By IANS
Agra : The city of Taj Mahal is seeing a massive influx of domestic visitors, mostly pilgrims returning from the Urs of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer.
And they are making a beeline for the 17th century white marble monument to love, which is fresh and sparkling after the rains.
"A sea of humanity appears to have invaded the monument," said Suresh, a guide. "Thank god the weather is bearable."
The main MG Road is flooded with buses returning from Ajmer. Pilgrims from Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh as also the southern states choose to spend a day or two in Agra to see the Taj Mahal and other monuments.
The district authorities have made elaborate arrangements at the Kothi Meena Bazar ground where a tented town has come up for the 'jayreens,' as the pilgrims are called.
Stalls selling petha, toys, marble pieces, including Taj Mahal models, have come up all over, and are reporting brisk business.
The city, which has a population of 1.45 million, now has to cope with thousands of pilgrims.
Last year's mad rush still fresh in their mind, security personnel appear fully geared to meet the sudden increase in the number of visitors.
At the Taj Mahal, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has deployed additional manpower to frisk visitors whose numbers continue to grow. Around 40 new security personnel have been sent to manage the crowd at the Taj, according to CISF Deputy Commandant Ravindra Kumar.
The pressure is likely to increase Friday when entry is free for the Namazis.
"A large number of faithful may want to offer prayers at the mosque within the Taj Mahal complex," said a source. The CISF, however, wants to allow only a limited number of regulars.
At the Agra Fort railway station there is a huge crowd waiting for trains. A special train is being run between Ajmer and Patna.
Religious and charitable organisations have put up water huts for pilgrims. Politicians have been making the rounds of the Meena Bazar grounds to oversee arrangements.