While I visited the Taj Mahal in the morning, I came back to the hotel and took some rest. It was a wonderful afternoon, it was all sunny and pleasant. I planned to make a visit to the Agra Red Fort, which is said to be the main residence of the emperors of Mughal Dynasty till 1638.
Red Fort is just 2.5 Km. from Taj Mahal. While I reached the fort, I found a few hand lorries of fresh fruits and fresh salad, all around the place. They were too good. The added masala to the salad and fruit chat, tasted amazing. I had each a full. I then got the tickets and entered the fort from Lahore Gate, also known as Amar Singh Gate.
It was an amazing feeling, to see the sandstone structure which was rebuilt by Akbar in 1558 with red sandstone from Dholpur, Rajasthan and was completed in 1573. Selfishly, I felt proud as I too belong from Rajsthan.
The architecture was magnetic and I couldn't get my eyes off the beautiful structure. I clicked a few photographs of the Jahangir Palace. It was a beautiful giant entrance.
The interiors of the fort were as magnificent as its exteriors. There were tourists all around. I noticed a few Jharokhe/ Windows from which the view of Taj Mahal was clear and spectacular. People were occupying the windows for clicking the beautiful view of Taj. People were waiting turn by turn to get it clicked. There were certain other parts of the fort where entry wasn't allowed. Those were certain balconies which looked beautiful but no one was allowed to enter there. There were locks on the doors to its way, it was may be due to some security reasons.
I then walked around Diwam-i-Aam or Hall of Audience, which was supposed to be a room where Shah Jahan and his successors used to hear the grievances of general public. This entire place is in the true spirit of brilliant craftsmanship. The arches, the columns and the roof is so aesthetically designed and executed, that you feel like spending hours in peace under this flawless structure, admiring its beauty and the aura all around. It was amazing.
The Musamman Burj and the Diwan-i-Khas Mahal were one of their own kind. The excellence of architecture with extremely beautiful carvings and huge tombs polished in gold were all a treat to one's eyes. I clicked a few around them.
Thereafter I made an exit from the fort, happy and contented.
I am thoroughly in love with Agra. I will surely visit it again. There are a lot of destinations still left in my wish-list. Being it the Fatehpur Sikri, Tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh etc.
I hope to visit the the majestic Agra Red Fort sometime soon.
Being a Photographer, to get to see and visit Taj Mahal was one of my dreams in life. I planned a journey to experience the miracle that the entire world appreciates. The journey was not so tiring, it just took me over a night from Udaipur, Rajasthan to Agra. I traveled in a sleeper class. It was cold and chilly. I reached around 12 noon to the Agra Cant. Railway Station.
I booked a hotel, Optimum Tara Palace, just 800 m. from the Historic Icon of Love, The Taj Mahal. I was all set and excited to see the majestic wonder. I planned to visit it in the evening, though I already decided to visit it again, the very next morning. I wished to make the most of it. I wished to spend some time with its magical aura and peace.
I visited it in the evening first. The entire way of 500 m. to it is beautifully designed and crafted with pink stones. I believe the stones were from Rajasthan. There were shops on both side of the way, shops of snacks, clothing, sweets, artifacts etc.
The shopkeepers were selling small replica of Taj Mahal as low as just for Rs. 50 per piece. As I am an Author of a book - "A Book of Brainless Thought", I wished to have a click of mine with the book in front of the Gigantic Crown of Taj. But as I entered the security check from the Eastern Gate, the security officers told me that I could not carry any books, visiting cards, diaries, religious books or any documents inside. They said that it is a matter of maintaining harmony within its premises.
Yes, I was heartbroken as it was my dream to have a click of mine with the book in front of Taj Mahal. It was like I was thirsty, the glass of water was in front of me, and as I reached out to pick it up, someone smashed it and the glass broke. I got ahead of the security check and entered the Eastern Gate, the Magic of the Aura already started to give me goosebumps.
Now as I was getting closer to the Eastern Gate, the huge glimpses of the Taj Mahal were already visible. I stopped there for a while, clicked a few photographs, stood there, appreciating the wonderful structure. It was a treat to eyes, even while it wasn't completely visible.
As I entered and saw the complete structure of Taj Mahal, I was amazed, I felt like the structure was magnified, it was huge, it was beautiful and it was marvelous. I was hypnotized and I wondered for how the structure would have been erected by the architects, from its very stage of infancy in 1632 to its final completion in 1653. It took all these years to make this astonishing monument, which is known to be among the Seven Wonders of the World. I was taken by surprise and thoughts, for how the execution of this massive structure would have taken place in the absence of modern day equipment. It would have been tough, real tough.
While standing in front of the Taj Mahal and looking at it, I was feeling proud to be an Indian, that such a miraculous piece of art exists in my country. I was amazed to see the vision of Shah Jahan and his feeling of love and compassion for Mumtaz Mahal. Yes, this amazing structure is surely a symbol of pious love of a lover for his loved one.
No wonder why it has been considered to be "The Jewel of Muslim Art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of world's heritage".
Rabindranath Tagore beautifully described it as - "The tear-drop on the cheek of time"
The design of Taj Mahal followed the Persian and Mughal architecture. It is one of the most beautifully decorated structures with excellent carvings all around. It has been covered with decorative elements of calligraphy, abstract forms and vegetative motifs. The calligraphy on the Center Great Gate reads - "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you".
I bet even in today's world, replicating a Taj Mahal would not be possible, with same finish and with the same minute details carved everywhere into it. I made a few clicks of the Taj Mahal through my lens.
There was happiness all around. People were going crazy, were feeling proud and were excited to see the Taj Mahal. They were waiting for their turn to get clicked in front of this astonishing amazement. Not just the tourists from India but Tourists from all over the World were standing still, witnessing the most beautiful structure of the world. I managed to click a few good ones of the tourists all around.
Now as I headed towards the Taj Mahal interiors, I was asked to wear certain shoe wraps. I bought it for Rs. 10 and wore it. There were tow entries, VIP and normal. I was supposed to take the normal one as I paid just a Rs. 40 for a ticket. I stepped up to enter the Graves aka "Maqbara" of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Photography wasn't allowed inside, but I still saw almost everyone clicking all around there in with their mobile cameras and camera flash. I kept respect of the rules and the place. I didn't make a single click inside the tomb.
I got down from the tomb interiors. I was happy to experience and witness the most amazing place of the world. I then walked back to my hotel room and had a good night sleep.
Though I was tired but I still managed to reach the Taj Mahal by 7:30 am in the morning. I managed to get a few clicks of mine amidst the wondrous elegance of enigmatic Taj.
I wrapped up the journey by getting a few packets of "Agra ka Petha' for my family back home. The "Agra Petha", which is said to have originated in the kitchens of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and manufactured in Agra is covered by a Geographical Indication label to certify their origin.
Nothing could have been as pleasant and as memorable than this. The journey won't stop here. I wish to visit a lot more places, being it in my city, in my state, in my country or in the world, which my pocket could perfectly afford.
Life is a journey, while the destiny is all the same for everyone.
