Panch Mahal - Fatehpur Sikri
Panch Mahal - Fatehpur Sikri
Panch Mahal - Fatehpur Sikri
4.5
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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- KayaBalikesir, Türkiye143 contributionsVery big and impressiveThe tourist attraction with many buildings on the Agra-Jaipur road was the point that impressed me the most after the Taj Mahal. It may take more than 2-3 hours to visit. Even though I went quickly, I spent more than 2 hours. You can go to the area by private bus from the car park. After the simple entrance, you enter the first castle. There are many buildings inside. You will find wonderful photos and memories. Then, I can say that the visit to Buland Darwaza will fascinate you. The entrance to the building is also shoeless. There are graves and a masjid in the building with a large courtyard.Visited January 2024Travelled soloWritten 8 February 2024
- ValenciaBonitaValencia, Spain698 contributionsWELL PRESERVED, RECOMMENDED VISITPalace in very good condition, being of Mongolian origin somewhat different from the usual ones. Great story behind this construction that was occupied for only a few years but thanks to being declared a World Heritage Site, it preserves the spirit of greatness accompanied by a certain air of solitude. Highly recommended on the way between Jaipur and Agra.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 February 2024
- selyoinkWashington271 contributionsIncredible monument to the MughalsI was unsure about visiting Fatehpuhr Sikri initially but am very glad I did. The mughal architecture is exceptional. I was left in relative peace until getting to the mosque and square where there are lots vendors but it did nothing to take away my enjoyment of the site. One of my favorite places I visited in India.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 5 March 2024
- Liam PMarket Harborough, United Kingdom181 contributionsFatehpur Sikri Palace, on the road from Agra to JaipurThis Fort is well worth a visit but is mostly overlooked. A huge palace complex which was ruled by one of the Mughal emperors, who had three wives, a Christian, a Muslim and a Hindu. This was shrewd politics at the time. The palace is beautiful and stunning. It was abandoned when the fresh water supply turned to salt. It is conveniently on the road from Agra to Jaipur. You need money for entrance and for the bus. Lots of hawkers will try to sell their wares but they are harmless, if persistent. Our guide, Sahib, was knowledge and excellent. It would be a shame not to devote a couple of hours to this gem.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 March 2024
- Ирина Р812 contributionsGhost Town of IndiaGhost town of Fatehpur Sikri. The name translates as the city of Victory. And it was built by Shah Akbar. According to his plan, this was the new capital of the empire with a layout of wide streets and squares. It was built by craftsmen and architects from Persia and different regions of India. The water supply system was very well thought out: a huge reservoir and several underground ones were built, a system of canals and pools. The air conditioning system inside buildings is interesting. The beautiful city took 13 years to build and Akbar lived in it for 13 years and then moved to Lahore. Within a year, Fatehpur Sikri was deserted and turned into a ghost town. But even now the beauty and grandeur of ancient buildings amazes the imagination.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 March 2024
- Princes of travelParis, France7,510 contributionsMagnificent Mughal cityLocated 40 km west of Agra, the city of Fatehpur Skiri, the former Mughal capital of Akbar, is incredibly well preserved. As in many of these Mughal cities, there is a divan-i am, a divan-i khas which is famous for its central pillar decorated according to the Gujarati tradition. Other pavilions are remarkable, notably the five-story one located on the central square. The site is very beautiful, quite large and the buildings still present are well preserved. Signs in English make it easier to understand what you see. Possibility of calling on a guide on site, find out about their accreditation. Entrance to the city costs INR 600 for foreign tourists. A shuttle takes you there from the parking lot below for INR 60 per person for the return trip. Allow at least two hours to visit everything. Lots of people on the site, go there early enough to enjoy the tranquility of the place.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 10 April 2024
