India day 8

We are in the city of Agra which is located in the central northern India.  This is where the Taj Mahal and Fort Agra are located.  The Taj is one of the wonders of the world as you all know.  We woke this morning at 5 a.m. and were taken to the Taj Mahal for the sunrise at 6:30 a.m. when it opens.  This giant white marble mausoleum is all about the "light".  As the sun travels its daily journey across the sky, the Taj changes colours.  Many semi precious stones were carved into the marble structure to help with colour and light such as jade (green), jasper (beige), onyx (black), malicite (green), lapis lazuli (blue), mother of pearl (white), cornelean (orange) and red coral.

Back in 1631, the Mughal emperor of India, Shah Jahah Mahal, was a very liberal thinker living in a very prosperous time.   He and his 3rd wife, Mumtaz, were very much in love.  When Mumtaz died giving birth to their 14th child,  Shah Jahah, promised her to never take another wife and to build her a fantastic extravagant grave site.  A year after her death, Jaha gathered close to 80,000 people to construct the Taj Mahal.  It took 22 years to complete the mausoleum with many surrounding buildings and gardens.  Jahah believed that all visitors who came to the Taj Mahal would be cleansed of their sins.

Across the river from the Taj Mahal, lies Fort Agra.  This massive complex was the home of Shah Mahal's parents and grandparents.  It also is very beautiful and steeped in many interesting stories.  If you wish to hear a juicy tidbit about those who resided in Fort Agra, just ask Sue.