Private Agra Culture Walk Old City Charm

The tour starts at the parking lot of Agra Fort, from where guests board cycle rickshaws to old Agra bazaar where our first stop-over is the magnificent Shahi Jama Masjid. A royal mosque, Shahi Jama Masjid was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s eldest and most favourite daughter Jahanara Begum in 1648.

Our next stop is the iconic Chimmanlal Poori Wale, a 200-year-old shop. It’s run by the sixth generation of the same family and has been situated at the same place for about two centuries. The shop is famous for its mouth- watering Indian delicacies. Food tasting here is optional.

We then introduce you to paan — a preparation combining betel leaf with areca nut. It is chewed for its stimulating and psychoactive effects. After chewing, it is either spat out or swallowed. Paan has many variations, and is mostly eaten post a meal as a digestive. The old Agra bazaar is famous for its Paan leaves auction since the time of the Mughals, a tradition which continues to this day. The leaves for the auction come from neighbourhood cities and also from Kolkata every day.

Bridal Lehenga Workshop Indian weddings are known for their elaborate traditional outfits, with the mainstay being the bride’s outfit called a lehenga. We’ll take you to one of the workshops where they craft bridal lehengas. If desired, guests can also put on one of the lehengas and get themselves clicked in beautiful Indian attire.

Mankameshwar Mandir is one of the most ancient temples devoted to Lord Shiva. The Shivlinga is covered by silver metal and was founded by Lord Shiva himself. The most unique aspect of the temple is that this is the only temple of Lord Shiva with his face carved on it. 21 Akhand Jyoti (eternal flame) are lit every day. Devotees after fulfilling their wishes come here to light a diya and make very generous donations. Post the temple visit, we also offer guests the option of tasting paan.

Musician’s Balcony This is a temple also known as Temple of Bihari Ji and is famous for its ornately carved balcony. It was built by a merchant named Mohan Lal in 1880. Mohan Lal was the maker of brocade borders for saaris and his family is still involved in their traditional business of brocade borders. It is about 135 years old, but still in very good condition.

Rawatpara Spice Market A 500-year-old spice market set up by the Mughal emperors to cater to the spice needs of the fort. This marketplace is constantly bustling with activity and frantic shoppers from the city. On this aromatic walk through the spice market, we will also take guests to Bombay Sarai — a building known for its ornate railings that were imported back in the day from England by famous spice merchant Kanomal.

We will also be crossing Lohar Gali, a bustling street with vendors selling all kinds of things. This street is most famous for selling bangles. From here, the walking part of the tour ends and we take guests back to Agra Fort parking in cycle rickshaws.

From Agra Fort parking, we get into cars and head to Gyarah Sidi (eleven steps), where you see the remains of the astrological observatory of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. The ruins are situated at a stone’s throw from Babur’s Mehtab Bagh, in a field on the banks of the Yamuna river.

The Culture walk will end at Taj View Point, one of the best vantage points in the city to view and photograph the exquisite Taj Mahal.