Escape with Me
You are walking through a mighty, red sandstone gate. The gate heralds the entrance into a magnificent mausoleum complex, one of the seven wonders of the world. Surprised and delighted by the beauty of its gates, you round the corner and gasp in awe as you drink in the sight of the massive, marble, palatial structure.
You approach this elephantine tomb, with its towering minarets, domes, and arches in reverence. Slipping on disposable white shoe covers, you enter into the Taj Mahal. Underneath the vast ceiling rests a replica of the graves below, belonging to a powerful sultan and his favorite wife. The guide’s voice echoes in the chamber, and you learn of Islamic symbolism etched into the stone. You marvel at the height of the ceiling and the artistic splendor of the domed room.
Stepping outside, you glimpse a majestic sunset setting over the Indian valley below. Streaks of pink, orange, and yellow burst across the horizon, and you capture a moment of tranquil beauty, witnessing the white, lofty minarets piercing the sky’s vibrant canvas.
As you exit the complex, you stop for one more picture—or perhaps two or three—at the beginning of the garden, stopping before the lengthy pool that mirrors the mausoleum’s reflection. Before you reach the gate, you can’t help but look over your shoulder with a sigh, stealing one more glance at this royal wonder that took your breath away…When some dreams and destinations are actualized, they lose their fantastic glow, but the Taj Mahal elicits enchantment in every wide-eyed visitor’s heart.
Fun Facts
- The Taj Mahal is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. A Swiss foundation led the campaign to create a more updated list from the 2nd century BCE, and millions of people voted on their top places.
- The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, India. The mausoleum was built in the 1600s, commissioned by a Mughal emperor named Shah Jahan.
- The Taj Mahal is about eternal love! Shah Jahan built the mausoleum in honor of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth.
Tips
- I recommend buying tickets beforehand; it makes the excursion less stressful.
- Make sure you plan enough time for this marvelous monument! If you fly into New Delhi, plan to spend at least two days there, since it’s a three-and-a-half-hour Uber ride from New Delhi to Agra. (We totally didn’t try to do it in one day, and had to go hungry, and barely arrived before sunset).
- Also, you can fly into Agra and be even closer to the Taj Mahal.
Sources
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/252
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Taj-Mahal
https://www.britannica.com/list/new-seven-wonders-of-the-world
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