Aligarh : Walking in the town

Aligarh sits in western Uttar Pradesh - about 50 kms away from Firozabad (associated with bangles) and roughly same distance from Hathras (famous for its hing). Agra is roughly 100 kms further and Delhi 150. 

The first quick impression of the town is that it retains a distinct character. As one moves one comes across the bustling, cramped and noisy lanes of the market area and a very different 'Civil Lines' part of the town. Like Banaras this is a town which takes its food seriously. Aligarh, of course, seems to have more options on offer. And, like Banaras, Aligarh is also on way to becoming a 'smart' city. 

The windows here have a special feel!

Walking the market area was fun. We came across 'Gajak' being made - with help of large wooden hammers, a sweet by the name of 'Makhan Santra', ground-nut being sold as 'Gujarati Singh' and a lot more - including (very reasonably priced) pottery from Khurja - that fascinated. People too were not less interesting. The fruit vendor we got guava from insisted that I do not click images of his fruit-laden cart - 'humare phal ke koi photo le yeh hum pasand nahin karte'! 

Fresh vegetables neatly arranged just outside an almost century old dharamshala. 

Graceful crumbling? 

Fort - or what of it is accessible - is basically a large wall. And, the ambience in the vicinity makes one want to quickly get done with the place and move on. The colours and the light then reminded me of a scene from Umrao Jaan. 

Plagues do live long!

During school times Aligarh and locks were closely associated for me. During out walks we did come across shops selling locks and we were told the town continued to make locks. The state of this place and the wall it was a part of made us wonder though! 

A restaurant which puts up this on its walls should have interesting food as well ~ 

Other posts on travel in Uttar Pradesh

Allahabad

Ghazipur

Jaunpur

Chunar