We really enjoyed the 2+ hour trek to Agra. We drove on an actual highway where people semi stay in their lanes. After we got out of Delhi, the smog lifted and we could see sunshine! Oh happy day! The drive took us through rural areas where we saw many farms and endless fields of mustard seed. We’ve heard several people reference how great mustard oil is for your skin. As in, “oh just put some mustard oil on your arms.” Now we understand where it comes from!
We arrived in Agra late afternoon and headed straight to the Taj Mahal. As soon as you enter the parking lot, the “freelance” guides swarm your car in attempts to get hired to give what is sure to be the best tour of your life! As we were parking, Abhi hired one of them. It was a bit of a trek from the parking lot to the Taj entrance, so we hopped in a wagon pulled by a camel. Because how else would you get to the Taj? The other options were rickshaws and golf carts – BORING!
When you get the first glimpse of the Taj, it really is jaw dropping. It’s hard to put its beauty into words. The pictures speak for themselves, but it’s even better up close and in person.
Everyone knows the Taj Mahal, but do you know the story behind it? Admittedly, we did not. Here’s the Cliff’s Notes version: Taj Mahal means “Crown Palace.” The Taj was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his third and most cherished wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died after giving birth to the couple’s 14th child. The grieving Shah Jahan, known for commissioning a number of impressive structures throughout his reign, ordered the building of the beautiful, white marble mausoleum across the Yamuna River from his own royal palace at Agra. The Taj became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Over 3 million people visit the Taj each year (and as many as 45,000 per day during peak tourist season.)
If you ever visit, we highly recommend hiring a guide. The cost is minimal, and by doing so, you are able to skip all of the long lines. And, of course it’s nice to hear the history from a local. Plan to carve out at least two hours to allow yourself enough time for reflection, seeing the grounds, photos, and more reflection.
When exiting the Taj, there are hawkers trying to sell you every magnet, keychain and cheesy souvenir out there. As we previously mentioned, they are persistent. After politely saying no about 10 times to one woman, Suki lost her cool and very sternly yelled “NO!!!” A little boy standing nearby, who was also selling goods, looked at our mom, broke into the biggest grin, and said “Ooooo, you MAD!!” This provided much laughter and entertainment…for the rest of the day and the rest of the trip.
After leaving the Taj, we headed to our hotel, The ITC Mughal. We are digging the ITC chain. It’s right up there with a Four Seasons and is so nice to come back to at the end of a long day. We took advantage of happy hour in the executive lounge (while watching a game of cricket on TV!) and then had dinner at Peshawri. Peshawri is the sister restaurant to Bukhara and serves equally delicious Dal.
The next morning, we visited the Taj Observatory on the hotel grounds. Just like it sounds, it’s an area to observe the Taj, complete with a swing. It’s not every morning you get to look out at the Taj while enjoying your morning coffee. Kind of amazing.
Next up, Jaipur!
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