The Taj Mahal ,a beauty beyond words
Just 2 hours
from Jaipur , a perfect escape teamed with an out of the world experience
awaits you at Agra,The Taj Mahal which is an unspoilt paradise on earth, is a
heaven of beauty. This grand monument is a definitive address of royalty and
heritage which was undoubtedly slated as one of the seven wonders of the world
and now honoring UNESCO world heritage site and a pride of India.
Leaving
Jaipur on a early summer morning we turned on to the Agra road and swept
through the "Ghat ki guni" tunnel on NH 8 ensuring a calm and serene
long drive till Agra. I visited the monument of love last year having a sole
aim to admire the beauty of the magnificent mausoleum, which has enchanted the
world for almost five centuries now.
We marked
our presence in Agra first coming to “Ram babu Parathe wale”which is the oldest
and known eatery as the” paratha king of Agra”. The menu is well crafted with
varieties of finger licking parathas served in all possible combinations of
veggies, fruits and dry fruits which tantalize your taste buds thus a treat for
the foodies. Parathas are flavorsome crisp as ghee is a generously used ingredient.
Papad ka Paratha is a must try. Another famous offering that this historical
city of Agra brings for the tourists is “Petha”a sweet dish to pamper your sweet tooth.
We first
visited the Taj Mahal on a full moon night under the canopy of star lit sky
from a distance. The minute I laid my eyes on the white marble beauty, I was
mesmerized with my heart awestruck and exuded with reverence. It looked
peerless in its full glory under the dazzling moonlight as the moon rays fell on
the white marble gave it a faint silvery glow adding life to the ancient charm
which looked nevertheless magnificent peaceful and admirable. This staggering
beauty was worth capturing not only in your cameras but also deep down in your
memories.
As the dawn
broke, my most awaited sojourn to Taj Mahal began.The Taj Mahal stands serene
and perfect amidst the surreal natural surroundings of manicured gardens with
its mirror reflection on the pools,tall trees by the sides ,located on the bank
of river Yamuna completed the post card scenery while a mosque and a guesthouse
are also in the vicinity. The dome is the crowning glory of the Taj while the
four Minarets frame the tomb on each corner of the plinth enhancing its pure
elegance. To understand the history and its hidden facts about the 15th
century monument better,we decided to take up a guided tour .The explaination
about its architectural features engulfed my mind in the royal yore of the
bygone era. Various facts were unfurled. The Taj incorporates both Persian and
Mughal architecture using white marble with semi precious stones studded
amazingly by 22000 skilled workers to make the kings dream a reality. It took
22years to complete this symbol of eternal love where the emperor too lies
buried reunited at last with his beloved Mumtaz. No cost was spared to make the
most beautiful monument the world had ever seen. The most interesting hidden
fact about it was it shimmered silvery white in the moonlight, pink at the dawn
and ivory white at the noon showcasing various moods of the women, in
particular emperor’s queen. The engineering marvel includes the fact that it is
earth quake proof and was built without the use of modern technologies.
Walking
further, the monument looked even more huge and majestic with intricate carving
work and semi precious stones adorning the ancient walls. Each corner was
echoing with royalty while rich history was oozing from every nook and cranny
this left me in a spell bounding trance. I realized no photographs or words
will match up what architectural marvel i had seen. Shahjahan and Mumtaz s tomb
is placed inside under the massive dome but honestly outside is way more
interesting than inside! To keep the enduring memories of the Taj mahal with
you can buy souvenirs which are sold right near the exit gate.
Blessed with
the most recognizable symbol of Indian heritage,it attracts admirers across the
world .But, what many of us don’t know is that there is more than one way to
view this awe inspiring masterpiece that is from Mehtab bagh which is at the
back of the Taj mahal beyond the river Yamuna promised a spectacular view
,revealing another set of treasures. The most interesting concept about this
memorial is that it is symmetrical from all four sides. Admiring the Taj mahal
under the moonlight as well as from back and front was absolutely blissful which
soaked me in the legends and lore of its rich past and truly a beauty
exaggerated beyond words which I yearn to see yet again.
However,
there are certain things to remember:
· It is advisable to
carry a water bottle with you because it takes hours to admire the beauty and
you won’t find anything inside.
· Food, bags, diary
,pen newspapers, mobiles and selfie sticks are not allowed to carry with an
exception of cameras.
· Carry your ID proof
as it checked at both at the ticket counter and at the entrance to the complex.
· While viewing the
Taj mahal in the moonlight you are only allowed to take cameras and it is
advisable to choose later batches to view the monument as the moon may not
always be high enough or visible clearly during the early batches.
· To avoid the rush
it is advisable to visit the Taj in the morning hours and it remains closed on
Fridays.
“The white marble beauty enliven my senses in a divine thought that the Taj
mahal is a heaven bought on earth”