In continuation of the previous post Travelogue – Delhi, I carry on herewith with my next post, on the trip to Agra.
It was a misty Sunday morning, that we mobilized, to set out over the widespread Yamuna Expressway, enroute to Agra. The path was lined with occasional fields, some abandoned stations, grazing cattles, random buildings, Dhabas, huge electric transmission towers.. the list of interesting sightings are endless. Though these weren’t anything new to be seen, all of them had an inquisitive quality, which seemed as if they wanted to display to the South Indian visitors!
Fortified Gateway of Taj Mahal
Too obvious to be said, our visit stop was at the Taj Mahal. The crowd to enter the fortified enclosure of the wonder, was quite huge, given the weekend, with about two hours being spent in the serpentine queue. Honestly speaking, I wasn’t that big a fan of the Taj Mahal, and have even commented on how over rated the building is! Well, the marble wonder, proved me wrong at the first live sight I had. The mausoleum stood calm, bathed in the shining rays of the sun. The monument seemed to grow in size, as we proceeded further towards it!
Taj Mahal!
We got to spend some quality time relishing on the beauty in stone. The interior of the mausoleum housed the tombs (or replica) of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz. The mighty Yamuna was smoothly meandering along.
Close up of the fortified gate way of Taj Mahal
Basking in the sun!
Gateway of the Agra Fort
After spending some quality time with the Taj Mahal, we bid adieu to it, and moved to the Agra Fort. It was this, that came as a surprise. The Agra Fort Complex is one severely underrated destination/monument. Built of red stand stone, with interior chambers built of white marble, and also some splendid inlay works, this is yet another monument, matching (or should I say towering) the magnificence of the adjacent Taj Mahal!
Marble ‘window’
The fort complex, was well designed with demarcated quarters for the royals, soldiers, public meetings, and various other Mughalistic occasions. The Mughals seemed to have a specific love towards setting up artificial water formations, that were designed in a quite interesting manner, be it the formations at the fort, or the fountains at Taj Mahal.
Another interesting feature of the Mughal architecture is the extensive usage of marble inlays, be it a fort, or a mausoleum, or a private chamber, or a public gateway!
Few other clicks of the majestic Agra Fort…
The sole day tour to Agra, was worth every minute spent, though it requires several days to explore through the streets of the old city!
Many more travelogues coming up!
Cheers. God Bless.
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