- Bozeman-DublinTrim, Ireland11,389 contributionsAbsolutely StunningFatehpur Sikri is amazing, an absolute gem on the highway between Agra and Jaipur. It is well worth a visit and a good long one at that as there is so much to see. From the car park a complimentary shuttle bus takes you to the entrance. It is a beautiful Mughal Fortress, the highlight of which for me was the central water feature and the pagoda style temple in the middle. Some beautiful gardens and courtyards throughout and one of the entrance gates is simply enormous, one of the highest entrance arche sin the world I was told. The real joy here is just wandering around the courtyards appreciating the intricacies of the artwork and design. Plan a good long stay to get the best of the place, at least 2-3 hours at least I would say. it's not a place to be seen quickly or rushed. Relax and enjoy it, it is so tranquil and beautiful.Visited April 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 1 May 2024
- Curious_Yagnamurthy20159464452Shillong, India22 contributionsFatehpur SikriA must visit place to witness the grandeur of buland darwaza. Do hire a guide to get the complete story. You can visit the dargah of salim chishti and offer your prayers in form of a "chadar" and flowers, if you are into it. The place is mesmerising.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 August 2024
- Fratto140 contributionsFascinating experienceAccompanied by a local Guide we were in this beautiful location, home to the first capital of the Mughal Dynasty. We were explained the history of the place and everything in great detail. Be careful about scams though .. we were falling for it .. a saint asks you to make a mandatory donation to the site but asks for a minimum amount of 100 euros .. we obviously refused and also resented .. a donation is a voluntary act and the amount I choose .. they try to manipulate you saying that without donation you will have bad luck .. Beyond this unfortunate episode, the UNESCO World Heritage site is very beautiful.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 September 2024
- geo3Calgary, Canada2,448 contributionsGreat side trip from AgraThis was a tour stop on the trip from Jaipur to Agra, but it would also make a very good day trip from Agra if you have the time. It should be about an hour travel time. Since this was with a tour, I already had a guide and didn't have to hire one, but the tour guide did add a lot of useful information, after which we could wander - and it is worth wandering around this amazing place. The old city walls, still being restored, give some idea of how large this city was over 400 years ago. Much of the area within the old city is not restored, and likely never will be, but what already is there is impressive.Visited November 2023Travelled soloWritten 28 October 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Krisvarel
Mumbai, India1,085 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Visiting Fatehpur Sikri with my wife was an experience that left us both enchanted and enlightened. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, located just outside Agra, is a stunning testament to Mughal architecture and history.
As we entered the grand gates, we were immediately struck by the intricate carvings and majestic structures that surround the complex. The highlight for us was the stunning Buland Darwaza, the highest gateway in the world, which offered breathtaking views and a perfect backdrop for photos. The vibrant red sandstone of the buildings contrasted beautifully with the clear blue sky, creating a picturesque scene we won’t soon forget.
Walking hand-in-hand through the narrow lanes, we explored the various courtyards, each telling tales of the past. The Jodha Bai Palace, with its unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, was particularly fascinating. We spent hours wandering through the serene gardens and admiring the brilliant craftsmanship that adorned every corner of the site.
A standout feature was the enchanting Panch Mahal, a five-story palace that provided a stunning panoramic view of the surroundings. The intricate lattice work and beautiful columns created a sense of tranquility that was perfect for relaxing and enjoying each other's company. Standing atop the Mahal, we felt as if we were overlooking a kingdom, lost in the beauty of the landscape.
However, our experience was marred by the presence of numerous beggars and persistent vendors. While we understand that many rely on tourism for their livelihoods, the pressure to buy trinkets and photographs was overwhelming at times. Additionally, the custodians at the tomb seemed more concerned with making a quick buck than ensuring a respectful experience for visitors, which detracted from the spiritual ambiance of the site.
Fatehpur Sikri is not just a historical site; it’s a romantic getaway that allows couples to connect, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of India’s rich cultural heritage. We left with our hearts full and minds buzzing with the stories of the past, grateful for the unforgettable memories we created together.
