What monsoon?

It was once described as ‘a teardrop on the face of eternity’ – well there were plenty of tears falling on the Taj Mahal yesterday when we visited. A rainstorm unlike any I’ve ever witnessed. It was disappointing, but did not take away the awe felt when we took our first glimpse. It truly is beautiful – smaller than most people imagine but so perfectly formed, flawlessly symmetrical, delicately exquisite. Luckily as we were heading back the rain ceased and we could admire it umbrella-free, without getting drenched. Actually we already were, but we could forget that for a moment.














Shockingly, we learnt that some British imperialist once tried to auction the Taj Mahal for its marble! Thankfully it was saved from destruction…

We’d hired an auto-rickshaw for the day, and as the heavens re-opened we were tempted to call it a day after the first stop. But after a revitalising lunch we persevered and continued to the massive red sandstone Agra Fort, where we wandered around and took in the hazy view.






Third stop was the Baby Taj – Itimad-ud-Daulah – an ancient Persian tomb pre-dating the Taj but featuring very similar design elements and intricate marble inlay work.









Finally we stopped over the river for an uninterrupted view of the Taj from behind. Simply stunning.




Tonight we head into Rajasthan, to Jaipur, by train. Until then…