2 nights in Agra?
Oct 1st, 2006, 11:56 AM
#21
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Let me correct a small point in Cicerone's otherwise excellent message: "Aurangzeb's tomb in Aurangabad is an exact, but smaller, copy of the Taj; now that I would call a baby taj".
Not so! The ground plan of the Taj Mahal is octagonal, whereas that of the Bibi-ka-Maqbara in Aurangabad is square. Its other proportions are far less pleasing than the Taj, and it's surfaced in plaster, not marble. Also, it was built for Aurangzeb's wife (by his son). Aurangzeb's own tomb is in Khuldabad (on the way to Ellora).
Here's a picture of Bibi-ka-Maqbara:
http://www.maharashtratourism.net/im...aharashtra.jpg
Not so! The ground plan of the Taj Mahal is octagonal, whereas that of the Bibi-ka-Maqbara in Aurangabad is square. Its other proportions are far less pleasing than the Taj, and it's surfaced in plaster, not marble. Also, it was built for Aurangzeb's wife (by his son). Aurangzeb's own tomb is in Khuldabad (on the way to Ellora).
Here's a picture of Bibi-ka-Maqbara:
http://www.maharashtratourism.net/im...aharashtra.jpg
Oct 1st, 2006, 08:23 PM
#23
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thanks...cicc....great info...as always
at $130 i think we will be happy enough with the sheraton..
about how far from the sheraton is the taj and also the old part of town you have spoken about here??
thanks
bob
at $130 i think we will be happy enough with the sheraton..
about how far from the sheraton is the taj and also the old part of town you have spoken about here??
thanks
bob
Oct 2nd, 2006, 01:27 PM
#24
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Cicerone, thanks for a very detailed response on Agra. Very useful info. I've decided to stay in Agra for 2 nights, but I still need to figure out the logistics about getting into and out of the place.
BTW, for those interested in the Mughal, this is an excellent book that I've been reading:
Mughal Throne: The Saga of India's Great Emperors
It's over 550 pages, but very good reading. I had to skim/skip many complicated battle scenes to get to the gist of this very fascinating history. (This is among the many other books that I'm reading for this trip!) From Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Mughal-Throne-...F8&s=books
BTW, for those interested in the Mughal, this is an excellent book that I've been reading:
Mughal Throne: The Saga of India's Great Emperors
It's over 550 pages, but very good reading. I had to skim/skip many complicated battle scenes to get to the gist of this very fascinating history. (This is among the many other books that I'm reading for this trip!) From Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Mughal-Throne-...F8&s=books
Oct 2nd, 2006, 04:23 PM
#25
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rhkkmk, the Sheraton is maybe 3/4 of a mile or a mile from the Taj as the crow flies and backs up to parts of the old city, but there are gardens behind and busy roads in front and no direct route there, so it is not a straight shot walking, which you may not want to do anyway. The other thing is that since 9/11 and for pollution control, cars and buses cannot drive to the entrance gates, they have to park in a lot on East Gate Road about 2 km from the entrance gate and you then take little electric golf carts for 400 meters and then walk the last 100 meters (or you can walk the whole way from the parking lot). The touts begin at the 100 meter mark where there are steel barriers in the street at this 100 meter mark.
Rather than taking your own car over from the hotel, you might want to check with the Sheraton to see if they provide transport either over to the parking lot or a golf cart either from the hotel or the parking lot.
Another option would be to hire a pedal rickshaw driver to take you to the Taj, as they can go right to the entrance gates. This would save some tout hassle and the parking issue as well. I have done this in previous stays at the Sheraton. I hired them for the whole day, they will wait for you at the Taj, can also take you over to the Red Fort. In the winter they are a pleasant way to get around, albeit a bit hectic on the main roads. You should also be able to get a rickshaw to take you through the old town area from the East Gate to the South Gate, this would show you some interesting parts of the old town if you did not want to walk it.
The part I was describing above begins at the East Gate of the Taj, which is the only entrance gate for all public entrances to the Taj. As you face the enrance, if you turn left, you can follow this road toward the South Gate, there are no cars allowed and after another steel street barrier here 100 meters down this street, the touts stop following you and you are on your own. The area is a labryinth of streets and you can get lost, the best way out I have found is to turn around; it's like London in that no street tends to lend in any organized pattern into another. (There is a wall around the Taj that you should theoretically be able to follow to the next gate, but I seem to lose it after a few blocks.) You may also find rickshaw drivers here to take you out of the old town area if you get tired of walking. Another option is to take a rickshaw from your hotel to the South Gate area and just walk around that area, this would avoid the entire East Gate area which is the most touristed.
JC98, I have some thoughts on your itinerary which I will post on your other thread, I have been in India all week and have not had a lot of time. My main thought would be that you try to chang your schedule to fly from Delhi to Aurangabad first, rather than going to Hyderabad, as this would make your itineary smoother, IMO. I will post specific suggestions later.
Rather than taking your own car over from the hotel, you might want to check with the Sheraton to see if they provide transport either over to the parking lot or a golf cart either from the hotel or the parking lot.
Another option would be to hire a pedal rickshaw driver to take you to the Taj, as they can go right to the entrance gates. This would save some tout hassle and the parking issue as well. I have done this in previous stays at the Sheraton. I hired them for the whole day, they will wait for you at the Taj, can also take you over to the Red Fort. In the winter they are a pleasant way to get around, albeit a bit hectic on the main roads. You should also be able to get a rickshaw to take you through the old town area from the East Gate to the South Gate, this would show you some interesting parts of the old town if you did not want to walk it.
The part I was describing above begins at the East Gate of the Taj, which is the only entrance gate for all public entrances to the Taj. As you face the enrance, if you turn left, you can follow this road toward the South Gate, there are no cars allowed and after another steel street barrier here 100 meters down this street, the touts stop following you and you are on your own. The area is a labryinth of streets and you can get lost, the best way out I have found is to turn around; it's like London in that no street tends to lend in any organized pattern into another. (There is a wall around the Taj that you should theoretically be able to follow to the next gate, but I seem to lose it after a few blocks.) You may also find rickshaw drivers here to take you out of the old town area if you get tired of walking. Another option is to take a rickshaw from your hotel to the South Gate area and just walk around that area, this would avoid the entire East Gate area which is the most touristed.
JC98, I have some thoughts on your itinerary which I will post on your other thread, I have been in India all week and have not had a lot of time. My main thought would be that you try to chang your schedule to fly from Delhi to Aurangabad first, rather than going to Hyderabad, as this would make your itineary smoother, IMO. I will post specific suggestions later.
