Incredible India – Taj Mahal & Agra ‘part 3’

 

Taj Mahal!!! Finally, the day arrived when we will see it!
I found 707 Tours who arranged every single detail for the day and was very accommodating when we wanted to rearrange the itinerary (add a visit to the gardens behind the Taj Mahal if time allows).

Having two options to get from Delhi to Agra, either car or train, we opted for the train. A car would have taken 4 hours plus, whereas the train took less than 3 hours.

At 5.15 am a driver picked us up and dropped us at Delhi central station.
We boarded the Shatabdi Express, breakfast was included but our hotel packed a snack box for the day too. So thoughtful of them. To our surprise, the coach was really comfortable with reclining chairs which made sleeping a bit easier. Being the rainy season the countryside that flashed passed was lush and green.

Arriving in Agra we were met by a representative of the tour company on the platform who walked with us to our driver for the day. Reaching the parking area I understood why he escorted us, poverty is everywhere with a lot of begging.
We met up with our guide for the day at a hotel where we were able to freshen up too.

Taj Mahal

Arriving at the Taj Mahal you expect to see it, its big right, but all you see is a fort and a gateway all in red stone. After purchasing our tickets we followed the crowd to a massive gateway, here you start to see glimpses of a white structure, very faded though in the early morning light.

At this point, our guide asked us to think of one word when we see the Taj Mahal.
Pushing along through the gates and then… then you see the Taj Mahal in its full glory. I stood frozen in awe….speechless. Breathtaking, incredible mesmerizing, all these words does not do it justice.  A building so massive, the symbol of love ♥.

As we started to make our way closer, with every step you are just more in awe. Just its sheer size is unbelievable, but getting up closer you realise it is covered with inlay and relief details. Before you can enter the building itself you have to cover your shoes and no photos inside (UNESCO world heritage site).

The craftsmanship that was used to build the Taj Mahal is incredible. Stone inlay, relief engraving, solid pieces of marble used for the walls and window covers.

Semi-precious stones like agate, Yemeni, turquoise, Lapis-lazuli, coral, onyx, cat’s eye, jade and bloodstone. These were mainly used for inlaying work.

Truly in awe at the beauty of the building, a building that was built out of love.

Some interesting thing we heard regarding the Taj Mahal.

          -Its name is from Persian and Arabic ‘crown of the palace’.

          -It was commissioned by Shah Jahan for his favourite wife’s’ tomb.

          -Everything is symmetric on and in the Taj Mahal, well 99%. The only thing that sets it all off is the grave of Shah Jahan which was placed next to his wife Mumtaz Mahal inside.

          -The building has 8 sides and not only 4 to be able to hold the dome.

          -The minarets are slightly leaning outwards, so if ever an earthquake had to happen they will fall outwards and not in on the dome itself. 

Agra Fort

We visited Agra fort also listed as a World Heritage site with UNESCO. It is a majestic red sandstone fort on the banks of the river Yamuna overlooking the Taj Mahal. We were informed that it was constructed by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century but only took on its current state when his grandson Shah Jahan(who build the Taj Mahal for his wife Mumtaz Mahal) completed it. Shah Jahan was restrained by his son in the fort, and rumour has it that he died in the tower overlooking the Taj Mahal.

On route in Agra

While driving I was able to snap some pictures of everyday life.

Fatehpur Sikri

After lunch, we set off to Fatehpur Sikri-a which is a red sandstone “ghost town”. Our guide here told us it was the estranged capital of Mughal emperor Akbar. It was constructed in 1569 shortly after the Red fort construction started. It was deserted due to the failure of the water supply.

Before we made our way back to Agra station we asked if we can visit the garden opposite the Taj Mahal. The sunset was amazing.

Arriving back in Delhi by 11 pm by train, I was not looking forward to trying to find our driver outside the station. But to our surprise, he was waiting for us as we got off the train.
What a day! Learned so much.
This has truly been one of my best experiences ever!!!

India will always be one of my favourites to visit.

xxx

Travel plan:

• Accommodation:                   Hotel Palace Height in New Delhi
• Accommodation style:          Mid-budget, location
• Price range:                          $
• Tour company/package:       707 tours
• Transport:                             Shatabdi Express
• Interesting finds/souvenirs:  Handicrafts, Taj Mahal magnet

 

To see how we explored Delhi’s famous sites in one day  Incredible India – Delhi ‘part 2’ and to see how we cycled through old Delhi  Incredible India – Delhi’ part 1′

*Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are my own, & this post has been republished as the site has been down and under ‘construction