OSU Travels: Agra and the Taj Mahal

On Wednesday and Thursday the 21st-22nd we traveled in 2 waves to Agra for the obligatory visit to the Taj Mahal.

MVL Prasad, the Hargis' & Tikalskys headed out @ 10:30 am for a "3-hour tour" on the brand new freeway to get there in the afternoon. We intended to see the fabulous mausoleum centerpiece (as the whole complex is called the Taj Mahal) at both sunset and then sunrise. But... instead we traveled the local roads, stopped at a roadside restaurant and souvenir shop (think a BIG truck stop in the US with lots of souvenirs, coffee shop, restaurant & necessary facilities) and saw a lot of real India. We traveled from the state of Delhi, through a little corner or Haryana, and into Uttar Pradesh, home of Agra.

We did climb the hotel observation tower at sunset and see the Taj Mahal from afar. We also children playing cricket on building rooftops.

The Ag team of the Woods, Drs. Kakani & Henneberry joined us in the second wave after their excellent meeting with NABARD. We were up and at 'em on the road by 6:15 on Thursday morning. The grounds of the Taj Mahal were filled with people at this early hour. Locals exercised, practiced yoga, played badminton. Tourists of all stripes walked toward the main gate to go in to see this 2nd wonder of the world (it has moved up the UNESCO rankings.)

Our guide Vikram was a pleasure! He has a BA in history and architecture, as well as a masters degree in tourism. He was extremely knowledgeable about the mughals, the mughal Shah Jahan who had the Taj Mahal built to commemorate his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. I think the most interesting fact we all learned was that Shah Jahan intended to extend the symmetry and homage to the other side of the Yamuna River by building an exact replica of the Taj Mahal's buildings and grounds, but in black marble. From the river side of the Taj, one can view the layout and grounds. The mughal king was thwarted by his son, who thought this was not a responsible way to rule and use state money, and deposed then placed under house arrest in the rooms of Mumtaz Mahal at Agra Fort & palace. Each day until is death, Shah Jahan looked out his windows at the Taj Mahal and remembered his lovely, favorite wife & soul mate.