05-21-2008
AGRA Jan 31 to February 2, 2007
ENTRY to TAJMAHA: On Thursday February 1, 2007 about 9AM, we went to see Tajmahal. The security was tight at the entrance. When we entered the grounds, we enjoyed walking our way. The view of Tajmahal was spectacular as we entered thru the entry gate. One of the entry gates was under renovation for maintenance with federal funds The entry gates were made of red stone, while the actual monument was made of white marble situated on the banks of river Jamuna.
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AGRA Jan 31 to February 2, 2007
We waited in the station for three hours. The weather was pleasant and the station was quiet. The train came on the platform at 3:30 PM going to AGRA. We called Holiday Inn in AGRA and requested them to send a car and driver to station. The train was going as scheduled. We could not see all the station boards. When the train stopped as a way of conversation we asked what station it was. The co passenger said it was AGRA. Evidently the train reached the station earlier than scheduled. Hurriedly we collected our luggage and tried to get out. The door was locked and no attendant in sight to open. No porter to help out with the luggage. The trains in India are very long and always first class compartments are at the ends of the train and outside the platform. With some struggle we pulled our luggage with the help of the driver who came to collect us. We started our ride to the holiday Inn where we had our reservation. Last time we visited Agra in 1979 with children when we stayed in Holiday Inn. This Holiday Inn looked different in location. When we enquired with the management they confirmed that this hotel was newly constructed about eight years back. The city was nice with wide roads and maintained neat. After settling in the room we went out in an auto for a ride around the city, stopped for dinner and returned for the night. We reached Agra on a Wednesday night. We found out that Tajamahal was open from 9AM to 7PM only and closed on Fridays. That means we have only one day to see the world famous TAJMAHAL. .On Thursday February 1, 2007 about 9AM, we came out of the hotel, and went to Tajmahal in an auto rikshaw. During the conversation the driver of the auto rikshaw said he would take us every where in the city during our stay and gave us his mobile phone number.
We purchased entry tickets for twenty rupees each for Indians and seventy rupees for non Indians. The security was tight at the entrance. When we entered the grounds very neat and nicely land scaped., we enjoyed walking our way to the Tajmahal. The view was spectacular. This monument was built in sixteenth century AD, built by the Moghul Emporer Shajahan in memory of his wife,Mumtaj Begum, who made a wish to Shajahan before they got married. She wished that when she dies he should build a mausoleum on the banks of river Jamuna in her memory. She further desired that the achitecture will be unique in the world and could not be duplicated. Mumtaj Begum died in child birth and Shajahan was devastated. He remembered his wife’s wish and got the Tajmahal constructed with its unique architecture. Unfortunately at present the water in the river Jamuna was dried up
We spent all morning viewing the great architecture from all angles, walked around taking pictures and videos. The crowds were light and photographers were making good buisiness taking pictures of the visitors. We went to the hotel rested for a while and returned to see Tajmahal one more time during this visit. In 1969 we lived in Agra with KR working before we left for USA. We stayed for short two months in the city of Agra. During that time we used to come to see Tajmahal several times and different times of the day. It was open to public all twenty four hours. The best view was on a full moon day. That was not possible this time for security reasons. We spent all evening hours till closing. Evening crowds were three times the morning crowds. We got our pictures taken with Tajmahal in the background. All the visitors came well dressed up for pictures. The mood was sort of romantic to view this great icon of love. Truly it proves love to be immortal. We retuned to the hotel for the night. .
Next day being Friday Tajmahal was closed and we decided to do some shopping. We had the same auto driver taking us round the city. We purchased two small Tajmahals one for Ishu and the second one undecided. We also purchased two bamboo silk saris and one banana silk sari. We went to the hotel and rested for the afternoon. Evening we went to a dinner where they had live music with Gazals. Next day we left the place for Delhi and the train was scheduled to leave at 5 AM. It was cold in the station and first time we used our jackets to warm up. The train was late by two and half hours coming to the platform. This train was scheduled to reach Delhi station by 9 AM. The train limped along all the way and reached Delhi station at noon. Hari came to collect us and we went to his house, had lunch, removed all woolens and got ready to go to the airport. Our flight to Hyderabad was scheduled to leave at 6:50 PM. Hari left us at the airport and left. Our flight was late and left at 8 PM
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AGRA Jan 31 to February 2, 2007
Last time we visited Agra in 1979 with children. The city was nice with wide roads and well maintained. Emporer Shajahan's wife Mumtaj Begum, wished that that this mausoleum desired that the achitecture be unique in the world and could not be duplicated. Not unsurprizingly the architecture of this mausoleum in marble spectacular views in different times of the day, night and seasons. The best view of the architecture can be percieved on a full moon day.
The art and architecture of this mausoleums reverborates throughot the city and is evident from the first picture which shows live music of the moghal music of 'Gazals'.
Moghal empero's effort for is this great icon of Moghal Architecture built to immprtalize his love for his queen 5 centuries back provides the visitors with a romantic setting. Truly the love embodied in the art and architecture of this monument is immortal!
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