holi 2008 in agra?

tacita · Sep 2nd, 2007, 22:24

i just realized that the plan i made to be in agra to visit the taj under a full moon means i'd be there for <gulp>...holi.

last year, i was advised here by some not even to go out, lest i be harassed or groped. (as it turned out, i came home just before holi.) will this throw a wrench into things for my taj trip, or is it something to look forward to with glee? (not the groping, obviously.) it may be worth noting that i'd be alone.

Tapestry · Sep 2nd, 2007, 22:28

Janice, being alone on the streets of Agra on Holi sounds like a potentially risky situation. I think you should be careful with this one. If you want to experience it, consider doing so from your hotel balcony or at some well organized event. Things can get a little out of hand on Holi.

shashank.aggarwal · Sep 2nd, 2007, 22:29

Well what I would advice, is to get yourself booking in Mathura Vrindavan area, (50Km from Agra)..right now for holi eve, and enjoy a great spectacle of a festival..

You can Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple (ISKON), if they have something available for holi, I would highly recommend it...

It can be a life altering experience..there might be certain difficulties, however that is the reason I am recommending ISKON for you..

tacita · Sep 2nd, 2007, 22:52

thanks for the replies. i really wanted to be at the taj for the full moon.

well, perhaps i can find an travel mate for agra, or a personal escort/bodyguard.

Darmabum · Sep 2nd, 2007, 23:28

Janice - I've spent four Holi's in India, one in Dharamsala, and three in Varanasi (also one in Pokhara). It is a crazy time. In many places I found it a "reason" for the locals to get pretty crazy on the local hootch and cause a lot of problems for foreigners, especially women. Just in trying to get across the street from my place in Varanasi to a higher viewing area, one of the women I crossed with had problems.

My thought for you in Agra might be this: stay at the Shanti Lodge. Not the cleanest place but OK. They have a prime site in Taj Ganj, a fourth floor rooftop restaurant with a view to the Taj that is remarkable. The view is almost looking right down the center of the entry way. I used to spend days up there, just watching the light change on the Taj. If you want to PM me your e-mail address I could send you a photo I took from the roof to the Taj; the photo was taken at night and will give an idea of the view. It's a very large file and I can't do the computer-stuff necessary to make it small enough to fit on this site.

All the warnings about Holi aside, it is a wild time; do it with people (BIG men if you find 'em). Something to experience.

Namaste
Scott

shashank.aggarwal · Sep 3rd, 2007, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by janice

thanks for the replies. i really wanted to be at the taj for the full moon.

well, perhaps i can find an travel mate for agra, or a personal escort/bodyguard.

Holi is a festival that gets over by afternoons...atleast in Delhi...not sure about Agra...

Evenings should be perfectly fine, as most of the people wash up and more 'social' things like visiting friends, relatives etc start after 3-2 pm/...

I don't see any problem if you want to be near in full moon, as anyways you will have the sight after 5-6 pm only...

If you plan to enjoy holi at Mathura/Vrindavan, you can easily come down to Taj in an hours time...albeit you have arrangements for transport..

Or else you can simply enjoy the day in hotel and in the evening go to Taj...

capt_mahajan · Sep 3rd, 2007, 00:59

I was waiting for others to reply to Janice's question first, to avoid being alarmist, something I am regularly accused of in 'real' life (blasphemy, IM is not real life?!!)

So now I can just agree with everybody here

tacita · Sep 3rd, 2007, 01:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

Holi is a festival that gets over by afternoons...Evenings should be perfectly fine...you will have the sight after 5-6 pm only...

...Or else you can simply enjoy the day in hotel and in the evening go to Taj...

thanks very much. this last suggestion sounds like the way to go. --watch the mayhem from a safe distance and then head out when things are more tranquil and folks have begun sleeping off their indulgences.

(i did so like the idea of turning into a rainbow, though...)

shashank.aggarwal · Sep 3rd, 2007, 01:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by janice

(i did so like the idea of turning into a rainbow, though...)

Even though its a very personal choice...staying in hotel would just be fine..

