India-Agra

Information board at the ticketing office to Taj Mahal.












Magnificent Taj Mahal - a symbol of endless love and devotionof a husband to a wife.




















Taj Mahal from the entry gate.














The beautiful entrance gate to Taj Mahal.













The Entrance gate before Taj Mahal with Quranic inscription.








I have traveled to a number of countries in the world and seen many interesting places but somehow I kept postponing visiting Taj Mahal. This time Taj Mahal became my focus and it excited me greatly. As usual driving in a small comfortable bus was a nightmare with deafening horning and crazy traffic. But seeing the Taj was worth it.The white marble gleams from far and it stood majestically with identical mosque and a visiting place for dignatries to stay on its side. Taj Mahal is truly a work of art. This symbol of devoted love of Shah Jehan to his wife Mumtaz is a lesson by itself. Time taken to complete this monument was 22 years but a pity Shah Jehan died before it was completed. I took my time exploring for 2 hours all sides of the Taj and taking endless photographs. I wonder whether that kind of love exists in this present world.
The security to Taj Mahal is quite strict - no pen, pencil, lipstick anything that may have potential to damage or deface the Taj. I was impressed that visitors were transported to the site on pollution free vehicle. But on the way be weary of peddlers selling their wares who can hassle and irritate you.














Group photo at Taj Mahal with Bashir, the guide (in white shirt).
















The Agra or Red Fort built by Moghal Emperor, Akhbar.










Our next stop was Agra Fort, reddish in colour built from red sandstone by Akbar the Great. In it, there was the Pearl Mosque which we were not fortunate enough to visit but just looked from far. In the Fort, we were brought to the compartment where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son, Auranzeb, after killing his 2 brothers. He died while being house arrest.















The Royal ladies's garden in Agra Fort.













The Pearl Mosque seen from the Agra Fort.