1. Petha – The Iconic Sweet of Agra

Agra and Petha are almost synonymous. This soft, translucent sweet made from ash gourd (white pumpkin) is a local specialty that dates back to the Mughal era. You can find it in several varieties including plain, saffron, paan-flavored, chocolate-coated, and even stuffed versions. Panchi Petha is the most well-known shop where you can try or buy this delicacy.

2. Bedai and Jalebi – A Breakfast Favorite

No trip to Agra is complete without having a traditional breakfast of Bedai and Jalebi. Bedai is a puffy, fried bread filled with a spiced lentil mixture, served with hot and tangy aloo sabzi (potato curry). It’s often paired with Jalebi, a deep-fried spiral-shaped sweet soaked in sugar syrup. The combination of spicy and sweet makes this a crowd favorite among locals and tourists alike.

3. Mughlai Cuisine – A Royal Feast

Agra was once the seat of the Mughal Empire, and the influence of Mughlai cuisine is still strong. Dishes like Murg Musallam, Nihari, Korma, and Biryani are a must-try for non-vegetarians. Rich in spices, nuts, and cream, these dishes reflect the royal taste and aroma that the Mughals brought with them. Esphahan (in The Oberoi Amarvilas) and Pinch of Spice are popular places for an upscale Mughlai dining experience.

4. Dalmoth – A Spicy Snack

If you’re looking for a savory, crunchy snack, try Dalmoth. Made with fried lentils, nuts, and spices, this dry mix is a favorite for both locals and tourists. It has a spicy kick and goes perfectly with tea. Dalmoth is often packed and taken home as a food souvenir. You’ll find it in many local sweet shops around Sadar Bazaar.

5. Tandoori Dishes and Kebabs

Agra is well known for its tandoori delights. Whether it’s tandoori chicken, seekh kebabs, or paneer tikka, the smoky flavors from the clay oven are irresistible. Gallops and Mama Chicken Mama Franky are popular joints that serve some of the best grilled and tandoori dishes in the city.

6. Bhalla (Aloo Tikki) and Chaat

Street food in Agra is a treasure trove of flavor, and Bhalla is a must-try. It’s the local name for Aloo Tikki—a mashed potato patty deep-fried and served with curd, tamarind chutney, and spices. Other chaat varieties like Dahi Bhalla, Papdi Chaat, and Pani Puri are also easily found at street stalls, especially in Sadar Bazaar and Agra Cantt areas.

7. Tandoori Chai – A Modern Twist

While chai (tea) is a staple across India, Tandoori Chai has gained popularity in Agra for its unique preparation. Tea is poured into pre-heated clay cups (kulhads) which gives it a smoky flavor and aroma. A perfect beverage to relax with after a long day of sightseeing.

8. Paratha Thali

For a wholesome and fulfilling meal, try a Paratha Thali an assortment of stuffed parathas served with curd, pickle, and butter. You’ll find several variations including aloo (potato), paneer (cottage cheese), gobi (cauliflower), and more. Deviram Sweets is a popular spot known for its delicious parathas.

Final Thoughts

Agra isn’t just a city of architectural beauty it’s a paradise for foodies too. The culinary offerings here are rich, diverse, and deeply rooted in history. Whether you’re enjoying a royal Mughlai meal or munching on spicy street snacks, the flavors of Agra will stay with you long after your trip. So, when you plan your visit to see the Taj Mahal, make sure you come hungry Agra has a lot to offer on your plate!

The post Famous Food in Agra appeared first on Same Day Tour Blog.

The History of Taj Mahotsav Agra

This is a 10 days long mega event of Art, crafts and culture with a lot of music and melodrama. This is the ceremonial display of regality, pomp, and show and cultural ethos of the Mughals and the famed Nawabs of Audh, Uttar Pradesh Tourism is responsible to organize this fair to boost up Agra Tourism.

The history of Taj Mahotsav dates back to 1992 and this coming year in 2020 this will mark the 29th anniversary of it and certainly it is going to be overwhelming.

This is a noble platform to view and appraise the artwork and talents of the artisans from different parts of India. The deft-handed performers of music and dance would certainly captivate your heart.

The theme of Agra Taj Mahotsav

Taj Mahotsav is reminding us of the bygone glory of Mughals. You are tempted to recall the days of the Mughal era while the emperor and the prominent nobles were riding elephants with mahouts controlling them with noose. The decorated elephants in the war position or the procession form were the glory of Mughals. In this festival, you witness the effigies of elephants, houses and much more accompanied by the thumps of drums and the tones of trumpets.

This festival celebrated with great gusto, is also a great chance for the connoisseurs as they get the best flavors of Indian cuisines. If you are a stage lover what can be the other best opportunity then to enjoy the folk dances of the prominent local artists and thus get soaked in the myriads of colors of Indian out. You can enjoy the Kalbelia dance of Rajasthan, Kathak from Uttar Pradesh and Nautanki and other forms from Maharashtra. 

