Agra - to go or not to go?

bodhisattva2001in · Feb 23rd, 2005, 13:54

If Taj is a diamond, there are thousands of diamond mines in India. So, forget Taj and find some new destinations. If have some extra time do pay a visit to Taj.

lonelyaztec · Feb 23rd, 2005, 15:16

Bodhi,

If u r anyway going to Jaipur, then, u might as well go to the Taj.

Taj Mahal is beautiful and spectacular. U would have got bad review about Agra as a town. It is dirty. But, the Taj Mahal is beautiful.

Agra is very close to Jaipur, so, u should go.

U will never regret.

Pls. read my travelogue on AGra and Taj Maha.....it will help.

http://www.indiamike.com/india/article.php?a=36

traceyam · Feb 23rd, 2005, 16:17

No question about it. Go see the Taj.

cazaresil · Feb 24th, 2005, 11:52

The Taj should not be missed. When I saw it I could not believe it. It's a dream. It floats in the air. I had the feeling of watching something that could not be true. Do yourself a favor and go there. I think the Taj is at the top layer of world sights, along with Angkor, the Sistine Chapel and La Alhambra.

My second favorite place in Agra is Itimad-ud-Daulah's tomb. It's a beautiful tomb, described by some as a "jewel box in marble". It features the same pietra dura work that you see at the Taj, but with smaller dimensions. It's a magic place. It should not be missed either.

You must go to the Red Fort because of its historic value. Remember, the Fort was built by Akbar, the greatest of the mogol emperors. Agra was by then capital of the empire. You will see there the Musamman Burj, an octagonal tower where Shah Jahan, the emperor who ordered the construction of the Taj Mahal, was imprisioned by his son Aurangzeb. Ironically, Shah Jahan would have straight view with no interference to the Taj for the rest of his life, because he remained in that place until his death. His body was of course buried in the Taj as well. So, not only the Fort is nice, but also has an immense historic value. Go for it.

Regarding Fatehpur Sikri... I think the Jami Mashid mosque in Fatehpur Sikri is one of the most beautiful in all India. I would stop as well.

nomadelmundo · Feb 24th, 2005, 12:11

Go to Taj! it was one of our highlights on the trip... yes it's touristy, yes it's disney-like, yes it's expensive, but so is every other wonder of the world that you can still see and get to!

lonelyaztec · Feb 24th, 2005, 12:28

Cazaresil,

The fort in Agra is made predominatly with Red Sand stone, and it is called Agra Fort.

The Red Fort is in Delhi...built by Shan Jehan.

bodhisattva2001in · Feb 24th, 2005, 13:07

Some must visit monuments in India: Kumbhalgarh fort, Tonk Fort, Chitorgarh- Rajasthan. Daulatabad fort- Maharastra. Golkonda fort- AP.
Mandu-M.P.
Caves of Aanta, Ellora, Pitalkhora: Maharastra.
Prehistoric caves of Madhyapradesh.
Some must visit places: Tribal areas of Orissa, Whole of Himachal pradesh. Above 3000 mt high altitude areas of Uttaranchal.

Anybody interested, please visit some of these places. Enjoy the beauty of India.

kiamcai · Apr 9th, 2005, 07:26

No pictures can do justice to the Taj. Go! 1 night in Agra is enough...

SHIMLA · Apr 9th, 2005, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by mala

Seriously, there must be a way out of that kinda admission fee?

There are two ways I can think of :

1. If you can manage not to look like a foreigner.

2. If you happen to be the friend of the local MP's/MLA's uncle's cousin's sister in law's foster daughter.

In the 2nd case you may even get in free!

