Agra Excursions

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (56 Km.)
Called Keoladeo Ghana National Park, it is one of the finest water bird sanctuaries in the world. Spread over 40 sqkm area of swampy, lightly wooded terrain, the sanctuary attracts a great variety of species of birds especially the Siberian Cranes in the winter months. Hence it is considered as the ornithologist's paradise. It lies 57 km from Agra on Delhi-Jaipur highway. Season: October to February.


Mathura and Vrindavan (60 Km.)
Mathura, on the bank of river Yamuna, is the birth place of Lord Krishna and is just an hour's drive by car from Agra. The land is replete with imposing temples, each dedicated to the stage's of the lord's life. The groves and ghats of nearby Brindaban with its thousands of temples still echo stories and songs that recount the exploits of this charming God. Among the important temples at Mathura and Vrindavan are Govind Dev Temple, Rangaji Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple, Keshav Deo Temple, Bankey Bihari Temple and the ISKON temple. Gokul, Barsana and Goverdhan are other townships associated with the lord. Gokul, is the place, hideout rather, where Krishna was brought up in secrecy, far from the eyes of his maternal uncle, Kansa. His consort, Radha, hailed from Barsana. Goverdhan is the place, where Krishna raised a mighty mountain on his little finger, to protect locals from the wrath of Indra. The Government Museum here is a superb repository of fine sculpture, terra-cotta images, coins and bronze objects that date back to 5th century B.C to the 12th century A.D.

Bateshwar (70 Km.)
East of Agra on the west bank of Yamuna lies Bateshwar, the abode of lord Shiva. There are numerous ghats to be seen along with numerous white painted temples. The mural paintings at some of the temples are worth seeing. An important event is the annual fair of October attracting thousands is said to be the largest cattle fair of Uttar Pradesh.