Before arriving to India and actually doing research for this country the only thing I knew that was in this country that I must see was the Taj Mahal. I know crazy and wow what ignorance I must have to not know much about India. Well that’s the truth and I don’t feel bad, I mean after all that’s why I am traveling to learn about the different countries I visit. Some I know a lot about, some I know a little about and well some I know nothing about.
It was a short train ride from Mathura to Agra where the Taj Mahal is located. We arrived did the search for a hotel and found another decent one. Our plan was to go the following day bright and early to avoid the crowds. We did just that and well come to find out no matter what time of day you go you will be dodging huge crowds the whole time.
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
It was a morning well spent. Though the Taj Mahal did not take my breath away (I know hate me now for saying that) I must say it is one stunning piece of architecture. I loved all the detail that you can find while walking around, that it is so clean and loved that just about every thing was symmetrical about it.
After spending the morning at the Taj Mahal we walked to Agra Fort also known as the Red Fort. Had you heard of it? I sure hadn’t until that day. I was excited because well Red is my favorite color. Apparently this too was built by Shah Jahan (who ordered to have the Taj Mahal built) and was supposed to be a Palace, but when his son Auragngzeb seized power from him he turned it in a prison where Shah was imprisoned for 8 years. Kinda crazy that a son would do that to his father, but well he must of had his reasons.
—
—
All in all my visit to the Taj Mahal was a great experience and a bit and I mean a TINY bit of peace that I needed from the chaotic days in New Delhi and the intense celebration of Holi. I mean it was still overwhelming dealing with rickshaw, souvenir shop touts, but I know those are at any tourist attraction you visit in the world so tried not to let it get to me. As for the Taj Mahal even though I said it didn’t take my breath away I would say it is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Oh & I would love it if my husband made something like this just because. Have you been what do you think of the famous Taj? If you haven’t do you want to visit it?
Awesome stuff…love the first photo through the tunnel…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..The Travel Bucket List – Top 10 Abroad
Thanks D.J.
Beautiful. I have seen hundreds of pictures of the Taj Mahal but not many of Agra Fort. It looks quite interesting.
Dean recently posted..Photo of the week: Ferry at the Sydney Opera House, Australia
Thanks Dean, yeah I had never seen or heard of the Red Fort until that day. It was nice & interesting.
I really want to go to the Taj Mahal and love all of your photos!
I still can’t decide if I’m insanely jealous you’re in India and wishing I’d come with you, or if I’m relieved I decided to stay in SE Asia so that I can lie on a beach all day!
Lauren recently posted..1,500km in 8 days: My Epic Scooter Trip Around Northern Thailand
Lauren you should try and make it out here one day. As for India… I have to be 100% honest, don’t be jealous. It is a country you should visit cus well it’s India & just crazy as hell, but the truth right now I keep reading my SEA on a SS & ummm I can’t wait to be in SEA. I will advice this when & if you come to India but sure you do it with someone else. I know I couldn’t be doing this alone.
Wow.. amazing pictures! I will travel to India in the next months and this story is great inspi food. Thank you so much!
Thanks Claudia, glad you liked the photos & oh yes the food is amazing.
The Taj Mahal looks beautiful! Not every major sight will take your breath away, and that’s ok. I’m not sure if I’ll ever make it to India, so I’m glad I get to read about it here and on Val’s blog.
Ali recently posted..The Great Ocean Road in Photos
Good point… Ali, not all of them can. As for making it to India… I have no words of encouragement to make you come here. As for Egypt, Turkey & Nicaragua… now those I will encourage ya for sure…lol!!!
6th photo is my fave 🙂
Thanks Heather… love all these!!!
I agree, the 6th photograph is amazing. the colors contrasting against the Taj Mahal. This is one of the few posts I have read that mentioned that the Taj Mahal is not “breathtaking” but, all attested that it is really quite beautiful made especially because of the story behind it. The insights makes me want to see it more, actually! How is it teaching in India? Didn’t you just recently took off your shirt and waved it around? Haha! 🙂
ryoawesome recently posted..My Foot Massage "Special" in Saigon, Vietnam
Ryoawesome thanks about the 6th photograph I love it for that reason too. Oh yes for me it wasn’t breathtaking… but wow is it beautifully made. Oh & the story behind it is for the ages. Teaching in India is going well. Will be writing about that soon. Oh & yes I did… the power had gone out & I was hot.
Mahtab Bagh – very good garden just opposite Taj Mahal across river Yamuna.
You should visit and watch Taj Mahal from the garden. And you should also visit Akbar’s Tomb.
Tushar, I didn’t make it to any of those places. Wish I had known…
Oh gosh, I have been reading so many travel blogs lately where the traveler says they were not overcome by the Taj, that makes me so sad to read, because it was one of the best travel experiences of my life. To each there own right? Pics are awesome!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..My Beautiful Adventures Announces New TV Show: Episode One — Hong Kong
I don’t know why I wasn’t I wanted to be but it just didn’t happen. I think it is because I have seen so many beautiful mosque in Istanbul & for some reason it reminded me of them, but yeah I guess to each their own, cus to me it was just stunning… not amazing or breathtaking.
Interesting to see your take. I have a feeling that I will feel the same way 🙂
Love that first pic.
Kent @ No Vacation Required recently posted..Requisite DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photos
Yeah Kent… i think we have seen more beautiful buildings than this. I mean it’s stunning, but don’t get the whole huppla about it. I guess the story behind it makes it a bit more magical.
Dude you are having a great time in India I think…if I read and see more I might start missing home!
Siddhartha Joshi recently posted..a train ride to remember…
Thanks, I really am, but don’t think I am loving it… like I thought I would.
It’s okay if it didn’t blow you away, I didn’t like the Eiffel Tower and I don’t feel bad about it.
Ayngelina recently posted..Playa is my kinda place
True… not everything can blow us away. That is just impossible… Awww but the Eiffel Tower did blow me away… I loved it.
Love your photos of the Taj – especially those detail shots. There was a lot of hype, I think, before I visited the Taj Mahal but I have to admit that I found it absolutely incredible. But yeah, not everything can be so impressive to everyone.
Glad you’re enjoying India!
Adam recently posted..Ryoji Ikeda exhibit at the Hamubrger Bahnhof
Just the architecture itself looks absolutely amazing!
Oh Cecy you would love the visiting this place. The architecture is amazing. You would go crazy… it’s so damn perfect, just everything.
The stunning thing about the Taj Majal is not only its architecture but the meaning behind the construction of this temple. It’s a symbol of love and thinking about that, of course, adds an extra charm when visiting the place! 🙂
Agree Zara, the meaning behind it is amazing… I hope one day a man loves me that much to make something so amazing for me…lol!!!
There were no crowds when I went as soon as it opened- watched the sunrise there.. I also wanted to die it was so early. I’m glad someone else found it non-life changing. I always feel like a debbie downer when I say it. I think my favorite part were actually the gardens… and visiting the baby Taj 🙂
Erica recently posted..Okinawa, Where Less is More
Oh yay we are not alone!!! I’m glad I am not the only one that thought that. I know I too feel like a debbie downer when I say something that every one feels amazing and I don’t think that. You are lucky though you didn’t have crowds… I’d love to go with no crowds that is for sure.
I truly wish to go to the Taj Mahal and also enjoy your entire pictures!..Amazing.. wonderful images!
I hope you make there one day… it is amazing. Glad you liked the images.