Agra

Everyone says that the Taj Mahal is beautiful and obviously we’d seen the pictures. Yet still there is something amazing about seeing it in real-life, something that photos just can’t capture no matter how much we all try.

Taj Mahal Reflections
Taj Mahal Reflections

It is so beautiful that despite the crowds, the only thing that you see is the building itself. The people disappear. It’s really difficult to actually look at any of the surrounding buildings even the very lovely entrance way.

Taj Mahal Surrounding Buildings

Taj Mahal Entry Building
Taj Mahal Entry Building

Taj Mahal Surrounding Buildings

Taj Mahal, Surrounding Buildings
Taj Mahal, Surrounding Buildings

Maybe it’s just the beauty of the details of the building, the mosaics, the inlay precious stones. Many of which were made by specific Agra families/castes whose children have not chosen to follow in the tradition.

Taj Mahal Detail
Taj Mahal Detail
Taj Mahal Detail
Taj Mahal Detail

Or the beautiful proportions of the central building, the turrets and minarets.

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The light changes through the day and dependent on the weather. The building is said to be pinkish in the morning and golden as the sun sets.

Taj Mahal Detail
Taj Mahal Detail

And there is the Taj Mahal mosque still in use by the moslems of Agra, living right next to the mausoleum.

Taj Mahal Mosque
Taj Mahal Mosque

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Taj Mahal Mosque
Taj Mahal Mosque
Taj Mahal Mosque Detail
Taj Mahal Mosque Detail

Or maybe it’s the story behind the memorial, the fortune thrown away building a memorial for the favoured wife,  or the fact that overthrown by his son, he was imprisoned in the nearby Agra fort with a view of the resting place of his beloved.

Agra Fort Viewed from te Taj Mahal
Agra Fort Viewed from the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal from Agra Fort
Taj Mahal from Agra Fort
Agra Fort
Agra Fort
Agra Fort Detail
Agra Fort Detail
Agra Fort View Towards Taj Mahal
Agra Fort View Towards Taj Mahal

But the intricacy of the surrounding buildings was also beautiful if very reminiscent of the Red Fort in Delhi.

Agra Fort Details
Agra Fort Details
Agra Fort Detail
Agra Fort Detail
Agra Fort Detail
Agra Fort Detail