Kanch Mahal near Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra near Agra in Uttar Pradesh

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Kanch Mahal is located in Akbar's Tomb premises in Sikandara. Sikandara is located around 9 KM away from Agra. Both cities are in Uttar Pradesh.  

Kanch Mahal

As Rohan, didn't join me on my visit to Agra, I decided to venture all by myself here. 

A couple of ladies stand outside the Kanch Mahal, they provide 
information on it for Rs.10. The information provided is not foolproof. But at 5 PM they lock the Kanch Mahal premises and walk away. You know why, visiting timings are over. LOL.

Ladies outside Kanch Mahal

This is the smallest Mahal I have seen. It is a single storey structurewith Entrance Doors on two sides of it. It has small balconies 

jutting out of it. Which were beautifully carved of stone. 

The Mahal is surrounded by Garden on either side. A little ahead is located an unknown Lodi Grave. 

History of Kanch Mahal

History states that this Mahal was a Royal Ladies Resort and later 

used as a Royal Shikargah (Hunting Lodge) by Jehangir.

The ladies informed me that if you whisper near the pillars within the Mahal premises, people standing near the other pillars could also hear it even if they were on the top storey. They used to pass on information, in that manner. A fact I found difficult to digest.

View of  Kanch Mahal from  Lodi Tomb

I then headed off to see the unknown Lodi Tomb a little ahead. 

Another View of Kanch Mahal

Akbar's Tomb,  Forecourt near Akbar's Tomb and Anonymous Lodi Grave are the other monuments in the premises. The cost of the ticket being Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 100 for foreigners.

Lodi Tomb in Sikandra near Agra in Uttar Pradesh

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Anonymous Lodi Tomb is located in the Akbar's Tomb premises in Sikandara which is located around 9 KM away from Agra. Both cities are located in Uttar Pradesh.  

Anonymous Lodi Tomb

Not much Information is provided on this tomb,  apart from the fact that it is a Lodi Tomb. 

I walked on the grass to reach the Tomb. Two twin stairs lead up the tomb, which is on a podium. As I was about to the enter the Tomb premises,  I saw something move in it,  in a white color.  The tomb premises was made up of a series of doors,  one leading to another.  

Information on Anonymous Lodi Tomb

I then followed the doors and reached the other side of the premises,  where I saw a woman cutting grass.  I did ask her if she saw anyone exit the tomb premises.  To which she declined.  

Another view of  Anonymous Lodi Tomb

Now this was beginning to scare me out,  did I actually see anyone or. was it. just my imagination.  Though the Rickshaw driver had warned me,  not to visit it,  I still went ahead and visited it. 

The many arched doors in the Tomb permises

When I returned back to the rickshaw,  he scolded me again for not listening to him and visiting it.  

Fore Court near Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra near Agra in Uttar Pradesh

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Fore Court is located in the Akbar's Tomb premises in Sikandara which is located around 9 KM away from Agra. Both cities are located in Uttar Pradesh. 

Fore Court near Akbar's Tomb

Not much history is known about it. No signboard either. 

Fore Court near Akbar's Tomb

Fore Court near Akbar's Tomb

Fore Court is made of sandstone. It comprises of a series of wide arched doors, one leading to another. It has flattish dome atop each of the rooms. Something similar to what I had seen at tomb at Sultan Ghari.  

Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra near Agra in Uttar Pradesh

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Akbar's Tomb is located at Sikandara which is located around 9 KM away from Agra. Both cities are located in Uttar Pradesh.

Entrance to the Tomb premises

History states that Mughal Emperor Akbar had started and finished the construction of his tomb and the garden around it, in his lifetime. It was built between 1605 to 1613 AD.

An other photo of the Entrance to the Tomb premises

The entrance to the tomb premises is this structure made of red sandstone and marble. The marble has got beautiful  patterns across it. The design is just amazing. Wondering, if this structure is  so beautiful, what the tomb would be like. Next to it are four minars painted in white color. How I wish, we were given entry to the minar's, as they would give an amazing view of the tomb premises. Two Chhatri's are also placed atop it. The red sandstone structure along with white minars with the blue skies behind it looked amazing. 

History of the Tomb

Finally I saw the Tomb,  first impressions, it was huge and wide and had many storey atop it. It had me thinking, Is this a tomb or a Palace in disguise. It was just beautiful. If Akbar could built a Tomb so beautiful, can't imagine what his Palace would be like. Fathepur Sikri is the place were the Palace of Akbar is located. Which was on my itinerary too. 

Akbar's Tomb

The Tomb structure is made of  red sandstone, it was shaped like a pyramid and the topmost part of the five storey structure, was made of marble and completed by his son. It is said to have no roof and open to the sky. The first four floors/ storey had a couple of chhatri on each level. The design of the structure was uniform from all four sides. 

The cenotaph is placed in the middle. But that is the false one, the actual one is in the basement. Again entry to which is restricted. 

Entrance to Akbar's Tomb

The entrance to the tomb, was beautiful. It has survived all these years. It had a chandelier in between, the walls, the arches and the ceiling is beautifully painted in various colors and have Islamic wirtings on them, which look like they were embossed on the walls. The premises was just beautiful. It might have taken the workers months to make the interiors so beautfful.  A small long entrance leads to the tomb. 

Inside of the tomb premises

A couple of other tombs are also  located in its premises. Apart from the main entrance to visit the tomb, there are three identical structures located at equi distance from the tomb. Something similar I had seen near Humayun Tomb in Humayun Tomb Complex. Though they are not in very good condition. It also saw a few Deer's in the premises. 

Narrow passage leading to the Tomb

Apart from me there were many others who had come that day to pay a visit. 

Akbar's Tomb

Entry to the top floors of the structure is restricted. But the view from up here would have been amazing. Again plenty of chattris erected atop it.  

Other Tombs in the premises

I then headed off to see Kanch Mahal and Unknown Lodi Tomb located in the same complex. 

Another photo of Akbar's Tomb