Interesting places in Agra:

Taj Mahal complex (Agra)		आगरा का किला - Agra Fort
Taj Mahal		Taj Mahal complex
Mousoleum Tomb		Central pool
Moti Masjid (Agra Fort)		Taj Mahal Photo Point
Parade Ground British Indian Army		Western Gate
kind		Itmad-Ud-Daulah
Sikandra		SHAN-E-MUGAL(SHAHJAHAN)
Taj Mahal Mosque		Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb
Sikandra / Sikandara		THE TAJ
Gokulpura		agra college hostels thomson,sapru,BN,KD
Jahangir Ka Mahal		Paliwal Park
vabh		Hotel Mandakini Villas
Hotel Taj Plaza

Agra pronunciation (help�info) (Hindi: ��, Urdu: aMgfr+a+), (IPA: A:Qr@) is a medieval city on the banks of the Yamuna River in India. It was founded by Sultan Sikandar Lodi in the year 1506. It lies currently in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Agra's top two sights by far are the incomparable Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

When planning your sightseeing, take heed of the convoluted entry fee system: for Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmud-ad-Daulah, Sikandra and Fatehpur Sikri, you must pay a Rs. 500 levy to the Agra Development Authority in addition to the prices mentioned below. Once paid, the levy is valid for all sights, but .

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble, built between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife. Taj Mahal means "Crown Palace"; one of the wife's names was Mumtaz Mahal, "Ornament of the Palace". The Taj is one of the most well preserved and architecturally beautiful tombs in the world, one of the masterpieces of Indian Muslim architecture, and one of the great sites of the world's heritage.

The Taj has a life of its own that leaps out of marble, provided you understand that it is a monument of love. The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore called it "a teardrop on the cheek of eternity", while the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, said it was "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones." It is a celebration of woman built in marble and that’s the way to appreciate it.

Despite being one of the most photographed edifices in the world and being instantly recognisable, its physical presence is awe-inspiring. Not everything is in the photos. The grounds of the complex include several other beautiful buildings, reflecting pools, and extensive ornamental gardens with flowering trees and bushes, and a small gift shop. The Taj framed by trees and reflected in a pool is amazing. Close up, large parts of the building are covered with inlaid stonework.

There is an apocryphal tale that Shah Jahan planned to build an exact copy out of black marble on the opposite side of the river. His plans were foiled by his son, who murdered three elder brothers and overthrew his father to acquire the throne. Shah Jahan is now buried alongside his wife in the Taj Mahal.

If you're taking a camera, beware that because the Taj is white your camera may underexpose your photos. If it's a film camera you won't find out until it's too late. Overexposure by 1 or 2 stops is recommended.

The Taj is open from 6 AM to 7:30 PM every day except Friday. Entry costs Rs. 250 (plus levy) for foreigners and Rs. 20 for Indians. Get there as early as possible to beat the crowds, and plan to visit the Taj at least two different times during the day (dusk and dawn are best) in order to experience the full effect of changing sunlight on the amazing building. It is also utterly stunning under a full moon.

The Taj is located pretty much in the middle of town. Expect a line to get into the grounds. There are three gates. The western gate is the main gate where most tourists enter. A large number of people turn up on weekends and public holidays and entry through the western gate may take hours. The southern and eastern gates are much less busy and should be tried on such days.

Security is tight, so leave behind any pocketknives, as well as chewing gum, cigarettes, or anything that could mark the building. Cell phones are not permitted inside the main enclosure area: you have to check them in first at a booth nearby. Do this before you get into the long line to get in.

There are night viewing sessions on the nights of a full moon and the two days before and after (so five days in total). Exceptions are Fridays (the Muslim sabbath) and the month of Ramadan.

Agra Fort

The fort is similar in layout to the Red Fort in , but considerably better preserved, as much of Delhi Fort was razed by the British after the Mutiny. As much as palace as a defensive structure, it is also constructed mainly from red sandstone.

Emperor Akbar, king at 14, began consolidating his empire and, as an assertion of his power built the fort in Agra between 1565 and 1571, at the same time as Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. Emperor Shah Jahan added to the fort and ended up a prisoner in it. The fort has a beautiful view of his masterpiece, the Taj Mahal, on a clear day.

