Mausoleum mosque in india. Gorgeous taj mahal. History and legends of Mumtaz Mahal

Address: India, Agra
Start of construction: 1632
Completion of construction: 1653
Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri
Height: 72 m
Coordinates: 27°10"30.5"N 78°02"31.4"E

As soon as they did not call the famous Taj Mahal mausoleum! The famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote about the Taj Mahal that this monument is “a tear sparkling on the face of eternity.”

Taj Mahal from bird's eye view

In 1983 the mausoleum was included in the list world heritage UNESCO and recognized as the best example of Indo-Muslim architecture.

Taj Mahal - a legend of love, frozen in marble

Facts and legends are closely intertwined in the history of the white marble masterpiece, but most historians agree that the tomb was built in the 1630s. about the order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of the untimely deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. The lovers got married when the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal was 19 years old. Shah Jahan loved only her and did not notice other women. The emperor's wife became his closest adviser, participated in the conduct of state affairs and accompanied her husband in all military campaigns. The couple had 13 children, and during the birth of the 14th child, Mumtaz Mahal died. The emperor sat for a long time at the deathbed of his wife, tirelessly mourning her. Heartbroken, Shah Jahan turned gray, declared two years of mourning in the country and decided to build a mausoleum in Agra, the capital of the Mughal Empire, on the banks of the Jamna River, which has no equal on Earth, never was and never will be. Construction continued for 22 long years. More than 20,000 people participated in it, among them builders from all over the empire, craftsmen from Venice, Persia, Central Asia And Arab East. According to legend, the ruler was so amazed by the grandeur and perfection of the tomb that he ordered the hands of the chief architect, Ustad-Ise, to be cut off so that he could not repeat his masterpiece.

View of the Taj Mahal from the garden

Some scholars believe that the mausoleum was designed by Shah Jahan himself, who was passionate about architecture. He gave his creation a name consonant with the name of the deceased wife - Taj Mahal ("Crown of the Palace"). On the other side, the ruler was going to build the same mausoleum for himself, but from black marble, and he had to connect these two buildings openwork bridge of gray marble, thrown across the river. But the plans of the emperor did not come true. Soon a fierce struggle for power unfolded, during which Aurangzeb, the son of Shah Jahan, overthrew his father from the throne and imprisoned him in the Red Fort for 9 years, after which the prisoner died and was buried next to his wife in the Taj Mahal.

Architecture of the Taj Mahal

Today a white marble monument great love, "pearl indian architecture" is one of the most important sights of India. In 2007, the Taj Mahal entered list of the New Seven Wonders of the World, compiled after polling more than 100 million votes. The majestic five-domed mausoleum with 4 minarets at the corners rises to a height of 74 meters on a white marble platform and, reflected in the motionless surfaces of an artificial reservoir, seems to hover above the earth like a fabulous mirage.

Taj Mahal from the opposite bank of the Jumna River

Its walls, made of polished marble, shine white on a bright sunny day, radiate a lilac-pink glow at sunset, and silvery on a moonlit night. This marble was brought for construction 300 km from Rajasthan. The walls are inlaid with precious stones and gems; black marble decor with quotes from the Koran. Malachite was brought from Russia, carnelian - from Baghdad, turquoise - from Tibet, sapphires and rubies - from Siam, lapis lazuli - from Ceylon, chrysolite - from the banks of the Nile. Symmetry is impeccably observed in the architecture of the ensemble. It is violated only by the tomb of Shah Jahan, which was built after his death, much later than the tombstone of Mumtuz-Mazal, located strictly in the middle of the mausoleum.

Symbols hidden in the layout of the mausoleum

The Taj Mahal has many symbols. So, for example, in a park framing architectural ensemble, cypress trees grow - the personification of sadness in Islam, and verses (revelations) from the Koran are carved on the entrance gate, addressed to believers and ending with the words "Enter My Paradise!". Thus, one can understand the intention of Shah Jahan - he built a paradise where his beloved will live. Modern researchers argue that, mad with grief, the emperor decided to get closer to divine knowledge by creating a paradise on Earth. Sometimes Shah Jahan said that he was building a throne for Allah himself.

