Labor of Love

Can I tell you...about the Taj Mahal? If you're going to India for the first time, this 8th wonder of the world and Unesco world heritage site is a must. It is India's most famous icon and symbol of everlasting love. This mausoleum is also one of the great examples of classic Mughal architecture at its best.
Anyone who has been to the Taj will tell you that the best way to see the Taj is during full moon or at sunrise and that's exactly what we did. Fortunately we were shuttled right up to the entrance by golf carts from the hotel because of it's proximity to the Taj. Everybody else has to park from a distant parking lot and trek over dusty streets. The security and environmental protection is very tight and they don't allow buses or cars within a half a mile distance from it, to avoid further destruction and discoloration caused by carbon monoxides fumes. Apparently the pollution is turning the white marble yellow and they have to clean it every 2 years.
This unique monument definitely lives up to it's reputation. Built entirely of translucent white marble inset with semi-precious stones and carved with intricate Mughal designs. It is breathtaking!
What is amazing is that the Taj never looks the same and it changes constantly with the light of the day. At dawn it turns rosy pink, reflecting the colors of the rising sun. At sunset it is bathed in shades of deep orange and firey red.
Our guide told us that especially during a full moon, the building emanates a blue glow. That morning, before the sun rose there was a low fog from the Jamuma River, the entire structure appeared like a mirage; heaven on earth. Absolutely stunning!
He said these changing colors represent the many moods of a woman and since this is where the Shah's wife, Mumtaz Mahal is buried, it seems appropriate. Legend has it that the Shah was so devastated by his wife's death that he employed an army of 20,000 laborers to start construction in 1632 and made sure it was completed on the exact anniversary of her death in 1648. He was later buried right beside her inside the central chamber where they could be joined forever. Isn't that the ultimate love story? This structure is a true labor of love.
We stayed at the fabulous Oberoi Amarvilas, the only hotel that can boast of unobstructed views of the Taj from all their rooms. I highly recommend it. The service is superb and can we talk about that pool? Super chic!
We then headed to the Red Fort and the Baby Taj, Agra's other famous sites. Both are worth visiting especially the balcony in the Fort where it is said that the Shah was imprisoned by his son (a long story) and on his death bed he could gaze out to the Taj Mahal. The Baby Taj has amazing mosaic tilework and if you're a printholic like me, it's a must. Very inspirational.

At the end of our tour, our guide took us on an obligatory visit (be warned)to one of the stores that utilize the same techniques and craftsmanship used in the inlay marble work at the Taj. There we saw countless examples of semi-precious stone inlay work that was mind boggling. You had to really look close to see how fine the work was. From a distance these designs looked like prints. They had something for everybody, from a dining table for six to little jewelry boxes. I walked in there determined not to buy anything and of course that didn't happen. I couldn't resist buying a souvenir to remind myself of the beauty that I had just seen up close and personal.