You can get to the fort by a cheap city shuttle bus from the north gate of the Taj. You can recognize the right bus among the many private ones by asking bystanders which one it is, and avoiding the ones they direct you to. Entry to the fort is Rs.250 (plus levy).

Other sights

• Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra . The tomb of Akbar lies here in the centre of the large garden. Akbar started its construction himself but it was completed by his son, Jehangir who significantly modified the original plans which accounts for the somewhat cluttered architectural lines of the tomb. Four red sandstone's gates lead to the tomb complex: one is Muslim, one Hindu, one christian and one is Akbar's patent mixture. Akbar's mausoleum is open from sunrise to sunset.

• Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb. Empress Nur Jehan built Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, sometimes called the Baby Taj, for her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg, the Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. Small in comparison to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes described as a jewel box. Its garden layout and use of white marble, pietra dura, inlay designs and latticework presage many elements of the Taj Mahal.

• Mariam's Tomb, west from Akbar's Tomb on Agra-Delhi highway. Constructed by Jahangir in the memory of his mother Mariam Zammani a title bestowed upon her,. The grave is made of white marble. Though this building is in a ruined condition, yet it has in its vicinity, a Christian Mission School and a church. It is also said; Akbar himself made that it in the memory of his Christian wife.

• Jama Masjid. A large mosque attributed to Princess Jahanara Begum, built in 1648 during the reign of the father Shah Jahan. Notable for its unusual dome and absence of minarets.

• Chini Ka Rauza. A memorial dedicated to the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz, notable for its dome of blue glazed tiles.

Gardens

• Soami Bagh, 10 km north of Agra. The white marble samadhi of the Radah Soami religion is currently under construction. It was started in 1904 and is nor expected to be completed until sometime next century. You can see pietra dura inlaid marblework actulally being worked on. Soami Bagh is 2km north of Agra and can be reached by bus or cycle.

• Ram Bagh. The first Mughal gardens, built by the first Mughal Emperor Babar, 500 m North of the Chini Ka Rauza.

• Mehtab Bagh, directly across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal. These botanical gardens give you an opportunity to view the Taj at a remove from the crowds of tourists. The trip takes about 30 minutes from the center of town by autorickshaw and will cost about Rs 200. Entrance to the park is Rs 100 for foreigners. Alternatively, walk past the entrance and straight to the sandy banks of the river: the view of the Taj is every bit as lovely (perhaps more so, since the barbed wire fence surrounding the gardens will be behind you), although you may have to deal with aggressive touts.

Location is derived from the great work of WikiMapia
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Diwan-e-Aam, Panorama, Agra Fort
Made by 'Camera baba' aka Udit Kulshrestha
Agra Fort : 14th Sep 2007: My first Panorama Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, India. The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its much more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It is the most important fort in India. The great Mughals Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was governed from here. It contained the largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travellers and the highest dignitaries who participated in the making of history in India This was originally a brick fort and the Chauhan Rajputs held it. It was mentioned for the first time in 1080 AD when a Ghaznavide force captured it. Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517) was the first Sultan of Delhi who shifted to Agra and lived in the fort. He governed the country from here and Agra assumed the importance of the 2nd capital. He died in the fort in 1517 and his son, Ibrahim Lodi, held it for nine years until he was defeated and killed at Panipat in 1526. Several palaces, wells and a mosque were built by him in the fort during his period. After Panipat, Mughals captured the fort and a vast treasure - which included a diamond that was later named as the Kohinoor diamond - was seized. Babur stayed in the fort in the palace of Ibrahim. He built a baoli (step well) in it. Humayun was coronated here in 1530. Humayun was defeated in Bilgram in 1530. Sher Shah held the fort for five years. The Mughals defeated the Afghans finally at Panipat in 1556. Realizing the importance of its central situation, Akbar decided to make it his capital and arrived in Agra in 1558. His historian, Abdul Fazal, recorded that this was a brick fort known as 'Badalgarh' . It was in a ruined condition and Akbar had it rebuilt with red sandstone. Architects laid the foundation and it was built with bricks in the inner core with sandstone on external surfaces. Some 4000 builders worked on it for eight years, completing it in 1573. It was only during the reign of Akbar's grandson, Shah Jahan, that the site finally took on its current state. The legend is that Shah Jahan built the beautiful Taj Mahal for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Unlike his grandfather, Shah Jahan tended to have buildings made from white marble, often inlaid with gold or semi-precious gems. He destroyed some of the earlier buildings inside the fort in order to make his own. At the end of his life, Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb, in the fort, a punishment which might not seem so harsh, considering the luxury of the fort. It is rumored that Shah Jahan died in Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony with an excellent view of the Taj Mahal. This was also a site of one of the battles during the Indian rebellion of 1857, which caused the end of the British East India Company's rule in India, and led to a century of direct rule of India by Britain. Agra Fort should not be confused with the much smaller Red Fort at Delhi. The Mughals never referred the Red Fort as a fort; rather, it was referred as the 'Lal Haveli', or the Red Bungalow. The Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from Delhi's Red Fort on August 15, India's Independence Day. UNESCO designated the Fort a World Heritage Site in 1983. The Agra Fort plays a key role in the Sherlock Holmes mystery, The Sign of the Four, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The Agra Fort was featured in the music video for Habibi Da, a hit song of Egyptian pop star Hisham Abbas. Shivaji came to Agra in 1666 as per the Purandar Treaty entered into with Mirza Raje Jaisingh to met Aurangzeb in the Diwan-i-khas. In the audience he was deliberately placed behind men of lower rank, Insulted he stormed out of the imperial audience and was confined to Jai Sing's quarters on 12th May 1666. Fearing the dungeons and excecution, in a famously sweet legend, he escaped on the 17th of August 1666. A heroic equestrian statue of Shivaji has been erected outside the fort. In the second expansion pack for Age of Empires 3, the Asian Dynasties, Agra fort is conformed to be one of five wonders for Indian civilization


