Taj Mahal
Located in the city of Agra, on-again-off-again capital of the Mughal Empire (1526-1857), the Taj Mahal is one of the most instantly recognizable structures in all the world. And the royal love story that inspired its construction is one for the ages!
The massive gate to the Taj Mahal gardens.
First real view of the Taj Mahal—uninterrupted by the seemingly millions of visitors trying to get a shot of it framed within the gateway arch—is already breathtaking. The gardens, laid out in standard Persian quartered layout, seem to amplify the beauty and symmetry of the construction.
Looking back toward the main gate…the sun was unhelpful at this point, but I got the best shot I could!
The Mughals were Muslim and so every tomb we visited was accompanied by a mosque. This is the Taj Mahal Mosque, positioned to the west of the central mausoleum. An identical building was constructed to the east—at an identical distance and orientation—to continue the symmetry so important to them at the time.
It’s difficult to make out, but across the holy Yamuna River there used to be a continuation of the Taj Mahal gardens, intended for the lower classes to be able to view the structure as well as those allowed in the main garden.
Throughout our short visit to India I have to say how much I love the Indo-Persian architecture from the Mughal period.
One of Taj Mahal’s iconic minarets. Each is slightly canted to provide the illusion—from the front—of being parallel. Turns out there are lots of these optical illusions built into the Taj Mahal, all of which were intended to make the mausoleum more visually appealing.
Looking west along the Yamuna River you can make out Agra Fort in the distance.
A view east along the Yamuna.
The one word that comes to mind when viewing Mughal burial monuments is “massive”. Pictures from a distance don’t do justice to just how large and imposing these structures really are. And most—like the Taj Mahal—were constructed nearly 400 years ago! You’re not allowed to take pictures within the mausoleum, but I assure you, the inner trappings and symmetry are just as spectacular surrounding Mumtaz Mahal’s tomb.
Another view through the trees in the garden. A long ride from New Delhi, it was so worth the trip!