| Agra |
Agra is one of the three points forming India's touristic "Golden Triangle" --- Delhi,
Jaipur, and Agra.
Jaipur, and Agra.
The morning after our arrival in Agra we visited the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughul
emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631
upon giving birth to their 14th child. The memorial consists essentially of a beautiful
domed marble structure with four minarets built within an enclosed geometric garden on
the banks of the Yamuna River. The memorial complex includes three additional important
red sandstone structures --- the entrance gate, a mosque, and an almost identical
symmetrical building probably intended to accommodate travelers. The Taj is a World
Heritage Site and considered one of the world's most beautiful structures. Below are
some views of the complex.
emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631
upon giving birth to their 14th child. The memorial consists essentially of a beautiful
domed marble structure with four minarets built within an enclosed geometric garden on
the banks of the Yamuna River. The memorial complex includes three additional important
red sandstone structures --- the entrance gate, a mosque, and an almost identical
symmetrical building probably intended to accommodate travelers. The Taj is a World
Heritage Site and considered one of the world's most beautiful structures. Below are
some views of the complex.
The Taj Mahal viewed from the Entrance Gate
Visitors at the Taj Entrance Gate
Mosque to one side of the Taj mausoleum.
Indian tour group visiting the Taj
After our visit to the Taj Mahal we went to Agra's massive Red Fort containing the
palace in which Shah Jahan resided. One of his sons led a palace coup to dethrone his
father and place him under house arrest.
palace in which Shah Jahan resided. One of his sons led a palace coup to dethrone his
father and place him under house arrest.
Window in Agra Red Fort with view of the Taj.
Entrance to Agra Red Fort.
In the evening we observed a large wedding celebration which happened to be taking
place at our luxury hotel. The groom arrived on a white horse, followed by his dancing
male relatives and friends. The bride came in a carriage accompanied by her female
relatives and friends. Then the bride and groom sat enthroned on a platform where they
envelopes from their generous friends.
place at our luxury hotel. The groom arrived on a white horse, followed by his dancing
male relatives and friends. The bride came in a carriage accompanied by her female
relatives and friends. Then the bride and groom sat enthroned on a platform where they
envelopes from their generous friends.
The following morning our group went by train for about two hours to the town of Jhansi
and had lunch at the nearby charming village of Orcha, before continuing by bus to
Khajurahu, where we arrived in the evening.
and had lunch at the nearby charming village of Orcha, before continuing by bus to
Khajurahu, where we arrived in the evening.