But you are fortunate enough to be present so close to Land of Lord Krishna himself on his favorite festival...just think about it and if possible do loosen yourself up a bit...

incitatus · Sep 3rd, 2007, 01:57

I was in Agra for Holi last year. As shashank.aggarwal points out the fun stuff is over by early afternoon.I left my lodgings (Tourist Rest Home) for a walk in the early afternoon and all the fuss had died down.Certainly everything should be cleared up by evening.

A fellow guest -a Muslim Bangladeshi on a pilgrimage to Fatepur Sikri and Ajmer - innocently daytripped up to Mathura on that day and returned lavishly caked with powder including several helpings which had been poured into his trousers.....

Sep 2nd, 2007, 22:24	#1
tacita Maha Mutant Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gotham Posts: 1,410	holi 2008 in agra? i just realized that the plan i made to be in agra to visit the taj under a full moon means i'd be there for <gulp>...holi. last year, i was advised here by some not even to go out, lest i be harassed or groped. (as it turned out, i came home just before holi.) will this throw a wrench into things for my taj trip, or is it something to look forward to with glee? (not the groping, obviously.) it may be worth noting that i'd be alone. __________________ Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. ~Helen Keller

Sep 2nd, 2007, 22:29	#3
shashank.aggarwal Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,933	Well what I would advice, is to get yourself booking in Mathura Vrindavan area, (50Km from Agra)..right now for holi eve, and enjoy a great spectacle of a festival.. You can Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple (ISKON), if they have something available for holi, I would highly recommend it... It can be a life altering experience..there might be certain difficulties, however that is the reason I am recommending ISKON for you.. __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Sep 2nd, 2007, 23:28	#5
Darmabum On the Road, wherever I am Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: in the mountains of Idaho . . . now the red-rock plateau of southern Utah Posts: 888	Janice - I've spent four Holi's in India, one in Dharamsala, and three in Varanasi (also one in Pokhara). It is a crazy time. In many places I found it a "reason" for the locals to get pretty crazy on the local hootch and cause a lot of problems for foreigners, especially women. Just in trying to get across the street from my place in Varanasi to a higher viewing area, one of the women I crossed with had problems. My thought for you in Agra might be this: stay at the Shanti Lodge. Not the cleanest place but OK. They have a prime site in Taj Ganj, a fourth floor rooftop restaurant with a view to the Taj that is remarkable. The view is almost looking right down the center of the entry way. I used to spend days up there, just watching the light change on the Taj. If you want to PM me your e-mail address I could send you a photo I took from the roof to the Taj; the photo was taken at night and will give an idea of the view. It's a very large file and I can't do the computer-stuff necessary to make it small enough to fit on this site. All the warnings about Holi aside, it is a wild time; do it with people (BIG men if you find 'em). Something to experience. Namaste Scott __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

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Sep 2nd, 2007, 22:28	#2
Tapestry Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 326	Janice, being alone on the streets of Agra on Holi sounds like a potentially risky situation. I think you should be careful with this one. If you want to experience it, consider doing so from your hotel balcony or at some well organized event. Things can get a little out of hand on Holi.

Sep 2nd, 2007, 22:52	#4
tacita Maha Mutant Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gotham Posts: 1,410	thanks for the replies. i really wanted to be at the taj for the full moon. well, perhaps i can find an travel mate for agra, or a personal escort/bodyguard.

Sep 3rd, 2007, 00:59	#7
capt_mahajan Dis member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,875	I was waiting for others to reply to Janice's question first, to avoid being alarmist, something I am regularly accused of in 'real' life (blasphemy, IM is not real life?!!) So now I can just agree with everybody here

Sep 3rd, 2007, 01:57	#10
incitatus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 207	I was in Agra for Holi last year. As shashank.aggarwal points out the fun stuff is over by early afternoon.I left my lodgings (Tourist Rest Home) for a walk in the early afternoon and all the fuss had died down.Certainly everything should be cleared up by evening. A fellow guest -a Muslim Bangladeshi on a pilgrimage to Fatepur Sikri and Ajmer - innocently daytripped up to Mathura on that day and returned lavishly caked with powder including several helpings which had been poured into his trousers.....

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