The Taj Mahal Marble
Made by Stig Stockholm Pedersen
The focus of the Taj Mahal is the white marble tomb, which stands on a square plinth consisting of a symmetrical building with an iwan, an arch-shaped doorway, topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, basic elements are Persian in origin. The base of the Taj is a large, multi-chambered structure the base structure is a large, multi-chambered structure. The base is essentially a cube with chamfered edges and is roughly 55 meters on each side. On the long sides, a massive pishtaq, or vaulted archway, frames the iwan with a similar arch-shaped balcony. On either side of the main arch, additional pishtaqs are stacked above and below. This motif of stacked pishtaqs is replicated on chamfered corner areas as well. The design is completely symmetrical on all sides of the building. Four minarets, one at each corner of the plinth, facing the chamfered corners, frame the tomb. The main chamber houses the false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan; their actual graves are at a lower level. The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is its most spectacular feature. Its height is about the same size as the base of the building, about 35 meters, and is accentuated as it sits on a cylindrical drum of about 7 metres high. Because of its shape, the dome is often called an onion dome (also called an amrud or guava dome). The top is decorated with a lotus design, which serves to accentuate its height as well. The shape of the dome is emphasised by four smaller domed chattris (kiosks) placed at its corners. The chattri domes replicate the onion shape of the main dome. Their columned bases open through the roof of the tomb and provide light to the interior. Tall decorative spires (guldastas) extend from edges of base walls, and provide visual emphasis to the height of the dome. The lotus motif is repeated on both the chattris and guldastas. The dome and chattris are topped by a gilded finial, which mixes traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements. The main dome is crowned by a gilded spire or finial. The finial, made of gold until the early 1800s, is now made of bronze. The finial provides a clear example of integration of traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements. The finial is topped by a moon, a typical Islamic motif, whose horns point heavenward. Because of its placement on the main spire, the horns of moon and finial point combine to create a trident shape, reminiscent of traditional Hindu symbols of Shiva. At the corners of the plinth stand minarets, the four large towers each more than 40 meters tall. The minarets display the Taj Mahal's penchant for symmetry. These towers are designed as working minarets, a traditional element of mosques as a place for a muezzin to call the Islamic faithful to prayer. Each minaret is effectively divided into three equal parts by two working balconies that ring the tower. At the top of the tower is a final balcony surmounted by a chattri that mirrors the design of those on the tomb. The minaret chattris share the same finishing touches, a lotus design topped by a gilded finial. Each of the minarets were constructed slightly outside of the plinth, so that in the event of collapse, a typical occurrence with many such tall constructions of the period, the material from the towers would tend to fall away from the tomb.


