Pinoy in Agra - My wonderful visit to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

It is true what they say. Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful buildings ever built. From afar and close up, this building is made to impress and to be loved.

For me, it is a dream come true and I am so grateful for the experience. A trip to the Agra Fort was a bonus.

After the hectic work week, I flew from Bangalore to New Delhi. Mijo joined me in New Delhi where we both made the city our base. From there, we planned to go to Agra and Jaipur as day trips. First we went to Agra to see the magnificent Taj Mahal.

We had arranged a tour of Agra in advance. The tour driver picked us up from our Delhi hotel at 2 o'clock in the morning so that we would arrive Agra before sunrise. Idea was not only to skip the deluge of tourist but also to witness the dramatic scenery of the sunrise over Taj Mahal. The crazy driving style is probably another blog in its own, we did arrive in Agra before sunrise. We were met by our tour guide in Agra.

[read my other unforgettable travels to India here]

The area where the Taj Mahal is located is huge. We walked for about 10 minutes from the drop off point to the gate where the tickets are sold.  There were already lots of vendors selling souvenirs items. Remember, this was still at sunrise. The vendors' persistence can be annoying at times. One tip I can give you is to say no and look like you truly mean it.

Then we waited for a few more minutes while in queue. There was already a thick crowd at 6am in the morning. There were lines for the locals and another for foreigners. The line for men are also separate from the queue for women. We got a pair of free disposable shoe covers to be used while inside the Taj Mahal, in lieu of taking of your shoes.

  

There was also a checkpoint with metal detectors. They also manually check bags. I saw a couple of tourists hauling their luggage with with them being sent away. I guess it was because of their big bags and there is another drop off place for those? Security was absolutely strict.

   

We got through the West Gate and we walked some more. The red gate is already picture worthy. I was told by our tour guide that the building structures around the ticketing gate used to be living quarters used by the Shah as accommodations for his guests.  

   

We finally reached the Main Gate. Details galore and the details are impressive. We were told that the gateway is inscribed with verses from the Quran. I could see the Taj Mahal through the small opening in of the entrance in the middle.

   

The entrance through the Main Gate frames the Taj Mahal dramatically.  I imagine that is easily a photographer's favorite vantage point. I learned from our guide that Shah Jahan built Taj Mahal as a memorial for his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died during child birth.

   

The Taj Mahal is all about symmetry - the garden, the buildings around it, the minarets. The Taj has four identical facades. I could hear the ooh and aahs from the crowd and I happily obliged to join in their awe. Add the relaxing sound of the chirping birds and you not only have a picture perfect view but also an awe inspiring scene.

   

There is a mosque to the west. An identical building to the east was built for balance. Remember, it is all about symmetry and perfection.

   

Here's the view from the Taj Mahal to the red Main Gate.

   

Here's the Taj Mahal museum. We didn't go in. We got too excited to see the Taj Mahal that we missed this one important venue. It would have been great had the tour guide allowed us to go in just to take a peek.

   

Here are the details of the walls and floors. So lavish and so beautiful. The details are carved and the colors are in laid colored stones. Later in this trip, Mijo and I would learn how inlaid designs on marbles are done and how laborious the entire process is.

   

As if the Taj Mahal is not picturesque enough, the Yamuna River added more drama and romance to the entire scene. We went inside the the Taj but taking pictures was not allowed. Notice the arches? There are inlaid inscriptions from the Quran in the style of calligraphy just like on the arches of the red main gate.

 

The sun was already out by the time we were ready to leave. 


I also noticed more people are pouring in by this time.  The temperature also changed quite a bit. It was much warmer by the time we finished the tour of the Taj. 

This is where I appreciated the timing of our tour - that we got here at sunrise. Less crowd, cooler temperature.

   

Next, we visited the Agra Fort. 

It is a massive red structure built by Shah Jahan's grandfather, Emperor Akbar. It is considered one of the finest Mughal forts ever built in India. We were told that most of the structure is currently occupied by the Indian military so only select parts of the fort are accessible to the general public.

   

 

The Fort was originally built for military purposes by Emperor Akbar but his grandson Shah Jahan made it into a palace. Remember Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal? Shah Jahan also added structures into the Agra Fort using his favorite material - marble. 

   

 Watch out for this sweeping view of the Taj from the Fort.


 I couldn't help but imagine how rich the ruling families must truly be during this time in India's history. No just the sheer size of the structures they built but the finer details and the luxuriousness. At the same time, I am glad that India continues to preserve cultural and historical structures like this for the world to see. 

   

Afterward, we visited some local artisans. The first one we visited were the marble artisans where we learned how to inlay colored stones as designs into the marble. It is a long and arduous process. But the finished product is nothing short of amazing.

We also visited a carpet factory where we learned about India's history of carpet making due to its proximity to ancient Persia.

 

The process of carpet making is also a lengthy process and involves a lot of delicate work. Also, the finished product is exquisite. We were informed that both factories ship for free to the U.S.

 

Of course, no blog of mine is without a picture of what we ate for lunch. This was our delicious lunch.

 

And my favorite chai masala while looking at carpets. Look at the details of the cup and saucer? I was so concerned not to break the cup that I forgot to fully enjoy the tea.

 

As we were making our way back to our hotel in Delhi, I felt a tinge of sadness the same way I feel when a good friends move out of town. I don't know if I am going to see the Taj or be in Agra ever again but the trip was truly awe inspiring.

It was great to see a glimpse of India's magnificent past through the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

 

~rl