The carpet provided by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is proving helpful, but tourists want umbrellas too. "Why can’t they provide colourful umbrellas at the gates on hire. It would be a great help for the unprepared tourists. The stones are really sizzling," said a tourist from Chennai, Ramaswamy who had come with his family. It is the same story at all Agra monuments from Fatehpur Sikri to Sikandra, since the walk-ways are long before you reach the main structure, he added.

 "Due to heat we are not able to spend enough time at the monuments and do full justice. It was a life-time dream to see the Taj Mahal, but the high temperature made it impossible to stand out in the sun. The queue at the entrance to the main mausoleum was too long. Those who managed to sneak inside chose to remain there and relax while others had to wait under the tree. The shoe covers are not provided. They could at least be generous to the foreign visitors who too were not being provided covers in sufficient quantities," commented Ajay Prakash, from Hyderabad, who had come on a vacation with his family.

 Little Kartik was walking on his heels or toes, as the sizzling Chameli Farsh was proving too much for him while his mom was jumping and hurrying across to reach the shady tree. All areas do not have plastic mats. Earlier they used to sprinkle water on the mats, but the practice has been discontinued this year, say the guides. "Probably there is no water around or they want the tourists to get out fast," said guide Ved Gautam.

 "Everyone seems in a desperate hurry to have a dekho and return to their hotel rooms. Such is the scorching heat that a pleasure trip for many has already turned a nightmare."

 An Italian female tourist fainted at Bateshwar two days ago because of the oppressive heat. So many visitors are falling sick, but they have not yet provided for the promised medical help and ambulance so far, said Chaturbhuj Tiwari, a photographer.

 Though the Agra Development Authority has installed cold water dispensers at two points, but in view of the heavy rush water supply is inadequate. "Most tourists both Indian and foreign are carrying their own water bottles, but how long can their stock last. Every few minutes one needs a sip of cold water and occasionally sprinkle a little on the face," says a CISF security guard.

 The situation at Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort is worse. Sikri doesn't have enough arrangements for drinking water. "At the Fort there is always a long queue." Little wonder the number of tourists at Sikri has gone down.

“This time of the year only domestic tourists, mostly students come to Agra, because of the summer holidays and off season discounts in the hotels,” says president of the Agra Hotels and Restaurants Association Rakesh Chauhan who wants adequate number of umbrellas and shoe covers provided at the Taj Mahal.

“Why can’t the ADA, or the ASI provide umbrellas to foreign tourists, when they are charging such exorbitant entrance fees,” Chauhan asks.

“Now hot summer conditions are no longer a deterrent as was the case some years ago. Agra has adequate number of decent hotels with swimming pools and air conditioned rooms and transport arrangements. Foreign tourists can see the Taj early in the day or late in the evening after sun set, but they will have to pay more.

But it is a little discouraging to see government bodies milching the tourists and not providing comfortable facilities,” says Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society.

The Taj Mahal is drawing hordes of domestic tourists as summer vacations have started. "In the past couple of years we have seen the trend changing. A large number of tourists also visit Agra this time of the year taking advantage of lean season discounts at the hotels," said hotelier Sandeep of Taj Ganj.

Each year the number of tourists visiting the Taj Mahal is going up. Entrance ticket sales in 2010 crossed four million. Entry for children is free and therefore not recorded. "Then you have so many days in a year when the entry is free like Shah Jahan's Urs or the Heritage Day," pointed out tourism industry leader Rajiv Tiwari.

The situation at Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort is worse. Sikri doesn't have enough arrangements for drinking water. "At the Fort there is always a long queue." Little wonder the number of tourists at Sikri has gone down.