Fragment of the facade of the Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal endangered

At present, the creation of medieval architects is in decline. Cracks have appeared on the walls of the Taj Mahal, it is losing its radiant whiteness due to polluted air., and the minarets deviated from the vertical axis by 3 mm and may collapse in the future. The Jumna River becomes shallow, and this can lead to a change in the soil structure and subsidence of the foundation. And yet, despite all the threats of destruction, the magnificent Taj Mahal has existed for more than 350 years, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world with its romantic legend and architectural perfection.

Built in the second half of the 17th century by Shah Jihan, the magnificent Taj Mahal mausoleum is considered the peak architectural structures Muslim type. The style in which the Taj Mahal is built is a mixture of Indian, Persian and islamic architecture. The complex includes five main elements: a gate, a garden, a mosque, a jawab and the mausoleum itself. It is believed that Shah Jahan carefully selected and corrected the design of the mausoleum, and the best architects of the East at that time worked on the project. The main idea of the whole complex was worked out by Ustad Mohammed Isa Effendi, a Byzantine Turk. Shah Jahan personally chose a place for the construction of the mausoleum, below Agra on the right bank of the Jamuna River. The construction lasted from 1631 to 1647, more than 20 thousand workers constantly worked on it.

The Taj Mahal was built on a piece of land south of walled Agra. Shah Jahan exchanged a piece of land he liked, owned at that time by Maharaja Jai Singh, for a palace in the very center of Agra.

An area of approximately three acres (1.2 hectares) was dug up and replaced with soil to reduce water intrusion from a nearby river. The level of the construction site was raised 50 meters above the level of the river bank. In the place where the mausoleum is located today, wells were dug, which were filled with rubble stone, forming the foundation of the structure.

Instead of a scaffolding of tied bamboo (standard in India today), large-scale scaffolding of bricks was erected to encircle the perimeter of the tomb. An interesting fact is that the scaffolding was so impressive in size that the masters in charge of construction were afraid that it could take years to dismantle them. But according to the legend, Shah Jahan announced that anyone can take and leave as many bricks as he wants, and the forests were dismantled by the peasants almost overnight.

The building of the Taj Mahal mausoleum, together with the surrounding park and other buildings, covers an area equal to 17 hectares. Access to the mausoleum is open from south side garden, there are two entrance portals on the same line. After passing the second gate, you enter the territory of a clearly planned garden, which is divided into squares by four channels, and the pool in the center of the park serves as the crossing point.

The mausoleum of the Taj Mahal stands on an artificial platform near the banks of the Jumna River. The author of the mausoleum is the Indian architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori. The Taj Mahal is a compact building made of white marble with cut corners traditional for Indian architecture, which is crowned with a dome and four chattris at the corners of the roof. The building is entirely made of white marble, and the artificial platform is only lined with marble, but together they perfectly reflect the sun's rays, flooding sunlight all around.

On the east and west sides of the Taj Mahal mausoleum, strictly along the transverse axis, there are two red sandstone buildings with three white domes. The building on the right is "Jawab" - a shelter for pilgrims, and on the left - a mosque where memorial services were served, the buildings are symmetrical and fit perfectly into the complex.

In the center of the artificial platform there is a tomb, when viewed from above, it is a square with bevelled corners. Inside, the walls are surrounded by a bypass corridor with octagonal chambers at each corner. In the very center there is a burial chamber, over which two domes are raised - one in the other. The outer dome is crowned with a spire, and the inner (smaller) one serves to maintain proportions. Portals lead inside the burial chamber, one on each side.

Entering the burial chamber, you will see cenotaphs surrounded by an openwork marble fence, the original burials are located directly under the burial chamber.

Outside, the building is crowned with an onion dome raised high above the sloping roof of the burial chamber. Simple proportions determine the ratio of verticals: the width of the building is equal to its overall height 75 meters, and the distance from the floor level to the parapet above the arched portals is half the entire height.

The inner surfaces of the Taj Mahal are made with such grace that you can look at the floral ornaments made in stone for hours. Gems and multi-colored marble were used in the decoration of the Taj Mahal, materials were supplied from all over the world.

