INDIA Part 4 The Taj Mahal

 This blog entry will be all about the stunning Taj Mahal.
Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631.
This garden tomb cost nearly 41 million rupees, used 500 kg of gold and took 20,000 workers 12 years to complete.

On the evening of 25th. February, we visited the Mahtab Gardens.

I didn`t realise that this would be our first glimpse of the Taj so it was with utter surprise that I saw its gleaming presence through the trees. These gardens are on the other side of the River Yamuna. In the early evening the Taj was viewed through a pink mist. We wandered through the gardens until we reached the fence in front of the river. Even from there we could see the majesty of the building.

It wasn`t until later that we heard how Shah Jahan had wanted his own mausoleum built here in black marble. This was never to be.

The following day (26th. February) we had two visits to the Taj. One was in the early morning to miss the crowds and one was to watch the sunset. Once in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal we took smaller transport to the entrance.

Here we were herded through what looked like metal cattle lines, ladies in one and men in the other, ready for the rigorous searches and metal detectors.

 

We caught an enigmatic glimpse through the arch of the entrance building along with the many hundreds of others with us. 

And so onto the viewing terrace.

It truly was a stunning sight and much more than I could ever have expected.

We walked up the right hand side taking photos at every opportunity. It was relaxed and unrushed.

It wasn`t until we were quite close that we understood the truly magnificent proportions and decorative details of this building.

The Pishtaq, recessed arches, their inlaid panels reflecting the changing light.

The carved relief inside the arches.

The stunning inlay work depicting "symbols of the divine realm."

To go up onto the terrace we took off shoes and socks. This was a wonderful area ......but I did not enjoy the room above the tomb chamber (mentioned in another blog entry.)

More unusual views.

We slowly wandered back and waited in a short queue to get our photo done on Diana`s seat. It is one of my favourite photos from the whole holiday, of my sister and I.

I am quite proud of this photo.

In the evening we returned to watch the sun go down over the Taj, turning it through colours of sand to peachy pink and illuminating the precious and semi-precious stones in the decorative work, glittering and glinting in the last rays.

What a spectacular and unforgettable day!

One little story to add.....

as we sat and watched the sun setting and reflecting from the walls, several guards walked towards us and we happened to be sitting in front of a mini-shrine in one of the side buildings. All three paid their respects at the shrine. Sanjeev told us they came every evening along with all the other guards. Behind the unopened door lived a ghost, a lady......the guards came to ensure that she did not harm the Taj in any way. There were fresh flowers and holy water in a dish nearby.

I love these little stories.