The Taj Mahal was built in the city of Agra by Shah Jahan, the 5th Mughal ruler between 1631 and 1652 as a monument to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Both Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are buried there.
There are many places in the world that enjoy some over embellishments of wonder in their description. They are made to seem so amazing and remarkable that it is impossible for them to live up to the hype. And while few places receive more publicity or are better known that the Taj Mahal; it somehow manages to live up to that expectation. IMHO; it really is the most perfect building in the world.
The complex is symmetrical in design with the four sides presenting identical views of a high vaulted archway and four minarets framing the main structure.
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At the entry visitors go through the process of splitting into 3 lines: foreign men, Indian men, women, which we had seen at other monuments and then through a security check including a pat down for all men and women
The timing of our visit in November 2018 could not have been better. Only a few months before scaffolding that was required for a thorough cleaning of the exterior had been removed allowing an unfettered view of the bright white façade. And as impressive as the building is from afar; it is only when you approach it that you can see the incredibly detailed carvings, stone inlay and jeweled decorations.
When we arrived at the Taj Mahal in the afternoon, there were thousands of other tourists there. There are lots of stations in the surrounding gardens offering postcard backdrops where visitors que up for photos. There are also certain points where experienced photographers offer to take pictures of visitors holding up and pinching their fingers giving the impression of suspending the dome from ones finger tips.
Many of the visitors there that afternoon were hoping to end their visit with a view of the sunset behind the complex but unfortunately, the grounds were cleared before the sun went down. But we were secure in the knowledge that we would be returning to the complex the next day before sunrise.
Early the next morning Mr. Gupta and Chandi picked us up at the hotel for the short ride to the Taj grounds. We queued up along with other travelers in the dark near the entry gate.
The video above begins well before dawn in that line just outside the perimeter of the complex and shows a sequence of views first through the entry gate, then misty views and finally the sun reflecting off the central dome as the sun clears the horizon. Still cameras are allowed at the Taj Mahal but there are restrictions on bringing video cameras into the complex. They are not allowed past a viewing platform just inside the entry gate so that’s the location of the footage shown here. No bags of any type, including camera bags are allowed.
In addition to the video we got some superb photos to reinforce our memories until our next return to the Taj Mahal.