A mosaic of multi-colored pieces of agate, carnelian, onyx, turquoise, amber, jasper and corals reproduces flower garlands, bouquets decorating the walls of the burial hall. The epigraphic decoration reproducing the surahs of the Koran is made of black marble.

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The Taj Mahal is a white marble palace, one of the most grandiose monuments of Indian architecture with chic interiors and a stunningly beautiful park. It is the last gift of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to his late wife Mumtaz Mahal and is the main and most popular attraction in the country, visited by thousands of tourists every year.

Legend of the Taj Mahal

An ancient and very beautiful romantic legend is associated with the Taj Mahal. The Indian Shah Jahan was fascinated by the beauty of a poor girl who traded in the local market and married her. Soon she became his beloved wife and lived with the Shah for 17 happy years. However, happiness was not destined to last forever, and Mumtaz Mahal died during the birth of their fourteenth child. Jahan could not forget her and was never happy again.

In memory of his beloved wife and the years of their family happiness, the Indian ruler ordered the construction of the most beautiful mausoleum in the world, more beautiful than which there is in the whole wide world. The best architects and craftsmen of India and Europe were involved in the work - about 20 thousand people in total. The construction lasted for a long 20 years, and a luxurious building was built on the banks of the Jamna River, which still delights everyone who sees it.

Despite numerous earthquakes in these parts, it was never destroyed and was not damaged at all.

Park, architecture, interiors

The building of the mausoleum creates a unique architectural ensemble in combination with a park that is laid out around it. The whole building is made of snow-white marble, the square facade is pierced by semicircular niches, and thanks to this, it looks as if weightless, despite its massiveness. The impression of "floating" is also created by the reflections of the facades in the channels of the gardens that surround the mausoleum. And the most amazing feature of this building is the ability to change its color depending on the time of day and the weather. In the rain, it looks like translucent, in the morning it glows pink, and at sunset it shimmers with gold. The inner walls of the mausoleum are decorated with painted tiles and inlaid with precious and semi-precious precious stones and pearls.

Previously, the luxury of the Taj Mahal was even more impressive: the front doors were made of pure silver, but like many other valuable interior items, they were stolen. Nevertheless, the Taj Mahal still impresses with its luxury and rich decoration.

Practical Information

How to get there: The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra (200 km from Delhi). You can get there by any train that goes to Calcutta, Mumbai and Gwalior (they all go through Agra), the journey time is 2-3 hours. From Agra to the mausoleum - by rickshaw or taxi.

Opening hours: the mausoleum is open daily, except Friday, during daylight hours.

Entrance: for foreigners - 1000 INR, for citizens of India - 650 INR. Prices on the page are for August 2018.

The Taj Mahal mausoleum located in Agra is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The construction was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, as well as a symbol eternal love. In this article I will tell you about the history of this miracle, as well as the most interesting facts and events associated with it.

Taj Mahal is the most outstanding example of Mughal architecture, combining elements of Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is essentially an integrated complex of structures, the central and iconic component of which is a white domed marble mausoleum. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1653, and day and night, thousands of artisans and craftsmen worked to create this miracle. A council of architects worked on the construction, but the main one was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri

Let's start from the very beginning, namely with what inspired the emperor to build such a miracle. In 1631, grief befell Emperor Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Mughal Empire at the height of its power. His third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died while giving birth to their 14th child. A year later, construction began, which Shah Jahan decided on, driven by his irrepressible grief and strong love for his dead wife.

The main mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were completed 5 years later. Let's proceed to the description of each of the structural elements of the complex in detail

Mausoleum Taj Mahal

The tomb is the architectural center of the Taj Mahal complex. This huge, white marble structure stands on a square plinth and consists of a symmetrical building with an arched opening, topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, the main elements here are of Persian origin.

Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs - the shah and his beloved wife. The height of the building is 74 meters, including the platform, and there are 4 minarets in the corners, slightly tilted to the side. This was done so that in the event of a fall, they would not damage the central building.

The marble dome that adorns the tomb is the most breathtaking part of the Taj Mahal. Its height is 35 meters. Due to its special shape, it is often called an onion dome. The shape of the dome is emphasized by four smaller domed figures placed at the corners of the tomb, which follow the onion shape of the main dome.

