Dusky Agra

The morning sun filtering through trees highlights a dog resting in the gardens around the Taj Mahal.

We got up very early to get to the Taj Mahal at dawn.  However, at this time of year much of Northern India is cloaked in a dense haze of fog and dust.  The Taj appeared before us almost like a great mystery through the haze.  We had visited the monument 25 years ago and much had changed.  The first thing one notices is the strict security gates.  Also, when we visited earlier, our cycle rickshaw took us nearly to the gate and we just walked in.  Now traffic is kept well away from the Taj area and one must walk about a half mile to get to the monument area proper.  On the positive side, the government has vastly improved the grounds and landscaping in the area.  And perhaps most importantly, no industry is allowed in Agra at all now, since the pollution spewed by factories would quickly turn the white marble quite black.

The view of the Taj Mahal from the East Gate plaza.

 

Detail of the precious stone inlay in the white marble of the Taj Mahal.

Relief carving and inlay dappled with sunlight coming through a carved, marble screen.

Front view of the Taj Mahal.