The most decadent week ever-part 2 the Taj

Part 2-The Taj Mahal.

So we went on a full moon because the Taj Mahal is said to be very reflective in the moon, and it was going to be a supermoon (big huge moon).  We stayed at this amazing hotel about 500m away from the Taj in which ever room has a view. In general, let me say the Taj FAR surpasses what you can imagine.  Pictures do not do it justice and I was seriously starstruck.  I kept saying-I am at the Taj, OMG there is the Taj.  And to see it out the balcony of our room was awesome!  The night viewing was not as spectacular as we would have thought-I think we had idealized this gleaming white wonder in the distance a la Disney.  It was still cool at night, but the full moon/supermoon wasn't as great as we thought.  We did got up at 4am, when the moon was at its fullest, and you could see the Taj but not gleaming from the moon. didnt' see the gleaming, but got about 100 mosquito bites (not exaggerating actually.  My legs look like they have a disease).  Seriously though, Taj lives up to the billing and I can honestly say I was speechless.  yes me.

I should also say that Saturday to Sunday when we saw the Taj was Holi, which is one of the two big holidays (the other is Diwali).  This is the one where there are powered color thrown on people, lots of bonfires symbolizing the burning of the demon Holika, and songs and dance literally all night long.  We heard the music from the hotel, didn't get color, but saw a lot in Agra. you will see from below.

Sikandara
On the way to Agra (city of the Taj Mahal) we stopped at Sikandara, the tomb of Akbar the Great.  Akbar is the man.  He was Mughal ruler and closest advisor was Birbal, a Hindu.  He also smartly married Jodha, the princess of Rajasthan.  Key move for him because Rajasthan had amazing rules and kings (remember Jantar Mantar and the palace in Jaipur?)  Oh, he was also the son of Humayun, who had a big presence in Delhi.  He was the one who tripped and died on his way to prayer.  Akbar is also grandpa to Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal.  End of history lesson.

This is the main entrance from the road.

More of the gate.

The tomb itself.

Detail from inside the tomb. 

Agra Fort
Next stop was in Agra itself at the Agra fort, just across the river of the Taj.  It was built in stages-first parts built by Akbar, and on through his great grandson at least.  This is where Shah Jahan (again, builder of the Taj) spent his last days as prisoner.  Why you ask?  Jahan's son Aurangzeb overthrew his father's regime because dad was wasting too much of the government money on extravagant things (like the Taj).  Aurangzeb imprisoned him in a tower that looked out on the Taj as punishment.  Just like a soap opera!  They should teach history like this-kids would be more interested.

Throne room.

Taj is way in the distance in the background.

I thought this was a picturesque photo.

At the end is the octagonal tower in which Shah Jahan was imprisoned.

More fort-check out the ornate carving on the sandstone.  In just two generations the style goes from this to the sleek marble of the Taj.


Shot of Taj taken from Agra fort-with zoom.

Our awesome hotel
Enjoy the pictures of our hotel as well as the view from our room.

Room with a view-they are not kidding!

On our patio-in the distance is the city of Agra.  We heard songs ALL night long for Holi.

Again, no zoom.

At dusk.

the supermoon over Agra-taken at 4am.  We got up to see moon at strongest.  It was overhead us, not the Taj, but still cool.  Music is still blaring at this point.

The TAJ at night!!!!

Picture came out grainy.

This is what we got during our night viewing of the Taj.  Backlight is from the town across the river behind it. It was actually darker than this picture suggests. 

The Taj during the day

Ok, so we went twice during the day-once at OMG it is early, and once around 130.  Early was more foreign tourists, crazy hot time was us and a bunch of Indian tourists.  Both times the Taj was spectacular.  Apologies in advance for all the pictures. 

As for history, Shah Jahan's favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal dies.  He builds this tomb.  It is beautiful.  Mumtaz Mahal shortened is Taj Mahal.  Click, right?

Yes I stood right here.  See how the light is still coming up on the Taj and casting shadows? So awesome. It is about 7:15am in this photo.


Up close!

Had to take the iconic shot

Had to take the iconic shot with us in it.

Going inside the Taj to the tombs of Shah Jahan and the woman to whom he built this-Mumtaz Mahal.  Well, you can't actually go to the real tombs, but there are replica tombs on display.

Taken right at the top of the stairs we are about to walk into the main building-the tombs.

This is the Arabic script which is inlayed into the marble.  It goes all the way around the door.  To the observer, it appears all the same size.  In reality, it varies in size to create the visual effect that it is all the same.

Taj is famous.

From inside the tomb looking at the structure west of the Taj.

This is the side of the Taj-I think it is the west side which is a mosque, the east side has an identical building that serves no functional purpose, but is aesthetically there to ensure symmetry.

Entrance to the mosque.  Take special note of the three big black blobs in the upper arches.  Those are big huge bees' nests.

Check out the amazing detail inside the mosque!  And again, love sepia.

This is on the other side of the Taj in the building with no purpose.

Sandip is taking this picture in the shot above.

I took this picture after taking Sandip's picture.

Isn't it just majestic?

From a bench on the grounds.

This is east facing side.

The backside of the Taj with the river.  you can tell it is early in morning by the colors.

More backside of the Taj.

More backside-red is mosque

What you see on entrance-from later in the day.

This is from the afternoon-see the difference in light?

Another iconic picture.

I love this picture.

We had to take this.

This is a hallway in the gate entrance to the Taj

Kid with Holi colors.  Every local looked like this.

Goodbye Taj!