The domes are topped with gilded figures in the traditional Persian style. The crown of the main dome was originally made of gold, but in the 19th century it was replaced by a replica made of bronze. The crown is titled with a month in typical Islamic style, its horns point upwards.

The minarets, each 40 meters high, also display perfect symmetry. They were designed to function - a traditional element of mosques that calls the Islamic believer to prayer. Each minaret is divided into three equal parts by two working balconies encircling the tower. All decorative design elements of the minarets are also gilded.

Exterior
The exterior design of the Taj Mahal can undoubtedly be ranked among the best examples of world architecture. Since the surface of the structure is different in different areas, the decoration is chosen proportionally. The decorative elements were created using various paints, plasters, stone inlays and carvings. In accordance with the Islamic ban on the use of anthropomorphic forms, decorative elements are grouped into symbols, abstract forms and floral motifs.

Throughout the complex, passages from the Koran are also used as decorative elements. At the gate at the entrance to park complex The Taj Mahal has four verses from the 89th sura of the Koran "Dawn", addressed to the human soul:
“O thou soul at rest! Return to your Lord contented and satisfied! Enter with My servants. Enter My Paradise!"

Abstract forms are used throughout, especially in plinths, minarets, gates, mosques, and even on tomb surfaces. At the lower levels of the tomb, realistic marble figures of flowers and vines are applied. All these images are polished and inlaid with stones such as yellow marble, jasper and jade.

Interior

The interior of the Taj Mahal goes far from traditional decorative elements. used inside a large number of precious and semi-precious stones, and inner hall- an ideal octagon, which can be accessed from any side of the structure. However, only the south door on the garden side is used.
The inner walls are 25 meters high with a ceiling in the form of an inner dome adorned with the sun. Eight large arches divide the interior space into proportional parts. Four central arches form balconies and viewing platforms with a viewing window carved in marble. In addition to these windows, light also enters through special openings at the corners of the roof. Like the outside, everything inside is decorated with bas-reliefs and inlays.

Muslim tradition forbids the decoration of graves. Consequently, the bodies of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan were placed in a simple crypt, with their faces turned towards Mecca. Both the base and the coffin itself are carefully inlaid with precious stones. The calligraphic inscriptions on the tombstone praise Mumtaz. The rectangular rhombus on the lid of her tomb was supposedly designed to be written on. The cenotaph of Shah Jahan is located next to Mumtaz, and is the only asymmetric element in the entire complex, as it was completed later. It is larger than the wife's coffin, but decorated with the same elements.

Shah Jahan's tomb bears a calligraphic inscription that reads: "He set off on a journey from this world to the abode of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth day, the month of Rajab, 1076."

Taj Mahal Gardens
Go to description magnificent garden adjacent to architectural complex. The Mughal garden is 300 meters long. The architects came up with raised paths that divide each of the 4 parts of the garden into 16 deepened beds. The water channel in the center of the park is lined with marble, with a reflecting pond located in the middle, between the tomb and the gate. It reflects the image of the tomb. The emperor was inspired to create a garden after seeing the same luxuries from the Persian sheikhs. The Taj Mahal garden is unusual in that the main element, the mausoleum, is located at the end of the garden. Early sources describe a garden with an abundance of vegetation, including exquisite varieties of roses, daffodils, hundreds of fruit trees. But over time, the Mughal empire weakened, and there was no one to guard the gardens. During the reign british empire the landscaping of the garden was modified, and it began to resemble an ordinary lawn in the center of London

adjoining buildings
The Taj Mahal complex is bounded on three sides by jagged red sandstone walls, while the side that runs along the river is left open. Outside the walls of the central structure, there are several additional mausoleums where the rest of Jahan's wives are buried, as well as a large grave of Mumtaz's beloved servant. These structures are built of red sandstone, typical of the tombs of the Mughal era. Nearby is the Musical House, which is now used as a museum. The main gate is a monumental structure built of marble. Its archways follow the shape of those of the tomb, and the arches are decorated with the same elements as the tomb. All elements are carefully planned from a geometric point of view

At the far end of the complex are two large buildings from the same red sandstone, located on both sides of the tomb. They are absolutely identical, the building on the left was used as a mosque, and the identical building on the right was built for symmetry, but may have been used as a boarding house. These buildings were completed in 1643.