As we entered the grand gates, we were immediately struck by the intricate carvings and majestic structures that surround the complex. The highlight for us was the stunning Buland Darwaza, the highest gateway in the world, which offered breathtaking views and a perfect backdrop for photos. The vibrant red sandstone of the buildings contrasted beautifully with the clear blue sky, creating a picturesque scene we won’t soon forget.
Walking hand-in-hand through the narrow lanes, we explored the various courtyards, each telling tales of the past. The Jodha Bai Palace, with its unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, was particularly fascinating. We spent hours wandering through the serene gardens and admiring the brilliant craftsmanship that adorned every corner of the site.
A standout feature was the enchanting Panch Mahal, a five-story palace that provided a stunning panoramic view of the surroundings. The intricate lattice work and beautiful columns created a sense of tranquility that was perfect for relaxing and enjoying each other's company. Standing atop the Mahal, we felt as if we were overlooking a kingdom, lost in the beauty of the landscape.
However, our experience was marred by the presence of numerous beggars and persistent vendors. While we understand that many rely on tourism for their livelihoods, the pressure to buy trinkets and photographs was overwhelming at times. Additionally, the custodians at the tomb seemed more concerned with making a quick buck than ensuring a respectful experience for visitors, which detracted from the spiritual ambiance of the site.
Fatehpur Sikri is not just a historical site; it’s a romantic getaway that allows couples to connect, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of India’s rich cultural heritage. We left with our hearts full and minds buzzing with the stories of the past, grateful for the unforgettable memories we created together.
Written 30 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andythebaggie
Birmingham, UK3,285 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Situated on the outskirts of Agra this short lived Mughal capital is worth a visit for history lovers. Red sandstone is the main building material, and it’s all about the architecture as there is not much internal decoration to be seen. It’s a good sized site, with some big spaces where petitioners were received. The hall of private audience with its intricate pillar was the highlight for me. The site is built on a plateau, and just outside the walls is a large tank which a local was keen to jump into for a fee!
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AMsays
Thornhill, Canada5,100 contributions
Dec 2024 • Solo
The Mughal emperor, Akbar founded this fort in 1569 in tribute for the birth of his son and heir. The red sandstone complex contains historical Mughal monuments, intricate carvings and expansive gardens. The architecture here is a blend of Islamic, Hindu and Persian styles. Within are monuments like Jodha Bai’s Palace and Panch Mahal. Then there is the impressive Jami Masjid (Great Mosque) containing the ornate tomb of Salim Chishti (Son). The southern entrance the colossal gateway Buland Darwaza (Victory Gate) is considered one of India’s greatest architectural works. Abandoned in 1586, it has since been maintained as a historic site and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Going through this complex, I was transported to an era of kings and concubines, of history and glory, of excesses and inspirations, of so much more...
Written 29 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanjukta
Kolkata (Calcutta), India1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Shocked and disappointed at the mismanagement of a very beautiful tourist place in India..
We were on a family vacation at Agra and we were visiting Fatehpur Sikri.
For the Sikri area we had a very caring and friendly guide who gave us a good tour, interesting insight and lived up to the term guide. He was a govt registered guide with ID card.
For the fatehpur part we had a guide(without ID but claimed to be a govt. registered) who was least interested to give us a tour or narrate any story about the place. His only motive was to take us to the dargah and more so make us buy the chadar. They harrased us and coaxed and cajoled us even when we were reluctant to participate in any religious activity. When we agreed to visit the dargah but not engage on any rituals they resorted to personal and sentimental comments and wishes to compel us to buy the chadar.The chadar was not very cheap either. The minimum costs Rs.2100. Once they managed to draw out the money all his spirituality and good wishes were over and he was busy to only end the trip soon. The guide kept standing in the shadow and instructed us to go here and there when he should be actually taking us through the places.A marvel of an architecture and historical place being open to local people is not fit to be a tourist destination as there is lack of security and any sort of peace and order in the area. Hawkers will be behind you until you buy something from them.( A hawker who started with 100 for each magnet ended up giving four such for the same price but kept following us till we didn't buy)
The constant nagging of hawkers, beggars and more so the misbehaviour and the only motive of making you buy the chadar is very irritating. An outing which must be giving foremost peace of mind turned into a miserable ordeal and we could not view the architecture properly. Besides it is about faith and will one engages in such religious activities but here people( guide and the chadar sellers) almost force the tourists as getting the money is clearly their only aim.
