Agra - Taj Mahal 1-2 Apr

After 4 weeks in India, we have finally made our way to Agra to see the famous Taj Mahal.
Thanks to the advice of the fellow travellers we met along the way, we were advised not to stay near Taj Mahal. So we picked a homestay on the outskirts and had some really nice home cooked meals!

Taj Mahal is truly magnificent and live up to its name. We did not expect to spend a long time there as it's pretty small compound and ended up spending 5hours + soaking in the grandeur of the place like the locals..

Being one of the golden triangle spots, we experienced more touts and saw groups of children beggars at the train station operating together. (similar to what was portrayed in Slumdog Millionaire) We were quite impacted by the fact that these children are probably manipulated by syndicate and deprived of an education and better life. The dilemma of giving/not giving was very strong and one feels so helpless towards them.

Check out one of the beauties of India below...

We arrived at the main gate to enter Taj Mahal at about 2pm..

Tight security! No bags to be brought in, no food, no water for locals. Foreigners are given a bottle of water each(cos we pay 10 times more than local!). A lady in front of us had a recorder and was forced to keep in locker b4 entry allowed..

2nd entrance after entering 1st gate.

Meet the grand Taj Mahal. As good as seen in those postcard..

A typical shot that everyone takes..

As footwear in not allowed in the mausoleum, foreigners are given foot cover as shoes left may be stolen!

The main entry into the mausoleum.

No photography inside..here's the exterior for your viewing pleasure.

The cravings on the ceiling is very detailed too..

Typical Mughal deco..

One of those cravings...coloured stones put into carved marble..See those holes.. bad tourists!

Both interior and exteriors walls have Islamic inscriptions on it. 

Local families were taking pics with a Hong Konger like a Superstar..

As usual, the children were very friendly and started talking to us...

We just lazed around to enjoy the grandeur of Taj Mahal..

Taj Mahal is located next to Yamuna River.

There was a mosque next to it. On the opposite side, a similar building built to provide a symmetrical feel.

Side of Taj Mahal

Lovely shot that we loved..

The locals know how to enjoy and soaked in the grandeur of the place..

At 5pm (closing time), tourists were still swarming in...

Mad rush into the mausoleum..

(lucky we got here earlier..)

Jeff's shot! Nice? 

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!

View of Taj Mahal from the Mosque.

One of my best shot! =)

Sunset shot of Taj Mahal, Agra Fort (if you can spot it) by Yamuna river..

At dusk, there were flocks of birds..

I believe I can fly...

I believe I can touch the sky..

Final shot of Taj Mahal after 5 hours admiring the place...worth the trip!

Delighted to find a Chinese restaurant

Lovely children of our homestay.

Met Gurmit Singh and his family. They are so warm and kept offering us drinks and food. =) Feels like home..

There's a shoe factory at the backyard of our homestay.

Quite fun to see how it was made.
Each worker earns about 5000R (S$150) per month.