Agra is also a
popular destination amongst shoppers. The Mughal antecedents of this
region reflect itself in some of the finest handicrafts that are
available here. The most important being marble items inlaid with
colored stones, similar to the pietra dura work on Taj Mahal. This
apart, Agra is also famous for other variety of handicrafts including
leather goods, jewellery, dhurrie (rug) weaving, brassware, carpets and
embroidery work.
Agra
is also home to one of the finest exhibits of village crafts in the form
of Shilpgram- a crafts village and open-air emporium with a wide range
of crafts from all over the country. On offer at Agra are also a variety
of cuisines to travelers from far and wide. Besides the Mughlai cuisine,
which saw its birth in this region, the city offers a varied fare in its
eating out option. The Taj Ganj area has a number of makeshift eateries
catering to budget travelers. Though not recommended to those particular
about hygiene, these produce some excellent Multicuisine menus. Also
famous at Agra are some of its local sweets like petha and gazak, and
saltish snack called dalmoth.
The charms of Taj Mahal, and the
bustling nature of the city of Agra, therefore blend together to make it
an ideal destination for tourists from all over the globe. Yet this
position of primacy that it enjoys on the tourism map of the world would
not have been possible if the place was bereft of easy accessibility. As
a result of the efforts of those concerned, Agra is today, well
connected by road, rail and air with all-important cities in India.
