Sightseeing near Agra - Radisson Blu

SIGHTSEEING IN & AROUND AGRA Taj East Gate Road, Agra - 282001. India Telephone: 91-562-4055555. Facsimile: 91-562-4066666 e-mail: [email protected] website: TAJ MAHAL Distance from Radisson Less Than 1 km Time taken 5 minutes by Golf cart. Entry Timings0600 Hrs–1800 Hrs The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most famous monuments. It commemorates both Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, his most beloved wife. Its perfect proportions and exquisite craftsmanship have been described as “a prayer, a vision, a dream, a poem and a wonder.” This grandiose garden tomb, an image of the Islamic garden of paradise, cost nearly 41 million rupees and 500 kilos of gold. About 20,000 workers labored for almost 22 years to complete it in 1653 A.D. Getting there: The best way to reach the Taj Mahal from Radisson is to walk or take a hotel Golf-cart on the Taj East Gate Road. Entry fee: Indians: Rs. 20 Foreigners: Rs. 750 or $5 •Please note that no electronic equipment except cameras is allowed inside the monument. There is no charge for a still camera but a charge of Rs. 25 is levied for a video camera, which is allowed only till the first platform, as you enter the complex. No electronic items such as cellphones, calculators and digital diaries are allowed in the premises. •Please also note that no food items, candies, mouth freshener, cigarettes, matchboxes or lighters are allowed inside the Taj Mahal premises. Only drinking water in regular plastic bottles is allowed. •No pointed / sharp-edged articles are allowed inside. All belongings are checked & visitors frisked by the security personnel at the gate. •Visitors have to remove their shoes before entering the main monument structure. Alternatively, shoe covers can be provided by the hotel (on prior notice), to be worn on top of the shoes. •Both the East & West gates have locker facilities that can be availed on the payment of Rs. 1/per locker •Tickets are available at the counters located at the entrance of both the gates i.e. the East Gate and the West Gate. The ticket charge has to be paid in cash. Credit cards and Travelers Cheques are not accepted. AGRA FORT Distance from Radisson 8 kilometers

Time taken 20 minutes Entry Timings 0600 hrs–1800 hrs The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of this monument in 1565 A.D., although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shahjahan. Agra Fort, which has been made in red sandstone and white marble, was used as a residential palace by the Emperor and his Queen. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid - a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khaas, Jehangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal, Shish Mahal and Mussaman Burj - where Shahjahan was held captive in 1666 A.D. Getting there: The best way to reach Agra Fort from Radisson is to take a left turn from the Shahjahan Park roundabout (the main entrance to Taj Mahal). The straight road from here leads to Agra Fort. Entry fee: Indians: Rs. 20 Foreigners: Rs. 300 or $5 + Rs. 50 Rs. 250 if you are carrying the same day entry ticket of Taj Mahal. On Fridays, since Taj Mahal is closed, the entry fee is Rs. 250 •Free entry for children below 15 years of age. •The best time to visit Agra Fort is in the morning. •The tickets can be purchased by cash only. •There is a steep slope at the entrance, which may cause inconvenience if a wheel- chair needs to be used. •Electronic equipment like cellular phones, etc can be taken inside the monument. •Eatables and mineral water bottles can also be carried inside, but one should beware of the monkeys at the entrance of the fort. ITMAD-UD-DAULAH Distance from Radisson 14 kilometers Time taken 40 minutes Entry Timings 0600 Hrs–1700 Hrs Itmad-ud-Daulah was built by Empress Noorjahan (wife of Emperor Jehangir) between 16221628 A.D. in memory of her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. It took seven years to build this mausoleum. Mirza Ghiyas Beg, a Persian by birth, came to India during the reign of Emperor Akbar. Akbar’s son Jehangir married his daughter Noorjahan and made him the Prime Minister, giving him the title of Itmad-Ud-Daulah, which means “Reliance of The State”. Itmad-Ud-Daulah is the first building made of marble in India. It is also the first building in which marble inlay work (pietra dura) is the main element in the scheme of decoration. It is a superb architectural composition, unique in design, most elegant in finish and is known to be the inspiration for the Taj Mahal – therefore it is often called “Baby Taj”.

