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Places to visit near Agra

Discussion in 'North India' started by Sindy, Sep 11, 2016.

  1. Sindy

    Sindy New Member

    I will be arriving in India and be staying in Ambala at my family home. Like anyone else who comes to India our family all wants to see the Taj Mahal in Agra. We would be traveling from Ambala to Agra, and as it is a long drive, we would most probably stay the night at Agra.

    Seeing that we would be traveling all the way from Ambala, it would be good to make the trip better by visiting some places which are near Agra, which I am unaware of.

    What places to visit near Agra would you suggest?
     


  2. briannagodess

    briannagodess Well-Known Member

    Hi there, @Sindy! Welcome to the forum!

    Here are some places near Agra that you can visit:

    Places Under 100 Kilometres from Agra

    1. Bharatpur - This city in Rajasthan is just about 52 kilometres away from Agra. This city is well-known for the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, a part of the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. This national park has even been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Back then, this sanctuary was a duck hunting reserve for the royal family of Bharatpur. Now, it's one of the best places for bird watching in the country and even in the world. There are about 400 species of both resident and migratory birds in the sanctuary. Unfortunately, the rare Siberian crane was last spotted here in 2002 but before that, this bird was commonly seen in the sanctuary. There are also other attractions in the city, like forts, temples and palaces. The city of Bharatpur was not immediately seized by the British, owing to the strength of the Lohagarh Fort. Hence, sometimes, Bharatpur is referred to as Lohagarh, in commemoration of this fort. The city of Bharatpur might not be as progressive as Agra, nor does it have imposing malls or buildings. But its ancient structures and very rich wildlife are its major features that make the city worth visiting. Hotels are found near the sanctuary as well, or you can opt to stay in Agra. There are plenty of eateries and restaurants serving local cuisine too.
    • Must visit places - Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Deeg Palace, Lohagarh Fort, Bankebihari Temple, Deeg Fort and Ganga Maharani Temple.
    2. Mathura - This is a city in Uttar Pradesh, about 73 kilometres away from Agra. This is a sacred place for the Hindus because it is believed that Lord Krishna was born in Mathuran. The biological parents of Lord Krishna were Devaki and Vasudev. Krishna was born in an underground prison, as his parents were held by his uncle, Kansa, as prisoners. This place is now known as the Sri Krishna Janmasthan. The temple houses some paintings depicting the life of Lord Krishna. It is probably one of the most visited places in Mathura. As a modern city though, Mathura has less to offer in terms of infrastructures or commercial complexes. But if you'd like to feel the presence of the Lord Krishna, then give Mathura a visit as it can give you just that.
    • Must visit places - Sri Krishna Janmasthan, Dwarkadhish Temple, Vishram Gath, Rangji Temple, Mirabai Temple and many more .
    3. Vrindavan - This is about 79 kilometres away from Agra. It is also just about 11 kilometres away from Mathura. Whereas Mathura is known as the birthplace of Krishna, Vrindavan is known as his playground. This is supposed to be the place where the Lord Krishna spent most of his childhood days. However, as a city, although Vrindavan has kept up with the modern times, the place is still not void of traffic, narrow roads and beggars. At first glance, you cannot find the beauty of the place. You need to look further, reach its temples and understand the history of the place. The city may not be the best when it comes to modern structures or buildings, but being once the home of the Lord Krishna, it definitely is a must-visit especially for the Hindus.
    • Must visit places - Prem Mandir, Banke Bihari Mandir, Pagal Baba Temple, Seva Kunj and many more.
    Places Under 250 Kilometres from Agra

    1. Gwalior - This is about 119 kilometres away from Agra. Gwalior is a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The city is very modern, with its fair share of problems like pollution and poverty. However, the city is also rich in architectural marvels like forts, palaces and museums. The main attraction of the city is the Gwalior Fort. This fort is one of the strongest of its kind in the country. There are numerous structures within it as well, exhibiting the glory of the different empires that ruled Gwalior. Its location amidst a hill provides commanding views of the city. You can also see the fort from anywhere in Gwalior. You also cannot miss the Jai Vilas Mahal, which is still the residence of the royal family descendants. Some parts of it are opened to the public though. You can visit the Madhav National Park for a breath of fresh air, where you can see many varieties of trees, plants and wildlife.
    • Must visit places - Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Mahal, Madhav National Park, Gaus Mohammed's Tomb and many more.
    2. Sariska - This is about 213 kilometres away from Agra. The place is known for the Sariska National Park, which is home to a number of royal Bengal tigers. However, spotting these tigers can be rare. Don't fret though as the national park is home to many more species of animals like leopards, hyenas, jackals and rhesus macaques. You can also visit the ruins of the Kankwadi Fort within the national park. There's also the hill of Pandupole in the premises of the national park. The Hanuman Temple here is visited by devotees every day. If you'd like to experience the wildlife and nature without venturing too far out of Agra, then consider Sariska.
    • Must visit places - Sariska National Park.
    I hope this helps you.:)