Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri

Visiting Agra was bound to a drive of 4hrs one way through partly rural India. On the way we learned that almost every vehicel on the road set new standards on how to exceed the maximum load limits using astonishing stacking and packing techniques of people and goods. 

Reaching the Taj around 7:30hrs enabled us to start the visit in bearable 38 degrees. In a nutshell - built in 22 years by 20000 craftsmen under the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan,

semiprecious stones from Belgium, Chile, southern Africa and India inlayed into huge beautifully crafted white marble blocks, is from the pure making process really impressive. Not to forget it was built in early 16th century ...Then to experience the glow and glitter when lit by a torch (brought in undiscovered ;-) ) is truly unique.

In the period of governance the emperor launched building a replica in black marble - the to-be tomb for himself . Yet this was never finished as his brother putsched to be become the emperor himself.

Originally designed as a tomb for his most beloved wife the Taj Mahal now was used as tomb for the emperor and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Looking again at the dimension of this site - the guy was insane or in love ...

Not only the astonishing marble work and marble inlay technique but as well the story to the making  lead us to the conclusion that it is truly a must-see. As well we could not resist buying a piece of taj mahal craftsmanship.

In the afternoon we decided to cook ourselves by visiting Fatehpur Sikri at 45 degrees. Not only because of the mercy of the sun to only burn our skin this place will stay in our memory. It is a joint site of an ancient city, palace and a still used muslim temple full of amazing stone carvings and worthwhile remembering wisdom that all religions - Muslim, Hindu and Christians - shall respect each other and live in peace together.