Agra

As I write this post its 1100 hrs on Wednesday March 8th 2023 - day of Holi. Sitting on 9th floor I have many DJ's blaring to bothersome levels juxtaposed for their crowd moving skills. No choice; have to take it for another 3 hours or so till the time drunks start getting wobbly and fally.

It occurred that should I take off on 6th and 7th I can plan a trip. We left on 5th (Sunday) and returned yesterday, well before commencement of Holi mayhem. It was a good trip. Hotel treated us well and the stay was comfortable. Visits to Taj Mahal and Itmad-ud-Daula tomb were profound as one can just sit for hours, ogling at their magnificence whilst trying to figure how they would have made, what it would have been like. Many souls visited, visit and will visit - but Taj Mahal stands. It speaks to the boldness of Shah Jahan's vision in his day, that long after he is gone and gone are the traces of his existence, people from world over come to visit his and his wife's tomb to this day.

Itmad-ud-Daula which I googled before the trip is referred to as Baby Taj and is equally intricate and beautiful but on a smaller scale and with much much less crowds - which makes it really worth the visit. Amazing craftsmanship and Arabic calligraphy in black stone, attention to detail and how in the Lord's name did they do GUNIYA - beats me. India has so much to be seen into. Will do. 

Too many Goras visiting - which is very good for everyone - people moving out and about helping each other. Hotel had 9:1 ratio of fair to brown skin. The ride was perfect - third time through and within Agra in last few months. I love this route and baby doll looks forward to eat up its kilometres.  Enjoy the pics.

waah Taj

for the books

Itmad-ud-Daula

safe and secure baby doll