They are all minnows in the pond of love, but Mr Shah Jahah... he is a whale. A Mougul King who upon the death of his third wife, during the still birth of their 14th child was so rocked with remorse about losing the love of his life that he spent the next 22 years building a monument to their love, a shrine where she could rest in peace and an enormous statement in white marble to the power of love ( queue Huey Lewis and the News)
The Taj Mahal (named after his wife) is less of a structure and more of a testimony of a mans devotion to his spouse and the fulfilment of a promise, it is over 350 years old and looks as good today as it ever did, the precise symmetrical architecture, the detailed inlaying of precious stones and gems and the care and attention taken to encompass, Persian, Mougul and Hindu design influences, it is a stunning building and one you just want to be around.
The rest of Shah Jahah's life pretty much sucked, all his children were murdered by his errant 4th son and he was imprisoned by the same son for 8 years, upon his death his dying wish was also granted-that he be buried next to his wife at the Taj, a closing statement in an amazing love story.
Agra Fort and Palace is equally impressive but pales in significance next to the story that built the Taj Mahal.
An evening train journey will take us to Jaipur, the Pink City, so colored for Prince Albert... Pink city...Prince Albert...? Let's not go there!
Pizza and Chai on the train this time- I'm getting more Indian by the minute, especially with my 'warrier caste' moustache (so I'm told)
Biryani Out!
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