The Taj Mahal

Posted by Dave on 16 June 2008.

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THE tourist photo op

I rolled out of bed at 5:30am to see the Taj at sunrise, though from the hotel roof, it didn’t look too different from the night before. I met Laura and Dan at the eastern entrance, and we proceeded to tour the site along with everyone else trying to get an early jump on the crowds. While there was plenty of blue sky to create a great backdrop for photos, the reflecting pools were drained for cleaning.

Detailed stonework at Taj Mahal

Up close, the beauty of the building in my eyes lay in the intricate, inlayed carvings. Precious stones sourced from around the world were used, and it is a big part of why the building took 30+ years to complete.

Taj Mahal

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This post was written by:

Dave - who has written 990 posts on Go Backpacking.

Dave Lee (Editor-in-Chief) blogged his way around the world from 2007-2009, and then started Travel Blog Success to teach others how to do the same. When not writing, he can be found salsa dancing, and lamenting his untimely departure from Medellin. Follow him on Twitter @rtwdave

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Chenoa

You know, when you shine a flashlight onto the inlaid stones, the light filters out through them and into the adjacent stones and marble? Kinda hard to see it by daylight tho; if you try it around dusk, the effect is awesome!

Dave

Yes, a "tour guide" was awaiting me at the entrance to the interior of the Taj, and he had a little light to show me what you're talking about. Also, all the good marble showrooms will be all too happy to dim the lights and give you a flashlight to help sell their produts. Definitely a cool effect!

clair

That first picture is beautiful and you look happy :smile: . An uncle of mine has that same exact marble table top of that piece (middle picture).. its beauty is astounding is all I can say.

Dave

Yep, once I realized the beauty of the buliding was partly in the detailed precious stonework, I had to buy a little for myself as a souvenir, and the marble salesmen were eager to make sales. :)