Agra

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted, we have been running like crazy, and have had real poor luck with internet access.

We left Jaipur and headed toward Agra at 7:30 in the morning.  We were hoping to miss the bad traffic, and get there early enough that we could see everything on our list in 1 day.  This being the case, unimportant things like using the bathroom and eating were OFF the table!!!   

Fatehpur Sikri

This is a place I had never heard of before, but it is considered a world heritage site.  This place was the capital of India for about 10 years.  The Mughal emperor apparently had trouble having kids, and was told if he walked to this city and drank the water his wife would get pregnant.  Voila, it worked so he moved the capital to Fatehpur Sikri and built this palace.  Actually only lived in it for a year or two, then got bored and moved back to Agra.  Take a look at what he abandoned Only one tiny part of the city (where the large buildings are concentrated) has been until now, studied, visited and relatively well preserved. Fatehpur Sikri, constructed on a rocky plateau, south-east of an artificial lake, created for the occasion and today partially dried up, is bounded on three sides by a 6 km wall, fortified by towers and pierced by seven gates (the best preserved is the Gate of Agra, the second from the north). This spacious enclosure defines the limits of the new foundation rather than assuring its defence.  Also, included in this complex is one of the largest Mosques in India.  Curiously it is still a functioning mosque and in the entry gate honeybees have built some of the largest hives I have ever seen.  They have a full time sweeper just to keep the dying honeybees off the floor so people wont step on them.

Agra

This is the place that Cindy had most been looking forward to, the Taj Mahal.  Not sure what I can say about this edifice that has not already been said.  Just simply, it is a tomb to the Emperors favorite wife who died very young at 27 years old.  It was built across the river from his palace so he could sit and look at it every day.

The Palace

Before going to the Taj Mahal we went to the Agra Fort, which wax also the palace where Shah Jahan (the builder of the Taj Mahal lived).  A couple of tidbits on the Mughals of this time.  They came from a marriage of the Turks, and Mongols (think Ghengis Khan).  Many of them came from Afghanistan, and alot of their architects came from Persia.  Because of this you will see influences of many types of architectures.  Needless to say this was a great day if you have any interest in history and architecture.   Saw 3 world heritage sites today!