Taj Nature Walk, Agra - Capturing the beauty of nature

There are several world-renowned monuments such as the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, Sikandra, Fatehpur Sikri and many others in and around the historical city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh, India. Most Indian and foreign tourists visit these monuments and other attractions and return. There is another picturesque spot worth visiting in Agra which many of them either forget to explore or just ignore it or they are simply not aware about it. 

And that spot is none other than the Taj Nature Walk, a green and serene forest area located near the Taj Mahal.  

During the Christmas season in 2017, I decided to visit this oasis of peace. I reached Agra from Delhi through Yamuna Expressway with my family on 23rd December and stayed at my in-laws house that is only 2-3 km. away from the Taj Mahal. The Nature Walk lies on the way towards the Taj Mahal on the Eastern Gate side. 

I had come to know about this place after seeing a direction sign board during my earlier visit to Agra. And, being a nature lover, I was quite curious to know more about this place. 

On Sunday, December 24, I arrived near the Taj Nature Walk in my car and parked it in the authorized parking lot near the green paradise. The road was flooded with tourists who had come from different parts of India and the world to see the Taj Mahal. 

After walking a few hundred yards, I arrived at the Taj Nature Walk. From the description panel outside the Nature Walk, I learned that it is a forest area of ​​11 hectares and located just 500 meters from the Eastern Gate of the Taj Mahal. 

An entrance ticket was required to visit the Taj Nature Walk. For Indian Nationals (Adult), the entry fee was Rs. 40 / - and for children aged between 5-10 years, it was Rs. 20 / - There was no entry charge for children under the age of 5. Foreigners were charged Rs. 100 / -.  

I was expecting a long queue at the ticket counter but thankfully, there were not many people. I was carrying a DSLR Camera with me as I wanted to shoot quality pics of this tourist attraction. As I was about to purchase the entry ticket, I was told by the person at the Ticket Counter that I cannot carry the camera inside as it wasn't allowed. It came as a shock to me. I requested the person to allow me to take the camera inside, but he simply refused. He told me that if I want to click photographs, I can click them through my mobile phone. I was disappointed but had no choice except to deposit my camera at the ticket counter.

 

I bought a ticket and walked in. The Nature Walk had plenty of greenery. There were many landscaped mounds and watchtowers providing a majestic view of the Taj Mahal. Here, all could I hear was the sound of birds. There were hardly any visitors to the Taj Nature Walk. I stepped forward and reached the Shahjahan Photo Point. From this spot, the Taj Mahal was clearly visible. I clicked some good photographs of this wonderful monument. Besides Shahjahan Photo Point, I also went to the Mumtaz Photo Point. This was another spot from where I could enjoy the beautiful view of the mausoleum.        

 

Away from the hustle and bustle of Agra, the Nature Walk is an ideal place for Yoga, peaceful walk, enjoying some winter sunshine and bird watching as it has several species of birds.

I spent almost three hours clicking on photographs and enjoying the tranquility of this less famous gem.