Like Delhi, Agra is found in the Indian epic Mahabharata as Agrabana means Paradise while another teory describes the city as Agragriha or one of the earliest homes of the Aryans. Agra grew into an important cultural and commercial center in 1500 AD, then from the reign of Babus to that Shah Jahan, Agra became synonymous with the Mughals & witnessed a glorious era of immense wealth, unparalleled enterpirse & artistic of talent.
Agra is well known of its famous & popular monument building the 'Taj Mahal' one of 7th Wonder of the World, one of the greatest monuments of love built by Shah Jahan to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who died leaving him shattered & heartbroken. Shah Jahan ruled Agra for 30 years, inheriting one of the richest empires of the world, with an overflowing treasury, rubies & diamonds including the famous Peacock Throne. Shah Jahan also encouraged & patronized merchants, jewellers, artisants, poets, musicians and artist during his reign. But his happiness was short lived, because in the 4th years of his reign, his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal died. Then he later moved to Delhi & build a new walled called Shahjahanabad in 1648, his last years were spent in captivity in the Agra Fort where his son Aurangzeb imprisoned him after usurping his throne. But his son Aurangzeb was unpopular because of his authorisation ways.
Lets come back to my journey to Agra, to India, the main reason why I love to visit India is because of this Taj Mahal.
25th July, Monday
Departed New Delhi at 8.30 am after breakfast on that morning. We had news that the driver met an accident after sending us back frm hotel last night but luckily was not so serious, so our journey to Agra was guided by different driver & his assistant. We reached Agra about at around 4 pm, actually the journey frm Delhi to Agra took 4 or 5 hours long, but because we were trapped at the traffic jam in New Delhi as it was a working day, it took more longer. We were direct to the hotel at Agra.
After we had a welcome speech & warm greetings frm the local tourist agent, we had our lunch...imagine how hungry we were at this time...then had a rest in the room about half hour later we had to leave for afternoon visit at Baby Taj, somewhere nearby Taj Mahal.
Another view of different building
An Evening at Baby Taj Garden
Far behind that is Taj Mahal.
Shah Jahan, during imprisoned by his son in the Agra Fort, he visit this gardern when he felt missed of his
beloved wife who was buried in Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal in my measurement, when I can go near her?
At last I was at Taj Mahal, here I was..
Taj Mahal in my hand now
With my frens
Taking photo with 2 beautiful Japanese Tourist who wear Indian Sari, how nice & appreciate their effort
Different view at different side of Taj Mahal
The Taj Mosque inside Taj Mahal
Entrance & Exist of Taj Mahal. Entrance fees at about RM45
Hah...What a wonderful day when my dream comes true!!
Next post 'A Day in Jaipur'....about 3 or 4 hours journey from Agra.
No comments:
Post a Comment