Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

We took a long weekend to Delhi and then a day trip to visit the Taj Mahal - a must, they say, for anyone visiting India.

The entrance to the Taj Mahal is also called the veil to resemble the veil worn by a bride.

The moghuls believed it should be lifted 'delicately, gently and without haste', and so the entrance to the tomb does the same.

The Taj Mahal means 'Crown Palace' and is the tomb of Mumtaz, the third and favorite wife of the Shah. His first two wives, also buried in tombs nearby, did not bare him any children.

In keeping with Islamic art and design of the time, everything is aligned and symmetrical.

Yes, this is THE bench.

The mosque to the west of the Taj for the Shah to pray before visiting his wife's tomb.

The Mihman Khanna, to the east of the tomb, was used as an assembly hall and built solely to balance mosque on the opposite side to keep with the design of the entire area.

Beautiful mogul design...

And wonderful photo opps!

The Taj overlooks the River Yamuna, on whose opposite bank the Shah planned to build his own tomb, the Black Taj to forever mourn and view his love. But his youngest son had had enough…so he killed his brothers and imprisoned his spendthrift father.

Agra Fort…the royal palace of Shah Jahan and his court.

Ramparts

Beautiful stonework throughout.

Beautiful stonework throughout.

The 'prisión cell' of Shah Jahan, marble inlaid with semi-precious stones.

Viewing the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort…just as imprisoned Shah Jahan did.