The Taj Mahal is the wonder of the world and your visit to it, full of eager anticipation can be surprisingly long from Delhi as the desire to being the embrace of the Majesty of the Taj Mahal makes time go slowly.
This can be more so if you travel to Agra by train, especially during the winters when the schedule of the train often gets upset by the foggy weather and the strange ways of the Indian Railways e.g. a union Minister wanting to board the train can have it delayed to suit to his schedule!
But all this can be and is easily endured because the time to set your eyes upon the glory of the Taj Mahal is close, very close. After all, you have spent a substantial part of your life dreaming and drooling about it. And why not? The Taj Mahal is a love monument built using the pristine white marble.
If you arrive in Agra during the day, it is possible that you shall be able to gaze at the Mughal masterpiece from the confines of your transport. But you need to get up close by to this UNESCO designated world heritage site (1983).
If you plan to stay overnight in Agra, then consider splurging a bit to book yourself into one of the fancy hotels which offer a grand view of the Taj Mahal. It shall be worthy of all the money you spend.
If you come by train, then get your train stations in Agra right. For Agra residents it does not matter. But for the tourist this information is handy in case they have asked for the hotel pickup. The two stations are Agra Cantt and Agra Fort.
The Agra Fort is an impressive red stone structure built in the 16th century. This immense building was commissioned by Akbar, the grandfather of Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal. From Agra Fort, you can see the Taj Mahal.
The Agra Fort is where Shah Jahan was kept in custody by his son Aurangzeb. For nearly 8 years, Shah Jahan gazed upon the Taj Mahal which he had built in the memory of his departed third wife Mumtaz Mahal who died in childbirth aged 38. Mumtaz Mahal, mother of his 14 offspring, was very special to the Emperor Shah Jahan, especially notable because the Emperor had a huge harem.
Shah Jahan passed away in the fort’s white marble palace known as the Khas Mahal. After his death, he was buried along with his beloved wife without much fanfare.
In Agra to make the effort to sample a selection of the items that the Mughal emperors used to have on their menu. The Emperors love for eating is well known. Try the fresh naan bread or the kebabs.
Some restaurants serve an Emperors platter which has attractively laid out a variety of kebabs, chicken, mutton, vegetables and breads.
If you are a group of some size then ordered a whole leg of marinated lamb prepared in the tandoor. Indulge yourself with an astrological reading from a local astrological sometimes engaged by the fancy restaurants.
The Sun rise experience of the Taj Mahal is surreal. Coming from the chaotic Agra city, the spectacular beauty of this love monument can elevate you to delirious level of joy.
The love seat at the Taj Mahal is a famous picture opportunity. This is where the Lady Diana was famously photographed alone (1992), foretelling the world of impending marriage breakdown.
The red stone entrance gates to the Taj Mahal are a work of art within themselves, but pale into nothingness in front of the awesomeness of the Taj Mahal.
You travels through the well manicured Persian Gardens to reach the mausoleum. Access to the real mausoleum has been banned for many years as the authorities fear that the basement of the Taj Mahal, where the graves are will not be able to handle the huge masses of the people, and the effects of the humidity the of. You shall get to see only the replicas.
The walls of the Taj Mahal are covered with exquisite calligraphy and flower motifs. There are some gaping pits from where the departing British had pried out the precious stones. Your guide shall use a flashlight to show you the beauty of the inlay work.