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These places showcase very handicrafts, for example, Saharanpur wood carvings, Varanasi Silk and Zardozi Work, Marble Inlay work of Agra, Pottery from Khurja, Chicken work from Lucknow, Kashmiri Handmade Carpets, Locks of Aligarh, Knives from Rampur and so on. Thus the seller finds a better place to display their objects under one roof and the buyers have an ease to buy the artifacts at the genuine rates under one roof. Thus the localities and the foreigners enjoy the shopping spree after the Taj Mahal Tour.

Thus this festival is a paradise for the shopaholics who can visit the different galleries brimming with the stalls of curios fabrics, paintings, imitation jewelry, old books, etc.

You also have a unique chance to savor the dishes from the various Indian States and participate in the concerts of the top performers. Even the kids have a plethora of options to have great fun of enjoying the thrilling rides on the various savings.   

How to Get Entry Tickets

The entry tickets can be purchased on the entry gates at the time of visit at the rate of INR 50 per person. The foreign tourists and the children up to the age of 5 are exempted from the entry fee. For the school group, there are cheaper tickets and you have to pay 500 INR for a group comprising of 100 students provided they are in school uniforms and two teachers along with the group can get complimentary entry. For the cultural shows, you need not purchase separate entry tickets. But sometimes during the cultural shows with celebrities, there is extreme pressure of V.I.P arrivals.

If you are looking for some great discount deals on these displayed artifacts you can avail a golden opportunity to do the same, Just wait for the last day of the Tajmahotsav this is the time when the artisans are packing for their departure and sure will offer you the best discount on their artifacts, Thus you will stand to save and the artisans don’t have to carry their stuff back.

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If you are on Agra tour, you will certainly visit Taj Mahal & Agra Fort. But most often tourist wants to get involved in such things & Activities which are strange and full of pleasure. Agra city offers lots of such tours and activities which are quiet new and away from the trodden path. The present blog gives you an insight into the things to do in Agra facts about them.

Activities to do in Agra

Hitch Hiking- This is a unique activity to experience in the Taj Mahal city. In this activity, you can explore the charms of two UNESCO World sites- the Taj Mahal & Agra Fort. You need not arrange for your cab or any transportation. You can freak out and pre manage a helmet and ask individuals to have a ride on their two-wheelers Bike Motorcycle or scooter.

As both of these monuments are close by just at a distance of 4 km away, if you do not have a helmet you can also ask the stranger to give you a lift in their cab up to the Taj Mahal or Agra Fort parking. As English is widely known in the city, you can urge people to give you lift even for dropping you at Akbar’s Tomb or the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula.

You have to be self confident if you want to do a hitchhiking tour up to Fatehpur Sikri or Agra tour, you can find a lift easily on the private cars or the trucks going to Jaipur. But keep in mind truck drivers or the bus conductor do not speak English not people in Agra are so much aware of hitchhiking. You have to explain this activity; normally people do not believe and think you do not have money so they can offer you money. Please do not be offended.

Sheroes Cafe Agra-

The name signifies the She-heroes. This is a café run and maintained by those heroes from the fair sex who have been in the receiving end of the society. These ladies have been victims of the Acid attack and have survived these attacks. The attacks have scarred their bodies but their spirit is still beaming with life.

When you come to Agra enjoy a cup of coffee at sheroes café and be a part of the life story, Listen to their tales of velour and grit how they overcame the worst crisis in their lives. They certainly are an inspiration to society. The well able people are falling prey to depression and committing suicide while these heroes have taken the life head-on Salute to their spirit.

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Treasure Hunt In Agra

You can enjoy this activity. In this, you can enjoy the Mughal Heritage and culture tour. You can start this tour from Howard Fern Hotel and start hunting the treasures of Agra handicrafts and artifacts. You can hire a storyteller tour guides to assist you in this activity tour.

Imperial Wax Museum Agra

This Wax Museum is a quiet new activity to do in Agra. This Wax Museum presents the view of the Wax Statues of the important personalities of the World. Each figure is set up with a theme. You get to see the political, social, religions, Hollywood figures in the Museum like Michael Jackson the King of Pop Angelina Jolie, the Rock, Charley Chaplin, etc.

You will also find the best Bollywood figures like Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachhan, etc. The price to visit the museum is INR 400 for International tourist and for Indian is just Rs 200 per person they have total 30 statues and taking around 45 minutes to visit this place.

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Taj Mahal Tour Packages Cost

Taj Mahal tour package starting @3100/- 

Rooftop Restaurants in Agra with Taj Mahal View

While doing Taj Mahal Trip in Agra you wish to have lunch at such a place from where you can enjoy the magnetic view of the Taj Mahal. You have to plan to work a table either at the Sky Deck of the Taj view hotel or the restaurant of the Oberoi Amar Vilas Hotel. If you prime for enjoying dinner with the Taj View with less budget you have the choice to use the Hotel Sania Palace a rooftop restaurant. You have one more choice to enjoy the draught beer at the Beep cafe overlooking the Taj Mahal located on VIP Road to Taj Mahal.