History of the construction of the Taj Mahal
Here I will talk about interesting facts from the history of the construction of the complex. The Taj Mahal was built on a piece of land south of the city of Agra. Shah Jahan gave Maharaja Jai Singh Grand Palace in the center of Agra in exchange for this land. Large-scale earthworks were carried out on the territory of the complex. A huge pit was dug and filled with mud to reduce the flow of the soil. The site itself was raised 50 meters above the river level. When constructing the foundation of the tomb, deep wells were dug, which were filled with rubble for drainage and foundation support. Instead of scaffolding from bamboo, the workers built huge brick pillars surrounding the tomb - this greatly facilitated further work. Later, it took years to dismantle these scaffolds - they were so huge. In order to speed up this process, Shah Jahan allowed the peasants to use these bricks for their needs.

A fifteen-kilometer trench was dug in the ground to transport marble and other materials to the construction site. Bundles of 20-30 oxen pulled large blocks on specially designed carts. A system of special reservoirs was built to supply water from the river to the canal and to the complex itself. The pedestal and tomb of the Taj Mahal were built in 12 years, while the rest of the complex took another 10 years to complete. The total cost of construction was approximately 32 million rupees at that time.

For the construction of the complex, materials from all over Asia were used. More than a thousand elephants were used for transportation. In total, twenty-eight types of precious and semi-precious stones were set in white marble. 20 thousand workers from northern India were involved in the construction. Most likely they did the hardest work in slave conditions, since even today people in India work as slaves - for example, the article "Child Labor in India". Sculptors from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, stone carvers from Balochistan, Turkey, Iran were also involved.

Shortly after the completion of the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his own son Aurangzeb and arrested at the Delhi Fort. After his death, he was buried in a mausoleum next to his beloved wife. By the end of the 19th century, parts of the building fell into disrepair. The Taj Mahal was looted by British soldiers and officials who carved precious materials from the walls of the building. Then Lord Curzon conceived a large-scale reconstruction, which ended in 1908. At the same time, the famous garden was also modified, giving the lawns a British style.

In 1942, the government erected scaffolding in an attempt to disguise the Taj Mahal from attack by Luftwaffe and Japanese airmen. air force. The same action was taken during the India-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971. This had an effect, and the structure remained unharmed.

The complex is currently threatened by pollution. environment. Due to the pollution of the Jumna River, there is a threat of its shallowing and soil erosion. Cracks began to appear in the walls of the tomb, and the mausoleum began to subside. Due to air pollution, the building began to lose its whiteness, a yellow coating appeared, which has to be cleaned every year. The Government of India is taking urgent measures to shut down hazardous industries in Agra and expand the protected area, but this has not yet had an effect.

The Taj Mahal is India's top tourist attraction, attracting between 2 and 4 million tourists annually, more than 200,000 of them from abroad. There is a special entry price for Indian citizens, many times lower than for foreigners. The complex brings a lot of money to the state treasury, replenishing the budget. Most tourists visit the complex from October, during the cooler season. Due to measures to protect nature, buses are not allowed here, from special remote parking lots, an electric tram brings tourists

The Taj Mahal is included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as a result of a worldwide vote held in 2007. The monument is open to the public from 6:00 to 19:00 weekdays, with the exception of Friday, when prayers are held in the mosque. For security reasons, only water in transparent bottles, small video cameras, photo cameras, Cell phones and small handbags

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear about India? That's right - the Taj Mahal! Everyone knows these two words. It is the most recognizable and famous monument India and one of the seven wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal is a world wonder that stands on the banks of the Yamuna River and looks more like a fabulous building that “emerges” from the waters of the river. At the Taj Mahal rich story, which began as early as 1630 AD.

