This is the day that most of us envision when we think about going to Agra. We spent two nights in this city at the incredible jp Palace. I have literally never stayed in such a stunning hotel. I felt bougie as all get out.
Agra is best known as the home of the astonishing Taj Mahal. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved Queen. It is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, as well as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
At first, you walk through red sandstone entrance gates, which are gorgeous themselves. There was so much inlaid marble work.
Everyone crowds together and starts walking through the gates. Then, there it is. Your first glimpse of the Taj. My breath caught. I have dreamed of this moment since I was a little girl and there was it was.
The Taj was breathtaking from every angle.
You will find people online who say that this is over hyped building, but that is not at all how I felt about it. I was so moved standing among the grounds and staring at the beauty.
I will confess that going into the building was a zoo, with hundreds of people showing and pushing, bodies pressed against bodies. But overall, it is still something I think every traveler should do once in their life.
Afterward, we went to to the Tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daulah. This is also often called “baby Taj.”
This was a much smaller monument, with much smaller crowds. It had a very similar style to the big Taj, but much more easily absorbed. There is just so much happening at the Taj, it is overwhelming. This is more accessible.
In the afternoon, travel to the red sandstone Agra Fort, with its incredible maze of walled courtyards, mosques and lavish private chambers reflecting the grandeur of the Mughal Empire.
After a very long day, we headed back to the hotel. There was a dance show that night at the hotel, but Zach was pretty miserable during it, so I took mercy on him, and we called it an early night.
The next day brought our first Indian train ride. Check back in next week!
