Wanderlust Tales : One of the seven wonders of the world - Taj Mahal, Agra
What a mighty glory can undying love for someone create?! I have been reading about this world heritage in our History books since childhood - and to realize this dream of viewing the Taj Mahal with my naked eyes was one of the most cherishing moments of my life.😍
The Taj - the epitome of symbol of love. And what better than visiting it with your most loved ones.💓
Dharampuri, Forest Colony
Tajganj, Agra
We were put up at the Taj Gateway Hotel, Fatehbad and the distance was approximately less than 2 kms from here.
We commuted using our car to the nearest parking lot to the Taj Mahal. Use Google maps at your discretion, usually it takes you to the entrance to be used by pedestrians. There was a kind policeman who directed us to the nearest parking lot. ☺
There is a huge parking space available chargeable at around 40 to 50 bucks, I don't recall the amount precisely.
From the parking lot, it is a long walk - we brought tickets to the low floor shuttle at Rs.10/each to sway us the closest ticket counter to buy the entry tokens for the Taj. The shuttle was an impressive addition - I had least expected it to function flawlessly - people around not tampering with the price - truly commendable. They were making sure the tourists enjoy their trip to this world heritage.
For Indians there is a noninal fees of Rs.40/adult - please make sure to tender change carefully at the counter - they tend to make some mistakes in the counting owing to the long queues.
You can buy tickets online as well.
As you take your steps closer to the mausoleum, you get to admire the beauty of the premises. 😍
The pathway beside the reflecting pool with fountains and then the Taj standing tall - Masha-allah!!
You would get absolutely lost in the mesmerizing beauty of the Taj - the definition of love would be re-written in your head all over again. Romanticism redefined.
It opens 30 minutes prior to sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset.
As per the ASI - the Archaelogical Survey of India, the course of the Yamuna was incorporated into the garden design for the belief that it is one of the rivers of Paradise.
A symbol of Indo-Islamic architecture,it is one of the greatest assets gifted by the Mughals to the heritage of India.
Located on the banks of the Yamuna - words don't do justice to the beauty, absolutely stupefying.
We must also not forget the atrocities faced by the people involved in the building of the the marvel - stories goes that the karigar had their thumbs chopped off, so they wouldn't be able to recreate the structure else where.
It is a perfectly symmetrical planned building - built by the expert artisans from around the world.
Words can definitely not to justice to this magnificent monument. From the first glance of this mighty monument - it is unbelievable to see what the Mughals have left for us as heritage. A big thank you.
We must respect and save every bit of it - an artistic exemplary of Mughal architecture - the dome, the minarets, the scriptures on the wall, the detailing - only an amplified well read architect could have done this - Ismail Afandi is said to be its designer. Only exquisite craftsmanship can bring together such a masterpiece architecture - even 17 years is less a time to have completed the entire structure. Kudos!!
To step onto the structure - you have to remove your footwear in the shoe stand located near to the entrance of the Taj. You could walk bare foot or choose to buy the throw away foot covers - although slightly disdained that they didn't put up notices prior that footwear is not allowed in the complex. We chose to walk bare foot, due to the lack of the throwaway shoe covers availability at the vicinity.
There is usually a long queue to see the makbara of Shah Jahan - but the actual makbara is located one floor beneath. I would suggest not spending too much time in that queue.
Although there isn't a strict checking but photography is prohibited inside there.
Sit back, relax and just soak in the beauty in your eyes again and again - worth every second of my time spent here.
Cheers to life!!
~Believe in yourself always!
THE TAJ deserves your visit once and more!!
ADDRESS:
Dharampuri, Forest Colony Tajganj, Agra
We were put up at the Taj Gateway Hotel, Fatehbad and the distance was approximately less than 2 kms from here.
We commuted using our car to the nearest parking lot to the Taj Mahal. Use Google maps at your discretion, usually it takes you to the entrance to be used by pedestrians. There was a kind policeman who directed us to the nearest parking lot. ☺
There is a huge parking space available chargeable at around 40 to 50 bucks, I don't recall the amount precisely.
From the parking lot, it is a long walk - we brought tickets to the low floor shuttle at Rs.10/each to sway us the closest ticket counter to buy the entry tokens for the Taj. The shuttle was an impressive addition - I had least expected it to function flawlessly - people around not tampering with the price - truly commendable. They were making sure the tourists enjoy their trip to this world heritage.
For Indians there is a noninal fees of Rs.40/adult - please make sure to tender change carefully at the counter - they tend to make some mistakes in the counting owing to the long queues.
You can buy tickets online as well.
As you take your steps closer to the mausoleum, you get to admire the beauty of the premises. 😍
The pathway beside the reflecting pool with fountains and then the Taj standing tall - Masha-allah!!
THE TAJ MAHAL RISES ABOVE THE BANKS OF THE RIVER LIKE A SOLITARY TEAR SUSPENDED ON THE CHEEKS OF TIME - RABINDRANATH TAGORE
TIMING:
The Taj Mahal is closed on all Fridays - please take note before planning your trip.It opens 30 minutes prior to sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset.
DO'S/DON'T:
- Try to procure your entry ticket online.
- Tender change carefully at the counters.
- Don't carry any religious material with you - they will keep it aside and not allow you to take it with you.
- Check the timing/day of your visit appropriately.
- Carry ample water, incase you have to stand in queue.
- Buy shoe covers before you embark on the experience.
- Don't litter - it was sad to see the monument floor gleaming with used bottles, shoe covers,tissues.
HISTORY:
Built entirely in ivory white marble, this mausoleum was built somewhere between 1631 and 1648 by the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his wife - Mumtaz Mahal - on the south bank of the Yamuna river.As per the ASI - the Archaelogical Survey of India, the course of the Yamuna was incorporated into the garden design for the belief that it is one of the rivers of Paradise.
Located on the banks of the Yamuna - words don't do justice to the beauty, absolutely stupefying.
We must also not forget the atrocities faced by the people involved in the building of the the marvel - stories goes that the karigar had their thumbs chopped off, so they wouldn't be able to recreate the structure else where.
It is a perfectly symmetrical planned building - built by the expert artisans from around the world.
TAJ MAHAL:
Words can definitely not to justice to this magnificent monument. From the first glance of this mighty monument - it is unbelievable to see what the Mughals have left for us as heritage. A big thank you.
We must respect and save every bit of it - an artistic exemplary of Mughal architecture - the dome, the minarets, the scriptures on the wall, the detailing - only an amplified well read architect could have done this - Ismail Afandi is said to be its designer. Only exquisite craftsmanship can bring together such a masterpiece architecture - even 17 years is less a time to have completed the entire structure. Kudos!!
To step onto the structure - you have to remove your footwear in the shoe stand located near to the entrance of the Taj. You could walk bare foot or choose to buy the throw away foot covers - although slightly disdained that they didn't put up notices prior that footwear is not allowed in the complex. We chose to walk bare foot, due to the lack of the throwaway shoe covers availability at the vicinity.
There is usually a long queue to see the makbara of Shah Jahan - but the actual makbara is located one floor beneath. I would suggest not spending too much time in that queue.
Although there isn't a strict checking but photography is prohibited inside there.
Sit back, relax and just soak in the beauty in your eyes again and again - worth every second of my time spent here.
Cheers to life!!
~Believe in yourself always!
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