Vrindavan, Mathura and Agra - A quick visit to the cities of love

[laluks]

Day 2, September 12 2009, Continued.

Taj Mahal


Taj Mahal is the most beautiful monument ever built for love. Infact Taj Mahal is a wonderful masterpiece.

Shah Jahan built the Taj in memory of his wife Mumtaz, who died in 1631. Soon after the completion of Taj, Shah jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangazeb, and was imprisoned in Agra Fort. In 1666, Shah jahan died and he was also buried in Taj Mahal alongside Mumtaz. There is another story that Shah Jahan wanted to built a replica of Taj in black as his tomb opposite the bank of Yamuna.

Taj was declared as a world heritage site in 1983. To reduce the effects of pollution on Taj, industrial developments were stopped near Agra, and only non polluting vehicles can go closer to Taj.


This picture will give an orientation of how Taj is inside the compound.



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[laluks]

Day 2, September 12 2009 Continued

Taj Mahal

First view from the East Gate.


The entry to the inside of Taj is through a Gateway. This is made of red sandstone and is in the South of Taj. This gateway has verses inscribed on it from the Quran.

View of the Gateway from the outer courtyard.



View of the Gateway from the inner courtyard




About Taj



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[laluks]

Day 2, September 12 2009 Continued

Taj Mahal

The view of the Taj from the south, immediately after entering through the Gateway.





A little close up.


View of Taj from the East







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[laluks]

Day 2, September 12 2009 Continued

Taj Mahal

View of Taj from the North. You can see Yamuna flowing and Agra Fort at a distance.






Yamuna. Agra Fort is visible at a distance.



View of Taj from the West. Sun is brightly shining in the east.





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[mjothi]

Man, I never thought I missed so much :((

Nice one lalu.

[laluks]

Day 2, September 12 2009 Continued

Taj Mahal

View of Taj from Near. Check the marble work and details.







The pillar, 40m high minarets.


The marble works. Close up of a few




You can see some modern day marble work to patch up a destroyed work. It looks very different.



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[laluks]

Originally Posted by mjothi

Man, I never thought I missed so much :((

Nice one lalu.

Mahesh hold on. So much more is coming. You'll miss more

[laluks]

Day 2, September 12 2009 Continued

Taj Mahal

View of Masjid to the West.






View of Jawab to the East. This is just built to have symmetry and could have been used for accomodating travellors in those times.



Inside the Taj you can find the tombs of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan. Mumtaz's tomb is in the centre and since Shah Jahan's was later added, it is towards left side offsetting the symmetry. The real tombs are in the basement and tourists cannot access. The way the marble reflects light in this chamber is a must see.

There is also a Museum (open at 10AM only), which has the celadon plates. These plates are said to change colour or split into pieces if food served on it contains poison.


That's it about the Taj. Now I'll move on to Taj Nature walk

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[ampere]

I have spent the best part of my life in Agra, but never looked at things with such a view!

Either I did not have time or a camera (or both !)

Amazing pictures ! Did you go to any other in Agra apart from Taj and the fort? There is also a full marble temple at Dayalbagh. Did you visit that? Its worth a place!

[laluks]

Originally Posted by ampere

I have spent the best part of my life in Agra, but never looked at things with such a view!

Either I did not have time or a camera (or both !)

Amazing pictures ! Did you go to any other in Agra apart from Taj and the fort? There is also a full marble temple at Dayalbagh. Did you visit that? Its worth a place!

Went to Agra fort, Fatehpur sikri , Mehtab bagh and itimad ud daula. Did not try coming back via Rajasthan as the car was yellow board and further taxes for interstate again.

Dayalbagh next time.

[laluks]

Day 2, September 12 2009 Continued

Taj Nature Walk.


With the Taj at the background you can take a nice stroll through the park.




For company you'll have a lot of birds, butterflies and greenery. You can spend a lot of time relaxing here.








That's it about the Taj. Now I'll move on to Agra Fort.



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[Majic]

Hey LaluKS, i was just reading your travelogue on the visit to Leh, and then return to find a new thread, either way i am really enjoying your posts, good pictures and spirited narration. Keep them coming!

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by laluks

Mahesh hold on. So much more is coming. You'll miss more

Hey, stop it man. What are you doing?

Lalu, ya it really seems I missed a lot. Anyway, I atleast get a free glimpse on these beautiful pics.

I visited Taj only once and it was also in a tour package. So, i did not get such chance to spend so much time in Taj. nature walk etc etc.

As usual, there is always a next time.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by Majic

Hey LaluKS, i was just reading your travelogue on the visit to Leh, and then return to find a new thread, either way i am really enjoying your posts, good pictures and spirited narration. Keep them coming!

Majic, I did this trip just before hitting out to Leh. Hence you see it in parallel.
Thanks for the encouragement.

Originally Posted by mjothi

Hey, stop it man. What are you doing?

Lalu, ya it really seems I missed a lot. Anyway, I atleast get a free glimpse on these beautiful pics.

I visited Taj only once and it was also in a tour package. So, i did not get such chance to spend so much time in Taj. nature walk etc etc.

As usual, there is always a next time.

I know. The next time is 2010. Better do it.

[MileCruncher]

Taj seems to have changed quite a lot since my last visit in 2004. May be another visit is due