Taj Mahal, Agra
Made by Mukul Banerjee (www.mukulbanerjee.com)
Taj Mahal, the pinnacle of Mughal architecture, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658), grandson of Akbar the great, in the memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum, entitled ‘Mumtaz Mahal’. Mumtaz Mahal was a niece of empress Nur Jahan and granddaughter of Mirza Ghias Beg I’timad-ud-Daula, wazir of emperor Jehangir. She was born in 1593 and died in 1631, during the birth of her fourteenth child at Burhanpur. Her mortal remains were temporarily buried in the Zainabad garden. Six months later, her body was transferred to Agra to be finally enshrined in the crypt of the main tomb of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. The mausoleum is located on the right bank of the river Yamuna at a point where it takes a sharp turn and flows eastwards. Originally, the land where the Taj Mahal presently stands belonged to the Kachhwahas of Ajmer (Rajasthan). The land was acquired from them in lieu of four havelis as is testified by a court historian, Abdul Hamid Lahauri, in his work titled the Badshah-Namah and the firmans (royal decrees). For construction, a network of wells was laid along the river line to support the huge mausoleum buildings. Masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome-builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from Central Asia and Iran. While bricks for internal constructions were locally prepared, white marble for external use in veneering work was obtained from Makrana in Rajasthan. Semi-precious stones for inlay ornamentation were brought from distant regions of India, Ceylon and Afghanistan. Red sandstone of different tints was requisitioned from the neighbouring quarries of Sikri, Dholpur, etc. It took 17 years for the monument complex to be completed in 1648. In all, the Taj Mahal covers an area of 60 bighas, as the terrain gradually sloped from south to north, towards the river, in the form of descending terraces. At the southern point is the forecourt with the main gate in front and tombs of Akbarabadi Begum and Fatehpuri Begum, two other queens of Shah Jahan, on its south-east and south-west corners respectively called Saheli Burj 1 and 2. On the second terrace is a spacious square garden, with side pavilions. It is divided into four quarters by broad shallow canals of water, with wide walkways and cypress avenues on the sides. The water channels and fountains are fed by overhead water tanks. These four quarters are further divided into the smaller quarters by broad causeways, so that the whole scheme is in a perfect char-bagh. The main tomb of the Taj is basically square with chamfered corners. The minarets here are detached, facing the chamfered angles (corners) of the main tomb on the main plinth. Red sandstone mosque on the western, and Mehman-Khana on the eastern side of the tomb provides aesthetically a clear colour contrast. The Taj has some wonderful specimens of polychrome inlay art both in the interior and exterior on the dados, on cenotaphs and on the marble jhajjhari (jali-screen) around them.


Taj Mahal
Made by Roy Prasad
Perhaps the greatest symbol of love known in modern times. As you walk through the imposing main gate, you step right into one of the most beautiful and recognizable sights in the world. On a clear day, it looks like one gigantic picture postcard in 3-D. To take a pretty photo, all one needs is a pulse (and a camera!). The Taj Mahal is probably the finest example of Moghul architecture. Its form is deceptively simple, yet its details are amazingly extensive. The clever use of shapes, space and colors leads a stunningly aesthetic result. The symmetry of the place is quite remarkable. You could shoot mirror image photographs with trivial ease (see below) by stepping left or right by the same distance. Or standing at the center and pointing the camera to the left or right to get mirror images. The Taj is a symbol of romance, and in fact, a destination for many honeymooners, but in reality, there is also a poignant and tragic air about it. It is a tomb and a memorial built by a grief stricken man for his beloved, departed wife, one that Emperor Shah Jahan could only see from a distance of over 3 km for the last eight years of his life, kept under house arrest by his own son. After decades of neglect, the Indian government has started taking better care of the Taj in more recent years. Compared to the last time I was there some 30+ years ago, the entire site is well organized and very clean. The only negative is that they don't quite understand landscaping. The trees and grass are sloppily thrown together. They really ought to get some professional help - that would make it perfect. Leica S2 + 70mm Summarit-S f/2.5. Best seen in larger size. S2002020