Oh, forget it ! The Taj is not worth all that hassle !!

ddevadatta · Apr 9th, 2005, 10:36

Going to India (and being that close even) and not seeing the Taj is like going to Niagara, Canada and not seeing the Falls or going to Rome and not seeing the Vatican. Go over and enjoy a monument, which is one of a kind in its beauty, its history and its sheer maginficance. You will regret it if you do not see t least once in your life time.

edwardseco · Apr 9th, 2005, 10:44

If you are taking 8 kids don't go to the Taj or India. Consider the monument cost relative to the cost of getting to India. Its minimal even at the extortionate rate (that I am displeased at). Next time I'll suck it up and pay with a smile (even if curse in Spanish under my breath). As far as life's afflictions go it isn't worth worrying about. "You went to India and didn't go to the Taj?" Imagine listening to that the rest of your life..

lobo · Apr 9th, 2005, 17:40

Its worth seeing.
Personally i was more stunned by the golden temple in amritsar, but the taj has beautiful curves and lines. Do a day trip, take pictures and relax while you are there. Agra is ok, just another dusty/dirty indian city.
Rickshaw drivers will want to charge u a high ammount by insisting on waiting for you and driving you around all day.
Be firm

emjoi · Jun 6th, 2005, 12:27

Ahh this thought is heavy on my mind right now.
I'm going to be based mainly in Bangalore and Chennai, where we have family.

But the wife wants to see the Taj... which has the cost of either expensive flights or monsterously long train journeys.
And the Touts. As a nervous, awkward looking white guy, I *know* I'll be popular target. Which will utterly destroy the experience for me.

So, another option is to say, "t'hell with Agra-Dehli-Jaipur" and spend the time seeing more southern sights, like Hampi.

anita_5000 · Jun 6th, 2005, 15:04

its worth the trip. its got history and beauty. and its always good to go to a few places on a trip.

bodhisattva2001in · Jun 6th, 2005, 16:56

Taj is certainly a beautiful monument and worth visting - beauty with historical mistery. One can visit it. but can it be compered with Ajanta/Ellora or Brihadeshwara Temple/Sanchi Stupa-- etc? That is the questain.

Feb 23rd, 2005, 15:16	#17
lonelyaztec Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,408	Bodhi, If u r anyway going to Jaipur, then, u might as well go to the Taj. Taj Mahal is beautiful and spectacular. U would have got bad review about Agra as a town. It is dirty. But, the Taj Mahal is beautiful. Agra is very close to Jaipur, so, u should go. U will never regret. Pls. read my travelogue on AGra and Taj Maha.....it will help. http://www.indiamike.com/india/article.php?a=36 __________________ Aztec My photoblog

Feb 23rd, 2005, 16:17	#18
traceyam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 426	No question about it. Go see the Taj. __________________ "Don't you sometimes wish the arctic was strawberry flavoured?" -- Thermoman

Feb 24th, 2005, 11:52	#19
cazaresil Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 30	One of the world wonders The Taj should not be missed. When I saw it I could not believe it. It's a dream. It floats in the air. I had the feeling of watching something that could not be true. Do yourself a favor and go there. I think the Taj is at the top layer of world sights, along with Angkor, the Sistine Chapel and La Alhambra. My second favorite place in Agra is Itimad-ud-Daulah's tomb. It's a beautiful tomb, described by some as a "jewel box in marble". It features the same pietra dura work that you see at the Taj, but with smaller dimensions. It's a magic place. It should not be missed either. You must go to the Red Fort because of its historic value. Remember, the Fort was built by Akbar, the greatest of the mogol emperors. Agra was by then capital of the empire. You will see there the Musamman Burj, an octagonal tower where Shah Jahan, the emperor who ordered the construction of the Taj Mahal, was imprisioned by his son Aurangzeb. Ironically, Shah Jahan would have straight view with no interference to the Taj for the rest of his life, because he remained in that place until his death. His body was of course buried in the Taj as well. So, not only the Fort is nice, but also has an immense historic value. Go for it. Regarding Fatehpur Sikri... I think the Jami Mashid mosque in Fatehpur Sikri is one of the most beautiful in all India. I would stop as well.

