Fatehpur Sikri
40 km. south-west from Agra, on the ridge
of a hill lies Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted city of red sandstone.
Here was the Khankah of Sheikh Salim Chisti, a mystic saint
who had blessed sonless Akbar that he would definitely get a
son. When Akbar was blessed with a son, he not only named him
Salim but shifted his capital to Sikri in 1569. But the prevailing
circumstances and water problem forced Akber to shift back to
Agra. Now it is a ghost and deserted city haunted by the memories
of a golden past. Here the great mosque, although attempted
to have been the copy of the Masjid at Mecca, is a fine specimen
of the Hindu influence in the typically Mohemmedan architecture.
The Buland Darwaja is the gateway to this mosque. The important
monuments in Fatehpur Sikri, besides the mosque are, Pancha
Mahal, Miriam’s House, Jodha Bai’s Palace and Birbal’s
House.
Radhaswami Temple
The stupendous structure at Dayal Bagh
has been under construction for the last 70 years and may remain
ever under construction as it is believed by the sect that their
prosperity would stop with the cession of this construction.
This enormous monument of marble with exquisite inlay and relief
work is a great tourist attraction. Here one can also see for
himself how such huge and artistic monuments are raised, embellished.
The Samadhi contains the holy relics of Swamiji Maharaj, the
founder of the Radhaswami sect.
There is a wide range of hotels, rest houses and tourist bungalows
in Agra. Reasonably good and budget class accommodation can
be had around Can-. tonment, Railway Station, Vijay Nagar Colony
and Sadar Bazar.
Mathura
On the Deihi-Agra highway, 57 km. from
Agra, is Mathura, one of the most sacred places of the Hindus.
This town is associated with Lord Krishna, the Incarnation of
Lord Vishnu. This is the birth place of Lord Krishna and legends
connected with his life arc already the part of our mythology.
The numerous bathing ghats on the river Yamuna which flows through
the town are intimately linked to Lord Krishna’s childhood
pranks. The Govt. Museum at Mathura is famous for its ancient
art objects. Devout pilgrims throng the streets of Mathura all
the year round, more particularly during the days of Ras Lila—in
the bright fortnight of the October Month, or at Janmashthami—
falling in the end or at the beginning of Sept.. or at the Holi
festival. Mathura has been a great cultural and religious centre
for Hindus, Jams and Buddhists.
Around Mathura also there are many places of interest. Goverdhan
(26 km. away from Mathura), Vrindavan (10 km.), Gokul (20 km.),
Barsana (18 km.) arc some of the famous places connected with
the Krishna’s legend. The serene, quiet and pious atmosphere
is rather unique in the world.
More>>
