Taj Mahal

August 2016

The main attraction as seen through the entrance arch.

When we told our boys that we were moving to India for several years, the only request they made was to see the Taj Mahal before we left. Well, check it off the list! We took an extra day while we were in Delhi to drive out to Agra.  We did not have enough time to see the Red Fort as well, but the entire trip was definitely a once in a lifetime chance.

The Taj Mahal is a beautiful and elaborate mausoleum built for the King’s favorite wife. It is famed that she was so highly favored because his first two wives could not give him children, but his third wife gave him many children.

This was by far, the most crowded monument we have visited in India.

One of the small tombs built for other wives of the king.

The entrance gate to the famous landmark.

No pictures are allowed inside the monument, but we took plenty outside. It’s hard to smile when it is so hot. Check out some of our favorites.

The front door.

Gabe leaning on the decorations by the front door. All the semi precious stonework is done by hand.

It was hard to smile when it’s so hot.

Bobby’s triumphal return from the bathroom was one of my favorite pics of the day.

Max found some tall, silo looking parts of the buildings in the corners.

It is beautiful from every angle.

Gabe looking handsome.

Bobby caught a picture of the principal photographer.

After we finished at the Taj Mahal, our guide took us to the shop owned and run by the family who originally set the semi precious stones in the decorations on the tomb. The same family still does all the maintaaince work on the monument, as well as make and sell other things out of marble and semi precious stones. We saw picture frames, jewelry boxes, end tables, and lots of chess tables. We bought the one below- to be held as an heirloom in the Creasman family forever after. May we all play chess and try to kill each other many times!

Max trying his hand at setting the stones.

The chess table we bought, now to be an heirloom to the Creasman family forever after.