After a fairly long journey from Tokyo to Agra (via Hanoi Noi Bai Airport and Delhi) we decided to check-off the main attraction in India’s Golden Triangle region. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal absolutely does not disappoint.
The structure was built from 1631-1653 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, the building also houses the tomb of the Shah himself. The mausoleum is made entirely of white marble and is 73 meters (240 ft) tall; with the top 35 meters (115 ft) comprised of a marble dome. The entire building is covered in ornate designs and calligraphy, sits on a marble platform, and is flanked by 4 decorative spires at the corners.
While the mausoleum is the centerpiece, the entire complex is a 42 acre area and also contains a mosque, guest house, and reflecting pool. The Taj Mahal is also surrounded by massive formal gardens, and is set on the banks overlooking the Yamuna River.
This is a massive case of “pictures don’t do it justice,” but even so the pictures are incredible. We went at dawn to (somewhat) avoid the crowds and the heat of the sun; with the side-effect of getting fairly good light. Enjoy our photography – but do please add this amazing site to your personal bucket list and see for yourself!
As a bonus – since this was our first full day exploring in India, it was also our first time experiencing locals’ desire to take photos with us! They don’t generally see tall blonde Americans walking around, so many people wanted to capture the moment. Just a few items posted here, but seriously this happened to us everywhere we went. Trust us – everyone in these pictures with us got their own photos as well.
