"The world is divided between those who have seen the Taj and those who have not." - W.J. Clinton. These words rightly define the immense architectural and emotional significance the Taj Mahal has, in the hearts of people around the world. And Agra, with it’s glorious past has lots more to offer a discerning traveller besides the mystic and splendours of the Taj. Today, Agra is the one of the prominent destinations of the world tourism map with heritage monuments like the Red Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and the Sikandara. It is a vibrant centre of culture, art and religious philosphies that have enriched mankind and shaped human thought over centuries. The city was once the capital of the Mughal empire and even today it seems to linger in the past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest structures in the world . It is very easy to slip away here through the centuries into the grandeur and intrigues of the Mughal court.

A pleasant town with comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soastone by craftsman who are descendant of those who worked under the Mughals. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes.

When it comes to visiting Taj Mahal, there is no such thing called best time because the Taj Mahal offers a different perspective all the time. The colors of Taj Mahal changes at different hours of the day and during different seasons. Like a jewel, the Taj sparkles in moonlight when the semi-precious stones inlaid into the white marble on the main mausoleum catch the glow of the moon. The Taj is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden when the moon shines. So, what need to kept in mind, while visiting Taj Mahal is the climate of Agra which is extreme and tropical.

Agra is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is a part of the great northern plains and is situated on the west bank of river the Yamuna. Summers are extremely hot and the maximum temperature can soar upto 45 degree Celsius, while winters are cold and foggy. Heavy rains and high humidity mark the monsoon season. Agra can be visited throughout the year, but one must avoid the extreme hot summers (April-June).

• Temperature: Summer - 21.9 - 45.0C, Winter - 4.2 - 31.7 C
• Area: 82 sq. km
• Altitude: 169 meters above sea level
• Rainfall: 66 cm. average yearly
• Language: Hindi, Urdu, English
• Agra STD Code (Area Code): 0562