"Agra: Taj Mahal and Agra Fort" a Agra Travel Page by atufft

Our 21 day trip to India included the famed "golden triangle" that includes Agra. This trip was done mostly by car and driver, so we maximized time spend actually seeing the wonderful cultural and architectural features within this region. On the drive down the Delhi to Agra highway, I highly recommend stopping at Vrindavan and Mathura along the way. Our arrival to Agra was an auspicious occasion, as we had the opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal twice, and we only paid once. Friday evenings are free, and by our plan, and on a beautiful red dusk evening we were there to appreciate the crowds of local visitors paying homage to this most sacred building of India. And yet, earlier that day, we were able to appreciate during a still clear dawn and midmorning river fog the Taj Mahal virtually to ourselves. The parking lot for the Taj Mahal is at such a distance, that hiring a pedicab is much easier than walking. Security arrangements change, but at the time we visited, the video camera had to be left with security officials in exchange for a receipt for later pick-up, while the still cameras were allowed with a smile.

Up the river, but still within view is the wonderfully constructed Red Fort, or Agra Fort. This is not to be confused with the much smaller complex in Delhi. Agra's Fort was the center of Mughal leaders for many years, beginning with Akbar, and deserves at least as much time as the Taj Mahal. Unfortunately, we had only one full day in Agra, and the morning and evening were both devoted to the Taj Mahal, so this left the mid-day for the fort. My wife was exhausted by the end of mid-morning at the Taj Mahal, so I was left to wander the fort by myself. She acknowledges now the mistake in this because the fort is itself a wonder of beauty, as well as robust defensible construction. However, she would have been even more exhausted considering the pace I had to keep to just survey the place. It's really large. The interior of the Taj Mahal is a relatively dark tomb, while the Red Fort was a liveable palace with grand interiors and wonderful views. Indeed Shah Jahan spent the last years of his life at Agra Fort gazing across at his beloved Taj Mahal.

These photos were taken using mostly Velvia 50 ASA roll film. To create the digital images for this website, I had to scan each photo and then digitally enhance each image to reduce shadows and improve brightness and contrast. I have not adjusted the colors of these images. While other VT members have attached themselves to the ephemeral copyright value of their work, I recognize that the Taj Mahal and other attractions in India are widely photographed. However, your favorable rating of my images will be greatly appreciated, and if they are to be used elsewhere, please at least provide me due credit for having framed these wonderful images. The history of both the Taj Mahal and Red Fort are perhaps better written elsewhere, so I have in my tips provided links on each tip, providing additional resources for reading. I have also provided a tip on recommended books for background reading. After you have visited my pages here, please click on my blue membername and browse my other travel pages for India and elsewhere in the world. Your reading and appreciation of the images within my tips are a great pleasure for me, and so I will also hope that you take the time to rate them highly.