The Taj Mahal!!!!!!

Taj Mahal...

The alarm jolts me awake. It is 4:30 am and the room is still black.  I shake away the last cobwebs and I remember. I jump out of bed, excited now, eager to begin the day. For today I will visit the Taj Mahal. Our little group of photography and travel writing buffs hurriedly throw some water on our face, pull on some warm clothes and grab our cameras.

The best time to photograph this magnificent monument is at daybreak as the sun begins to rise, and before masses of people descend.

We walk through the dark streets of Agra by the light of our cell phones, hurrying to secure a prime place at the front of the queue. Although the temple does not open till 6:45 we are there by 5:30 and are rewarded by ensuring our place in line.

As we wait we chat with a small Indian man. He is the gatekeeper, the man with the giant key that will open the gate. His name is Anwar Han, but he is known as Mr. Don. He has held this post since 1975 and takes his responsibility very seriously.

Promptly at 6:30 Mr. Don turns the magic key, the gates open and the crowds, now assembled, surge forward. We enter through the magnificent arches and I stop dead in my tracks, there are no words to explain the sight before my eyes. It takes a moment to comprehend. This is it. The Taj Mahal, the most magnificent building on earth. The size alone impresses, but far beyond that. The sheer beauty, every detail deliberate and exquisite. The long reflecting pools are still in the early morning light and the temple is reflected perfectly in the water, a mirror image.

Once inside we rush toward the courtyard. We have been told there is small bridge that provides the best photo opportunities and we head single-mindedly to that spot. From this vantage point we crouch, grab our cameras and shoot, capturing this magical moment on disk, although it is unnecessary, it will forever be emblazoned in my mind.

Construction of the Tag Mahal begin around 1632 commissioned by the Moghul Emperor, Shah Mahan.  It is really a love story. The Emperor had three wives, his favorite and the love of his life was Mumtaj Mahal (meaning “Beloved Crown Jewel."  Their love was an unbreakable bond to the point that she would often accompany him on his campaigns and journeys so they did not have to be apart. She bore him 14 children in 18 years, but after the last she became ill and died. Her last wish to him was to care for her children and to build a magnificent monument in her honour. He was devastated and sought out the best architects and engineers to create a monument worthy of her memory. That monument is the Taj Mahal where her ashes are buried, and later his alongside.

It is indeed a work of art. Passing through the massive arched gate you look over the gardens and pools facing onto the Tomb. To the left is the Mosque and to right an identical building used as a guest quarters. Inside is the Mausoleum that holds two tombstones – hers and his.

 



The Gate.