As soon as you step off the plane all of your senses become alight. The bright colors capture your imagination, the sounds are loud and some may make you jump, the smells are fresh and strong, and the feel of heat on your skin is enough to hopelessly search out an air conditioning unit. As soon as is possible I find food, a pattern for me when I wake up! We find a stall outside the airport selling samosas and the taste is delicious. Never in my life have I felt so far out of my element as when we landed in India. I could fill this entire blog with stories from my four week incredible adventure but I will narrow down this first post to our visit to the iconic Taj Mahal and Agra.
I was so lucky to travel with my sister and our friend, an international student from India. Her and her father were gracious kind hosts and I cannot be more thankful to them for their guidance during our trip. On our first day in Agra we woke up impossibly early, before sunrise, and drove from our hotel to the entrance to the mausoleum. The fog (read smog) was heavy in the air and the sun just twinkling on the horizon. No cars are allowed close to the gates so we took a rickshaw the rest of the way up to the entrance. This set the scene for a walk back to the time of the Mughal empire in the 17th century. We were the first ones into the complex and it was incredible. The sunrise shown over the white marble and the effect made the building look pink. I was surprised to find not only the icon in front of me but several other buildings surrounding it. To one side a beautiful red stone mosque and to the right a matching red guesthouse. The entire complex is incased in a crenellated wall. Symmetry is king here and everything centered on the mausoleum. A long pond runs down the middle like an arrow pointing to the final resting place of Shah Jahan’s beloved. The Mughal emperor built this beautiful place as homage to his great love, Mumtaz Mahal. At the time of its construction the emperor imported materials from around the world. including jade and crystal from China, white marble from Rajasthan, sapphire from Sri Lanka, Tibetan turquoise, Afghan lapis lazuli and jasper from Punjab. It took over 20 years to build and was the work of 20,000 sculptors, craftsmen, artists, laborers, and visionaries. It cost nearly 1 billion dollars in todays money to complete. There are clear Islamic and Persian influences throughout. Every surface is covered in detail, gemstones as big as I have ever seen are inlaid in the walls and lattice work through the marble is everywhere. It really earns its place in the list of world wonders.
We spent several hours walking around the buildings, through the mausoleum, and along the walls. We tried to savor the time and take everything in. As the sun rose so did the crowds and quickly we were surrounded by many people. After we were through we took one last glance and left the way we came, exiting the past and returning to our own time. The Taj Mahal is a must see. It is rightfully on the bucket list for many!
To get there one must navigate through probably the most confusing and dirtiest cities in India. We decided to enter through the east gate and got there really early, around 5:30am, to be the first ones there. Even if mornings are not your thing I would 100% make the effort to wake up early and arrive before anyone else. It makes an unbelievable experience unforgettable. The official opening times of the Taj Mahal, like many places in India, are not always reliable but per the website the gates should open 30 minutes before sunrise. Ticket prices vary depending on if you are Indian, a citizen of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) or BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries or a foreigner. Foreigners expect to pay between $15-$20 and ensure you purchase a ticket to get into the mausoleum as well as your entry. Last piece of advice is to dress modestly, with knees and shoulders covered, to show respect for this place of reverence and rest for Shah Jahan and his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
What I want my son to learn when he visits:
Take in everything. Visualize the history of this place and the riches that were had and compare it to the city around you. Think on the people who live in Agra and remember not to take for granted the beauty that surrounds you at home. Use some moments in silence to feel gracious and happy to visit this bucket-list worthy site.
Wonderful
Enjoyed reading this, Annelise! Well done. Perhaps you will continue writing about your travels?
I hope to post something new every week. Thank you for your comment!
Enjoyed reading your take on the Taj. Each time I have been there I felt a reverance. One additional advice is to wear or take a pair of socks. I prefer to walk around in socks rather than barefooted.
India is spectacular throughout the entire country. Where is home base? Sue was fortunate when a friend introduced her to a tailor. She had several silk outfits made while we were there and brought several pieces of silk home . The fabrics are so awe inspiring and the people so colorful in their saris and other outfits. If you get a chance, attend a wedding. Usually one every Saturday in the large hotels. I found that they were honored to have me, even as an uninv)
A pair of socks is a great idea! Good advice. I would’ve loved to have had some clothing made. I bet the silk outfits are beautiful! I loved all the colors of the saris I saw everywhere. It was like a pop of color in otherwise dusty streets. And an Indian wedding as I understand it is quite the affair, very special you were able to attend one. My home is North Carolina!
Very well written. Would love to see the Taj Mahal.
Thank you! It is an unforgettable place. I hope you get to go one day.