Three Knots, Three Wishes: Knot Two - Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal certainly needs no introduction; the pride of India, it is one of the finest structures built during the Mughal period, admired for its beauty worldwide.
It was just two km away from our hotel and as my mom is really fond of horses, we decided to take a horse cart to the eastern gate.

A very happy customer

As it was a Saturday, and Taj Mahal is closed every Friday, there was quite a crowd (and not to forget, the heat as well.) So the atmosphere was quite opposite to the one in Fatehpur Sikri where we were left to ourselves, while here we had vendors and photographers hovering all around the place and tourists in both sarees and shorts.

The fun facts you learn when you visit these places are my favourite! Like this time I learnt that Shah Jahan had also built two domes in memory of his other two wives as well; one at the eastern gate and the other one on the western gate or that the foundation of the structure is made up of wood which strengthens when placed in water and deteriorates when in the absence of it.

We also got to witness how the local handicrafts are made out of marble. First the design is craved out from the marble slab and then thin strips of gemstones are added to it. It takes three to five months to finish one piece. Painstaking work but beautiful, isn't it?

And lastly, one full view of the white beauty,

Last but not the least;

Next up: Agra Fort!