To all those who wish to visit please be careful and don't fall into the viscious trap. To the administration please look into it as this situation does not give a good experience to local tourists. Further it creates a bad image of India to foreign tourists and above all unrestricted movement of local people and goods will damage the monument
We were on a family vacation at Agra and we were visiting Fatehpur Sikri.
For the Sikri area we had a very caring and friendly guide who gave us a good tour, interesting insight and lived up to the term guide. He was a govt registered guide with ID card.
For the fatehpur part we had a guide(without ID but claimed to be a govt. registered) who was least interested to give us a tour or narrate any story about the place. His only motive was to take us to the dargah and more so make us buy the chadar. They harrased us and coaxed and cajoled us even when we were reluctant to participate in any religious activity. When we agreed to visit the dargah but not engage on any rituals they resorted to personal and sentimental comments and wishes to compel us to buy the chadar.The chadar was not very cheap either. The minimum costs Rs.2100. Once they managed to draw out the money all his spirituality and good wishes were over and he was busy to only end the trip soon. The guide kept standing in the shadow and instructed us to go here and there when he should be actually taking us through the places.A marvel of an architecture and historical place being open to local people is not fit to be a tourist destination as there is lack of security and any sort of peace and order in the area. Hawkers will be behind you until you buy something from them.( A hawker who started with 100 for each magnet ended up giving four such for the same price but kept following us till we didn't buy)
The constant nagging of hawkers, beggars and more so the misbehaviour and the only motive of making you buy the chadar is very irritating. An outing which must be giving foremost peace of mind turned into a miserable ordeal and we could not view the architecture properly. Besides it is about faith and will one engages in such religious activities but here people( guide and the chadar sellers) almost force the tourists as getting the money is clearly their only aim.
To all those who wish to visit please be careful and don't fall into the viscious trap. To the administration please look into it as this situation does not give a good experience to local tourists. Further it creates a bad image of India to foreign tourists and above all unrestricted movement of local people and goods will damage the monument
Written 8 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christian B
Melbourne, Australia27 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
The palace architecture is very nice, but if you've been to Agra Fort already then it's nothing you haven't seen.
Worst part is the pushy guides and salesmen in the area. They charge you ₹600 for entrance (the City Palace in Jaipur is ₹700 and it is much more beautiful and grand) and they charge you for the bus to the top of the hill. The place is crawling with vendors trying to sell their useless cr*p.
There is no cover from the heat and there's a lot of walking, so if it's hot you will suffer.
Our guide was useless, he told us a few boring facts and kept answering his phone every 10 minutes. He basically just led us around and then expected a big tip at the end, as if he did anything helpful for us.
I didn't get his name but he had a limp, that guy sucked.
Worst part is the pushy guides and salesmen in the area. They charge you ₹600 for entrance (the City Palace in Jaipur is ₹700 and it is much more beautiful and grand) and they charge you for the bus to the top of the hill. The place is crawling with vendors trying to sell their useless cr*p.
There is no cover from the heat and there's a lot of walking, so if it's hot you will suffer.
Our guide was useless, he told us a few boring facts and kept answering his phone every 10 minutes. He basically just led us around and then expected a big tip at the end, as if he did anything helpful for us.
I didn't get his name but he had a limp, that guy sucked.
