Agra – the city of Taj is the only city in India, which is home to one of the seven wonders of the world. Besides the Taj Mahal, it is home to various other magnificent Mughal monuments and Persian-styled gardens. The city is a perfect combination of rich culture, history, architectural marvels, mouthwatering cuisines, shopping hub and more.

Situated on the banks of Yamuna River, it is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It covers an area of around 4027 sq km. It is also one of the 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh bounded by Mathura District on the north, Firozabad District on the east and Dholpur and Bharatpur districts of Rajasthan state on the south and west respectively.

The existence of Agra relates to the Mahabharata period where it finds its mentioned in the epic Mahabharata as Agraben. Modern-day Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi of the Lodhi Dynasty. It was then ruled by the mighty Mughal Empire, during whose reign the city served as the Capital of the Mughal Kingdom. It was also ruled by the Chauhan clans of the Hindu Rajputs for a brief period.

Agra is undoubtedly famous for the majestic Taj Mahal, which attracts millions of tourists every year. What makes it unique from other cities is the fact that it hosts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The town of Fatehpur Sikri in Agra is home to Buland Darwaja, which is the world’s largest door. Agra is also considered as the land of Urdu and Hindu Literature as it is the birthplace of the world’s renowned Urdu and Hindi poet.

The city exhibits rich traditions and cultures. The centuries-old Mughal rule had a great influence on the culture of the city. Some of the festivals like Ram Lila, Diwali, Holi, are celebrated with huge grandeur. When it comes to the residents, people of diverse cultures and religions reside there. The cuisines of Agra were also inspired by the Mughal era. Mughlai food and Petha are the best traditional foods in Agra.