Agra

En route to Agra, Mahvi asked whether we'd prefer to visit the Taj Mahal in the morning or the evening.  Most of us opted for the morning (me included as I'd read it was less busy and also better light) although one person was quite firm in wanting a later afternoon visit.  Luckily Mahvi is a democrat and so we were up at the crack of dawn so we could visit the magnificent Agra (Red) Fort first.

This curious little fellow was in the grounds of the fort.

Built by Akbar the Great, Agra was once the capital of the Mughal dynasty until it was moved to Delhi.  His grandson later added other bits in white marble.

This image gives a good idea of scale.

Taj Mahal in mist from the Agra Fort

And then on to the highlight of the day (and probably the whole trip).  Even the outer building is magnificent.

Although it was still early, the place was very busy but as usual, as tourists, we didn't have to join the long queues.  A group of visitors having a memento photo taken.

When you walk into the outer building, nothing can prepare you for the jaw dropping, amazing sight that greets you when you come out the other side, blinking furiously in the bright light.  This image is straight out of camera to illustrate my point.

The Taj Mahal was even more beautiful than I imagined it would be, it was started in 1630 as a mausoleum for the wife of Mughal Emperor Sharjahan and took 12 years to complete.  Everything is in perfect symmetry.

I think it's more or less compulsory to have these pictures taken.

Either side of the mausoleum there are two identical buildings; one a mosque and the other a guest pavilion.  

The view back towards the entrance, which itself is pretty impressive.

We then headed to lunch where this cute young lad was dancing (shame he's not in focus!)

This must be a really venomous snake to have its mouth tied up with string!

(One couple went off to find a different place to eat (something we were later to learn they did every time but we never knew why), anyway wherever they were they met Barry from Eggheads.)

After lunch we visited a decorative marble factory where beautiful and hideously expensive marquetry tables were being made/sold.

I think Mr & Mrs Eat On Our Own bought two - maybe they're secret lottery winners.

Then to the “Baby Taj” which was commissioned by the wife of the Emperor Jahanigir in 1622 and often seen as a draft of the Taj Mahal. 

 

Then across the river to the Mughal Gardens (bit of an ambitious title, muddy patch would be a more accurate description) and to watch the sunset across the river to the 'backside' of the Taj – as our guide kept putting it!  

That's all for now