Getting there: Take the Fatehabad road and a right turn from the Taj View Hotel crossing on the road leading towards the Agra Fort. At the crossing on the border of Agra Cantonment area, take a right turn. Cross the Old Yamuna Bridge and take a left turn to reach the monument. If you do not wish to take the Old Yamuna Bridge, then go straight to the Agra by-pass road and take a left turn from Rambagh Square. After crossing Sita Nagar you will reach the monument. Entry fee: Indians: Rs. 10 Foreigners: Rs. 110 Rs. 100 - if you are carrying the same day entry ticket of Taj Mahal. On Fridays, since the Taj Mahal is closed, the entry fee is Rs.100 •The tickets can be purchased by cash only. •Electronic equipment like cellular phones, etc can be taken inside the monument. •There is no charge for a still camera but a charge of Rs. 25 is levied for a video camera. You can take the camera anywhere inside the monument. •Please do not take eatables inside the monument, as there are monkeys in the premises. SIKANDRA Distance from Radisson 16 kilometers Time taken 40 minutes Entry Timings 0600 Hrs–1700 Hrs Sikander Lodhi first visited this place on the outskirts of Agra and made it his capital in the year 1492 A.D. Later, Emperor Akbar began the construction of his own mausoleum in the year 1602 A.D., which was completed by his son Jehangir in 1613 A.D. At Sikandra, the beautiful marble inlayed entrance of various colours leads up to an open fourstoreyed structure with a white marble cenotaph at the top. It is spread in an area of twenty three acres of land with lush green gardens and water bodies, and is protected by a wall and four monumental gates with minarets at the corners. Sikandra has been inspired by Mughal, Rajasthani and Turkish styles of architecture, as apparent in the bold floral mosaics of marble or red sand-stone, which appear on the southern gateways. Getting there: Take the Fatehabad road towards Agra Cantonment railway station and take a right turn from the Pratapura Chowk, where the landmark is a statue of Avantika Bai on a horse. Further on, from the Central Methodist church take a right again and go straight till Dhaakran circle from where you need to take a left turn to reach Hari Parbat. From there, take a left turn onto the Delhi highway. Sikandra is just 5 minutes drive from Gurukandal Gurudwara situated on the right side of this highway. There is a parking area just outside Sikandra. Entry fee: Indians : Rs. 10 Foreigners : Rs. 110

Rs. 100 - if you are carrying the same day entry ticket of Taj Mahal. On Fridays, since the Taj Mahal is closed, the entry fee is Rs.100 •Free entry for children up to the age of 15years •The tickets can be purchased by cash only. •Electronic equipment like cellular phones, etc can be taken inside the monument. • There is no charge for a still camera but a charge of Rs. 25 is levied for a video camera. You can take the camera anywhere inside the monument. FATEHPUR SIKRI Distance from Agra 45 kilometers Time taken 1 hour 30 minutes Entry Timings 0600 hrs–1800 hrs Fatehpur Sikri is actually two cities – Fatehpur and Sikri - that because of their proximity to each other are known as one city today. Sikri is the town where Emperor Akbar had built residential palaces for himself and his three wives Maharani Jodhabai, Marium and Sultana. Akbar came to Fatehpur Sikri in 1569 A.D. to pray to Sheikh Salim Chishti and ask for a son as blessing. Akbar had a son Salim by the blessings of the holy man and built a ‘Mazaar’ in his respect. Akbar had all the buildings built of red sandstone including the ‘Mazaar’ (Years later when Prince Salim later known as Emperor Jehangir - came to know that he was born as a result of the blessings of the saint, he built the ‘Mazaar’ in marble). Later during his reign Akbar made Sikri his Capital from where he ruled his empire. It took 12 years to construct the city and it remained Akbar’s capital for 16 years before he apparently had to abandon the city because of the shortage of water in the area. A city wall at a circumference of 10 kms surrounds Fatehpur Sikri. It has 10 gates all around for entrance into the city. The travelers coming from Agra or Delhi enter the city of Fatehpur from the Agra Gate. Fatehpur was named after the ‘Fateh’ (i.e. victory) of Babur over Rana Sangram Singh in the battle that was fought on the battlefield of Khandwa that is very close to the city of Fatehpur. This is the state border of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan today. Getting there: Take the Fatehabad Road towards Agra Cantonment railway station and take a right turn from the Pratappura Chowk where the landmark is the statue Avantika Bai on a horse. From the Central Methodist church, from where Fatehpur Sikri is 36km, take the left turn. Go through Shahganj and reach Jaipur-Agra highway No.11 20 km further there is a crossing from where the right turn leads to Kanpur and Delhi, the left turn leads to Gwalior and Mumbai and the road straight ahead leads to Jaipur and Fatehpur Sikri which is 25 km from there. By the roadside, you would pass the milestones made in the 16th century which were known as “Kos Minar”, as a guidance to the passer-by. Once you enter through the Agra Gate, the road on the left leads to Fatehpur or Buland Darwaza and the road on the right leads to Sikri. We recommend taking the right road and going through Sikri (the village) and then reaching Fatehpur from there.

