Taj Games

I don't know what to write about the Taj Mahal. I mean, you've seen pictures of it a thousand times before, you've probably viewed it on TV and read about it dozens more. So today I promise you I'll keep the history lesson short, but I'm afraid that just leaves more space for my love-drunk drivel. But it's not my fault, really! The Taj is something very special. It was everything I expected it to be and much much more...



It really is a magnificent sight. It's by far the most beautiful structure I have ever seen. It lacks the delicate detail of the Ranakpur Temples, but there is something so perfect about its composition that completely overwhelms you.



I arrived at 6 am when the gates opened--I wanted to avoid the crowds and hopefully get some nice sunrise pics--alas, the sun didn't come out to play, but it wasn't completely overcast so it still provided a nice backdrop for the early-morning shots.



That Taj took 20-something years to build and was finished around 1653. It was commissioned by the then Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife who'd died in childbirth. Shortly after its completion, poor Shah was overthrown by his son, and imprisoned in nearby Agra Fort. Unfortunately, the next time Shah would visit the Taj was for his own funeral.


It's not cheap to get into the Taj grounds; 750 rupees it costs! Granted that's only AU$18.50, but it's a 3,750% premium on the price that Indian Citizens have to pay. It's quite common to have separate Indian and Foreigner prices here - something that really rubs me the wrong way.

Anyway, it's really is worth way more than $18.50, so I shouldn't complain too much.



All of the above shots were taken during sunrise and from the south side of the Taj. This last photo was taken late-sunset, north side, from the gardens across the river.