On Friday I received a call if I wanted to join a couple people on a trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. I could not pass up the opportunity to see on of the seven wonders of the world. The trip began for me at 5:40 am on Sunday. I was picked up by Rajendra Mandal, operations India, and a driver. We went to pickup Garry Reetz from Dallas. He is also in Operations. Some of the Clinical Assessment people might recognize the name as he assisted with the inventory moves for AGS and the most recent move to San Antonio. He has been here 7 times over the last couple of years staying a couple of weeks each time.
The drive was about 3.5 hours in total each way. I finally got to see some of the real India at this time. First it was water buffalo, cows and pigs eating out of the garbage at the side of the road. At a gas station a monkey handler and snake charmer trying to get tips. Congested traffic, honking and near accidents one after another. People living in carboard boxes. Children knocking on the window begging for money. There was an area of looked like rice patties with 50+ people bent over picking up the rice in the fields. There was a small temple with the same marble color and architecture about 45km before Agra. There was also a big market there. Traffic came to a big standstill. As we drove by a bus that was pulled over on the side of the road, we notice a large one foot in diameter steel pipe had gone straight through the engine. Who knows how long it was, but it did some damage.
We finally arrived in Agra and traffic once again slowed down to less than 5 miles an hour. The first building we saw was the Agra Fort. A large red fort that only 20% of the fort is available to see for tourists. The other 80% is for the Indian Army. We visited the fort after seeing the Taj.
Another mile down the road was the entrance for the Taj. As we entered we were immediately surrounded by children trying to sell different items. Raj told us not to make eye contact or say a word. We did that for about 20 feet and all they did was follow us. Raj was talking to a guy in Hindu and told us to get in a vehicle that was parked next to us. He had already arranged a tour guide. It was just in time to escape the peddling kids. The other mode of transportation were camel pulled carts and electric vehicles. No motorized vehicles are allowed within a mile of the Taj to help protect the white marble.
We got out of the vehicle and were attacked again by the peddling kids. By this time I was already in a full sweat as it was about 110 degrees out. It was over 120+ by the time we left. Our tickets were bought at about US price of $15 each and we were off to go through the security check which involved walking through a metal detector and a pat down.
Once inside the tour guide explained the first set of buildings which were originally hotel rooms for tourists before the 1960’s. They are no longer used.
We entered the main entrance, a massive arched doorwaty topped with topes and covered in inlaid floral designs. Through these door the white marble of the Taj Mahal stands. There is a long pool that falls before the Taj. In the right light the reflection shines in the pool. I am hoping my pictures caught this. We then took several pictures from several angles of the Taj. We moved to the middle of the pools where there is a large square. There is a bench in this area which every politician and famous person has taken their picture on. We had to wait a good 10 minutes for an opportunity to take a picture from this site. Eventually we made our way to the Taj Mahal. You can not enter with shoes, however they did provide us slippons to cover our shoes. I don’t think my feet would have lasted 5 minutes on the marble.
The tour guide explained how the marble inlay was done. There are about 250 inlayed marble pieces to make a flower and there is a flower about every 6 inches around the building. It is very remarkable. Also the marble is a unique kind of marble that should never stain or corrode.
Cameras were not allowed inside the tomb which was completed around 1666. The Taj is symmetrical in every way if it was cut in quarters except for the tombs themselves. There were two. A larger one in the middle and a smaller one to the left. The marble workmanship and designs were amazing, especially since it was all done by hand. I think it must have been 140 degrees in there. We walked around a couple more rooms which had more esquisite inlay and marble designs. Finally we walked out the other side to face the Yamuna River which has nearly dried up as a result of the drought this year. There were a few water buffalo in the river.
By this time all 4 of us were sweating profusely. The only thing I can compare it to is walking around in a sauna with intense fluorescent lights shining on you. It is hot to start off with, put 80% humidity and add an intense sun. I did end up with some sunburn on my face.
Next we went to the Agra fort. The fort was last captive by a King. The king was overthrown by his son, who put his father in jail within the fort. The new king then had his brother killed. The fort was full of architecture and elaborate carvings in red stone and marble. From one wall of the fort overlooked the Taj Mahal. This is were the kings jail was.
We ate lunch at Pizza Hut and were off to out 3.5 hour ride back. Having Raj on the trip was immensely important. Only a few signs were in English, and everyone was trying to sell us something or point us in a different direction. Alone, I do not think I would have made it to the front gates of the Taj Majal. The experience was once in a lifetime. The building is truely remarkable being built almost 350 years ago.
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