Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world, becoming one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at 1983. The beautiful Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble, by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.” This facts that makes me eager to visit the Taj Mahal. It’s crowded, it’s expensive but it’s definitely worth it. No visit to India should be without a visit here.
Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. We had read that sunrise are the best times to see the Taj, and we make the right choice. Watching it in the morning was so interesting because the light changes and the colour of the stone changes as the light changes. It also the best to avoid the crowd. Many group tours buses arrive around 10 and above as well as the trains.
Ticket counter to Taj Mahal is located at a big building located about 2 km away from the Taj Mahal entrance gate. Its a whooping rp750 for foreigner, and we were given a goody bag fill with mineral water and a shoes cover. Oh ya, if you bring lot of stuff, it is advisable to store your stuff at the lockers at this building. There are many things you cannot bring inside the Taj. Candy, electronics, pens, mobile phones, etc. There aren’t any lockers at the gates- you have to go back to the ticket building if you get “caught” with a laptop, kindle, or even a whistle upon entry…
No motor vehicles within half a mile means a golf cart ride up to the gates, if you want you can walk but it will be a long walk. We took the eco friendly golf cart where they drop us 50m from the main gate. We walk through a street of vendors and touts, trying to get us to have a private tuk tuk ride to the gates which is about 50 meters and no more.
Getting in is a bit awkward but understandable given the worldwide threats from terrorist. Be prepared to be body searched at the gate. All your edibles except for water will be thrown away.
As you are walking through the outer redbrick courtyard and then see the taj through the archway, and getting the first look of the Taj Mahal is really breathtaking. It glowed in the morning sunlight. Pictures from the first archway were spectacular and breathtaking. We just stood at the far archway for a long while taking photos and talking to each other about how beautiful the Taj is.
The grounds are beautiful and you can feel the history walking through. The Taj itself has many photographic opportunities. We sat in the gardens to take in the beauty of the Taj Mahal, and every second felt like a dream was dancing before your eyes. We spent 2 wonderful hours meandering through the Taj and its surrounds in admiration to the workmanship and resulting beauty. I still look at my pictures and am lost in the opalescent beauty of the famous Taj Mahal 🙂
As we approach the monument, there is an unexplainable curiousity which builds up inside us, yearning to discover what lies within the immaculate walls. And when I get within arms length of the Taj Mahal, the marble artwork is astounding, so intricate and detailed. Sheer brilliance & absolute perfection. At the back of the monument, we can view the palace across the river, which by itself is a beholding sight. I simply could not believe my eyes!.. Oh ya, we need to cover our shoes upon entering the Taj Mahal building.
Inside the Taj is really busy and cramped but the floral reliefs and inlaid stones are gorgeous on the actual Taj. There is no Photography INSIDE the Taj. It is a tomb so they are very strict about no photos inside. You will have to leave it in the locker. They say you are not allowed to take pictures but practically every one was taking. We also managed to sneak a camera and captured some nice interior inside the Taj building. Hehehe…
