Tales of Love & Glory

The grotty mess of Agra is an evocative foil to the pristine beauty of one of the greatest testimonies of eternal love, the Taj Mahal. The legend of Emperor Shah Jahan's romance with his beautiful queen Mumtaz Mahal has reverberated through the ancient corridors of history- an inspiration that has crossed the barriers of time and geographic diversity.

From the flagged back streets of Agra, to the architectural marvels in marble and sandstone, the city's history springs alive. In the silence of the rosy dawn, the pristine splendour of the Taj Mahal, ruminating over the scraggly wash of the Yamuna, still evokes poignant memories of a broken hearted emperor seeking solace from its onion-shaped dome, from his prison tower in the Fort.

HOW TO REACH

By air

Agra's Kheria airport is 8 km from The Mall.

List Of Airlines

Indian Airlines

By rail

Agra is a major railway junction on main broad gauge routes to the South, East and West of the country. Railheads: Agra Cantt. Station, Raja Ki Mandi Station, Agra Fort Station.

List of train

Shatabdi Express
Taj Express
Dadar Exp (Bombay-Amritsar)

By road

Agra is a well-connected city, linked to National Highway Nos. 2, 3 and 11. In case you plan to drive to the city, go down the Mathura road towards Faridabad.

Name Of Destinations             Distance In Km

Delhi                                         204

Lucknow                                  369

Jaipur                                      232

GETTING AROUND

Being on the Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) may have its advantages, but the traffic jams seem to be a regular experience for both residents as well as visitors. taxis, scooters, buses, rickshaws and tongawallahs merge in a welter of shrieking horns and bad temper.

The city is known to be a tourist trap. The drivers are pretty adept at sniffing out the visitor, regardless of the colour of skin and accent. It calls for a lot of bargaining. It is common knowledge that some shopkeepers pay drivers of the public transport services a commission.

WHERE TO SHACK UP

(From Tents To 5 Stars)

If You Wanna' Blow Dough

Clarks Shiraz
54, taj road
Tel. 361421
Cost: Rs.2200 and upward

Agra Ashok
6B, the mall
Tel. 361223
Cost: Rs. 2200 and upward.

Amar
Fatehbad Road Tel. 360695 Cost: Rs.50-2200

Novotel Agra Tajnagri Scheme

Fatehbad Road
Tel: 368282
Cost: Rs.2200 and upward.

Moghul Sheraton
Fatehbad Road
Tel: 361701
Cost: 2200 and upward.

Taj View
Fatehbad Road
Taj Ganj
Tel: 361171
Cost: Rs.2200 and above.

If You Wanna' Live Sensibly:

Taj Kheema
East Gate
Tel: 360140
Cost: Rs.150-500

Grand
147, Station Road
Tel: 364014
Cost: Rs500-1200.

Lauries
Mahatma Gandhi Road
Tel: 364536
Cost: Rs500-750.

Major Bakshi Tourist Home
33-38, Ajmer Road
Tel: 363829
Cost: Rs150-500.

Pawan & Jaiwal
3, Taj Road
Sadar Bazaar
Tel: 363716
Cost: Rs. 225-750.

If You're Really Smart:

Kamal
Chowk Kagzi
South Gate
Tel: 360926
Cost: Rs100-150.

Pink
East Gate
Tel: 360677
Cost: Rs.100.

Sheela East Gate
Tel: 361794
Cost: Rs.100 - 350.

Siddartha
West Gate
Tel: 360238
Cost: Rs.100- 225

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

Ching Wah
Gopi Chand Shivare Road
Sadar Bazaar
Cuisine: Good restaurant for Chinese food.

Dasaprakash Meher Theatre Complex
1, Gwalior Road
Cuisine: South Indian grub and ice creams available.

Hot Bite
7, Shopping Arcade
Sadar Bazaar
Cuisine: Ranges from Indian to Chinese .

Only
45, Taj Road
Phool Syed Crossing

Savitri
Gopi Chand Shivare Road
Sadar Bazaar
Cuisine: Good kebabs and chicken tikkas.

Zorba the Buddha
E-13, Shopping Arcade
Gopi Chand Shivare Road
Sadar Bazaar
Cuisine: A hot favourite for yummy Indian and Western food.

THINGS TO DO
Agra can be hard on the feet, so make sure you have really comfy shoes. Most of the places you'll be checking out are within a 5 km radius from the Taj. Grab a passing rickshaw in case your feet can take no more.

The Taj is hypnotic. The best time for an exquisite view of the marble monument is early dawn and dusk. A view of the Taj on a moonlit night could be the highlight of your visit. If you are convinced that a single visit will be enough, think again.

Let your imagination take wing as you walk along the interiors of the Fort. Just visualise the power and the glory that reverberated within these ancient sandstone walls in the heydays of the First City of the empire. Brood over the Yamuna shore views, from Jahangari Mahal, Akbar's own private quarters from where he watched elephant fights.

Did you know that the best views of the Taj from the Fort are from Musamman Burj? Make a trip to Akbar's Mausoleum at Sikandra, 10kms away. But according to the cognoscenti, the tomb of Itimad-ud Daulah, father to the wily queen Noor Jehan, has craftsmanship more refined and precise than that of the Taj.

Fatehpur Sikri (you need to bus it- or take a cab) has some of the most amazing workmanship on the buildings. Take a good camera to catch the details. Though Akbar's old city lies in ruins today, the main palace complex is intact and evokes echoes of those bygone days. The courtyard near the Diwan-e-am is where the emperor played Pachesi (similar to chess).

Tour Packages

Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri; daily from 10.15-18-30 hrs. Fatehpur Sikri; daily from 1015 to 1400 hr. Contact: UP Tourism. 64, Taj Rd. Agra.

For The High Energy Crowd

Golf

Swimming - there are swimming pools at various hotels.

Fishing-
at Sur Sarovar, 23 km. You will need to get permits for fishing here from the Executive Engineer.

WHERE TO SHOP

Agra's Mughal heritage sparkles in the embroidery that embellishes the fabrics sold by local merchants, from the richest of silks to the softest of voiles. Tiny marble Taj Mahals spattered with semi-precious gems, and soapstone lamps make great gifts. The precious stone jewellery, the beautiful durries and carpets and the leather goods are raved about.

If you are short on time, head for the Emporia. They stock a pretty impressive collection of all this and much more.

GENERAL INFORMATION

UP. Tourism, Chandralok Building.Janpath, New Delhi 110001. Tel.
UP Tourism Office, 64 Taj Rd., Agra Tel. 360517
UP Tourism Reception Centre, Agra Cantt Railway Station. Tel 368598
STD Code 0562

There are plenty of PCO's scattered around the city markets.
Note of Caution: Keep an eye on the metre.
MONEY MATTERS

Banks:
State Bank of India
Andhra
The Central Bank of India

MEDICAL MATTERS

Name Of Hospital                  Location                  Tel.

Amit Jaggi Memorial
Hospital                                Vibhav Nagar           360315

Modern Hospital                      The Mall               360196

S N Hospital                          Hospital Rd             361318

THE ESSENTIALS