Terrific Taj Mahal, the jewel of Agra

This morning we visited the grand Agra Fort with its white marble palaces. Here is where the Shah Jehan, the emperador who constructed the Taj Mahal spent his last years. There is a magnificent view of the Taj Mahal from here. Then we went to the famous and magical Taj, which represents the greatest love story ever told. As we entered we were confronted by this fascinating 17th century mausoleum complete in white marble. We could appreciate its perfect symmetry of construction. Get inside and observe the craft work on marble in detail, you will be surprised once more.

Quick Tips:

We loved the view of the Taj Mahal at sunset from the Fort. With the fading lights reflecting on the Taj and the moon rising in the horizon it is something not to be missed. we went in the early morning to enter to the Taj Mahal and avoided the long lines later on, having also plenty of time to spend here. Bring enough film, you will be surprised how fast they go.

Best Way To Get Around:

Taxi or tour buses are the perfect way to move around. You will walk a lot at the Fort and at the Taj Mahal. Avoid the rickshaws.

Beautiful hotel with spacious lobby, excellent American-type rooms and 3 different restaurants. Service is courteous and the grounds very well kept with pools, fountains and plants with flowers matching the romanticism of this city. Be careful with all the taxis and rickshaws waiting outside the hotels and near the tourists attractions.

Agra is known all over India as the city of love. Many marriages take place in this City. We had the opportunity to be invited to this beautiful ceremony, so different from our western standards. Family and friends were very gracious and treated us as members of the family. It took place in one of the gardens next to our Hotel. It was decorated mainly in red and orange. Large tables with different type of foods and non-alcoholic drinks on one side of the garden. The groom came in first with his father and friends, all dressed up. Shortly after, the bride with her mother appeared, very elegant with a sari covering her head and face and with gold jewerly all over, and I mean all over, forehead, nose, ears, all of her fingers and neck. The ceremony was short but the celebration lasted until early morning hours. It was a shame we had to leave early but we had an early plane to catch.

I was accustomed before going to Agra of seeing pictures of the Taj Mahal from the typical front view as you enter the garden. I decided when I visited the place to take some unusual shots from other angles to get the concept of how this beautiful surrounding enhaced the beauty of the well known monument.