Agra is a city on the banks of the Yamuna River in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, about 210 kilometres south of the national capital New Delhi and 320 km west of the state capital Lucknow. Agra is best known for the Taj Mahal (17th century), designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. A complex mausoleum, the Taj Mahal is often considered to be the world's best example of Mughal architecture. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built it for his favourite wife, Mumtāz Maḥal, in the mid-17th century. October to March: The best time to visit Agra is between autumn and winter as by this time the heat has ebbed and the weather is pleasant and perfect for sightseeing. Spend an afternoon at the Taj complex ambling through the grounds and enjoying the beauty of this magnificent monument.