| The best views of the Taj Mahal are to be seen | | | | Every face of the Taj has a beautiful enormous arch |
| across the Yamuna river, and the journey over to | | | | enscribed with religious writings from the Koran along |
| the Taj itself is enchanting. The most efficient way | | | | with beautiful carving of flowers.The surroundings of |
| to get across is the boat but I would advise any | | | | the Taj are formal but laid back in a huge garden |
| cultural enthusiast to take a cycle rickshaw through | | | | complex with extravagant pools of water guiding |
| the village of Kathchpura as you can feel more | | | | your journey up to it from the main gate. As you |
| immersed in the Indian ambience of the place. This | | | | enter the Taj may seem close but as you walk |
| way you will pass the local villagers in their small | | | | towards the Taj you understand the shear scale of |
| dwellings going about their daily business such as | | | | the garden complex as it takes you much longer to |
| making roti for lunch a wheat based bread or the | | | | reach the building than you initially would have |
| children playing their own little games along the | | | | estimated. |
| streets. You feel as though you have suddenly been | | | | The Taj would be a perfect place to visit on a |
| absorbed into a whole other world. | | | | honeymoon with its romantic history. It was built |
| Like most of the world best views the Taj Mahal is | | | | originally by the great Emperoror Shah Jahan with the |
| best seen at dawn. The Taj reflects the morning | | | | purpose as serving as a sepulchre for his favourite |
| colours of misty blue and purplish ping and orange of | | | | wife – Mumtaz. Many Historians believe he had |
| its white stone walls eventually the Taj take on a | | | | planned to build a similarly gargantuan structure |
| blinding white colour in the searing heat of the Indian | | | | across from the Taj in Black marble as his own crypt |
| midday sun. In fact the colour of the Taj seems to | | | | but one can not be sure. However in recent years |
| transform so I often that I would recommend you | | | | the remains of ancient gardens have been discovered |
| visit it many time at different times of the day on | | | | on the supposed site of where this large dark crypt |
| different days just to experience the different | | | | was supposed to be to support this theory. |
| moods of the Taj depending on the instance you | | | | Agra is accessible by plane or fast train from new |
| pay visit to it. It is well worth it especially as it is free | | | | Delhi. If you like your comforts the Amarvilas hotel in |
| although you will have to pay to enter inside. | | | | Agra is a must with all the views of the Taj you |
| The Taj is in itself an architectural tour de force. The | | | | could possible want. If you are on a budget the the |
| building itself is sat upon a marble podium surrounded | | | | streets of Taj Ganj once home to the craftsmen |
| by a marble minerats on either side. The minarets | | | | who constructed the Taj offers good cheap |
| lean out slightly which may seem slightly odd but in | | | | accomadation. Other sights to see here include the |
| fact this was a sensible decision by the engineers of | | | | abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri a few hours away |
| the building in order to ensure they do not collapse | | | | and the Fort at Agra itself which also has excellent |
| on the Taj itself if a violent earthquake were to hit | | | | views of the Taj. |
| the area. | | | | |