There is a parking area both outside Fatehpur as well as Sikri Entry fee: Indians : Rs. 20 Foreigners : Rs. 260 or $5 + Rs. 10 Rs. 250 - if you are carrying the same day entry ticket of Taj Mahal. On Fridays, since the Taj Mahal is closed, the entry fee is Rs.250. • The tickets can be purchased by cash only. • Electronic equipment like cellular phones, etc can be taken inside the monument. • There is no charge for a still camera but a charge of Rs. 25 is levied for a video camera. You can take the camera anywhere inside the monument. Petrol pumps: There are a number of petrol pumps on the way. One is located just outside the main city of Agra near the Air Force Station Gate and another one outside the city of Fatehpur Sikri. Restaurant facilities: U.P. Tourism’s Gulistan Tourist Complex in Fatehpur Sikri is a facility where one can have refreshments and use the rest-room facilities as well. Telephone: There are a number of places from where one can make National and International calls. Medical facilities: There are shops nearby where one can buy medicines and other items. Places of interest in Fatehpur Sikri Naubat Khana (Chahar Suq) This triple arched gateway faced with buff sandstone, divided into panels is locally called “Naubat Khana”. It is referred to in contemporary records as “Chahar Suq” (a market place arranged around a square). It was originally connected with two-storied colonnades on both sides of the roads, representing the imperial market of the capital. Karkhana (Taksal) This huge ruined building of rubble originally covered with lime plaster is popularly called “Taksal” but it probably constituted the imperial workshop (Karkhana), intended to manufacture articles of daily need and luxury including possibly gold and silver coins and presentation pieces, under direct imperial control. The building comprises a large courtyard surrounded by spacious arcades with the entrance on the south side. Diwan-E-Aam This is the first courtyard where Akbar used to hold his court for the public. As legend has it, at that time anyone who was found guilty of a crime was punished by being stamped to death by an elephant named Haran, who had come as part of dowry with Jodhabai. Haran Minar stands today at the place where the elephant was buried in the battlefield of Khandwa.

Diwan-E-Khaas Private court of the Emperor and the ministers. It is an elevated platform on an ornate pillar which has Persian, Turkish, Indian and Muslim architecture. This is where they used to hold their private meetings and the place where Akbar discussed and preached his religious doctrine of “Din-e-Ilahi”. Panchmahal / Hawamahal This 5 storied structure with 176 pillars was the place where the queens used to relax and enjoy the breeze. It is inspired by Buddhist architecture. Sultana’s Palace One of the most beautiful pieces of architecture here, this palace was exclusively made for Akbar’s Turkish wife who was reputedly the most beautiful of all his wives. This structure has the elements of exquisite Turkish, Persian, Muslim and Hindu architecture with a lot of precious and semi-precious stones embedded in the walls. Marium’s Mansion (Sunhera Makan) This residential building of the haramsara, popularly known as ‘Marium ki Kothi’ was profusely embellished with paintings and hence was designated “Sunhera Makan” (Golden House). It has four rooms - an oblong one running north-south and three other rooms from which a staircase leads to a flat roof surmounted by an open pavilion. This is supported on eight square pillars and was used for sleeping outdoors on summer nights. The brackets are adorned with many sculptures – on the north side is carved Rama attended by Hanuman, while other brackets show a band of “Kirttimukhas” (Lion-heads). There are various mural paintings as well, and Persian inscriptions are painted on the beams of the verandah containing verses of Faizi, the poet laureate of Akbar’s court. Anoop Talab This amphitheatre surrounded by a water body witnessed the fabled competition between Baiju Bawra and one of Akbar’s “Navratan” - Tansen. There are separate sections all around the amphitheatre for the Emperor, his ministers and the public to watch the performance. Hide and Seek This was the place where the king used to play hide and seek with his queens. It has secret hidden places to keep the jewelry of the queens while playing. It was connected to a small pavilion where the court astrologer Devi Prasad used to sit and give his predictions. Meena Bazaar It is a small garden where the artisans of the country used to come to display to the queens their exquisite craftsmanship and collection of diamonds, jewelry etc. It was also the place from where Emperor Akbar used to send messages through carrier pigeons. Jodha Bai’s Palace This is a huge palace with a courtyard in which there used to be a ‘Tulsi’ plant opposite the temple where Jodha Bai used to worship. This palace is divided into summer and winter sections. The roof of the palace is decorated with Chinese painting. The rooms in the corners were meant for her maids. It had entry and exit doors made of “Sheesham” (teak) wood, which are still in

