{"id":5185,"date":"2017-04-18T23:23:21","date_gmt":"2017-04-18T23:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=5185"},"modified":"2017-12-07T13:36:02","modified_gmt":"2017-12-07T13:36:02","slug":"india-golden-triangle-3-can-cover-three-unesco-site-day-agra-taj-mahal-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2017\/04\/india-golden-triangle-3-can-cover-three-unesco-site-day-agra-taj-mahal-one\/","title":{"rendered":"India Golden Triangle 3 : You can cover three Unesco sites in a day in Agra and Taj Mahal is one of them!"},"content":{"rendered":"

India Golden Triangle 3 : Agra<\/strong><\/p>\n

My second leg of the India Golden triangle is Agra. \u00a0I have been waiting for this because Taj Mahal is in Agra. \u00a0Beside Taj Mahal, Agra also has Agra Fort and Fatehphur Sikri, these three are Unesco World Heritage site.<\/p>\n

Jaypee Palace Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n

We stayed a night at the Japyee Palace Hotel and I strongly recommend this interesting hotel as some part of the building was in red, look like you are staying in a fort. \u00a0 The food in the restaurant was great with many variety to choose from.<\/p>\n

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(1) Fatehpur Sikri – City of Victory<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fatehpur Sikri \u00a0was founded by great Mughal Emperor Akbar and made as the capital. In here you can see the best preserved example of Mughal architecture in India. \u00a0However it was later abandoned due to lack of water supply after Emperor Akbar’s death.<\/p>\n

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One interesting fact is Emperor Akbar built these stunning palaces in Fatehpur Skiri for his three wives who were all from different religion, Hindu, Muslim and Christian, hence you can see the fusion of architecture here.<\/p>\n

Diwan-I-Khas – Hall of Private Audience in Fatehpur Sikri<\/strong><\/p>\n

Again, this is the place for the Emperor to meet his officials and ministers.This is also the place that Emperor Akbar had representatives of different religion discuss their faith as Emperor Akbar embraced all religions.<\/p>\n

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Lotus pillar<\/strong><\/p>\n

The remarkable lotus made by red sandstone can be found in the Hall of Private Audience. \u00a0Try spot the biggest lotus which is located in the center of the hall. \u00a0The big lotus in the central pillar represent unity and diversity.<\/p>\n

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Why is red sandstone used?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Red sandstone has the cooling effect in summer and it also keep you warm in the winter. \u00a0I was hiding for some shade and when I touched these stones, it was very cooling.<\/p>\n

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Panch Mahal at Fatehpur Sikri<\/strong><\/p>\n

Guess how many pillars to built this pavilion? \u00a0Total number of pillars to form this beautiful pavilion is 84 pieces.<\/p>\n

This is actually a wind catcher tower where the Queens and Princesses sit there to enjoy the breeze. \u00a0It has some elements of a Buddhist temple, consisting four stories in total. \u00a0This pavilion gives a majestic view of the fort if you climb to the top.<\/p>\n

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(2) Agra Fort<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our second Unesco Site in Agra is Agra Fort.<\/p>\n

The Agra Fort was first built by Emperor Akbar in the 15 century but later his grandson Shah Jahan (the Emperor who built Taj Mahal) took over and added few extension with his favorite building material, the white marble.<\/p>\n

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This is the entrance to the Agra Fort, you can see the fort is made by red sandstone hence Agra Fort also known as Red Fort.<\/p>\n

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Amar Singh Gate<\/strong><\/p>\n

You need to walk pass this magnificent Gate before entering the real palaces.<\/p>\n

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Jahangir Palace<\/strong><\/p>\n

Akbar built it, later used for a separate quarter for the royal ladies for their praying.<\/p>\n

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Alvin and the Chipmunk friends<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best thing in Agra fort is to meet Alvin and his friends. \u00a0An Indian man kindly handed us some food to feed \u00a0the hungry Alvin, it was really fun to play with these little cute creatures. \u00a0They nibble softly on your hand and are very friendly. Before we left, the Indian man asked us to pay for the food we just fed Alvin. Well, we paid a little money for him. \u00a0It is reasonable to pay as we have so much fun!<\/p>\n

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Agra Fort Diwan I Am (Hall of Public Audience) Exterior<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Agra Fort Diwan I Am (Hall of Public Audience)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Interior of Agra Fort Diwan I Am (Hall of Public Audience)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Golden Pavilion<\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0 word “Golden’ was used because of the gold color rooftop which also has element of the Bengali style as it’s characteristic. \u00a0Standing at the Golden Pavilion you can see the Jumna River and enjoy some countryside view.<\/p>\n

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Remarkable decoration on the ceiling<\/strong><\/p>\n

Decorations on the ceiling, built with white marble, I believe it was built by Shah Jahan as marble is his favorite building material.<\/p>\n

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Prison for Shah Jahan in Agra Fort<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shah Jahan was prison by his own son in this fort after his son seized power. Shah Jahan died in Muasamman Burj 8 years later, a tower with a marble balcony with a view of the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum Shah Jahan built for his beloved wife.<\/p>\n

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Shah Jahan’s son was still considered thoughtful to have kept his father here, a good view to \u00a0admire Taj Mahal day and night.<\/p>\n

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(3) Taj Mahal – Jewel of the Palace<\/strong><\/p>\n

The final Unesco Site isTaj Mahal, there are a distance to walk in to Taj Mahal. \u00a0Saw a camel waiting to pick up tourists. \u00a0This place is very busy as there are more than 3 million tourists visit Taj Mahal yearly.
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Taj Mahal<\/a> Romantic Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

Taj Mahal symbolize love and romance. \u00a0It is also one of the seven wonders of the world and also\u00a0a symbol for the whole Indian nation.<\/p>\n

Shah Jahan built Taj Mahal for his favorite\u00a0wife Mumtaz Mahal who died after giving birth to their 14 child. \u00a0Mumtaz Mahal was Shah Jahan’s childhood love and considered as ‘the chosen one’ in the Palace.<\/p>\n

Taj Mahal was built with Shah Jahan favorite material, the white marble and house as a tomb for Mumtaz Mahal.<\/p>\n

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Best timing to visit Taj Mahal<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Some people choose to come\u00a0early to see the sunrise in Taj Mahal but I was here for the sunset. \u00a0It is open as early as 6 am.<\/p>\n

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Calligraphy on the wall before entering the tomb<\/strong><\/p>\n

People are queuing to pay respect to the tomb. \u00a0Security is very tight. \u00a0Observe every details here, it is breathtaking. \u00a0It took almost 20 years to built the Taj Mahal and 20000 workers and 10000 elephants were involved in this huge project.<\/p>\n

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4 Minarets to support Taj Mahal<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

4 minarets, each about 40m high was built slightly slanting outward so when it collapse, it will not collapse at the Taj Mahal but collapse outward.<\/p>\n

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To protect the marble floor, I was given a plastic cover to put on top of my shoes when entering the marble tomb.<\/p>\n

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Optical trick – experiment it yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first view of the monument is framed by the main gate when you enter. (Refer to below picture). \u00a0As you move closer, the Taj Mahal seems to get smaller. \u00a0It seems to grow bigger as you walk away. \u00a0It is said when you leave you take the Taj with you in your heart. \u00a0How romantic! \u00a0Observe the color slightly changed in the evening.<\/p>\n

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Marble factory<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our final stop at marble factory since this place is famous for it marble.<\/p>\n

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Agra Summary\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n