As the Taj Mahal - India's number one tourist attraction - begins to get visitors at night, city authorities are still grappling with a menace that seems to be getting worse and worse: begging.

Suddenly, the Taj Mahal city seems to be overflowing with beggars, men and women who mob tourists, including foreigners, virtually everywhere.

Police officials say that while begging is a major problem at tourist sites throughout India, in Agra the beggars appear to be well organised, led by professionals who employ every trick to fork out money from sympathetic visitors.

As soon as a tourist alights from a vehicle, beggars display histrionic skills or show off their physical disability to evoke sympathy.

Not long ago, beggars were seen only at temples and mosques where they collected alms from the faithful and showered blessings in exchange. Now they are all over the place - at hotels, malls, bus stops, stations and historical monuments.

"These people create such a scene before foreigners in particular that often we feel ashamed of our own country," said Sandeep Arora, a hotelier.

He demanded a ban on beggars in Agra, at least "in the tourist area".

A police officer said it was not possible to check begging until the laws were tightened. "Beggars take on any number of roles depending on the circumstances. In railway compartments, for instance, beggars alternate between sweeping floors, selling peanuts and begging," the officer added.

One expressing irritation or shouting doesn't always work. The beggars at temples or other shrines are in comparison a disciplined lot, but those at the bus and train stations have mastered the art to perfection.

Police constable Ram Bihari said people should stop giving alms to these parasites. Businessman Kanu Bhai, who travels between Agra and Ahmedabad, says some beggars switch roles, picking pockets when it suits them.

Many beg not just for survival but to make lots of money, contended Banke Lal Maheshwari, who runs an NGO that provides free drinking water in the city.

"During the day they beg and at night return to (state-run) shelters. Several voluntary organisations and temples in the city provide them free food."

Built between 1632 and 1643 by Mughal emperor Shah Jehan in honour of his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal, the majestic marble monument is visited by thousands of tourists every day.

Last week, the Supreme Court allowed for a limited period nocturnal viewing of the shimmering white maosoleum that was so far closed at night as a security precaution and also out of fear that the bright lights might damage its delicate façade and intricate inlay work.

-Indo-Asian News Service