Panch Mahal Fatehpur Sikri Agra (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images, Built by & Information)

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Fatehpur Sikri Panch Mahal, easily recognizable as a five-storey palace, is one of the tallest monuments in Fatehpur Sikri. It’s an open-sided palace whose unique design and regal aura is bound to leave you mesmerized. The graceful tapering ceilings, stacked over a maze of pillars, is a sight to behold.

Panch Mahal is an elegant, columnar structure built as a pleasure palace by Emperor Akbar. He used the place to relax and unwind and enjoy being entertained.

It has multiple receding levels; and each floor is smaller than the last. The topmost storey has four columns supporting a chhatri-like structure. And it provides a sweeping view of the surrounding monuments in Fatehpur Sikri.

Where is Panch Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri?

Panch Mahal is one of the several towering monuments in the Fatehpur Sikri Fort complex. This complex is about 36 km from Agra, and it’s said to be the first planned city of the Mughals. The rulers built this walled city for administrative, residential and religious purposes.

Architecture of Panch Mahal

Panch Mahal construction started under the regime of Emperor Akbar. Panch means five, and the palace has been named Panch Mahal because of its five storeys.

This pillared palace is made of red sandstone. It doesn’t have walls; all its sides are open. It’s quite airy, because of which Panch Mahal is also known as badgir or the wind tower.

Panch Mahal architecture resembles that of the Buddhist monasteries. The ground floor has 84 pillars that support the entire structure. These pillars have carved brackets with Persian architecture along with Hindu and Jain elements.

As you climb up, the size of the floors gets smaller, and the number of pillars decreases in number. The first floor has 56 pillars, the second floor has 20, and the third floor has 12. The top floor of Panch Mahal has four pillars supporting a chhatri.

The pillars were said to support delicate lattice screens. These were for queens and other ladies of the court to stay hidden from public view while enjoying some evening entertainment.

Things to do at Panch Mahal

1. Marvelling at its architecture – As you walk inside and up Panch Mahal, you’ll notice the intricate stone carvings on the monument. These intricate details show the craftsmanship of the Mughal artisans and offer a glimpse into the royal opulence. A hint of exquisite jali work from the early days might also be visible.

2. Living the royal lifestyle – Panch Mahal was built as a place for leisure and entertainment. This five-storey palace opens to a pool called Anoop Talao. It’s a red sandstone tank with a platform in the middle for musical performances during Akbar’s rule. Sitting in Panch Mahal, you can still visualize the musicians assembling in the evening and singing as the cool breeze swept past quietly. Let your imagination run wild as you picture the palace in its prime.

3. Exploring Fatehpur Sikri complex – Panch Mahal is one of the many monuments in the fort. The expansive complex holds many more treasures to discover. Among the most popular of them are Buland Darwaza gateway and Diwan-e-Khaas and Diwan-e-Aam halls. Then, there are Jodha Bai’s Palace, Birbal’s Palace and Khwabgah palace of Akbar. Jama Masjid and Salim Chisti’s tomb are also worth exploring for their architectural grandeur.

4. Shopping for souvenirs – Fatehpur Sikri Fort also has several small shops and stalls that sell local handicrafts and traditional clothes and accessories. You can buy them as souvenirs and gifts for friends. Attars (perfume oils) made from local aromatic ingredients are also a must-buy souvenir item.

Panch Mahal Timings and Entry Fees

Panch Mahal Fatehpur Sikri is open throughout the year. Its opening timings are from sunrise to sunset.

You don’t have to pay a fee for Panch Mahal entry. Panch Mahal is situated in Fatehpur Sikri Fort complex, and its entry ticket fee is ₹50 per person for Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC country visitors. For visitors from other countries, the price is ₹610. Kids below 15 years get free entry.

Best time to visit Panch Mahal

Winter (November to February) is the best season to visit Panch Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri. The weather is the most suitable for exploring the place during this time. Visit in the morning or late afternoon hours to explore it comfortably and get the best views.

Time to explore Panch Mahal

You can spend 30-45 minutes exploring Panch Mahal in Agra Fatehpur Sikri. However, you must have at least 2-3 hours for a proper visit. The Fatehpur Sikri Fort is a vast complex of historical Mughal-era buildings. It’s spread across a large area and has several other majestic monuments to explore.

How to reach Panch Mahal Fatehpur Sikri?

Fatehpur Sikri is 36 km away from Agra. From Idgah bus stand and Agra Cantt railway station, it’s about 35 km away. A small Fatehpur Sikri railway station is the nearest to the fort, only about 3 km away. And from Agra airport, it’s 34 km away. But the nearest international airport is in Delhi (215 km away).

And here are the different ways to reach Panch Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri –

By train – You can take a train from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri. The station is only 3 km away from the fort complex. And auto-rickshaws are available at the station easily.

By bus – Buses also run from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri. The bus stand is also about 3 km away from the fort. You can get auto-rickshaws for the fort there.

By auto/e-rickshaw – Another popular way to visit Fatehpur Sikri is to take an auto-rickshaw from Agra itself. Auto-rickshaws are easily available everywhere in Agra.

By cab/taxi – Getting a cab or taxi is the most convenient option to visit Panch Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri. You can book a full-day cab from the top car rental companies in Agra and explore the fort complex at your own pace. Having a cab also enables you to easily explore other tourist places nearby.

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Location Map for Panch Mahal Agra