The Taj Mahal is one of the few world-famous tourist sites that actually fulfills your expectations. It is breathtaking to see in person, having seen the image hundreds of times in movies, magazines, advertisements... But you have to see it in person; the pictures below are only a tease.
It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth.
 Coming through the gate, this is your first early morning view. |
 Many, or maybe most of the tourists at the Taj are natives. It's naturally a popular spot for honeymooners. |
 The classic view. The Taj was built between 1631 and 1653, using 20,000 laborers from the region. Specialists were brought in from as far as Europe. |
 Seen through an eastern portal. |
 Up close, the marble carvings are stunning. |
 Flowers in relief. |
 Being a construction worker, I wondered how they did such a perfect job of creating these stone inlays. |
 Here's how it's done. The back sides are beveled. |
 Once the pieces are joined, they are sanded to a smooth perfection. |
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 A father and son carve the delicate marble with a stylus.
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 Close up view of carving the marble. |
 Another team, using simple but effective traditional tools. |
 At dusk the tourists gather to see the sunset from across the river. |
 Where there are tourists, there will be local boys. |
 This is another classic view, from the opposite direction as the prior classic front view. |
 Local boys. |
 Serious friends gather in the reflection of the Taj. |
 A final view at dusk, the pink glow of the sunset absorbed by the Taj marble. It changes color slightly through the day. |
 The "Baby Taj", another mausoleum for the parents of Mumtaz Mahal, for whom the Taj Mahal was built. It is said to be the prototype model for the Taj. |
 Symmetry is big in regional architecture. |
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 A local Agra family, convened for a quick photo.
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 The Agra Red Fort, similar in design to the Red Fort in Delhi. |
 A detail of the marble. |
 Even the ceiling are made from marble. |
 Sundown from the Emperor's throne. |
 The Emeror's daughter's quarters. The Taj Mahal can been seen in the distance. |
