Saturday, October 3, 2020

India - 2019 - Agra

 Agra is the main reason we traveled to India. It is part of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit, along with Delhi and Jaipur. Agra is a major tourist destination because it's home to the famous Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort which also an UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Travel distance from New Delhi to Agra is about 210km. We arrived at Agra Fort early in the afternoon and enjoyed our visit to the fort before checking into the hotel that day. 

 AGRA FORT

Agra Fort is a historical fort in Agra. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty before the capital moved from Agra to Delhi. It's a walled city and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a major tourist attraction along with its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal located about 2.5 km northwest of the fort. The fort was also where emperor Shah Jahan lived while overseeing the construction of the Taj Mahal, his wife's mausoleum.


Agra Fort

Agra Fort

Entrance to the fort

Inside Agra Fort


A glimpse of the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort


View of Taj Mahal from the fort-across the Yamuna River



THE TAJ MAHAL

Our hotel in Agra: Atulyaa Taj. located on the main street, just a short walk to the Easten Gate of the Taj Mahal. It was a very nice hotel and quite convenient to get around on foot. Our private tour guide met us early in the front hotel loby to walk with us to the Taj. Having a private tour guide to show us around the Taj Mahal complex was well worth it. We saw the Taj Mahal at sunrise and also at sunset from across the river that evening. It was a hazy and overcast day. But, the Taj is just as beautiful and magical as it is with or without spectacular sunrise or sunset.   

Getting to the Taj Mahal entrance before sunrise


Sunrise over the mosque in the Taj complex


The  mosque next to the Taj appearing in the early morning hazy sky


As the sun rising

The mosque


On our walk to the Taj Mahal


Beautiful carving and semi-precious stones inlay with Arabic calligraphy and flower motifs on Taj Mahal wall 


The ellegant ivory-white marble entrance to the Mumtaz Mahal tomb


Amazing and Mystical view of Taj Mahal

                                       View of the Taj from the garden



The reflecting pool and cypress trees in the Taj Mahal ground


Spectacular View 👍












The Taj on my sun glasses?


Taj Mahal appeared in the hazy sky at sunset 

The Taj at sunset from the other side of the Yamuna River

The mystical and magical Taj Mahal 


The Taj Mahal deserves the title "Crown of the Palace", "Jewel of Muslim art in India", "Masterpiece of the world's heritage", "Best example of Mughal architecture and symbol of India's rich history"etc... We are glad to make the trip to see in person this grand architectural masterpiece.

                                                               ⚘🎕⁕ ⚘🎕⁕⚘🎕⁕⚘🎕⁕









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