We all strive to find the sweetness in our hearts – directly and/or indirectly. That explains why we seek new relationships, why we have to deal with heartbreaks… Well, it’s only after we discover the love in our hearts that we can see the same in others. We can go on and on about love, but is all narrows down to the fact that is the world’s greatest dynamic, it overshadows race, clogs religious differences… it’s the difference between us and rocks.
There is so much to learn from your immediate environment. This may not sound obvious especially given that we no longer look up; we miss moments while gazing on our screens. While you might be interested in learning about the latest celebrity to get botched, attempt to listen to nature, maybe your answers lie therein.
The wonder that is Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, a title well-deserving given it reminds us of love. I enjoy history, and it’s especially very appealing where one can relate directly to the said events. A visit to the Taj Mahal will justify the honor bestowed upon it; it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will always finds throngs of people, locals and foreigners alike.
It’s in the Rome statute: you have to take such a picture!
As has been mentioned on previous posts, cabs in India are relatively cheap. I car-pooled with three other friends, and we had a cab from Delhi and back. These arrangements are very economical given your driver is always available until you’re ready to head back. The idea of them sticking with us is, according to me, quite comforting. Another option would be to take a train from Delhi; be sure to confirm the schedules since there are those that take up to 4 hours to get to Agra. Needless to say, you save much more by taking a train.
Darwaza-i rauza
There is an entrance fee of 750INR (about $14). As is true with most other places across India, watch out for hustlers who are out to charge you way more than it would from the legit counters.
Darwaza-i rauza – the great gate –is the main entrance into the Taj. Ideally, it is also a sight to behold, coupled with the well-maintained gardens. Call it a grand entrance! From there, the mausoleum stands very strategically (you’ve probably seen millions of images showing the view) revealing the architectural inspiration, creativity, and ingenuity from what is a site well worth a visit. This is a masterpiece that exudes beauty and elegance from whichever way you look at it. I was especially awed by the story behind its existence:
The inspiration behind the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was built in the mid-17th century by Shah Jahan. The mausoleum was a structure dedicated to his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal. His idea was to honor the wife in an unmatched manner, and probably set the bar too high for all of you men! Not to kill the vibe, some stories have it that the emperor cut off the hands of the main architect and all the workers involved in the construction of the Taj. Reason? You guessed it!
Being an appropriate example of Mughal architecture, there are obvious references to Persian, Islamic, and Indian designs. The white marble that was essentially used to line the entire structure changes its color depending on the effect of the sun and the moon. It is a dwarfing experience to come up and close with the huge structure. It is impossible to begin thinking of the manner in which it stood out before there were ever skyscrapers and all. Photography is not allowed in most of the places inside the mausoleum, which is more reason why you should visit and experience the ancient yet outstanding interior setting.
Namaste…
Depending on when you visit, the place will most likely be crowded. Its extensive nature, however, makes it impossible to feel it. If you’re visiting as a foreigner, you are not required to stand on the ridiculously long queues into the Taj Mahal; you paid quite a lot for it, remember?
We all have that one friend!
The Taj Mahal, is without a doubt, one of the most incredible places in India. There, you experience authenticity and perfection, without losing the cultural touch. You can enjoy it to the maximum in a few hours, and I can assure you, it will be well worth it.
The Taj Mahal, in all its exquisiteness and ornateness, reminded me of the power of love, especially when it’s genuine. Again, you can never truly love if you don’t love yourself first. Be sure to visit the Taj Mahal should you find yourself in India, but more importantly, listen to what your immediate environment is saying. Well, just after reading this 🙂