place. Buland Darwaza Built between 1601-1602 A.D. by Akbar, this is the highest gate in Asia. There are 52 steps from the road up to the Buland Darwaza. It is 176 feet high from the road and 134 feet high from the base of the gate. The arch is 90 feet high. Sheikh Salim Chishti’s Mousoleum It was built by Akbar as a mark of respect to the saint with whose blessings his son Prince Salim (later called Jehangir) was born. He had built this mazaar in red sandstone, but Jehangir later made it in white marble. Shahi Darwaza This is the entrance to Fatehpur exclusively used by the Emperor. The other entrance to Fatehpur is through the Buland Darwaza, which was the public entrance. BHARATPUR The biggest reason to visit Bharatpur is definitely its bird sanctuary known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park. The park was artificially constructed by Raja Surajmal Jat to give him perennial supply of waterfowls to shoot. An extensive network of dams was constructed and several channels were made to control the water flow into the park so that a perfect shallow marshland could always be maintained. With time this protected environment has resulted in the park becoming home to more than 350 species of birds! Many of the birds are migratory such as the rare Siberian cranes. Other prominent bird species of the park are the painted storks, Indian Saras, moorhens, egrets, herons, robins, wagtails and mynas. There are a good variety of animals too like deer, jackals, jungle cats, mongoose, hare, blackbuck and pythons. The park has a good network of roads leading inside but cars are not permitted; the best way to visit is by quiet cycle-rickshaws or battery operated vehicles that are available at the park entrance. For a closer look at the flora & fauna, boats can also be hired at the park. Getting there: By Air Agra Airport (54 km). Agra is the nearest airport connected other major cities in India especially Delhi with regular flights. By Rail Bharatpur has rail connections with Agra, Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad. By Road Bharatpur is 54 km from Agra, 36 km from Mathura, 182 km from Delhi and 174 km from Jaipur. Bus services connect Bharatpur to Agra, Ajmer, Delhi, and Jaipur etc. Local Transport Tongas (horses drawn carriages), cycle rickshaws and bicycles are available.

Jeeps and Mini buses can also be hired. DEEG Deeg is located 35 kms north of Bharatpur and is famous for its water palaces. This small town, far off the tourist trail, contains exquisite pleasure palaces that must be seen. The pleasure palaces are set around formal Mughal gardens and are considered by some to be second only to the Taj Mahal in their beauty and symmetry. What makes this place even more interesting is the fact that the Bharatpur royal family lived here until 1951. Inside you can still see their furniture and objects d'art. The palaces were built in the mid 1700’s as a place of refuge from the battles the Bharatpur rulers were constantly engaged in. The pavilions mirror the architectural traditions of the Mughals, with drooping eaves, water channels, gardens, and carved archways. Inside, the walls are embellished with carved motifs of flowers and peacocks. This exotic setting was used for the film Siddharha which was based on Herman Hesse's novel. Additional scenes in the film were made at Keoladeo Ghana Sanctuary near Bharatpur. Places to see: Keshav Bhavan: This pavilion overlooks the Rup Sagar Tank. Heavy iron spheres were placed on the roof. Water was forced up through pipes in hollow pillars inside the arches causing the balls on the roof to roll around, producing the sound of thunder. Gopal Bhavan: The Gopal Bhavan complex contains the family apartments. You can look out over the Gopal Sagar Tank from one of the bedrooms. The Sawan Pavilion is shaped like an upturned boat. It's ingenious water system created a semi-circle of falling water. Kishan Bhavan: Huge terracotta water pitchers placed inside its double roof insulate the interior rooms from the summer heat. Getting there: Deeg is located about 85 kms from Agra, by road via Bharatpur. MATHURA The city of Mathura is situated on the west bank of the river Yamuna. Mathura is 141 km south of Delhi and 47 km northwest of Agra. The origin of Mathura is ancient. It is said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the popular incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mathura and the area around it, including Vrindavan, are linked with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. It is mentioned in the ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata. It later became a part of the Mauryan Empire. King Ashok, the great Mauryan ruler, built a number of Buddhist monuments in and around Mathura in the third century BC. Between first century BC and first century AD, Mathura was the center for arts. The sculpture making and stone carving styles of this period are still referred to as belonging to the Mathura School of Art. The main theme of these sculptures was inspired by the life of Lord Buddha. The decline of Buddhism in this region following the decline of the Mauryan Empire saw the rise of

