The city of Agra is often times thought of as synonymous with the Taj Mahal hotel.  The Taj Mahal does attract thousands upon thousands of tourists each year.  Now classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the structure is considered to be one of the man-made wonders of the world, due to the architecture and the artistry of those who created it.  And while the it is a must-see attraction, the city has much more to offer than Taj Mahal.  Tourists, no matter which city they are visiting, love to shop.  And there are many markets located close to any of the luxury hotels.  Agra shopping is about more than the bargains.  There is something about walking through the markets of a foreign city that you just do not get by going to the museums and the historical museums and the heritage sites.  And that is the feel for daily life, the here and the now and the people as they are, full of culture and rich with tradition.

The museums are where the people came from, the market places are who those people became, who they are now.  And then there are the treasures to be found, the bargains to be made.  One of the most visited markets by tourists and locals alike is The Gangotri Market. This is a state run emporium which contains some of the finest hand crafted items and products in the country, all to be found under one roof.  Artistry and craftsmanship is well known in many of the cities of India, but no more so than in Agra.  For those who are seeking to find the perfect gift or souvenir, this is the place to go.  Variety.  That is the name of the game at theGangotri.  You will find everything from fine crafted leather goods, to stone carvings and marble tables.  Also close to the Gangotri Market are the Sadar Bazaar, the Kinari Bazaar and Munro Road.  Find the markets the next time you travel to Agra, you will leave with much more that you paid for.