From Dawn Till Dusk - Taj Mahal

DAY 10 - 10.10.07

Today was really exhausting as I woke up around 04:30 AM to shoot Taj Mahal during dawn. I went to the roof of Shanti Lodge Hotel, surely the best place to wiew Taj Mahal.

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Taj Mahal
The greatest monument of the history was started to be built, when the second wife of Emporer Shah Jahan -Mumtaz Mahal- had died in year 1631. The devastated emporer had started to built the monument right after and from all over the country (and some countries near India) marbles and precious stones ( which had been placed in the marbles) were ordered. The actual name of the monument is Mumtaj Mahal, since there's no 'z' in Indian alphabet and through the years it turned into Taj Mahal. It took more than 20 years to complete the construction as it had been completed in 1653.

Entry to the area is through 30m red sandstone gateway, on which verses from Koran is written. Passing through the gateway, a huge classical Mughal garden greets you. Taj Mahal itself stands on a raised marble platform, which clearly increases its glory. At both sides stands symetric buildings: the west is a museum where Agra's muslims gathers still and the east is supposed to be built for accommodation for travellers during those times.

Unfortunately, the monument is said to be badly influenced by pollution. That's why after 1994, new industrial developments were banned in Agra. The traffic has been strictly controlled around Taj Mahal and only pollution free rickshaws or vehicles can now pass certain control points.

One important thing I'd like to mention is during full moon times for 5 days (+ before and after 2 days),Taj Mahal is open for the visitors. BUT you should make reservation before in order to get your place in only 400 people/day. I'm sure that it's worth to view the monument during full moon.

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After sunset my visit to Taj Mahal finished. It had been a great experience and I was feeling sad when I was walking outside the area, since for long times my days would start knowing that the monument would not be right at the corner.

I went to my hotel and packed my things in order to see Khajuraho. Luckily, India's surprises had not finished and on my way to the train station I was companied with a small festival/show around Taj Mahal. I asked lots of people but no satisfying answer I got about the fest.

That's it for today. Now I'm in a small town called 'Orchha'; I will try to tell tomorrow how I got here, because the internet connection is not so good here and I'm still trying to upload the pictures. Hopefully, all the process will be finished tomorrow.

See you,