Hindu influence. However, in the 11th century AD Mahmud Ghazni destroyed a large number of Buddhist and Hindu shrines. In the 15th century, Sikandar Lodhi, one of the Sultans from Delhi, continued the pillage of this city. The last great Mughal ruler and a fanatic Muslim, Aurangzeb flattened the Kesava Deo temple and a built a mosque here. The Afghani marauder Ahmed Shah Abdali dealt the final blow in 1757, when he torched the entire city. It then came under British rule in 1804. Places to see: The Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi (birthplace of Lord Krishna) is the main attraction of Mathura and an important pilgrim place of the Hindus. A stone slab marks the original spot of the birth of Lord Krishna. The earlier Kesava Deo temple had the room where Lord Krishna was born according to legend, Lord Krishna was born in a small prison room where the tyrant ruler Kansa held his parents captive. The Archeological Museum of Mathura is also an important place to visit. It houses an excellent collection of sculptures belonging to the ancient Mathura School of Art. The Vishram Ghat, on river Yamuna, is another place to visit in Mathura. It is said that Lord Krishna had killed the tyrant Kansa here. The Sati Burj, Kans Qila, Jama Masjid and Dwarkadheesh temple are other places to see in Mathura. Places of interest near Mathura: •Vrindavan is 10 km from Mathura and it is associated with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. Like Mathura, Vrindavan is also famous for its temples. There are about 4,000 temples in Vrindavan. The main temples are Gobind Deo Temple, Rangaji temple, Bankey Bihari temple, Radha Ballabh temple, Madan Mohan temple, Pagal Baba temple and the Nidhi Van temple. •Gokul is 16 km south of Mathura. It is said that Lord Krishna was secretly raised here. •Mahaban is 18 km southeast of Mathura. Lord Krishna is believed to have spent his youth here. •Barsana, 50 km northwest of Mathura, is worth visiting as it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna’s consort Radha. The Holi festival of Barsana is unique - the Barsana women “attack” men from Nandgaon with wooden sticks, when they try to put color on these women. •Govardhan is 25 km west of Mathura. Legend has it that Lord Krishna had protected the local people from the wrath of the rain God Indra by holding up a hill on one finger. Getting there: Air The nearest domestic airport is at Agra (47 kms) or the international airport at New Delhi (141 kms) Rail Mathura railway station is located south of the new bus stand. Mathura is well connected by train with Agra (1 hour), Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur and Kota. The Taj Express runs daily between Matura to Delhi (2½ hours). Road A National Highway runs from New Delhi to Mathura (141 kms) and on to Agra (47 kms beyond Mathura) BRINDABAN / VRINDAVAN

This “city of a thousand temples” is a center of Hindu pilgrimage and is associated with Lord Krishna’s life. It is also the site of a walled in garden, Nikunja Ban, where Krishna (one of the most popular of the ten incarnations of Vishnu the Preserver), appeared before his worshippers. The biggest temple in Vrindavana is the Gobind Deo Temple, constructed in 1590 A.D. with the encouragement of Akbar. Later, Aurangzeb ordered the demolition of its three top galleries because, it is said, he was tormented by the glare of a giant oil lamp burning there. Getting there: Agra to Brindaban is 75 km, so would take approximately two hours by road from Amarvilas. CHAMBAL RIVER & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY The Chambal National Sanctuary is 70 kms from Agra. It is a region synonymous with harsh terrain and breathtaking beauty. The sanctuary is home to a mix of endangered bird and animal life including freshwater dolphins. The rare Gangetic dolphin is the main attraction of the National Chambal Sanctuary. The other inhabitants of this sanctuary are magar (crocodile) and gharial (freshwater alligators), chinkara (Indian antelope), sambar deer, nilgai (bluebull), Indian wolf and wild boar. Apart from these there are over a 100 species of birds that can be spotted in and around the sanctuary. Founded in 1979 the sanctuary is a part of a large area co-administered by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. After a 1½ hours drive from Amarvilās, guests arrive at a tented camp on the banks of the river Chambal. From here, they can take a 2-3 hour boat ride on the river, during which many species of birds and animals can be seen & photographed in their natural habitat, before returning back to the campsite. Since there is no developed township / city nearby, it is recommended that guests take either a picnic hamper or some snacks & beverages packed from Amarvilās for the visit. Orders for these can be placed through In-Room Dining. Getting there: Air / Rail The nearest airport & railway station is at Agra Road The sanctuary is 70 kms from Agra. FEROZABAD For those interested in glass products, a visit to Ferozabad is a must. Situated about 44 km away from Agra, this industrial city is famous for its glassware. You can buy products such as glass bangles and chandeliers in abundance here. Ferozabad is well known throughout India for the production of glass bangles and utilitarian glassware. An entire community of skilled craftsmen is located here and is engaged in making high quality glass products. Though earlier only bangles were made here, but now all sorts of sophisticated glassware as well as tasteful tableware is produced by skilled craftsmen who have

