world are gathering here to learn more about this magnificent Mehtab Bagh which once existed beside near the wonderful Taj. A modern technology inspired from Iran has been applied to bring this Mehtab Bagh of Agra back to life again.

The lush garden that once lined the river bank of the Taj Mahal may be given new life in this scheme to protect it from the danger of any further degradation. Conservationists believe that the development of a buffer zone of greenery would help to save the place from local air, noise and water pollution. Much of the area for the greenbelt has already been acquired through an earlier initiative to establish a 340 acre national park around the Taj Mahal.

The most important attraction of India Tours Mehtab Bagh and the Taj Mahal itself. This is an unique spot as you can get a picturesque view of The Taj from here.

Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb

Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb is a Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Often described as 'jewel box', sometimes called the 'Baby Taj', the tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Tajo Mahal.

Along with the main building, the structure consists of numerous outbuildings and gardens.The tomb, built between 1622 and 1628 represents a transition between the first phase of monumental Mughal architecture - primarily built from red sandstone with marble decorations, as in Humayun's Tomb in Delhi and Akbar's tomb in Sikandra - to its second phase, based on white marble and pietra dura inlay, most elegantly realized in the Taj Mahal.

The Empress Nur Jahan built I'timad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, sometimes called the Baby Taj, for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the Chief Minister of the Emperor Jahangir. Located on the left bank of the Yamuna river, the mausoleum is set in a large cruciform garden, criss-crossed by water courses and walkways. The are of the mausoleum itself is about 23 m2 (250 sq ft), and is built on a base that is about 50 m2 (540 sq ft) and about one meter high. On each corner are hexagonal towers, about thirteen meters tall. Small in comparison to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes described as a jewel box. Its garden layout and use of white marble, pietra dura, inlay designs and latticework presage many elements of the Taj Mahal.

The walls are white marble from Rajasthan encrusted with semi-precious stone decorations – cornelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx, and topaz in images of cypress trees and wine bottles, or more elaborate decorations like cut fruit or vases containing bouquets. Light penetrates to the interior through delicate jali; screens of intricately carved white marble.Many of Nor Jahan's relatives are interred in the mausoleum. The only asymmetrical element of the entire complex is the tombs of her father and mother, which have been set side-by-side, a formation replicated in the Taj Mahal.

Travel Blog by :- Easy Tours of India

Sikandra

The Tomb of Akbar the Great is an important Mughal architectural masterpiece, built 1605-1613, set in 48 Ha (119 acres) of grounds in Sikandra, a suburb of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.The third Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great himself commenced its construction in around 1600, according to Tartary tradition to commence the construction of one's tomb during one's lifetime. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it. After his death, Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction in 1605-1613. Akbar was one of the greatest emperors of his time. This was not known until later on because his burial chamber land on a 20 by 5 acre plot of land.

Sikandra, the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, is on the Delhi-Agra Highway, only 13 kilometers from the Agra Fort. Akbar's tomb reflects the completeness of his personality. The vast, beautifully carved, red-ochre sandstone tomb with deers, rabbits and languor’s is set amidst a lush garden. 

Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it. To construct a tomb in one's lifetime was a Turkic custom which the Mughal followed religiously. Akbar's son Jahangir completed construction of this pyramidal tomb in 1613. The 99 names of Allah have been inscribed on the tomb.

Travel Blog by :- Easy Tours Of India

Agra - In the City of Taj

Agra is a very famous city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The forts and monuments are amongst the major tourist attractions in this city. Along with these monuments, the gardens are also worth visiting. Hence garden Tours of Agra are arranged by the tourists to see the well maintained gardens.

 

The garden Tours of India Agra include a visit to the imperial Taj Mahal garden. It is a garden made in Persian style which bears cypress trees and fountains all around the place. The water garden is quite famous. It is divided into four equal parts by two canals made of marble. These four parts are lined up by stone pavements which further divide the flower beds into 4 more parts which total it to 16 flower beds. The garden has been built keeping in mind the descriptions of heaven and hell in the Quran. A tank has been paced in this garden which provides a crystal clear and a beautiful view of the Taj Mahal. Irrigation facilities have also been introduced in the garden.

The Mughal gardens near the Taj Mahal are very famous and most visited by tourists. It has a majestic look. The Mughal emperors were impressed with this garden and they spent many hours loitering in this garden. The Shah Jahan garden is a prominent place to visit while we plan our garden India Tour. The garden has lush green trees, shrubs and lawns. The place is very good for morning walk. Joggers make it a point to visit the garden during early hours of the morning.

The Mehtab Bagh is another wonder of the city. It is situated in a 25 acre plot and is one of the places which has been reserved to preserve the greenery. Fragrant and multi colored flowers are in abundance in the garden. Many of the organizers do not forget to include this garden in their itinerary of Garden Tours of Agra. 

The Rambagh gardens is yet another place which is most visited. It is also known as Bagh-ul- Afshan. The park is divided into 4 parts by pathways and waterways. Fountains, waterways and channels add to the beauty of the garden. Thus garden Tours of Agra take the tourists to very magnificent and beautiful gardens which reminds one of the royal and splendid era of the Mughals.