Wednesday – The Taj Mahal and off to Ranthambore

This morning was an early start after breakfast to visit the incredible Taj Mahal. I was really excited about this trip, and it was a nice clear day that would hopefully allow a clear viewing. Sometimes the Taj Mahal can be shrouded by early morning mist that can mar your view. Sunrise and sunset can be great times to visit, as these times can offer beautiful pink and blue hues and potentially fewer crowds.

The Taj Mahal is a beautiful 73-m-high mausoleum made from white marble that sits on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra. It was built between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Johan, in loving memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who sadly died in childbirth in 1631. The actual graves of the two bodies are located in a sealed chamber beneath the main mausoleum, but replica tombs are visible in the main chamber for public viewing.

Before entering the Taj Mahal, you had to go through an airport type security; so it is essential to take small bags in with you only. We also had to take a nice little ride in a small electric cart from the car park to the entrance.

This Iconic masterpiece almost brought a tear to my eye, as its sheer size and beauty made me feel privileged to be there. The white marble, precious stones, and intricate carvings are just amazing. There are also gardens, walkways, and a mosque on the site. The view from the back by the river is breathtaking, too, and I can see why this location was chosen to build the mausoleum. You can go inside and walk round, but no photos are allowed and you must wear protective food covers, which are provided, to walk on the marble flooring.

We spent a good couple of hours at the Taj Mahal, and it started to get quite hot as the sun got up because it reflected off the marble. There are also quite a few monkeys here in the grounds, but they didn’t cause any problems despite all the warning signs, and I did get one or two quick photos! I noticed that the Taj looked even whiter as the sky got bluer before I left, so I took a few more photos and you could definitely see a difference between the photos I took on arrival and the ones I took before I left. I was sad when it was time to leave, but it was such an amazing experience that I will never forget.

So, we said goodbye to the Taj and set off on our long (eight-hour) journey to the Ranthambore National Park for a two-night stay. We did stop for lunch and some short breaks on the way to Ranthambore, but it did feel like a long way – I don’t think any of us would have easily found our way there on our own! We went into the wilderness and through many small villages before eventually arriving after dark. When we arrived, we were given refreshments while our room keys were sorted. The rooms were all lovely and spacious individual lodges in the grounds with one main lodge where we had our meals.

So, we had a bit of time to relax and freshen up in our lodges before going to dinner. We were all quite tired after all the travelling, so were glad to eventually go back to our lodges and get some sleep before the following day’s safari - at least we didn’t have to get up early the following morning.