TAJ MAHAL - AGRA, INDIA MARCH 29, 2008
We landed in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and were met at the dock for transport immediately to the airport to fly to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi we were again met and began our 4-1/2 hour drive to Agra. The drive was on a four lane divided highway and the 120 miles should have taken about 2 hours if it weren’t for the camels, water buffalo, elephants, three wheeled taxis (tuk-tuks), pedestrians, and heavy traffic. The drivers use the steering wheel and the horn equally in navigating the vehicles.
We arrived at the most elegant hotel, The Oberoi, and were met by the front entrance staff and after a refreshing drink in the lobby swept away by the front desk staff to our room where we registered. The Taj Mahal was immediately visible from our balcony as it was only 600 meters away.
In the morning we boarded the hotel’s courtesy golf cart to go to the Shah Jehan’s masterpiece the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal was built as a mausoleum in 1653 for Jehan’s wife of 19 years Mumtaz. Their marriage produced 14 children of which only 7 survived. Jehan lived the last 8 years of his life as a prisoner of one of his sons. Aurangzeb, and was confined in the adjacent Fort Agra overlooking his wife’s burial place. He joined her after his death and is buried in a sarcophagus beside her.
After passing through the entrance embattlement the beautiful marble covered dome comes into view surrounded by four smaller domes. The interior boasts marble walls with inlays of precious and semi precious stones and inscriptions from the Koran. While strolling the gardens there are wonderful views of the Taj and that adjacent mosque.
You will see Judy seated on the same bench that Princess Diana appeared in her pensive moments while also visiting the Taj Mahal.
In the afternoon we visited the Fort Agra that held the Shah Jehan. The red sandstone fortress was built by Jehan’s grandfather some 80 years prior to the Taj Mahal. The interior features marble throne rooms, audience halls and a central courtyard with magnificent vaulted colonnades. The same exquisite inlays and carvings are evident in this ancient building as in the Taj Mahal itself