In fact, this is not a classical monument, but a mausoleum where Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved wife of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, rests. The emperor built this mausoleum as a sign of great and strong love for his wife. This miracle was built of marble, and it took 22 years and the labor of 20 thousand workers to build it. It is impossible to convey the magnificence of the monument in words, it really needs to be seen.

Where is the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is believed to be located in Delhi. This is not entirely true. The mausoleum is located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in the city of Agra - it is about 200 km. from Delhi. Agra is part of the famous Golden Triangle of India.

How to get to the Taj Mahal

Agra has good rail links. The main station of the city is called Agra Cantt.

From Delhi, Varanasi and the cities of Rajasthan, the fastest way to get there is by high-speed train Shatabdi Express.
Since 2012, it has been running from Delhi fast train, the road to the city of Agra will take less than three hours. Express departs from Noida Station ( East End Delhi). One way ticket will cost 320 rupees, and 520 rupees if you take a round trip ticket. The SL class train will cost 170 rupees (thanks for the clarification Pavel).
An alternative is from big cities can be reached by plane, and from Delhi you can order a special excursion tour.

Opening hours of the Taj Mahal mausoleum

The mausoleum is open daily from 6 am to 7 pm, except Friday (on this day prayers are held here).

You can also admire the Taj Mahal moonlight- two days before and two days after the full moon, the mausoleum is open in the evening hours - from 20.30 to midnight.

Entrance fees to the Taj Mahal

For foreigners, the cost of the entrance ticket will cost 250 rupees (entrance tax from the Archaeological Society of the country) and 500 rupees (duty of the Agra Development Department), total - 750 rupees.
Locals pay only 20 rupees.
Children under 15 years old - admission is free.
At night, tickets cost 500 rupees for local residents and the same 750 rupees for foreign tourists, but they must be purchased 24 hours before the visit at the special box office of the Archaeological Research Society on Mall Road.

You can enter the Taj Mahal from three sides - these are the South, East and Western gate. The main entrance is the West Gate - there are always long queues. south gate are located near the Taj Ganj square, which is popular among tourists, also in the area of \u200b\u200bthis square there are budget hotels cities. The shortest queues gather at the East Gate (from Shilpgram Street). But to buy a ticket, you have to walk about a kilometer - the ticket office is located far from the Eastern Gate.

Taj Mahotsav Festival

The week-long Taj Mahotsav festival takes place in the city of Agra every year from February 18 to 27, and all the action takes place in close proximity to the Taj Mahal - in the Shilpgram area. The focus of the festival is the art and craft of the Mughal era.

The people of Agra recreate the Indian culture of that era at the festival. Taj Mahotsav begins with a stunning procession of camels, elephants and drummers. Then you can take part in camel or elephant races, and keep the children busy with games on a special playground.

Of course, the “belly festival” is also held at the festival - you can try all the variety of local dishes. By the way, the venue of the festival was not chosen by chance - once the workers who built the Taj Mahal lived on this street.

The Taj Mahal changes its "look" during the day. Do not be lazy and come at dawn - with the sunrise, the mausoleum shows all its grandeur. And one more thing - be prepared for the influx of beggars and barkers.

If you don’t want to spend money on an entrance ticket and stand in line, you can admire the view from the other side of the river. One such place is Mehtab Bagh. This is a magnificent Mughal garden, which covers an area of 10 hectares and is located directly opposite the main entrance to the Taj Mahal.

The entrance fee to the garden is 100 rupees and it is open until sunset.

The city of Agra is quite dirty and not very welcoming, don't spend too much time here. Best time to visit the Taj Mahal - this is the period from November to February. In any other month, you may encounter either intense heat or heavy rainfall. Indeed, in such "not a season" tourists are offered big discounts.

What else to see in Agra - 3 interesting places

A ghost town in the middle of the desert - Fatihpur Sikri was once supposed to become the capital of the country. One day is enough to travel 40 km. from Agra and look at its remains.
Nature lovers will love the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, which is located in national park Keoladeo 55 km. from the city.
Another attraction that deserves attention is the tomb of Akbar the Great, built of red sandstone and multi-colored stones. It is located in the village of Sikandra, 13 km. from Agra

Tomb of Akbar the Great

The ghost town of Fatihpur Sikri

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary