42.- MARCH 29 AGRA (TAJ MAHAL/SUNRISE) INDIA

TAJ MAHAL, Early in the morning, at 5.45 we returned to the TAJ

The rays of the rising sun make the monument a wonder to behold!
"DREAM IN MARBLE" situated on the banks

of the Yamura river

The Mosque warding the West, is the main entrance to the TAJ. TAJ garden designed by ALI MARDAN HKAN, a noble in the Mughal court. Fountains and running channels of water

JAMAT KHANA building warding the East is eight sided, with twenty four arches.
Big hall and a veranda.

The TAJ a perfect fusion of Indian and Persian architecture.
The design of USTAD ISA AFANDI of Turkey was selected from all the famous architects of the world.

Twenty two small domes on the main gate of the Taj represent twenty two years spent in the construction of the TAJ.
The four corner minarets, built slightly towards the outside in case they fall.
Some Koranic texts are nicely inscribed in black letters. They do not appear bigger at the bottom than they do at the top.
The tombs of the Empress MUMTAZ MAHAL and Emperor SHA JAHAN, are situated in the center below the main dome.

Watching the effect of sunrise at the TAJ, was absolute magic.
For every hour of the day the TAJ has its own colors, the soft dreaminess at dawn.

For a few fleeting moments we saw it softly illuminated by the morning glow, just like a shining pearl.

Then, changing to enchanting golds and yellows and a pale lively rose. Shining precious stones, gold and silver, that were received from kings and chiefs of empires from abroad.