Witness the grand Langar at Gurudwara Guru ka Taal

Hunger is the worst humankind can experience. India for ages has been a nation that experiences good rainfall but the sporadic failure of rainfall reduced famines which were common just 100 years back. A new religion born just 300 old years ago emphasized on sharing and service to humanity.

One essential part of this religion is the concept of langar. Langar is actually a community Kitchen where irrespective of caste creed or religion humankind shares food prepared hygienically by the devotees. Only vegetarian food is prepared and special care is taken for hygiene. The Community Kitchen (langar) at Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple Amritsar) is the largest langar which can accommodate 50,000 people at one go.

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What is special about Langar?

The meal typically consists of lentil and chapatti (Pancakes) an Indian Dessert of cooked rice is milk (Kheer) is also served. Earlier the langar was all prepared manually but now the chapatti is prepared in modern automatic machines which can churn out thousands of Chapatis. The manually prepared chapattis had a human touch that lacks in machines. Time has come for every religion to adopt this practice and hunger should be associated with this planet forever.

Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary 

If you have two days in Agra and aspire to do bird watching, what can be the other best option than to choose to go to Sur Sarovar Sanctuary This is located on Delhi Agra National Highway with a large like surrounded by the forest. You can spot nervous native and migratory birds and other flora and fauna over.

This sanctuary also houses the Bear Rescue center under the N.G.O saves a soul. There are almost 70 bears who have been rescued from the clutches of the brutal hands of Kalandars. These owners used to charm these bears and make them dance under the stick. Now you can see these sloth bears enjoying full liberties.

Taj Mahal Night Viewing information

This newly made platform provides you the opportunity to view the charms of the Iconic Taj Mahal at night time. This is open to the tourists every day from 7 to 10 Pm and with a nominal entry fee, you can visit this point.

This point gives you the option to take pictures of the Taj Mahal from close even during the day time. As it is evident that the inside visit of the Taj Mahal is possible only 5 days in a month and that too with restrictions. This place has made it feasible to view the Taj Mahal even on Full Moon without any Hassel.

Yoga Session at the Taj Nature Walk 

If you want to ferret away from the tiredness and break the monetary, you should take part in the yoga session. This can be an excellent Idea to be involved in Ashtanga yoga and overlooking the Taj Mahal. The Taj Nature Walk is an ideal spot to get involved in the morning or evening yoga class.

Here you are not disturbed by any human activity except the clumping of the birds. While walking over here or practicing Yoga you get the best view of the Taj Mahal through your eyes and by the camera.

Old Agra Walking Tour-

Agra city offers you the best walking tour in the bylaws of Kinari Bazar. As an avid culture seeker, this is a great idea to encounter the Agra Culture and localities. You can get closer to the Agra fort and from this place start walking into the busy and bustling bazaars of Rawat Para, Kinari Bazar, Subhash Park, etc.

The spice Market would certainly enthrall you and make you sneeze. Similarly, the shops full of worship materials, shoes, clothes would mesmerize you. As an Indian, you can do the shopping and try to haggle for the price just for fun, though most of the shops offer fixed prices over here.

Agra Tour Guide Fee

Agra Guide charges @1800/- 

Sightseeing of Old Cathedrals of Agra

Agra has age-old churches, cemeteries, and cathedrals. These were erected during the British and British age. If you are on two days Delhi Agra tour and have a passion to visit this old treasure of the city, St Mary’s Church, St Paul’s Church, etc. Similarly, you can also visit the Old Cemetery at Sadar known as Gora Kabristan.

Visit the famous Dhobi Ghat

During your Agra tour, you will find the best photogenic site called ‘Dhobi Ghaat’ an open laundry located on the banks of river Yamuna on to the other side of the Taj Mahal. The local laundry workers bring his clothes to wash his clothes by using the Yamuna river water.

Missionaries of Charity Agra

In 1950 a catholic Mother Teresa laid the foundation of this Philanthropic institute known as “Missionaries of Charity” moved by the appalling light of destitute and orphan children homeless aged people, the terminally ill all these led mothers to do something for them. This 12 member institute started in 1950 today has more than 5000 members it gives its priceless service to humanity in so many countries.

Mother Teresa for her service to humanity was accorded saints hood by the Catholic Church. Agra two has a Missionary of charity center where 100 odd orphan children fund refuge. It is also home to many old age people. Many years ago mother on her visit to Agra requested the management of a few five-star hotels to donate their leftover food products.

Since then every day a van of Missionaries of charity collects left ones from these hotels and distributes there not only at the center but to court less many distribute who line up every day in front of the center.

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