ताजमहल
Made by nandadevieast
आकाश बना है नीरवता से, संकल्प से बनी है धरती, नदियाँ इच्छाओं से बनी हैं, मैं बना हूँ धूल से... अब मैं चाहूँ भी तो कितना बचा सकता हूँ ख़ुद को, उन ज्ञात-अज्ञात सुरंगों से आने वाले अंधड़ से, जो मेरी देह को कुछ और मलिन और आत्मा को कुछ और सँकरा बना देता है... हरेक दिन, जब यह समय, अपनी धूसर कमीज़ और थके कंधों पर रात का लबादा चढ़ा लेता है, एक स्याह परत के नीचे मैं, जाने किस चेहरे की याद में सुबकने लगता हूँ... (कृष्ण मोहन झा) English translation at the request of Ulfie at www.dpreview.com/members/?User=hfilihiuhyih sky is made of solitude earth is made of resolve rivers are made of desires I am made of dust tell me how can I protect myself even if I want to from the storms which emanate from alleys, known and unknown and leave my body paler and my soul narrower with each passing day as the night comes and the time puts on a dark gown on his gray shirt and tired shoulders I cry, crushed beneath a black curtain, remembering a face I have forgotten (Krishn Mohan Jha)


Taj Mahal #2
Made by foje64
In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire's period of greatest prosperity, was griefstricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their fourteenth child, Gauhara Begum. The court chronicles of Shah Jahan's grief illustrates the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal. The construction of Taj Mahal begun soon after Mumtaz's death with the principal mausoleum completed in 1648. The surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. Emperor Shah Jahan himself described the Taj in these words: Should guilty seek asylum here, Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin. Should a sinner make his way to this mansion, All his past sins are to be washed away. The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs; And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes. In this world this edifice has been made; To display thereby the creator's glory. Tomb of Humayun shares architectural similarities with the Taj MahalThe Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian and earlier Mughal architecture. Specific inspiration came from successful Timurid and Mughal buildings including the Gur-e Amir (the tomb of Timur, progenitor of the Mughal dynasty, in Samarkand), Humayun's Tomb, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb (sometimes called the Baby Taj), and Shah Jahan's own Jama Masjid in Delhi. While earlier Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone, Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, and buildings under his patronage reached new levels of refinement.


Mesmerized by Beauty
Made by Night Mode
Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra, India. Buy print / canvas / framed. Best viewed in Light Box L. Stunned by the magical sunrise over Taj Mahal I almost did not notice this lady had appeared in my frame. This was the only shot I could take as she went by a moment later. I got to say I'm really happy with the spot she chose to enjoy the surreal view. Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal and is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Islamic, Indian and Persian architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. Building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. Soon after the Taj Mahal's completion, Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort where he could gaze upon Taj from a distance. By the late 19th century, parts of the buildings had fallen badly into disrepair. During the time of the Indian rebellion of 1857, the Taj Mahal was defaced by British soldiers and government officials, who chiseled out precious stones from its walls. At the end of the 19th century, British viceroy ordered a massive restoration project, which was completed in 1908. During this time the garden was remodeled with British-style lawns that are still in place today.


Inspiration
Made by anii579/ Ani
Agra Fort Diwan I Am (Hall of Public Audience) Uttar Pradesh The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its much more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It is the most important fort in India. The great Mugals, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was governed from here. It contained the largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travelers and the highest dignitaries who participated in the making of history in India. Wikipedia I couldn't find which century this fort dates back to. I assume 9th or 10th. Any idea? Actually you can see Taj Mahal from Agra Fort. I was surprised to know there is an underground tunnel from the fort all the way to the Taj. This is a huge architectural miracle. Fast-walking it took us about an hour, and I'm sure we missed a lot of it. I was just managing to follow the guide and snap while walking. It should take at least one full day to see Agra Fort if you want to really see it, instead of running through. ...I guess I could say it about all site-seeing spots in India :) So, altogether one should take a year or two to visit a place a day :) Hmmm...should I relocate? Thanks for your visit and have a great day! Tomorrow's Firday!!!!!!!!! :)


Lost in the Moment
Made by Night Mode
Taj Mahal and Yamuna river at sunrise, Agra, India. Buy print / canvas / framed. Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal and is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Islamic, Indian and Persian architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. Building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. Soon after the Taj Mahal's completion, Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort where he could gaze upon Taj from a distance. By the late 19th century, parts of the buildings had fallen badly into disrepair. During the time of the Indian rebellion of 1857, the Taj Mahal was defaced by British soldiers and government officials, who chiseled out precious stones from its walls. At the end of the 19th century, British viceroy ordered a massive restoration project, which was completed in 1908. During this time the garden was remodeled with British-style lawns that are still in place today.


