Our time in Delhi was limited by the nearly 3 hours to get out of the airport and the 4 hour drive to Agra. So our only stop was at the Akshardham Hindu temple (built between 2000 and 2005) where cameras were not allowed inside.
In Agra Jan. 30 we arose very early to get to the Taj Mahal (built 1631-1648) by sunrise. This also keeps us ahead of larger crowds later. The Main Gate entry to Taj Mahal grounds is an impressive prelude.
The river behind the Taj was generating considerable fog so this was our view just past the gate.
Closer in on our looker’s left approach the fog was quite dense.
The front of the Taj Mahal was clearer.
Liz’ iPhone 15Pro has a very wide angle mode to get this shot but the edges have a fisheye effect.
Closeup of floral design and Koran script:
Nothing is painted. Everything is inlaid marble. All of the black marble for the Koran script was imported from Belgium.
Backside nearest the river had a slight break in the fog.
The inlaid design on pillars creates an optical illusion that the pillars are indented.
The Taj mausoleum is perfectly symmetrical in 4 directions. To its west (facing Mecca) is a mosque. For symmetry there is an identical structure to the east which was used as a guest house. Here’s the sunrise next to it, bright red with the fog filtering.
The above pic was taken from the SE corner of the Taj Mahal, where the view of the mausoleum was temporarily clear.
Fisheye wide angle from same spot:
The minarets actually lean slightly outward so they would not damage the mausoleum if they fell.
Zoom of top dome:
Bird coming in for landing on minaret:
Main Gate ceiling:
We thought we would get a clearer view on our way out of the Taj over the garden than in the second pic, but no, the fog was heavier and the Taj was completely invisible.
Outside the Main Gate, there are scavenging monkeys.
After seeing the Taj Mahal, many of us tourists are prime prospects for inlaid marble souvenirs. This piece displays some of the steps in preparing the inlays.
Here are the items we bought and will have shipped home.
The octagonal marble comes with a wooden table which can be lighted below the marble.
We returned to our hotel for breakfast, then stopped at Agra Fort before an afternoon drive to Jaipur.
Construction of Agra Fort began in 1530 and it was the capital of the Mughal Empire until 1638. It was a walled city of 94 acres.
Inside Agra Fort:
The royal residences were in the white buildings in left background. They are currently occupied by the Indian Army and not open to the public.
This facility was used for entertaining.
View off the wall of multiple moats. The innermost one contained wild animals.
Carved arch on the way out:
This spot has an overview of the Taj Mahal 2km away, but it was so hazy as to not be worth posting the pic.
From here we had a 5 hour drive to Jaipur.
In Agra Jan. 30 we arose very early to get to the Taj Mahal (built 1631-1648) by sunrise. This also keeps us ahead of larger crowds later. The Main Gate entry to Taj Mahal grounds is an impressive prelude.
The river behind the Taj was generating considerable fog so this was our view just past the gate.
Closer in on our looker’s left approach the fog was quite dense.
The front of the Taj Mahal was clearer.
Liz’ iPhone 15Pro has a very wide angle mode to get this shot but the edges have a fisheye effect.
Closeup of floral design and Koran script:
Nothing is painted. Everything is inlaid marble. All of the black marble for the Koran script was imported from Belgium.
Backside nearest the river had a slight break in the fog.
The inlaid design on pillars creates an optical illusion that the pillars are indented.
The Taj mausoleum is perfectly symmetrical in 4 directions. To its west (facing Mecca) is a mosque. For symmetry there is an identical structure to the east which was used as a guest house. Here’s the sunrise next to it, bright red with the fog filtering.
The above pic was taken from the SE corner of the Taj Mahal, where the view of the mausoleum was temporarily clear.
Fisheye wide angle from same spot:
The minarets actually lean slightly outward so they would not damage the mausoleum if they fell.
Zoom of top dome:
Bird coming in for landing on minaret:
Main Gate ceiling:
We thought we would get a clearer view on our way out of the Taj over the garden than in the second pic, but no, the fog was heavier and the Taj was completely invisible.
Outside the Main Gate, there are scavenging monkeys.
After seeing the Taj Mahal, many of us tourists are prime prospects for inlaid marble souvenirs. This piece displays some of the steps in preparing the inlays.
Here are the items we bought and will have shipped home.
The octagonal marble comes with a wooden table which can be lighted below the marble.
We returned to our hotel for breakfast, then stopped at Agra Fort before an afternoon drive to Jaipur.
Construction of Agra Fort began in 1530 and it was the capital of the Mughal Empire until 1638. It was a walled city of 94 acres.
Inside Agra Fort:
The royal residences were in the white buildings in left background. They are currently occupied by the Indian Army and not open to the public.
This facility was used for entertaining.
View off the wall of multiple moats. The innermost one contained wild animals.
Carved arch on the way out:
This spot has an overview of the Taj Mahal 2km away, but it was so hazy as to not be worth posting the pic.
From here we had a 5 hour drive to Jaipur.
