This trip to India is more of a quick layover before my climbing project more than anything. I only had two goals in mind, see friends and visit the Taj Mahal. Thus, deservingly, Taj Mahal deserves a post by itself.
Unlike the crowds at the Taj many see on the internet, my visit was rather nice. I didn’t have to punch anyone out of the way to get in or get some photos. At most I waited for 2 minutes to get tickets and 2 minutes each time to get photos at popular spots. I highly recommend everyone to visit the beginning of October for fewer crowds and cooler weather (relatively). Still prepare for 30C degree days, but much more manageable than the 50C degree summer days. Also, be aware/excited for the Diwali festival towards the end of October accompanied by the significant increase of crowds and queues.
There are three gates to the entry of the Taj Mahal, I found it easier to obtain tickets from either the Eastern and the Western gates. Taj Mahal is actually consists of two parts, the gardens and main moment complex. Because of this partition by the visitor bureau, the main Taj Mahal complex is very easy to navigate.
Many have heard of the love tales of the emperor and his favourite consort Mumtaj. One will have a very clear idea how much the emperor favoured and loved Mumtaj once you visit the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. The biggest gates, rooms, and tombs are all built for Mumtaj. She even occupied the center spot of the burial in the Taj despite Shah Jahan’s status as the emperor.
The amazing view of the Taj Mahal reveal itself to you immediately after you pass through the Mumtaj gate which is laced with precious and semi-precious stones.
Taj shows her full self to you after the luxurious gate. There is no further cover or distractions, the main monument is all that you see in the perfectly symmetrical backdrop. Suddenly I realize the reason for the simplicity of the main complex: all the glory goes to the marble miracle, to Mumtaj and the love tales. Nothing else is worth your attention other than those. This simple direction of visitors’ attention contributes to the making the Taj the visual glory that it is.
This main structure, built in the Islamic design, primarily used white color on the key structure with water surrounding it. Both the water fountains and the white-colored marbles also serve to add to the tranquillity of the monument.
Inside the monuments itself (which no photo is allowed) you will find two tombs laced with precious gems with are enclose by a luxurious fence laced with semi-precious gems. The higher tomb on the side belongs to Shah Jahan, the one in the centre is Mumtaj. The inside structure of the tomb is similar to many imperial tombs under the Islamic influences with the octagon shaped inner court and the double layer dome which creates echoes inside the chamber. The high dome also enlarges the inner chamber space, thus increases the solemn atmosphere of the monument. While the Yamuna River quietly flows by and the marble tomb stand still, the solemn-ness of Taj Mahal is streamed into an energy of the unending, undying affect of love.
The white marble is contrasted by the red fort 2.5kms away. The last resting place of the in-loved Mughal emperor was also his prison for the last few years of his life. Confined to the highly secure compounds of the Agra fort, Shah Jahan can only reminiscent the loving days with Mumtaj by her beloved bedroom in the Agra fort while viewing her resting place from afar.
While for Shah Jahan moving between the palace and the tomb monument was not possible, us modern visitors can do so by the “auto” or the “tuk-tuk”.
What is also possible us modern travellers is eating common street food. While the street food on the actual street have a 95% chance of causing aggressive diarrhoea, you can choose to have it in many in Indian restaurants. One of the examples would be below.
I will save the elaboration of the specificities of the Indian food/spices I ate on this short stopover in Dehli in a separate post. For now, enjoy the Taj pictures!