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Published: February 26th 2009
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Ahhh India. So many things to say about this country. Even though I was only there for 2 days, it definitely left an impression with me. Both good and bad, which really comprises the beauty of India.
We flew into Agra, India specifically to see the Taj Mahal. Agra only has a military airport and doesn't accept commercial flights accept for our "special" flight.
As soon as we landed we headed for the Taj. I have to preface what I am about to say with a bit of perspective on my own views of monuments and sights. I am not a huge fan of seeing dead buildings, ruins, museums and other assorted sights. Don't get me wrong, they can be fascinating in their own right and some of them, I really do want to see. But many hold no significance for me. Call me jaded or just ADHD, but I enjoy getting out and interacting with the people, getting a feel for them and their culture. Not so much the ghost towns. And I don't think I am jaded after traveling for the past 6 months either. I have always been this way. So, a building has to be really
something to impress me.
And so it was. The Taj Mahal really is the most beautiful building that I have ever been in the presence of. A few facts: it took 20 years and 22,000 people to build it. It is made of white marble and an impressive structural design to withstand earthquakes (the minarets are slightly tilted so as to fall away from the Taj in case of an earthquake). I will let the pics speak for themselves about the physicality of the Taj, but you must hear the story behind it. It is, in fact, the story that contributes to making this the most beautiful building in the world.
The building was made by the Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, who died in childbirth. At the time of her death, the Shah had been away on a hunting trip, and as his wife lay in her bed, bleeding to death, she called for the Shah repeatedly, believing that had he been there he would have been able to prevent this tragedy. The Shah came back from his trip to find the palace in absolute silence. When he asked what was going on, no
Taj
Check out these guys working on the Taj. I guess they don't have OSHA here. one dared say anything as they knew what the news would mean to the Shah. Finally, one of his most trusted servants told him that he had "lost everything". The Shah locked himself in his room for 3 weeks before emerging again to find out what had happened. His wife had died in childbirth, not an uncommon occurrence in India in the 1600's. On her deathbed, she had made some requests of the Shah, one was that he never marry again, two was that he build a beautiful mausoleum for her to rest in. I think there was a third but I can't remember it. 20 years later, in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal was finished (1653).
On a funny note, the Shah Jahan already had 2 remaining wives, but Mumtaz Mahal was his favorite, and he honored her wish and didn't marry again.
They are both buried there today, side by side.
The next day I went off the beat and path from our pre-planned tourist routine. I went to see an Indian hospital in Agra and let's sum it up by saying there were flies, many of them, in the ICU. I am
told that there are nicer, 1st world type hospitals in the bigger cities such as New Delhi, but this was not one of them. Although, the doctors seemed quite capable. We then went to a real Indian street market where we were besieged by little beggar kids running around barefoot in their underwear in the streets. These kids would latch on and wouldn't let go, literally holding on to you as you walked around. The streets were noisy, smelly and crowded. There were huge garbage dumps right on the streets. Cows walked aimlessly and fearlessly through the traffic. And I loved it. For every awful sight, smell and sound, there was the opposite there as well. Wonderful smells of spices would waft by every now and then, beautiful women in their brightly colored sari's, and the friendly people. It was funny, we were such an oddity on that street, which doesn't get many tourists, the people just stared at us. Just blatant staring. It must not be rude to stare in India. And the Indian people have a great way of wagging their head which is unique to India. It is sort of a greeting when they meet each other
that says "I am a friend". The closest thing I can liken it to in the western culture is sort of a nod to a stranger, but with more meaning to it. Anyway, I sort of half mastered it when I was there, and it brought out some amusing smiles from the people there. The problem was that they then assumed that I spoke Hindi, which of course, I do not. I have a hard enough time with Spanish.
At any rate, India has it all, the best and the worst in the world all wrapped up together in a wonderful, exciting mix. One day, I will have to come back and do it again.
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nice picture
haii.. you uploaded a nice pictures of Taj Mahal.. there are great.. i'll see a taj mahal next week