As much as we would be like to be known for the many things that we have to offer, India is known mainly for the Taj Mahal. Almost everyone who visits India tries to fit in a trip to see this monument of love. Even Indians travelling to the capital make it a point to see it once in their lifetimes. A close friend (who has a dream job in one of India's top newspapers) has to cover special foods of each state (yup, tell me about it!). The 'petha' (a translucent sweet made of pumpkin cooked in sugar syrup) from Agra is known across India and are delicious though much too sweet. She had to make a trip to cover the making of the petha. I gladly tagged along on the condition that we see both the Taj as well as Agra Fort.
The drive to Agra is about 4 hours in the morning and we were at the Taj Mahal by 11. There's a tourist shopping area inside that showcases special handicrafts of Agra - marble work, sarees made of pumpkin and bamboo etc at very affordable prices. Not one to resist a good deal, we ended up buying a couple of sarees each! There is always a lot of rush to enter the Taj Mahal and the lines stretch through the backstreets for getting tickets as well as entry. The easier way is to hire a local guide. Not only is the entry faster but he also explains the history of the Taj as well as its hidden architectural wonders. Once in through the special gates, you enter a large area with gardens. No Taj in view yet. There are 3 gates from which to enter the area (the fourth side opens to the river Yamuna) and each gate gives the same breathtaking view. Framed in the sandstone doorway the monument stands pristine.
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| She does not disappoint in the first look |
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| The Taj Mahal |
The Taj Mahal has long been synonymous with eternal, undying love and was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1631. Spread over 42 acres, one cannot doubt why it is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. You catch your breath. Our guide told us about the imprisonment of Shahjahan in th Agra Fort (you can see it in the distance) from where he sat looking at the Taj and his beloved wife. The mirror image of the shining white tomb was to be made in black across the river as Shahjahan's own tomb, but could not be done because his son deposed him. He was finally laid to reat with Mumtaz Mahal in the Taj. His other wives are buried in the numerous buildings in the complex as well.
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| Petha |
When we were done with the Taj we stopped for a quick meal before heading out to the main market in search of the famous Panchi Petha. The shop is known because they came up with the original recipe. After a chat with the shop owner and enough petha purchased for home we set out to the Agra Fort.
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| Agra Fort |
This by far is one of my favourite forts. Not only for its beauty but for the intelligence of its architecture, the stories and the beautiful view of the Taj that Shahjahan saw many many eons ago. The fort is surrounded by 3 natural defenses. A natural lake that serves as a moat was once inhabitated by crocodiles, followed by a forest that had man-eating animals and the high walls that were impregnable.
The Kohinoor diamond was seized from this fort. It was here that Shahjahan was imprisoned for 8 years till his death. In his old age, when he couldn't see the Taj due to his ailing eyes, his daughters installed a magnifying mirror so he may not be robbed of his view. His throne was made of 'paras', a black stone used to measure the purity of gold. It is said that the reason he chose this rather than gold for his throne was because he wanted people to know that he too could judge / measure a man. The fort has two 'palanki' (palanquin) type rooms, that were his daughters. They were never married because all the proposals that came for them were from families beneath them in stature and wealth. Not wanting his daughters to be unhappy, he made their rooms in the shape of palankis. Later one of them made the famou mosque, the Jama Masjid in Delhi. So many more stories!
Built in 94 acres, the fort is magnificent and a must see when you make the trip to Agra.
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