Akbar's Tomb - Sikandra, Agra - Timings, History, Architecture, Best Time to Visit

About Akbar's Tomb

At a distance of 9.5 Km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station, Akbar's Tomb is a beautiful mausoleum located in Sikandra, the outskirts of Agra. This mausoleum, positioned along the Agra - Mathura Road, serves as the final resting place for the third and greatest Mughal emperor Akbar. The grand structure exemplifies Akbar's refined architectural preferences. It is one of the top places to visit as part of the Agra leisure packages.

History of Akbar's Tomb

The Tomb of Akbar was constructed between 1605 and 1613 in Sikandra. It contains the remains of the illustrious Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar himself chose the location for the tomb, and the majority of the construction took place during his lifetime. Following Akbar's death in 1605, his son Jahangir finalized the tomb's construction in 1613. Nevertheless, during Aurangzeb's rule, rebellious Jats led by Raja Ram Jat attacked the tomb, plundered and looted all the gold, jewels, silver and carpets. Significant restoration work was undertaken by the British under Lord Curzon in 1905.

Architecture of Akbar's Tomb

Spanning an area of 119 acres, the Tomb of Akbar stands as a significant architectural masterpiece from the Mughal period. Its design is a blend of Hindu Rajputana elements and gothic Mughal influences. Enclosed by a wall that encompasses the entire complex, the tomb features four gates. Visitors can access the tomb through an elegant southern entrance, reminiscent of the Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri. The magnificent entrance is adorned with intricate floral and geometric patterns crafted from white and colored marbles. This gateway opens into a vast garden, designed in the Charbagh style that leads directly to the emperor's final resting place.

The tomb of Akbar itself is pyramidal in shape and comprises five levels. The original cenotaph is located in the basement, while a false cenotaph is positioned on the top floor. Constructed primarily of red sandstone, the uppermost level is made of white marble. The ground floor is encircled by walkways, except for the center of the southern side, which provides access from the main entrance. These arcades are separated by large arches and piers, creating multiple bays within the walkways. The subsequent three levels are square in shape, featuring arcades and clusters of kiosks on each side. On the second level, some kiosks are topped with pyramidal marble roofs, while others are adorned with cupolas. Each end of the third level contains a small square room.

The uppermost level serves as a pavilion, constructed entirely of white marble. It features an open square courtyard exposed to the sky. Slender arches and piers enclose this central courtyard, segmenting it into several bays. At the heart of the courtyard lies a square platform, upon which the false tomb is situated, crafted from marble. The tomb is embellished with beautifully carved floral patterns and arabesques.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Akbar's Tomb

Akbar's Tomb in Agra does not strictly enforce a dress code; however, it is advisable to dress modestly. It is best to avoid revealing or inappropriate clothing, and it is recommended to cover shoulders and knees, particularly when visiting the mausoleum itself. Visitors are encouraged to refrain from wearing modern attire such as mini-skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops while at the tomb.

Akbar's Tomb Timings

Monday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Thursday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Friday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Saturday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Sunday: 6 AM - 6 PM

Akbar's Tomb Entry Fee

Entry: Rs. 30 for Indians, Rs. 30 for SAARC/BIMSTEC Nationals, & Rs. 310 for Foreigners. Foreign visitors, who purchase Agra Development Authority's Toll tax ticket of Rs.500 for Taj Mahal, need not to purchase any other toll tax ticket, if he/she visits the monuments like Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's Tomb, Itimad-ud-Daulah's tomb on the same day.

Best Time to Visit Akbar's Tomb

The best time to visit Akbar's Tomb is during the cooler months, specifically from November to February, when the climate is pleasant, and suitable for exploring the site. The monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, may bring intermittent rainfall, which might make travel less comfortable. The summer months can be excessively hot, with temperatures exceeding 40°C, rendering sightseeing uncomfortable; thus, it is recommended to avoid visiting Agra during this period.

How to Reach Akbar's Tomb

Agra is well connected by air, train and road. The nearest airport to reach Agra is Kheria Airport, located at a distance of 9 Km from the city and is connected to Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Gorakhpur, Jabalpur, Rajkot and Jamnagar. The city has four major railway stations - Agra Cantonment, Raja Ki Mandi, Agra Fort and Idgah Agra Junction. It has trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar, Hyderabad, Vizag, Chennai, Indore, Jammu, Jabalpur, Pondicherry, Chandigarh, Kalka, Hubli, Goa, Haridwar, Bhopal, Howrah, Patna, Dehradun, Bangalore, Allahabad, Jaipur, Trivandrum and Lucknow. Agra can also be reached by road from Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Gwalior, Noida, Dehradun, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Indore, Haridwar and Vrindavan. Tourists can reach Akbar's Tomb by using electric buses, cabs, and auto rickshaws from all parts of the city of Agra.