North India - Agra

From Delhi, we took a short train ride to Agra, to see none other than the magnificent Taj Mahal!  Since we arrived in Agra on a Friday, the day the Taj Mahal is closed, the first thing we did was go out to Fathepur Sikri, on old city built by Emperor Akbar to be his capital.  People were eventually forced to flee the city when a lack of water made it unlivable.

Here are some of the ruins of Fathepur Sikri, with the mosque - still in use today - in the background.

   

Jon's favorite building inside the Fathepur Sikri palace grounds.  Every column in this building is intricately carved from sandstone with no two columns the same.

Jon, Mandi, and Adina are here at the magnificent Taj Mahal.  For any of you who are wondering, it truly is extraordinary.  It lives up to its reputation as the worlds most amazing monument to love.  The Taj was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal after she died during childbirth.  Its grandiose presence and beautiful marble sculpting made it "out of this world!"

Here is a yogi being all yogic at the Taj Mahal!  What a perfect place!

Jon and Mandi enjoying a picture in front of the monument.  Love is in the air!

Here is a picture of some of the marble carving and inlaid jewels that comprise the Taj Mahal. 

 

An up close shot of the jewels and carving, this time on the inside of the building, above where Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are buried.

Here is a look at the grounds around the monument, you can see one of the four gates in the background, and of course the walkway and water leading up to the Taj. 

Mandi---in Agra!  (Mandi means Market in Hindi!)