A Trip To The Taj Mahal

Posted by Coralie on Dec 5, 2011 in Getaways | 3 comments

Seeing this majestic building up close is life’s dream for many of us. It somehow looks so far away it feels unreachable. I have been lucky to visit this amazing place recently, so follow me and I will take you through my journey. Who knows; you might just be about to book your next holiday destination.

The best way to start will be jumping on a plane to New Delhi. Air India offers regular connections from around the country starting at 550GBP for a return. On board a new universe kicks in – colourful saris, turbans, exotic music as mobile ringtones, Bollywood movies on the in-flight entertainment, curry on your dinner trays…my trip hadn’t even began and I’d already experienced so much!

From New Delhi, you need to reach the city of Agra, where the Taj is situated. I would not recommend driving though as the traffic in India is quite an experience in itself. Imagine a ballet of cars, buses, bikes, rickshaws, “tuk-tuks” (a three-wheeled buggy); not to mention the odd cow or two thrown into in the middle of it all. How everyone manages to find their place without ever bumping into each other I really do not know. Expect a lot of honking too; not at all in an aggressive manner but more in a way to warn you a bigger vehicle behind you.

The easiest way is to jump on one of the tourist buses, which reach the Taj in 4 to 5 hours. It may sound long but the countryside, the small fruit stalls, the giant religious sculptures, as well as monkeys running along the road, really make the journey memorable. It really is something when snake charmers sometimes come to the bus with Cobras whenever it stops off. The bright colours painted on the architecture more than compensate for the lack of greenery and are sure to keep you fascinated. For me, the journey is part of the whole experience.

The buses cannot drop you right outside the Taj Mahal, as to lighten the infrastructure and pollution; however smaller, open electric cars are provided so it doesn’t affect the experience whatsoever. As it is closed on Fridays, you might want to avoid visits on both Thursdays and Saturdays, as you would be mixing with the overflow and would have to wait longer. We were strongly advised to strictly take the minimum with us: my camera, a bottle of water, and a little money. Your bag can stay on the bus which stays under constant surveillance. Security is very strict and you might be asked to deposit extras on the other side of the site, a long way away indeed.

I was absolutely lost for words when approaching through a grandiose red sandstone gateway, which mirrors the main building. Look out for the diamond effect within the arch, it is truly stunning. The stonework is masterfully crafted and we were told how it required a lot of skills to be able to sculpt without damaging it, as the stone is very fragile. In the distance, I could start to see the shape of the Taj emerging.

I then arrived at the first platform leading to the gardens. In front of you is a narrow rectangular pool leading to the magnificent domes. This is the best place to pause in front of the Taj and absorb its majesty. Many professional photographers are available to take the perfect picture for just 100 rupee’s (£1) or even just a fun one in which you will look as if you are holding the icon.

I was unaware of the story surrounding the Taj Mahal and it was both a beautiful and sad one. As one may not think, the Taj Mahal is not a palace – but a tomb. In 1631, Shah (meaning King or emperor) Jahan was grief stricken. His third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died giving birth to their fourteenth child. She had made him promise to build a magnificent place; not only would it be a memory of the king that would survive through centuries – it was to be of great economical help for the region and create hundreds of jobs. And so this mausoleum was designed. Look closely; even though it looks perfectly a perfectly smooth white from a distance, it is actually made of many pieces of white marble, each slightly different, creating a hypnotic effect. The doors are surrounded by beautifully intricate calligraphies, all taken from the Quran.

The whole structure is based on geometry and symmetry, with each side reflecting the other perfectly. The dome is a beautiful lotus shape and is a reaches upwards to 35 meters. It is surrounded by four smaller domes designed to bring in light within the structure.

The inside of the mausoleum is quite spectacular too; the walls are lined with flowers and vines made of semiprecious stone, and polished into the marble. Over 20, 000 craftsmen worked on the building, which took 16 years to finish. No wonder the Shah was almost bankrupt at the end! Two graves sit in the middle of the room, protected by a sculpted marble fence that allows glimpses of it. Those, however, are only fake – the bodies of the King and his wife lay safely in the crypt.

The Taj Mahal and surrounding area bring with it a sense of belonging, serenity and overwhelming calm. Do take time to enjoy the view at the back of the Taj, overseeing the river Yamuna. Spend as much of your day as you can when visiting; there are so many details to observe and one never tires from the sight and the experience is one you will keep with you forever.

Photography by: ironmanixs, jrodmanjr, surrealpenguin, Saad.Akhtar, impeltola and abmiller99