Agra-vation

HIT THE ROAD

Agra may seem like a 'been there done that' sort of place (and perhaps that's a justifiable charge), but if you want to see Islamic architecture at its majestic best there is no better place to go. The Taj Mahal is...well, the Taj Mahal.

No matter how 'stale' it may seem, when you're up close, nothing will drop your jaw to the ground faster. Go around to the sides, where most tourists don't bother to go, and feast your eyes on it.

Apart from the Taj, there's the colossal Agra fort, the exquisite tomb of Itimad-ud-daulah, Akbar's grand mausoleum at Sikandra and nearby Fatehpur Sikri, another architectural marvel by itself.

Agra is a quick 203 km blast down NH2 from Delhi, via Mathura. For superb views of the Taj in ultra-luxurious environs, there's Amarvilas (Ph: 0562-2231515, Rs 11,500 onwards). To avoid sticker shock, head to Taj Khema (Ph: 0562-2330140, Rs 700 onwards).

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