been in the trade for generations. They also produce fragile and lightweight glass beads. There are a number of showrooms in Ferozabad where all the locally produced glass products are available. Getting there: Ferozabad is 44 kms by road from Agra. GWALIOR The fort city of Gwalior is situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh on the main New Delhi–Mumbai and New Delhi–Chennai rail link. It is around 320 km from Delhi and 120 km from Agra. According to legend, Gwalior derives its name from a great sage Gwalipa who cured a chief of the Kachwaha clan suffering from leprosy who then named the place where this happened after the sage. Gwalior’s strategic position between north and south India made it an important possession and was captured by several ruling houses. The first historical holders of the city were the Huns. Between the 11th to 14th century Gwalior came under the influence of Kachwaha Rajputs, the Pratiharas, Qutub-ud-din Aibak, and Iltutmish, and remained under Muslim possession until 1398. Under the Tomars, whose most important king was Man Singh (1486–1517), Gwalior rose to prominence. Gwalior was finally surrendered to Ibrahim Lodhi in 1518. Held in succession by the Mughals, Jats, Marathas and the British, Gwalior was finally handed over to Jiyaji Rao Scindia at a formal durbar in 1885. The Scindias are the last ruling family of Gwalior and are still influential in the political arena of India. Today, the city is also famous for educational institutions like Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management, Scindia School, and Laxmibai National Institute of Physical Education attracting students from every nook and corner of the country. Places to see: The mighty Gwalior Fort was built in the 15th century by Raja Mansingh Tomar on a hilltop that overlooks the city. The outer wall of the fort stands two miles in length and 35 m in height. A steep road winds upwards to the fort, flanked by statues of the Jain Tirthankaras, carved into the rock face. Man Mandir is the Fort’s piece de resistance. The palace built by Man Singh Tomar is a delicate structure exhibiting a sense of joy and abandon through use of color, motif, and design. There are chambers for affairs of state as well as those for relaxation, adorned appropriately and ornately with carved animals, flowers, and the human form. If Man Mandir reflects Man Singh’s aesthetic sensibilities, Gujari Mahal speaks of his love. The courage and beauty of Mrignayani and her love with Raja Mansingh are now a part of popular folk tradition. The palace has been now converted in a museum and houses a very good collection of Jain and Hindu artifacts. Contrasting with the predominant north Indian style of architecture is the Teli-ka-Mandir. This temple is believed to the oldest in the Fort, built in the ninth century and Dravidian in form. The sculptures are distinctly north Indian. Some believed it was so named because it was built in the

