INDIA VACATION 2007

AGRA - THE TAJ MAHAL

The Taj Mahal is perhaps India's most famous sight. It is truly spectacular, especially when seen early in the day when the light is clear and there are not too many tourists. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his favourite wife.

The Taj Mahal is considered to be the finest example of Mughal architecture. In 1983, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. It was described then as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage."

While the white-domed mausoleum is most familiar, Taj Mahal is an integrated complex which also includes two mosques and beautifully landscaped gardens. It was completed around 1648.

Pictured in the photos above: 1) and 2) in the grounds of the Taj Mahal, 3) Annette and Paul at the Taj Mahal, and 4) the entrance to the Taj Mahal.

This posting on my blog completes the photobook. Publishing it on the Internet was my initial goal in starting this blog. Only a few days remain before Christmas, and I will be very busy now preparing for the arrival of my son, his wife, and their three wonderful sons. When the festivities are over and my guests have returned to Ottawa, I will have time to consider whether to continue with my blog, and if I do, what sort of travels I will post.

INDIA VACATION 2007

MORE FORTRESSES OF INDIA

Golden Fort, so-named for its resemblance to a golden flame in the desert sun, includes Jain temples, a palace, a museum, and one-quarter of the houses in the Old City of Jaisalmer. It was built in the 12th Century and has now been placed upon the World Monuments Watch List of 100 endangered sites. Located in an area of meagre rainfall, the fort was built with a complex system designed to collect rainwater. However, it was not designed to handle the volume of water now necessary to accommodate tourists and has become unstable. It is unclear if anything is being done to contain or reduce the damage. The fort is shown in the first photo above.

Junagarh Fort, located at Bikaner, was built in 1593 and has a very well-preserved interior. Hand-prints, shown in the middle photo above and preserved near the fort entrance, are those of women about to commit suttee after their husbands had died in battle.

Construction of Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur began in 1459 and was completed in the 17th Century. The fort, never captured, sits atop a 125-metre hill. The last photo above shows the blue houses of Jodhpur, the Blue City.