What a wonderful day we had. The hotel provided a boxed breakfast. Our driver picked us up and took us to the extremely huge train station. I think Ron and I could have figured out how to get to the platform, but it was very nice to have Adi with us. Cathy and I decided India is a country of those who have almost everything and those who have almost nothing, (Including no underwear for young children.) It was at the train station and in Agra that we saw the most beggars. Some were absolutely pitiful with all kinds of deformity. Yes, we were concerned, but Adi told us the government provides for deformed people and those who are sick. They even have hospitals for these people. For this reason and others, the cities suggest tourists do not support beggars.
Again more than one class of service on the train. We had air conditioning and reserved seats on the express train to Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal. Plus they served us breakfast, our second one of the day.
It was extremely hot and humid outside. The local guide met us and took us to see the Taj. Upon arrival on the grounds, we were met with a nice looking building made of sandstone. As we continued into the grounds, we came to an archway, that perfectly framed the most gorgeous building I have ever seen, The Taj Mahal.
Some Taj Mahal statistics.
It was finished in 16?? It took 22 years and 20,000 workers. It was built to honor the builders most favorite wife. Therefore, it is the only spectacular building built for love. Most are built to gods or to government, but this one was built for a departed wife. She died in childbirth for her 14th child. The workers came from all over the continent, many from Persia. Many never returned to their home land, but stayed in Agra. 1200 families of the descendants, who were workers, still live in Agra and take care of the Taj. The Taj is closed on Fridays and that is when the upkeep takes place. There are no descendants of the royal family so the government maintains the building, with pretty strict rules. They expect it to last another thousand years unless someone vandalizes it. During the British rule, the army tried to take the precious stones, but they would need to destroy the gems to get them freed from the glue, so they gave up on the project. They have 40,000 visitors a day.
The building is made from the finest marble available. It is a built by a Muslim king and he had verses from the Koran inscribed around the entrance gate. It is hard to believe, but the inscriptions are in black onyx. The artisans carved from the marble and glued the stones into the cavities. I hope you can see the Arabic writings around the front entrance. One more thing. At no time during the day is a shadow cast on the wording.
They used the same process for the flowers that decorate the outside walls. When you touch the walls it is very smooth. You cannot feel any bumps! This art has been handed down from father to son to grandson and on for over 300 years of generations. The glue ingredients are still a secret. Really? How can you keep a secret with 20,000 workers and 300 years? I wonder. . . Do tour guides make up some statistics? The following pictures show the smooth inlaid stones. The next picture is not smooth, but the marble is in relief style.
Just inside the Taj where the wife and husband are buried was some extremely impressive marble panels about 3 feet by 6 feet. They were delicate flowers (no pictures inside) hand cut from the marble. Gerard remarked about being almost finished and making a mistake and needing to start all over. That was a painful thought. We were not allowed in any other part of the building. It was very, very hot. Don’t come in the summer months. You will collapse from the heat.
After leaving The Taj we went to lunch. Fortunately it was air conditioned. Way too much food at the Bon Barbecue.
- Wouldn’t you like to see how Taj stone is inlaid? Of course we would. Very interesting techniques and they are working with very small pieces of semi precious stones; Mother of pearl, malachite, tiger eye, turquoise, ruby, sapphire,and others. Then, as guests of the factory, they would like to serve us a beverage and guess what? They have some beautiful inlaid marble things for sale. Cathy and I succumbed. We each got a small table top. Our men said they would carry it the rest of the way around the world and save the $100 shipping charge. I’ll keep mine in the office for a time, if you want to stop by and see it. Cathy chose a picture of the Taj Mahal. Mine is a mostly green design.
When we were finished there, we were met with a cutting stand storm, but it did not last very long. Then we went to visit The Red Fort in Agra. It had a moat, and was absolutely huge.
It is also beautiful. One of the sons wanted to take over the kingdom, so he had his father imprisoned at this fort for 8 years until he died of natural causes in 1666. He was then buried beside his beloved wife. Previously it was used to House the workers at the Taj. By now most of us are ready to melt because it is so hot.
It would be a shame to leave India without seeing the rug making process??? It is a very intricate process but the final outcome is beautiful and guaranteed for 100 years. I heard Robbin say to Cathy, “Just say NO.” Our time had run out and no one bought.
Back to the train, find our seats, eat some of the meal served, 1.5 hours later arrive in Delhi, find our bus, arrive back to the hotel, fall in the bed exhausted.
Tomorrow we leave at 8:00 from the hotel. It is our 11th day. Time is speeding by. Everyone is excited to go to Dubai tomorrow.
Thanks for coming along today!