Shiva temples in Bateshwar near Agra.

(Photo:Wikipedia/Bhadauria)When it comes to tourism, the Taj Mahal features in most bucket lists.

The City of Taj, however, has more than 65 monuments that are lost in anonymity.To promote these monuments and to ensure that tourists spend a little more time in the city, the Agra Approved Guides Association has appealed to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and the UP tourism department to focus on these lesser-known monuments.Association President Shamshuddin told India Today that the primary focus of the ASI and UP tourism remains on the Taj Mahal, but there are many other monuments in Agra that are not known to tourists.

Such monuments of note, that are lost in anonymity, should be included in a Heritage Walk by the UP Tourism, the association urged.Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber Secretary Vishal Sharma spoke about Bateshwar, which has a series of 101 Shiva temples constructed in 1646 alongside the river Yamuna.These temples are situated on the riverbank in a crescent shape and standing on one end of the series, he added.The Annual Aminal Fair of Bateshwar could become a great attraction for tourists, both domestic as well as foreign.

However, there aren’t facilities for tourists to stay in Bateshwar.

“If facilities for night stay and refreshment are available there, Bateshwar could become a launching pad for nature tourism enthusiasts who could visit the Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary,” Vishal Sharma said.Sharma said the Ater Fort, built by Bhadawar Badan Singh in 1644, is also a must-visit site.

The fort has four gates, seventeen towers, and seven-storey building, making it a wonderful site for adventure and historical tourism lovers.

The Archeological Survey of India is already working on conserving the fort.

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