GENERAL INTRODUCTION:
Agra is a magnificent destination and a popular tourist stopover located on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh’s northwestern region. According to the general history of Agra, the city was founded in 1475 by Badal Singh. The city of Agra, depicted as “Agrraba” in the Mahabharata, was originally the capital of the Lodhis and the Mughals. Agra grew as a center of art, culture, study, and commerce in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, thanks to Mughal monarchs like Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Jahangir.
Agra is one of the world’s most amazing cities, with its laid-back way of life, preserved architecture, jewellery, and handicrafts. Aside from that, many different holidays are celebrated with fervor and excitement, regardless of caste distinction.
HOW TO REACH:
Air: Air travel is the quickest way to get to Agra. Agra, the Taj Mahal’s hometown, has its own airport, which lies around 7 kilometres from the city center. Flights to Agra are available on a daily basis with Indian Airlines.
Rail: Agra is connected to the rest of the country by a well-developed railroad network. Apart from the main Agra Cantonment railway station, there are two smaller stations: Raja-ki-Mundi and Agra Fort. Palace on Wheels, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Taj Express are the primary trains that connect Agra and Delhi.
Road: Regular bus services run between Agra from a number of key cities. A number of buses go from Idgah’s major bus station to Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, and Fatehpur-Sikri, etc.
SHOPPING & AROUND:
Craft House: In 2001, the elite and government-approved shop opened its doors. It sells all of the master craftsmen of Rajasthan’s magnificent handcrafted products, the kind that has left a lasting effect in India’s markets. Textiles and furnishings, Brassware, Jewellery, Precious and Semi-precious stones, paper mache articles, wooden boxes, Marble ware, and exotic miniature paintings are all available at this one-stop-shop in Rajasthan.
Take home some of the best wildlife paintings, iconic tiger t-shirts, safari coats, silk, woollen, and cashmere shawls, wildlife books, and other gift items from the largest assortment of handicrafts under one roof at Honest Prices.
You can select from a wide range of handcrafted items and purchase the best from the selected artists. It offers Gudri And Appliqué Bed Covers in Appliqué Bed Sheet, Appliqué Work Bed Sheet Tree of Life Patchwork, Bed Cover with Hand Quilted Patchwork, and Gudri Bed Covers With Patch Works On It.
Dastkar Ranthambore: It’s a joint endeavor of Dastkar and the Ranthambore Foundation to rehabilitate villages in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district that had lost access to wood, water, and farming grounds as a result of the formation of the Ranthambore National Park. Dastkar was approached by the Ranthambore Foundation in the late 1980s to start income-generating activities, particularly among women in the area.
Dastkar, a non-profit that promotes craft-based livelihoods, took over the area’s income-generation programme in 1989. Dastkar Ranthambore now successfully creates and offers a variety of regional traditional crafts.
Craftmark has been conferred to Dastkar Ranthambore for the following processes:
- Printing on a block
- Embroidery
It sells a variety of items, including Bandhini/tie-dye dupattas with sequins and clothes. Patchwork pillows and quilts are popular home furnishings.
Accessories include block-printed bags, bags embellished with sequins, Terracotta ceramics, and leather juttis and chappals.
Anokhi: Anokhi is a Rajasthani brand known for its handcrafted, block-printed clothing. It has resurrected the ancient trade of hand block printing and helps to preserve rural craft-based livelihoods by allowing people to work under their own conditions and giving them steady work and financial stability. The Anokhi label aims to inspire the creation of contemporary products and designs with a tinge of traditionalism in order to appeal to the discriminating consumer. Anokhi now has retail locations all throughout India. Block printing, hand embroidery, tie and dye, natural dyeing, indigo dyeing, Kota-Doria Handloom, Tussar Silk, Khadi Fabric, Chanderi Fabric, and handlooms are among the company’s specialties. It has a large selection of Indian and western clothing. Table and bed linen, cushion covers, quilts, and other home furnishings Block-printed bags, pouches, scarves, handmade jewellery, and other accessories
RESTAURANTS:
Pinch of Spice: Outside of a five-star hotel, this modern North Indian institution at the start of Fatehabad Rd is the ideal place to savor in sumptuous curries and delectable tandoori kebabs. Murg boti masala (chicken tikka in a thick, spicy country sauce) and paneer lababdar (fresh cheese cubes in a spicy red gravy with sautéed onions) are both delicious.
Dasaprakash: Dasaprakash serves consistently excellent South Indian vegetarian food, including magnificent thalis (ranging from Rs 125 to Rs 300), dosa, and a few token Continental dishes. Another specialty is the ice cream treats (Rs 70 to Rs 145). Intimate dining is made possible by comfortable booth seating and wood-lattice screens.
Esphahan: Because there are only two sittings each evening (6.30 pm and 9.30 pm) at Agra’s finest restaurant, reservations are required. Succulent North Indian tandoor preparations (everything is delicious), a lamb raan soaked in cocoa and coffee overtones that packs a wallop of velvety spice, and some outstanding unpolished rice topped with luscious Kerala shrimp curry are among the highlights of the tiny but exquisite menu. All of this is presented to the romantic backdrop of a live santoor player. Don’t bother with the espresso.
Shankar Ji Restaurant: Those who are tired of Taj Ganj’s multi-cuisine Western-friendly tourist eateries and want something more real should head around the block to the dhabas (snack bars) beside the auto-rickshaw stop. Shankar Ji is as basic as they get, yet it’s all smiles, has an English menu, and serves up a taste of Dubai without putting a strain on your stomach.
Joney’s Place: Despite cooking its meals in what must be Agra’s tiniest kitchen, this pocket-sized institution whipped out its first creamy lassi in 1978 and continues to please. The cheese and tomato ‘jayfelles’ (toasted sandwich), banana lassi (money-back guarantee!), and malai kofta come highly recommended, although this is more about early-morning nourishment than gastronomic super-feats.
Only Restaurant: One of Agra’s most upmarket restaurants, this is the greatest venue in the city to sample Mughlai cuisine. The restaurant’s furnishings are highly inviting, with vibrant tablecloths and bamboo walls, providing the ideal setting for a relaxing and tasty lunch. Only the Restaurant’s menu includes Mughlai, Afghani, Chinese, and Continental cuisines. Apart from being the ideal location for a family meal, the Only Restaurant is also an excellent choice for a professional lunch or dinner. Every evening, live music adds to the lively atmosphere of the restaurant.