Farewell India - The Taj Mahal
Made by Stuck in Customs
If you want to see how I made this photo, you can visit the HDR Tutorial. It may show you some new tricks! India is a beautiful and magical place. I wish I could say my journey to get to this exact vantage point was the just as beautiful and magical, but it was not. I really wanted a unique vantage point, and I was reticent to try to set up inside the complex with the teaming crowds. So, I talked my driver into taking me to the backside of the Taj Mahal because I had seen a river back there on Google Maps. We started circumnavigating the place and we came to the old trestle bridge. It was quite a long stretch to get across the river. The bridge was just barely standing, and everything about the dilapidated structure was sketchy. We were the only car on it, and it was hard to get around all the ox-carts, donkeys, and bicycles. Looking out the window at the rusting girders, I asked our driver, “When was this built?” He wobbled his head and said, “Eighty-three.” Well, I thought for a moment. That doesn’t sound so old. Then he turned back to me, “Eighteen Eighty-three.” Read more here at the Stuck in Customs blog.


seeing the sun rise
Made by Dean Forbes
Taken from one of the buildings (a mosque and a jawab built to mirror the mosque) that flank the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. The story: The owner of the guest house where I was staying in Agra recommended that I not hire a guide to show me around the Taj Mahal complex when I got there. He distrusted them. I followed his advice and began wandering around among the early-morning crowd already gathering. As I will show in later photos, this morning was far from ideal for capturing the iconic reflection images of the Taj and its pools of water. It was very hazy and foggy: a disappointment as this was the only morning I could be there. However, I was approached by a man who identified himself as one of the groundskeepers (and not an official guide), who, seeing my two cameras slung over my shoulders, figured I was there for the best photo opps. He offered to show me the best locations to photograph the Taj so I followed him for about an hour while he specifically pointed and placed me in various spots around the complex. It turned out to be a good decision on my part because I would not have found all of the archways and angles myself so quickly in order to take advantage of the early sunlight. I paid him even though he didn't ask for any money up front.


India_359_05-10-06
Made by Kelly Cheng
India's Nobel Laureate, Tagore, once said that Taj Mahal is a tear drop on the face of humanity. A building that echoes the cry I have not forgotten, I have not forgotten, O beloved! A female Dutch backpacker I met told me how she was the second person to enter the gate at 6am in the morning. How did she feel of having Taj Mahal almost to herself? She wanted to cry. Such is the spell Taj Mahal has to everyone who sets his eyes on it. Shah Jahan, fifth of the Great Mughals, was so devoted to his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace) that he could not bear to be parted from her and insisted that she always travel with him, in all states of health. While accompanying him on a military campaign, she died at the age of 39 giving birth to their 14th child. On her deathbed, it is said, that she asked the emperor to show the world how much they loved one another. The grief-stricken emperor went into mourning for two years. He turned away from the business of running the empire and dedicated himself to architecture, resolving to build his wife, the most magnificent memorial on earth. On the right bank of the river Yamuna, in full view of his fortress palace, it was to be known as the Taj-i-Mahal, The Crown of the Palace.


SIKANDRA
Made by manumint-[BUSY]
Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra, Agra. Sikandra,the former capital of Lodi dynasty, was named after the Afghan ruler Sikander Lodi.Town of Sikandra, located at about 12 km from Agra, houses the tomb of Mughul Emperor Akbar. The design and construction of the tomb was started by Akbar himself and subsequently completed by his son Jehangir. The shape of the tomb is a truncated pyramid with five storeys. The first four storeys were constructed with red sandstone and the fifth one with white marble. The white marble storey comprises a false tomb of Emperor Akbar. The real tomb of Akbar is located in a crypt right below the false tomb. There are several well laid out gardens in the tomb complex. The Baradi palace in the gardens was built by Sikander Lodi. The mausoleum originally had four red sandstone gates. Now only the southern gate is used as the main entrance to the tomb. I'm not using flickr regularly these days, i'll be back soon and i'll check upon latest work of my flickr friends soon. Wishing you all a great day:)


