India /Uttar Pradesh /Agra /Agra
Sight Address : Mehtab Bagh is located along the western side of bank of the river Yamuna. Edit
Detail InformationEdit
Mehtab Bagh, the moonlit garden, grew just across the northern waterfront of Yamuna when the Taj Mahal was built on its south bank. This place was once a heavenly garden with shaded pavilions, fountain jets, fragrant flowers and fantastic pools. But gradually the site became desolate. This site has now turned in to an epicentre for the project to establish protective green around the Taj Mahal. The interest in Mehtab Bagh has developed again recently due to the increasing concern for the Taj Mahal. Its grounds are facing a great threat due to too many tourists. The most important attraction of Mehtab Bagh is the Taj Mahal itself. This is an unique spot as you can get a picturesque view of The Taj from here.
Mahtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) in Agra
HistoryEdit
The Mehtab Bagh garden was the last of eleven Mughal-built gardens along the Yamuna opposite the Taj and the Agra Fort; the first being Ram Bagh. It is mentioned that this garden was built by Emperor Babur (d. 1530). It is also noted that Emperor Shah Jahan had identified a site from the crescent-shaped, grass covered floodplain across the Yamuna River as an ideal location for viewing the Taj. It was then created as “A moonlit pleasure garden called Mehtab Bagh.” White plaster walkways, airy pavilions, pools and fountains were also created as part of the garden, with fruit trees and narcissus. The garden was designed as an integral part of the Taj complex in the river-front terrace pattern. Its width was identical to that of the rest of the Taj. Legends attributed to the travelogue of the 17th century French traveller Jean Baptiste Tavernier) mention the wish of Shah Jahan to building a black marble mausoleum for himself, as a twin to the Taj; however, this could not be achieved as he was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. This myth had been further furled in 1871 by a British archaeologist, A.C.L. Carlleyle, who, while discovering the remnants of an old pond at the site had mistaken it for the foundation of the fabled structure. Thus, Carlleyle became the first researcher to notice structural remains at the site, albeit blackened by moss and lichen. Mehtab Bagh was later owned by Raja Man Singh Kacchawa of Amber, who also owned the land around the Taj Mahal. Frequent floods and villagers extracting building materials nearly ruined the garden. Remaining structures within the garden were in a ruinous state. By the 1990s, the garden’s existence was almost forgotten and had degraded to little more than a massive mound of sand, covered with wild vegetation and alluvial silts.
Must SeeEdit
Popular
Visiting TimeEdit
N.A.
Closed OnEdit
N.A.
Best Season to VisitEdit
Winter is the best time to visit, days are cool and sunny and ideal for sight seeing.
Best Time To VisitEdit
Morning, Afternoon, Evening.
Time Required for SightseeingEdit
1-2 hrs.
Ticket Required : No Edit
Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.
Kids Rs. : N.A.
Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.
Kids Rs. : N.A.
Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.
Video Camera Rs. : N.A.
Guide Required : NoEdit
Approximate cost: N.A.
Dress Code (If Any) : NoEdit
Dress Require: N.A.
Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit
- Hotel Host – Agra ; West Gate of Tajmahal, Fatehabad Road, Agra, India 282001 ; Ph/M – N.A. ; Food Serve – N.A.
How to ReachEdit
Taxi : This place of Agra is well connected by road and is easily accessible by taxis. Local taxis are also available at a reasonable rate.
Bus : Bus services in Agra are provide by Agra Municipal Corporation. UP State Road Transport Corporation does run some air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned low-floor buses within Agra which run on specific routes including M G Road.
Train : Agra is a major railway junction and has several railway stations, with the Agra Cantonment Railway station being the main one. Indian Railways connects Agra with all major and minor cities in India. The hired taxi, tempo, cycle-rickshaw and auto-rickshaw will helps touries to reach her. Prepaid autos and taxis from railway station are easily available.
Air : Mehtab Bagh is 13 kms away from Kheria Airport, Agra. Taxis and tongas are available at the airport to reach this destination.
Others : Travelling around the town of Agra can be done through a multitude of ways, including electric buses, Tongas, tempos, cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws.
Cycle Rickshaw:
Cycle rickshaws are available aplenty in the town of Agra. Travelling through a cycle rickshaw can be quite time consuming, although this is a very cheap mode of travel with charges hovering around Rs 5 to 10.
Tonga:
Tongas are horse drawn carriages that run throughout the town. Tonga charges are very low too, and you can opt for a Tonga ride as it is faster than a cycle rickshaw ride. Charges will range around Rs 5 to 15.
Tempo :
Tempos are also available, and these are shared vehicles which can be more comfortable than buses for slightly elevated rates. Tempo rates will vary from Rs 5 to 10. These are a safe mode of travel and can be taken up during night time.
Things to CarryEdit
Carry drinking water, camera, sunglasses & a hat or shades for protection from the harsh Sun.
Safety / WarningEdit
During winters make sure to travel with proper woollen clothes as nights in Agra is pretty chilling during winter.Do not accept any type of food from strangers while travelling on trains and buses.
HelplineEdit
Police 100
Ambulance 102
Fire Brigade 101
Tourist Information & Assistance 1364.