Written 3 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alessandra_biondi3
Ferrara, Italy30,674 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
Fatehpur Sikri , state of Uttar Pradesh, ancient capital of the Mughal Empire, city of Victory, became ghost town, abandoned for lack of water. The Mughals took 18 years to build it, entirely of red sandstone, the Palace has 7 gates and 28 ramparts, it is a fortress with a pond inside. The Palace is divided into 4 parts: - public audience room, -hall of the call of the faithful and ministers to religion-room temple astrologer - room of gifts where they deposited gold, silver and precious stones. The Mughals were very good sandstone sculptors, I liked the small details, also I was amazed by the fact that the Maharaja had 4 wives (Hindu, Muslim, Jain, and the Christian Miriam), the Hindu wife gave him the son Akbar who was the most important Mughal in India, had a lot of time even for mistresses... five hundred were mentioned. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Automatically translated
Written 28 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
claudio d
Viterbo, Italy44,579 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
When you enter the large courtyard of Pachisi Court it is probably the building that stands out immediately, along with the Diwan-E-Khas: the latter for its elegance, symmetry and the fact of being isolated, while the Panch Maal for its height, which overlooks all other buildings, and for its architecture; it consists, as the name suggests, of 5 floors, entirely open, or rather, they are arcaded levels, supported by columns that would come from a Buddhist temple; the various levels are decreasing in amplitude as you climb upwards, where the last level is only a loggia with a dome roof. There are a total of 176 columns on the various levels, from 84 on the ground floor to 4 on the top floor. This palace is adjacent to the Zenana, or harem and generally the sector reserved for women (the connection with the buildings of the Zenana was ensured by a passage to the third level of the Panch Mahal), and from here, in addition to enjoying the cool air currents, women could observe the city panorama from above and watch the events that took place in the Anup Talao (the pool in front of the imperial palace) or generally in the Pachisi Court (in the back it overlooks a garden). Given its function it is conceivable that between the columns there were appropriate curtains so that the women were not visible from below.
Automatically translated
Written 24 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janka K
Brno, Czech Republic9,149 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
A nice place, especially with a tour guide that tells you something about the place and takes a lot of pictures of you, expecting tip at the end. The good thing is that these guys know exactly where the nice pictures can be taken.
The bad thing about having the tour guide is that especially local tour guides will take you to sellers at the yard of the palace to buy some scarfs as offerings inside of shrines. You can always go for it, but be aware, that you will be asked 10 times more of what that scarf is worth of. This is a typical scam.
The bad thing about having the tour guide is that especially local tour guides will take you to sellers at the yard of the palace to buy some scarfs as offerings inside of shrines. You can always go for it, but be aware, that you will be asked 10 times more of what that scarf is worth of. This is a typical scam.
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hicham B
Dubai, United Arab Emirates1,489 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
If you are travelling from Agra to Jaipur, in the middle of the road you will find this palace, that is part of UNESCO world Heritage. Interesting palace, with the traditional red color, a mausoleum with see shelf cover and a beautiful mosque. Not worth the travel if you are only staying in Agra and not going to Jaipur.
When you arrive to the site, you pay 30 Rupees to take a bus who takes you inside the castle. Then as a foreigner you pay 610 rupees to visit the place
When you arrive to the site, you pay 30 Rupees to take a bus who takes you inside the castle. Then as a foreigner you pay 610 rupees to visit the place
Written 4 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dizzyb3
uk1,464 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
If you could separate out the historical site from everything that spoils the visit it'd be a much higher rating. However, from the minute we got out of the car we were hassled to buy souvenirs and the toilet there was by far the worst of our two week trip in India. The actual monument was beautiful and the guide we had explained things well. Unfortunately he didn't make it clear quite what an investment the blessing would be to be able to visit the mosque. The cheapest 'covering' to buy was 2000 irp and we were made to feel tight for choosing this option. We were assured all the money supported the orphan school there. Hopefully true. The hard sell continued afterwards with all sorts of souvenirs being thrust in our faces. Finally waiting to leave, I was nipped by a child through the bus window. Just tainted our experience of a wonderful historical site
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the location still full of tauts , beggars & anti social elements as many feedback suggests. I am planning to visit with small kid and post reading many feedback on verge of dropping Fatehpur Sikri from my to do map
Written 29 June 2018
I would not bother going there with children
Written 6 August 2018
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