Feb 24th, 2005, 12:11	#20
nomadelmundo a.k.a Sanyasin - the Wandering Aesthetic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 149	Go to Taj! it was one of our highlights on the trip... yes it's touristy, yes it's disney-like, yes it's expensive, but so is every other wonder of the world that you can still see and get to! __________________ Visit my forum for backpackers, trekkers & hikers where you can share stories, discuss trails, and upload unlimited amount of travel photos for FREE... @ PlanetNomads.com

Apr 9th, 2005, 10:36	#25
ddevadatta Finger Licking Good Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 907	I say why not Going to India (and being that close even) and not seeing the Taj is like going to Niagara, Canada and not seeing the Falls or going to Rome and not seeing the Vatican. Go over and enjoy a monument, which is one of a kind in its beauty, its history and its sheer maginficance. You will regret it if you do not see t least once in your life time. __________________ Ayurvedic cure for an Indian headache

Feb 23rd, 2005, 13:54	#16
bodhisattva2001in india travel expert Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 43	If Taj is a diamond, there are thousands of diamond mines in India. So, forget Taj and find some new destinations. If have some extra time do pay a visit to Taj.

Feb 24th, 2005, 12:28	#21
lonelyaztec Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,408	Cazaresil, The fort in Agra is made predominatly with Red Sand stone, and it is called Agra Fort. The Red Fort is in Delhi...built by Shan Jehan.

Feb 24th, 2005, 13:07	#22
bodhisattva2001in india travel expert Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 43	Some must visit monuments in India: Kumbhalgarh fort, Tonk Fort, Chitorgarh- Rajasthan. Daulatabad fort- Maharastra. Golkonda fort- AP. Mandu-M.P. Caves of Aanta, Ellora, Pitalkhora: Maharastra. Prehistoric caves of Madhyapradesh. Some must visit places: Tribal areas of Orissa, Whole of Himachal pradesh. Above 3000 mt high altitude areas of Uttaranchal. Anybody interested, please visit some of these places. Enjoy the beauty of India.

Apr 9th, 2005, 07:26	#23
kiamcai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 7	No pictures can do justice to the Taj. Go! 1 night in Agra is enough...

Apr 9th, 2005, 10:44	#26
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,436	If you are taking 8 kids don't go to the Taj or India. Consider the monument cost relative to the cost of getting to India. Its minimal even at the extortionate rate (that I am displeased at). Next time I'll suck it up and pay with a smile (even if curse in Spanish under my breath). As far as life's afflictions go it isn't worth worrying about. "You went to India and didn't go to the Taj?" Imagine listening to that the rest of your life..

Apr 9th, 2005, 17:40	#27
lobo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: london Posts: 431	Its worth seeing. Personally i was more stunned by the golden temple in amritsar, but the taj has beautiful curves and lines. Do a day trip, take pictures and relax while you are there. Agra is ok, just another dusty/dirty indian city. Rickshaw drivers will want to charge u a high ammount by insisting on waiting for you and driving you around all day. Be firm

Jun 6th, 2005, 12:27	#28
emjoi Some dude Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 134	Ahh this thought is heavy on my mind right now. I'm going to be based mainly in Bangalore and Chennai, where we have family. But the wife wants to see the Taj... which has the cost of either expensive flights or monsterously long train journeys. And the Touts. As a nervous, awkward looking white guy, I know I'll be popular target. Which will utterly destroy the experience for me. So, another option is to say, "t'hell with Agra-Dehli-Jaipur" and spend the time seeing more southern sights, like Hampi.

Jun 6th, 2005, 15:04	#29
anita_5000 Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: sydney Posts: 32	its worth the trip. its got history and beauty. and its always good to go to a few places on a trip. __________________ Anita : Develop interest in life as you see it, in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people Quote by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Jun 6th, 2005, 16:56	#30
bodhisattva2001in india travel expert Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 43	Taj is certainly a beautiful monument and worth visting - beauty with historical mistery. One can visit it. but can it be compered with Ajanta/Ellora or Brihadeshwara Temple/Sanchi Stupa-- etc? That is the questain.

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