Gateway to the Taj Mahal
Made by Roy Prasad
The Taj Mahal is laid out over a rectangular area approximately 700m long and 300m wide, which is about 210,000 square meters (about 52 acres). See the clips from Google maps below. The site of the Taj is on the banks of the Yamuna river, which can be seen at the top of the map inserts. After centuries of neglect and abuse, the Indian government has finally taken preservation of the historic monument seriously. Now entry is tightly controlled and subject to extensive security measures including X-Ray scans. No food or drinks are allowed inside the Taj complex and nylon protective shoe covers are provided to be worn over footwear. Also, an area of several hundreds of square km around the site are controlled for low emissions from traffic. The Taj complex has several buildings in it, with the tomb of Mumtaz being the main feature, and practically a jewel. But the other buildings are intricate and grand in their own right. Above is the main entry or gateway, which is a small palace by itself! Leica S2 + 70mm Summarit-S f/2.5 S2002003


The Gate
Made by AbhijeetVardhan
This is another view of the main gate to emperor Akbar's tomb. Shot with Sigma 10-20mm lens. Do view large... the details on this gate are amazing. The entry to the monument is through a gigantic gateway called the Buland Darwaza. The gateway has been inspired by the gateway constructed in Fatehpur Sikri after the successful invasion of Gujarat by Akbar. The gateway of Sikandra has been beautifully done with huge mosaic patterns on it. The decoration has been done with the proper use of the white and the colored marbles. The mosaics follow the floral and geometrical styles. To add to the elegance of the structure the four minarets have been made in the wondrous white marble. These minarets on the spectacular gateway appear remarkable with the use of the white marble on the red sandstone. The calligraphy of the kind was done for the very first time is a perfect example of grandeur. Till date the splendor of the calligraphy may be felt. Have a look at my set. Hope you are all enjoying the warm weather... hope it stays this way!


113/365 - Sunset at the Taj Mahal
Made by armiller007
Wow. We saw the Taj Mahal in the late afternoon as soon as we got into Agra. It's absolutely, truly unbelievable. I don't want to sound arrogant but I've been to an awful lot of places and I have to say the Taj is top of the charts as far as simply incredible human structures. Adriana and I had a field day spending the afternoon there. We had a guide who was just out of this world, a gentleman from Agra who not only gave us a great tour but also pushed, shoved, and jostled for position amongst the throngs of thousands to ensure we got the pictures we wanted. :) I posted this one for my 365, if you're looking at the Taj when you walk down the reflecting pool it's taken from the right side. I liked the sun flare and silhouette of the person admiring the building. India has a lot to offer and the Taj is well worth all the hassle with respect to Indian visas and the drive from Dehli and everything else. It's really a site you should see before you die.


The Monument of love... Taj Mahal, Agra
Made by Mukul Banerjee (www.mukulbanerjee.com)
The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal (also the Taj) is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. While the white domed marble mausoleum is its most familiar component, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. Building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer.


Love
Made by prakhar
love is a many things. we love the whisper of lips in a kiss as much as the brush of hands about to separate. we love being embraced in arms of our lover as much the pain of longing for your beloved. love is as much in sufferring as in its fruition. no wonder most of the beautiful love stories till date are those of despair, be it laila-majnu, heer-ranjha, shirin-khushrev or any other across the world. the story of radha-krishna is as much of radha's longing for krishna than the whisper of secret love in krishna's flute. here's a edifice to love, built by mughal emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of Mumtaz Mahal. After his wife death he built her this beautiful monument, later his son Aurangzeb usurped and imprisoned him in Red Fort. The old king would look longingly in the reflection of the Taj in a stone mirror encrusted in the walls of red sandstone, till he joined his beloved. Here he lies buried next to his beloved.


Taj Mahal at dawn
Made by foxypar4
The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal (also the Taj) is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Ottoman, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. While the white domed marble mausoleum is its most familiar component, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. Building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The Persian architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer of the Taj Mahal.


The strangest breakfast
Made by keithhull
X If you have time looks better . I will try not to bore but I must give some context the shot is obviously looking down on the Taj Mahal in Agra. We had left England the following day flying out of Gatwick in Easter 2006 the Downs were deep in snow it was grey and freezing. We arrived after 10 long hours at 6.30 in the morning because we could not check in to the hotel the travel company took us to this park above the Taj where we were served breakfast on white table cloths the heat intense and the sky filled with the sound of strange birds. So we sat and had tea and toast overlooking the most wonderful building on the planet....Or did I dream it THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT HAVE A GREAT DAY To see keithhull's Most Interesting Photos on Flickriver