Telangana style; others say this was because it was built by telis (oil merchants). A more recent study ascribes it to Telap Raj, a prime minister of the region. The Sas-Bahu temples, in another part of the Fort, are not, as people believe, dedicated to a mother-in-law (Sas) and daughter-in-law (Bahu). Sas-Bahu is the name traditionally given to two adjoining temples of different sizes. The larger of the two is profusely sculpted with graceful figures and intricate patterns. This is more apparent in the interior where, above the sculpted walls and pillars, an elaborately carved lotus adorns the roof. The chhatris, memorials to former Scindia rulers, are executed in the typical Bundelkhandi style with conical spires and heavily carved exteriors. At another point in the city is the Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus. Although of little importance from a historical perspective, the sheer beauty of the tomb is breathtaking. The stone carving for which the skilled artisans of Gwalior were justly famous is apparent in the huge panels of lacy screen work, which combine with an interesting architectural design to create a delicate, ethereal appeal. Adjacent is a small white, austere tomb. This is the memorial to Tansen, a famed musician, and one of the nine gems of the Mughal emperor Akbar’s court. Much of modern Gwalior is associated with the Scindias who were prolific builders. The Jai Vilas Palace at Lashkar is an opulent Italianate structure, set in carefully laid lawns. Part of the palace is used as a residence for the family while the other has been converted into a museum that effectively documents a more leisurely and princely lifestyle. The museum exhibits, consisting of collections of the Scindia family, include such things as chandeliers weighing several tons, a silver toy train whose wagons were used as serving dishes, and a glass cradle from Italy used for the Lord Krishna at Janmashtami. Other important tourist attractions in the city are Surya Mandir (sun temple), a replica of the famed Konark Sun Temple in Orissa, Baija Taal cultural complex, museum of Inidan freedom fighters, and Kala Vithika. Getting there: Air Gwalior is connected by air to Bombay, Bhopal, Indore, and Delhi. The services are operational three days a week. Rail Gwalior is on the main Delhi–Bombay and Delhi–Madras rail link. Among major trains, the Taj and Shatabdi Express connect Gwalior with Agra and New Delhi. Road Regular bus service connects Gwalior with Agra (120 km), Mathura, Jaipur (350 km), Delhi (321 km), Lucknow, Bhopal (423 km), Chanderi (239 km), Indore (486 km), Jhansi (101 km), Khajuraho (275 km), Ujjain (455 km), and Shivpuri (114 km). Local Transport The most common and cheapest way of moving around the city is the six-seater auto-rickshaws. Taxis are also available and so are mini-buses. Places of interest near Gwalior: Shivpuri (112 km) on the Agra–Bombay Road is famous for its Madhav National Park and the Chhatris (memorials to former rulers).

Chanderi (239 km) is a well-preserved medieval town famed for the craft of sari weaving, with beautiful structures executed in the Bundelkhandi style. Orchha (120 km), former capital of the Bundela Rajputs, has interesting palaces and temples. Other interesting places include Datia (69 km), Marwar (122 km), and Pawaya (68 km). SOAMI BAGH & DAYAL BAGH 15 km from Agra, Soamibagh houses the samadhi of the founder of Radha Soami faith, 'Soamiji Maharaj'. Soami Bagh: The Radha Soami group at Soami Bagh has been building a memorial shrine to contain the ashes of the founder, Soamiji Maharaj. Construction started in 1904 and could possibly take another century. It uses similar materials and craftsmanship to those used in the building of the Taj Mahal, though incorporating elements of romanesque and gothic, as well as traditional Indian styles. The main structure is a majestic building, 110 feet in height, built of pure white marble. The most impressive features of the samadhi are the detailed and exquisite carvings on the walls, arches and pillar capitals. The exquisite carving / inlaying of various colours used for this massive project is being carried out entirely by hand. Verses of hymns from Radhasoami scriptures - particularly verses of religious poetry by Soamiji Maharaj - are rendered in inlays of semi-precious stones. The work is being done by a small group of craftsmen devotees, some of whom are from the third generation of their families to be engaged in the scheme.The belief here is that construction work should never end, making it into a living monument. Dayal Bagh: The Dayal Bagh branch was founded by a defecting satsangi, Shri Kamta Prasad Sinha at Ghazipur in 1907. Shri Sinha's successor, Shri Anand Swarup moved the group's head-quarters to Agra in 1913 to its present location directly across the road from the original foundation at Soami Bagh. This move was interpreted perhaps correctly by the parent group as a preliminary to a take-over bid for the original Radha Soami properties, including the Samadh or shrine and tomb of Soamiji Maharaj. What one witnesses today are two groups of Radha Soami’s holding large residential colonies on opposite sides of the road in this Agra suburb. Each has shops, post office and even a bank - in addition to religious buildings, clean streets and alleys, well-built houses and neatly laid out gardens. The Dayal Bagh compound however, has a more developed infrastructure of craft workshops, schools and hostels for students and workers. BAYANA Bayana is 36 kms from Bharatpur and 90 kms from Agra. It is known for its scenic beauty as it is located in a small plain, between two hill ranges running more or less parallel to each other near the left bank of the Gambhiri river. The ancient name of Bayana was Sripatha or Sriprashtha. It has a curious mixture of Hindu and Mohammedan relics. Ruled by stalwarts like Mohammad Ghori, Sikandar Lodhi and Humayun,

