Continuing on our trip around the globe was a one-day stop at the Taj Mahal, the ultimate monument to love and built between 1631 and 1648. We enjoyed a most pleasant visit on this relatively cold day in Agra. India is famous for its gemstone and old rock layers.
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| Before one gets a view of the mausoleum, they pass through other exquisite buildings made from red sandstone and white marble |
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| That is the Taj Mahal frame by the entrance gate |
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| A closer view of the same |
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| Closer still.... |
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| Framed in flowers |
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| It was foggy when we landed but it cleared up by 2 PM |
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| The pool leading to the mausoleum |
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| A bride and groom |
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| ADDENDUM: After posting the photo above, reader Louise M. sent me this photo of her as young girl in 1954. She wrote: "As a kid, we lived in India 1953-54. This photo (I’m next to my Dad’s right shoulder) was taken around 5:00 in the morning. He hustled us out of bed to get the shot before all the crowds". Thank you Louise! |
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| Red sandstone building on the west side of the Taj |
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| The famous Markana marble was mined in the state of Rajasthan about 200 miles away. It is part of the Ajmer Formation of the Delhi Supergroup, about 1450 Ma. |
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| It is a beautiful stone and marvelously inlaid |
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| Red jasper semi-precious stones in a wall of the mausoleum |
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| Exquisitely carved marble |
Sounds like a fabulous trip! Thanks for sharing some of the details -- and for all of the good photos. I'd love to travel a similar route some day -- and of course, an important goal for me would be to learn more about all the different types of stone! Your blogs are a nice start.
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