When I wrote my post about the Colours of India, I realised that I have never written a post about the Taj Mahal. I have included photos of the Taj in many blog posts, but it definitely requires one of it’s own. So here it is: I took over 100 photos of the beautiful building, and here are my favourite.
The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra. I didn’t know where in India it was, until we were planning our trip. This all happened way back in 2008. I had spent seven weeks in Nepal, and we were heading for two weeks in India before home. The only place we knew we had to be was in Dehli to catch our flight two weeks later, so we set at planning two weeks in northern India. Obviously, with a trip to see the Taj. We had heard from lots of people that there wasn’t much to do in Agra, so we headed there for two nights.
We booked a guest house which promised a view of the Taj Mahal so upon arriving we raced up to the rooftop and were not disappointed… there it was. I expected to be blown away by my first view of the Taj Mahal, but I wasn’t. I don’t know why not, but it just didn’t feel that amazing to see it… but don’t worry, that feeling came later on and was more than I ever imagined it would be! We went to bed that night and planned to go to the Taj Mahal the next day.
In Agra, you can buy a ticket which includes entrance to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort so we went for that. We wanted to see the Taj Mahal at sunset so we headed to Agra Fort first. Again, we got to see a view of the Taj Mahal from afar, this time it felt more real, maybe because it was at more of an eye level. It seemed to spread out more that I imagined it would.
After Agra Fort we went back to the hotel with the view of heading out a few hours later to see the Taj. But, we got impatient and went long before sunset. When you arrive, you see this stunning looking building which you head into.
You see that arch? Through there is the Taj Mahal.
And there it was, just like that! *This* was the moment where I was blown away, this was the moment where my mounth literally dropped open, and this was the moment where I just couldn’t believe that I was walking towards the Taj Mahal. It was a really surreal moment to see something that I had seen so many times in photos. But this time it wasn’t a photo, it was right there!
And then, through the arch. There it was… the whole thing! 
The next task, was trying to get the classic photo with nobody else in it! I thought this would be impossible, but we managed it. And, actually it was probably a blessing that we didn’t go at sunset because I think it would have been way busier!
A travel moment that I’ll never forget!
Marcella xxx
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WhatAWonderfulWorld 
Gorgeous photos! I lived in India as a young child and have a picture of my dad and I front of the Taj Mahal that this post just brought back memories of.
Thanks so much!! Wow, that must have been a great experience – where in India did you live? That must be a very treasured photo, that’s so lovely that you got to go as a child 🙂
We lived in New Delhi and Madras for three years total. I was very young (I think we moved when I was 4) so I don’t really remember much but at least I have pictures!
I remember that moment as well. That jaw dropping moment when you realize you are finally seeing it. Amazing 🙂
It’s a really memorable feeling, isn’t it? So amazing!!
Your photos are amazing and I love that you included the different perspectives of the building, like the ones from the top of your hotel. I feel like you rarely see that and instead just see the classic shot of the Taj Mahal itself. So cool!
Thanks so much Sara, lovely kind words 🙂 So true – it was good to see it from different perspectives even if it didn’t feel like the real Taj Mahal. The classic view was definitely the best! 🙂
Gorgeous photographs! I can’t believe you manage to get pics of the Taj Mahal with nobody else in it. I would love to head over to that part of the world one day… there’s so much to see and experience.
Thanks Christine! I was so surprised too 🙂 I think sunrise and sunset are the really really busy times where it’d be harder to get a photo without huge crowds next to you. Hope you manage to see it someday!
what an amazing place… I love the moment in your story when you enter through the arch to see the Taj Mahal open before your eyes in its splendor… never visited there… hope to, one day!! gorgeous photos, especially the one with the three women in colorful Indian clothes…
Thanks Alexandra, 🙂 It was an unforgettable moment! Those colourful saris were so beautiful against the backdrop of the Taj Mahal.
Wow, gorgeous photos! I can imagine after seeing your photos why it took you getting up close to have that “wow” moment. You can really appreciate how massive it is and its details as you approach it! I would love to see the Taj Mahal one day.
Thanks Sara! So true, the size just didn’t seem real until up close – it really is soooo impressive 🙂
Taj Majal is probably the only reason I want to visit India! It looks so beautiful! I guess we get to see so many pictures of it, so from afar it doesn’t look that imposing, compared to close up! I hope I’ll make it there one day and have that wow moment too!
There are so many wonderful things about India, it’s such a beautiful country. Seeing something that you’ve only seen in hundreds of photos is such a strange moment.
Ah I am SO jealous! I’m definitely going to read your other posts on India– I’d love to visit there and have been wanting to go since I was a child!
Aw, I hope you get to go one day Daisy! 🙂
Love these beautiful photos! And what a beautiful day it was, too!
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