Like most travelers to India, the Taj Mahal was at the top of our ‘must see’ list and from our first glimpses of it from the rooftop of our hotel it did not disappoint. First, however, we visited Agra’s other main attraction, the Agra Fort. The red sandstone fort was built in the 16th century and converted into a palace in the following century by Shah Jahan (also the builder of the Taj Mahal), who would eventually be imprisoned here after being overthrown by his own son. With wonderful views of the Taj Mahal and the Yamuna River, Agra Fort is itself full of wonderful architecture, including intricately decorated mosques, marble towers, and lush courtyards.
As beautiful as the Agra Fort was, it paled in comparison to the Taj Mahal. The “Taj” is simply breathtaking. Entering through the large, elaborate southern gate we were welcomed by beautiful and serene manicured gardens and our first close-up glimpse of the Taj. Commissioned in 1631 by Shah Jahan as a memorial for his wife (who died during the birth of their 14th child), it was completed in 1653 and consists of perfectly symmetrical white marble domes and minarets. A close-up view of the structure reveals that the exterior of the building features many intricate carvings and beautiful colored inlays. The interior of the main dome contains the (false) tombs of Jahan and his wife (the real ones can’t be viewed), surrounded by intricate lattice screens decorated with semi-precious stones. Though it takes only an hour or two to make your way through the grounds, we spent an entire afternoon at the Taj Mahal, admiring the beauty of the place up close and from afar, appreciating the impressive craftsmanship, enjoying the (relative) peacefulness of the gardens, and also partaking in some fun people watching.
Click the photo below for our Agra photo album.
As beautiful as the Agra Fort was, it paled in comparison to the Taj Mahal. The “Taj” is simply breathtaking. Entering through the large, elaborate southern gate we were welcomed by beautiful and serene manicured gardens and our first close-up glimpse of the Taj. Commissioned in 1631 by Shah Jahan as a memorial for his wife (who died during the birth of their 14th child), it was completed in 1653 and consists of perfectly symmetrical white marble domes and minarets. A close-up view of the structure reveals that the exterior of the building features many intricate carvings and beautiful colored inlays. The interior of the main dome contains the (false) tombs of Jahan and his wife (the real ones can’t be viewed), surrounded by intricate lattice screens decorated with semi-precious stones. Though it takes only an hour or two to make your way through the grounds, we spent an entire afternoon at the Taj Mahal, admiring the beauty of the place up close and from afar, appreciating the impressive craftsmanship, enjoying the (relative) peacefulness of the gardens, and also partaking in some fun people watching.
Click the photo below for our Agra photo album.
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