Bayana held a special place in history. According to Abul Fazal: “this town is the burial place of many illustrious men”, so it can be assumed that various important battles were fought here, though the records of these battles are not available for verification. The most visited site in Bayana is the famous Bijaigarh (Vijaygarh) fort which was built by Jadon Raja Bijai Pal in 1040 A.D. The fort contains several old temples and a monolithic sandstone pillar, a curious combination of Hindu and Mohammedan styles, which bears many inscriptions. The Mughal Emperor Babur himself described the fort as one of the most famous forts in India. When in Bayana one should also see the old Usha temple, which was built during the reign of Raja Laxman Sen, by his wife. Getting there: Bayana can be reached from Agra / Bharatpur by a short road journey. It is located at a distance of 90 kms (about 2 hours drive) from Agra city. CITY SIGHTSEEING DISTANCES – READY RECKONER TIME TAKEN FROM RADISSON HOTEL AGRATO: •TAJ MAHAL : 15 Minutes (Walking) 10 Minutes (Rickshaw) 5 Minutes (Golf Cart) •AGRA FORT : 20 Minutes (Car) •ITMAD – UD – DAULAH : 40 Minutes (Car) •SIKANDRA : 40 Minutes (Car) TIME TAKEN FROM: •Taj Mahal To Agra Fort : 20 Minutes 10 Minutes (Through Taj West-gate ) •Taj Mahal To Sikandra 40Minutes •Agra Fort To Itmad–Ud–Daulah : 35 Minutes (Car) •Itmad–Ud–Daulah To Sikandra : 25 Minutes (Car ) SHOPPING Agra provides an exciting shopping experience. The town is renowned for its marble inlay work and leather industry. Leather goods and accessories are good buys in town, as are shoes, bags, and jackets. Another famous industry is the manufacture of “chikan” work fabrics that involves

delicate yarn overlays. Semi-precious and precious jewelry in ornate Mughal style is also available in Agra. Soapstone objects, brass, copper and bronze statues and objets d’art are also good buys. Taj miniature soapstone models are a common feature in most shops. The town is also a major center of cotton “durries” (rugs) and carpets. Shopping comprises three different segments. There are the big stores and boutiques which stock a full range of handicrafts and souvenirs in large quantities at fixed prices. Then there are Government emporiums, which have slightly less number of items on fixed prices and lastly there are the smaller shops that stock similar items but in limited varieties and quantities. These don’t feature a fixed price and bargaining is not only expected but forms a part of the shopping experience! ♣ The major shopping areas and outlets are at the Taj complex, the Cottage Industries Exposition (CIE) on Fatehabad Road, Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar, Sanjay Place and Munro Road. ♣Most shops accept major credit cards. ♣Shop timings are 10.30 a.m. until 7.30 p.m. ♣Limousine charges are given below LIMOUSINE CHARGES Honda CRVs One hour / 10kms - Rs. 600 Every additional km – Rs.35 Agra–Jaipur - Rs. 17500 Agra–Delhi - Rs. 15750 An additional tax of 10.3% is applicable on the above. GUIDE CHARGES The hotel can arrange guides for resident guests, on prior request, with a minimum notice of one hour. 1 to 5 Guests Half Day (up to 4 hours) Rs. 600/Full Day (4 to 8 hours) Rs. 750/6 to 14 Guests Half day (up to 4 hours) Rs. 750/Full day (4 to 8 hours) Rs. 975/14 to 35 Guests Half day (up to 4 hours) Rs. 1050/Full day (4 to 8 hours) Rs. 1350/-

An additional charge of Rs. 100 is levied by guides for a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. For any foreign language speaking guide (other than English), there would an additional “Language fees” applicable. Rs.200 for half day and Rs 300 for full day. Although every effort will be made to ensure our guests get well-informed, presentable and trustworthy guides, the hotel cannot take any responsibility for this service. THE CITY ALSO OFFERS… Mohabbat the Taj ‘Mohabbat – the – Taj’ is a series of small plays depicting the saga of eternal love. The true and immortal love of Shajahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the lavish lifestyle of Mughal era and hardships faced by the artisans for 22years the created the pinnacle of craftsmanship. Price: Platinum: Rs: 1000 Gold: Rs: 750 Silver: Rs. 300