|
 The pleasure of Taj Mahal tour in Agra accentuates manifold when the tourists are taken on excursions from Taj Mahal to nearby attractions of Agra. Among the popular excursion sites located near Agra, Sikandra is frequented largely by the travelers who are essentially art connoisseurs as well as like to delve deep into the historical connection that the site bears.
To embark on an excursion to Sikandra, India from Taj Mahal you need to travel about 4 km. Sikandra is an elegant mausoleum that belongs to Mughal Emperor Akbar the great. In fact its construction procedure started under the reign of Akbar. However before the completion of this monument Akbar died. It was later that his great son Jehangir took the charge and was responsible for its completion. The plans that were now followed in the erection of this monument differed vastly from the original plan. It will not be an overstatement to say that the modifications in the plan reflected well on the transition that Mughal art had witnessed during that period of time.
Presently, travelers from around the globe arrive in Sikandra to relish the beauty of its architecture which boasts of a fine assortment of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Jain patterns. Finding its name after Sikander Lodhi, the tomb of Sikandra contains 3 storied minarets that are located on its 4 sides. You will be attracted to the elegance of these minarets which are built of red sandstones and flaunt intricate inlay work. Besides, the gardens surrounding this majestic mausoleum complements the beauty of the entire region to the perfection.
On traveling to Sikandra, you will come across a wide causeway that paves the way to the main tomb which houses 5 floors and features an attractive pyramid shape. The highlights of all the 5 floors are as follows:
Ground Floor – on this floor commodious cloisters are dotting all the 4 corners of the structure. Only in the southern direction in the center this will not be found. The Cloisters are further categorized by piers and arches each featuring a height of 22 sq ft. Besides there is a spacious reception room where you will get to relish elaborate carvings, paintings and inlay work applied in geometric and floral motifs. In this room you will come across the tomb stone of Akbar. In fact the tombs of Akbar's daughters, Shakrul Nisha Begum and Aram Bano are also placed on the same floor as Akbar’s.
Second Floor – on this floor of Sikandra you will be taken in by the elegance of the arched verandah on every side. The area is composed of 23 bays. The most interesting thing to see here is the intricately designed arches and the imposing square pillar.
Third and Fourth Floors – these two similar looking floors are bit small in size from the aforesaid ones. The attractive features of these floors are the symmetrically placed arches held by the pillar and chhatris.
Fifth Floor – this floor of the tomb of Sikandra differs from rest of the floors on the virtue of boasting an extensive and complete use of white marbles.
Tajmahal-tours.com offers interesting and detailed information on Sikandra and Taj Mahal Tours, India.
| 
