Beauty, romance and history are the things that stand out when you think of the Taj Mahal. Built in the Indian city of Agra, the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, commissioned the mausoleum in remembrance of his beloved wife. Shah Jahan’s love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is apparent in every detail of the exquisitely wrought building. More than a thousand elephants brought in the materials for construction, and it took twenty-two years to complete the entire structure. When you think of this beautiful building, most think only of the tomb itself, the dome stands out in your mind, not realizing that there is much more to this magnificent display.

Walking up to visit the Taj Mahal, you approach the main gateway onto the grounds, the rest blocked from view by a wall, which surrounds it on three sides, the fourth blocked from easy access by the Jamuna river. Through the gateway, you’ll immediately see the elaborately laid out gardens, with reflecting pools in the center. Through the archway to your left sits a mosque, and to your right is, what they believe, may have been used as a guesthouse. Of course, immediately ahead of you beyond the gardens is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the tomb itself.

Dusk and dawn give different effects to the marble, sometimes glowing pink, sometimes white or even golden, as the precious and semi precious stones twinkle with the different positions of the sun. The stones aren’t the only unique detail on the building, look closely and you will notice verses from the Quran, painstakingly detailed around the archways. There are four minarets at the corners of the Taj Mahal, giving it an even more majestic look. The pietra dura, or paintings in the stone, include many different geometric figures, flowers, vines, fruits, and calligraphy. The inner chamber is even more elaborate, reflecting the outside design elements in miniature, using precious and semi precious stones rather than marble and jade. The effort and the degree of attention to every minute detail in the construction of this lasting masterpiece is astounding.

You will find the Trident Hilton Agra hotel a welcome respite after a day of sightseeing; it is only a few minutes walk from the mausoleum. Relax in a lounge chair beside the huge 65-foot outdoor pool, have an authentic Indian meal at their restaurant, an exotic drink or snack at the bar. Not tired from the hours spent at the Taj Mahal? They also have a fitness center, jogging track, paddle tennis table and a playground for the children to use up that excess energy. The rooms at the Trident Hilton have many conveniences for your pleasure, including private marble bathrooms, beautiful garden views and facilities to make your stay a comfortable and relaxing one. If you are interested in a night out or perhaps shopping without the children, they offer babysitting services, along with children’s activities. All in all, the Trident Hilton is a most comfortable and pleasant place to unwind after exploring the history of Agra.

Posted in India

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