Love is a strong positive emotion of regard and affection which holds two souls together forever. It is the most fascinating feeling of a human heart which is expressed in various forms. Some express it with poems, some with songs, and some with gifts or surprises. But none have ever dared to immortalize their love, as the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan did by constructing Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal is the immortal tribute to love which was built in the 17th century by Shahjahan – the fifth Mughal emperor, as the mausoleum of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. The romantic aura of this 350 year old white marble edifice is still felt which makes it a romantic destination of the world. The everlasting charm of  Taj makes it  a popular world heritage  on the earth.

Last weekend I visited this symbol of Love with my Uncle and Aunty who came to India from New York. It was their wish that I accompany them during their Agra Visit. It was my third visit to this place and in each visit I learnt something new. Along with my uncle, aunty and their two friends I boarded Shatabdi Express from New Delhi in the morning and reached Agra by 08:15 am.

Taj Mahal is a synonymous of love and romance which is located on the bank of River Yamuna. It is set among the serene ambiance of a well-laid-out garden with the backdrop of Yamuna River flowing silently. The beauty of this monument is heart throbbing which makes it incomparable with any other monument in the world.

This incredible manmade construction is known for its architectural supremacy. Recognized for its symmetrical construction,it is raised on platform and surrounded by four minarets. Inside the Taj, the delicate mosaic work and intricate decoration with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy engrossed me completely.

For me this is the finest example of Mughal architecture which is known for its construction and decoration pattern of Turkish, Persian, Indian, and Islamic styles. I was highly impressed by the mosaic design which covers the entire surface of this building.

Another most captivating aspect of this place is a pool that reflects the image of Taj Mahal. The inverted reflection of Taj in the pool is beyond description. Sometimes this stillness was disturbed by the ripples but its calmness was soon restored. As it happened during the Mughal Reign, when their empire  lost its stability for sometime but soon their legacy was restored and flourished for centuries.

After having lip smacking lunch I took my Uncle, Aunty  and their friends for shopping. During shopping they purchased several things as a souvenir of this place. After shopping we returned to the railway station, where we boarded Shatabdi Express and reached Delhi around 10:30 pm.

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Personally, I affectionately consider Jaipur as a royal affair. It conjures visions of things which are classy, royal and beautiful. And its royalty is epitomized by its majestic structures which were once the abodes of raja-maharajas of the bygone era.

Again I was in Rajasthan waiting for another ‘time-stopping’ experience. And my royal journey started with an elephant ride to the majestic Amber Fort. Elated, I was attentively listening to the guide about this classic structure which is majestically fashioned out of white marble and red-sandstone. Overlooking the beautiful Maotha Lake, the fort is ideally perched on a hill and it seems as if the exteriors of this structure are budding out of the hill itself. Raja Mansingh started the construction of the fort in 1592 and later more and more structures were added to it by the subsequent rulers.

The fort clearly reflects the lavish, capricious, classy and adventurous lifestyle of the then raja-maharajas. I was completely bowled over by the incredible architectural brilliance of this stunning structure. The interiors of the fort are adorned with paintings, mirror and semi-precious stone work. The must-see apartment is the stunning Sheesh Mahal. Its walls and ceilings are decorated with colorful mirror work. The arresting carvings are equally enchanting.

The other structure I visited inside the fort were Kali Temple famous for its silver doors and silver lions; Diwan-I-aam, the Hall of Public audience with double row of columns; Ganesh Pol which is beautifully painted with vegetable colors; Zenana (women’s apartment) which was made to facilitate the royal ladies to watch the proceedings of the royal court without themselves been seen. It is decorated with mesmerizing paintings of Krishna Leela scenes; the Hall of Victory, Jai Mandir boasting of mirror studded ceiling. There is so much to see and enjoy in the fort.

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After getting spell bound by the enchanting beauty of Taj Mahal, we set out to

explore the Agra Fort. Being a World Heritage Site the fort was a must-visit destination on our itinerary. Popularly known as the Red Fort of Agra, this fort is undoubtedly a great attraction here. The very first sight of the fort left me with the words, “how majestic, how huge”. Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, the fort offers an opportunity to peep into the glorious past. There are two entrance gates to the fort- the Delhi gate and the Amar Singh Gate. We entered from the Delhi gate.

We had hired a guide so that we don’t miss out on the history of the fort. His name was Ramesh and he seemed to be quite knowledgeable. As we were exploring the fort Ramesh told us that the great Mughal rulers such as Babar, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb once lived in this fort and ruled the country from here. The foundation of the fort was laid by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1556 and the construction continued till the reign of his grand son Shah Jahan. The fort is also the place where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb.

The fort complex encompasses several mosques and palaces, most of which are made of white marble and red sandstone. Some of the apartments which I liked the most are:

Jehangiri Mahal:
This stunning palace was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar for his beloved son Jahangir. It reflects a perfect blend of Central Asian and Hindu architecture.

Khas Mahal:
Carved in white marble, this palace was built by Shah Jahan in 1637. The beautiful paintings on white marble is one of the striking features of this palace. Overlooking Angoori Bagh, this palace was especially built for Shah Jahan.

Musamman Burj:
This apartment was built for the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal. It offers picturesque views of the majestic Taj Mahal.

Ramesh told us that it is in Musamman Burj where Shah Jahan spent the last days of his life gazing at the Taj Mahal.

Well, don’t give a miss to the fascinating Sheesh Mahal, the dressing room of the royal ladies. Its walls are beautifully adorned with tiny mirrors.

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