A Trip to the Symbol of Love [Taj Mahal]

When I asked my mother that we all wanted to go to Taj Mahal, her first reaction was very emotional. Not because I asked her something unusual but largely due to the fact that my father also asked all through his life to visit Taj at least once. But my mother being a traditional lady always had an excuse or two. The biggest excuse being why to waste time and money when we see Taj Mahal every now and then on Television. This way my father’s ambition never got fulfilled and he went away in eternity. So when I asked the same question to my mother last month she accepted my proposal maybe because she wanted to make amends for her mistake of not visiting the symbol of love, the Taj Mahal which ultimately resulted in unfulfilled ambition of her husband. This made me realize that indeed Taj Mahal has something to do with emotions.

So, we set out for our journey to Taj Mahal on 27^th January 2008, a Sunday, in red colored hired Tavera. In all we were 7 adult and 5 minors alongwith our picnic food and of course the driver of the car. We set off our 200 km journey of Agra from Delhi, in the early hours of the day at about 6:30 am. We had our breakfast at a good roadside dhaba (small restaurant) 30 kms after crossing Faridabad. It was a cool chilly morning and what could have been better menu than stuffed Aaloo Parantha with butter and chilly sauce. It was a delicious meal. We set off on National Highway 2 again via two Toll Plazas and spent Rs. 53 for paying tax on each off them. We finally reached Agra at around 11:15 am but the chilly breeze was still at its best despite a sunny morning.

Our excitement of viewing Taj was now boiling. Soon our driver took us to the parking of Taj but it was one kilometer away from the lovely monument and beyond that we couldn’t proceed further in our car. So just when we were thinking of how to get to the gate of Taj, a voice came from behind and we saw a camel cart. The children with us got exited and so were we. My entire family soon was on the cart and we enjoyed every bit in it. We soon were at the main gate of Taj Mahal but still the wonder of the world was not visible to us. We paid Rs.100 to camel cart owner. But to our horror when we saw the main (Poorbi) gate of Taj, there thronged a huge queue of about 1000 or more people. But I already was told about this hidden secret that we should go inside Taj from Southern (dakshin) Gate. So we headed towards that Gate and found not more than 25 people in the queue there. Soon after some security checks we were inside the premises of Taj. And when we reached the inner Gate of Taj, it was a memorable view, as if someone entering the Cinema Hall, with the white marble tomb flashing like a giant screen in a dark theatre. This made me and my entire family realize that why Taj Mahal is among the Seven Wonders of the World. In my opinion it is the only place in India that looks good with naked eyes only. One cannot view the beauty of Taj on Television. The fountains, the park and the Yamuna River behind Taj add more color to its beauty. Even after all hardships, which the marble of Taj had faced till date, its whiteness brings peace in mind. The white walls of Taj Mahal has flowers and leaves inscribed on borders along with Quranic Verses on its side. Beauty of Taj doesn’t lie in its looks only but also in its architecture. One can stay inside the Taj entire day staring at its beauty. Architecturally, symmetry is another feature of Taj. In order to maintain symmetry a dummy Masjid and a proper Masjid is built on either side of the tomb. Museum in Taj Mahal tell us about its history. On our way back out of Taj Mahal I cannot resist viewing Taj again and again till Shah Jahan’s gift to Mumtaz Mahal disappeared from my eyes.

We also visited the Lal Quila in Agra. It is more like Delhi’s Lal Quila but with modifications. I also saw the place in Lal Quila from which emperor Shah Jahan used to view Taj Mahal in his last days to refresh the memories of Mumtaz Mahal. On our way back to home, we all were having mixed emotions. Happiness of getting a glimpse of Taj Mahal at last and the sadness of getting separated from it. And then of course, my mother having her eyes moist, with a smile on her face, probably telling my father in her thoughts that I have finally saw the Taj Mahal. The journey cost us more than 4000 rupees but the satisfaction on my mother’s face was more precious for me. Very true, there are some things which money can’t buy.