Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal:

We spent the night before visiting the Taj at the TajView hotel. We were lucky (or spent enough money) to get rooms with an actual view of the Taj. Although it is only visible during the day. They turn off the lights at night due to terrorism threats. They also restrict traffic close to the Taj Mahal to non-combustion engines (ie Electric buses, oxcarts, ...) to keep down the pollution and effects of pollution on the Taj. The government has also reduced and restricted industry in Agra. I guess this is good for the Taj Mahal and Tourism, but has somehow negatively impacted the economy otherwise.

What's to say about the Taj that hasn't already been said. It is a magnificent edifice to love. It is amazing that it took over twenty thousand laborers. The beauty is stunning. I was also amazed that there was no long line for us to get in. The men didn't have any wait at all, the women had to wait in line for about 10 people ahead of them. Yes we did arrive early--but not ungodly early, somewhere around 8:30. We were very blessed with overcast, but not rainy weather. So it was not too hot, but still dry and enjoyable. There was definitely a breeze close to the river which was nice. We got our pictures taken on the Diana bench by the guide (I guess this is a must), and saw the grounds before proceeding to the white marble around the actual building. At the marble, we had to either put on booties, or leave our shoes behind. I kept my shoes and wore the booties. Half way through I would have preferred to have gone barefoot, but I was glad to have my shoes when we got out. Our guide had gone back to the entrance to wait while we wandered around and took photos. Unfortunately he took the shoe token with him. So I had to go collect it from him before we could retrieve any of the others' shoes.

The best part for me, I think was seeing all of the stone inlay. Any of the color on the outside or inside of the Taj is done by semi-precious stone inlay. Later in the day we actually went to a showroom where we got to see the actual work still being done. It is painstaking. One job is to accurately grind by hand the thin semi-precious stones into the right shape. Another job is to carve out the marble in the right shape such that the inlay can be done. Both are grueling work, but it does render a beautiful product.

Walking back when we were done, Smitty and I spotted a mower being pulled by oxen, or cows-not sure. We wanted to take pictures of it in action, but immediately the workers stopped working and suggested we pose with the animals (for a fee of course). Then one of them tried to elbow Ari in the breast while collecting money and shaking hands goodbye.

It was a really fun, beautiful, and almost too much to take in. We were very blessed with the good weather and lack of crowds. I guess since it is monsoon season, and Indian schools are back in session, the crowds were less. Lucky us.

You can see my best photos from the Taj here, and the remainder here if you really want to.

Sorry this took so long to post. It was written a while ago, but I hadn't gotten the photos organized.