India wasn’t on our original itinerary. We have never been interested in visiting and have heard some unpleasant things about it. It was a good way to avoid a long flight from Dubai to Bangkok and it does have the Taj-Mahal. I wish I could say we were enchanted and all the rumors are false. Karen really really tried to like it and I gave it a fair shot but it is so far our least favorite country. In fact, it is the first country I’ve been to that I would actively avoid. There just isn’t a lot to attract us as far as sights, food, people, landscapes (at least between Delhi and Agra) and things are difficult even for seasoned travelers like us. I’m glad we came and saw the things we did but I was very happy to leave as well.
The Taj-Mahal was the highlight of our stop and arguably the most famous building (not pyramid) in the world. To me it’s very odd that the most famous thing in your country was built by the Moghuls, a foreign power that conquered and ruled you for 300 years. Regardless of who built it, it is gorgeous. It was cloudy when we visited at dawn, but it’s supposed to be even better on a sunny morningI don’t get wrapped up in the story but the building is breathtakingIn any light and from any angleShah Jahan built the tomb to honor his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal who died in 1631. He planned to build a black tomb for himself across the river but only the foundation was completedThe color comes from inlaying precious and semi-precious stones into the marbleIt is incredibly ornate but simple in geometrySimilar to European castles we’ve seen but communal areas tend to be outdoors since the weather is warmIt looks very similar in design to other castles with layered fortifications, towers, etc.We also visited Agra Fort which is where the Moghul rulers lived since Taj Mahal was a tomb. It was built way before the Taj in the 1500s using the local red sandstoneThe private apartments where Shah Jahan was heldThe marble inlays are exquisite. We saw inlays being made and it was time consuming meticulous workView from the Shah’s balcony. Bittersweet
In a strange twist, Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal was ultimately imprisoned in Agra Fort by his son and could only gaze at the Taj from his balcony. As you can see by the incredible inlaid marble work, it was a very nice prison
Artsy picture of doorwaysThe palace residence at Agra FortMonkeys relaxing after a hard dayObligatory picture of cows and oxen on the major streets. If something is sacred, do you really want it hit by a truck? I just don’t get it
