Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-VII) (Agra Day 1 - Continued)

Akbar's Tomb (Sikandara):
We reached Sikandara in approximately one hour drive from Fatehpur Sikri. It is a suburb in Agra on Agra-Mathura Road (NH-2). The Tomb  of 'Akbar the Great' is situated here and it is an important mughal architectural masterpiece, built in 1605-1613. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it, to be constructed after his death, Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction in 1605-1613. 

Monument is open from Sunrise to Sunset. Entrance Fee: for Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - INR. 5 per head. INR 10 per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) Others: US $ 2 or Indian INR. 100 per head  INR. 10  per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) (Fridays free entry by ADA) INR. 500/- ticket of ADA is valid for the monuments of Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-daula, Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandara and Fatehpur Sikri (Free entry to children up to 15 years).
Various designs on the building worth praising as there are beautiful collection of floral and geometrical patterns. Work of calligraphy is also seen inside. You can also see a lot of deer and black buck on the green lawns on both the side of the entrance pathway. 
Corridors across main building have some acoustical properties like - echo and vibration generated if you clap at the center of a corridor block AND whispering at two opposite corners of a block can be heard like a telephonic talk. These are explained by the local guides at the tomb. We did not hire a guide here but witnessed these with another group of tourist with a guide demonstrating the same. Minimum time required to see it properly is 45 minutes which can go up to 90 minutes as per your liking, availability of time and convenience. Below are some snaps of the site to give you a glimpse.

Outside main Entrance

At the entrance

View of main building after entry

Beautiful patterns on the wall

Beautiful flowers on the wall

Deer wandering in the park inside

Beautiful art workon the wall before the entry to tomb

Entry to tomb of Akbar the Great

Corridors, where you can observe acoustic effects

Another view of art work

Rambabu Parathe Wale:

On the same highway is situated a very old and famous Rambabu Paranthe Wale (RBPW) at a distance of approximately 100 meters from Akbar's tomb towards Mathura side. The joint and its food may not be suitable for people with weak digestion or foreigners as the Paranthas are deep fried Indian bread and these are served here with 3 different kinds of spicy vegetables and pickles, but those who enjoy spicy or 'Chatpata' street food would like them. The restaurant is not the original one (it is situated in Belanganj area in Agra city) and like a road side joint, however their rates are exorbitantly high, as the cheapest parantha costs INR 70 (Plain Parantha) and costliest is INR 160 (RBPW special sweet parantha). You might not have heard about some unusual paranthas in their premium category like Apple Parantha,Banana Parantha and Mewa Parantha. We had our lunch at RBPW and liked the spicy taste.

RBPW Menu card

Itmad-Ud-Daulah:

After having our lunch at RBPW we proceed towards the Dayal bagh temple, which is a sacred place for the followers of Radhasoami sect. It is a place where last rites of Swamiji were performed and a big temple is being constructed here. The temple is still not complete, but worth a short visit as you can see some intricate work on marble, which appeared cluttered to me.If you have shortage of time you can skip Dayal bagh and directly reach to Itmad - ud - daulah as the entry closes before the sunset. It is one of the most beautiful of Mughal tombs, stands across the river Yamuna on other side of the Taj Mahal, sometimes known as 'Baby Taj'. 

Belonging to the age of Jahangir, it contains cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas and Asmat Begum, parents of the powerful Mughal Empress Nur Jahan, queen of Jahangir. In my opinion if some one is visiting Taj for first time he must visit Itmad-ud-daulah first and then the Taj.

It is open from Sunrise to Sunset. Entrance Fee: for Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries(Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - INR. 5 per head.INR 10 per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) Others: US $ 2 or Indian INR. 100 per head  INR. 10  per head as Toll Tax (Agra DevelopmentAuthority) (Fridays free entry by ADA) INR. 500/- ticket of ADA is validfor the monuments of Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-daula, Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandara andFatehpur Sikri (Free entry to children up to 15 years)

The main chamber is richly decorated with mosaics and semi-precious stones inlaid in the white marble. This art work is named as 'Pietra Dura'.

Mehtaab Bag (Moonlight Garden):

The Garden complex, situated on the opposite bank of the Taj Mahal, is known as Mehtab Bagh, or “The Moonlight Garden”. Recent excavations revealed a huge octagonal tank furnished with 25 fountains, a small central tank and a baradari on the east. The site is also associated with the myth of black Taj, but the excavations have provided ample evidence for a garden complex. You get another feel and dimension of Taj from this garden. Best time to visit is in evening up to sunset. We were there till the security guards chased every one out after dark.

It is open from Sunrise to Sunset. Entrance Fee: for Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal,Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries(Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - INR 5 per head.Others: US $ 2 or INR 100 per head (Free entry to children upto 15 years)

From here we returned to our hotel and day 1 at agra ended with an amazing journey into history of Mughal empire. However we skipped Mariam's Tomb (near Sikandara), Chini ka Rauza and Rambagh (on the same side of Yamuna opposite the Taj) due to lack of time.

Two nodes of the Golden Triangle (Part-VIII) (Agra Day 2)