The first impression of Agra Fort Train Station is pretty much similar as of what tourists can feel for other train stations; hordes of auto drivers closed in to every blur-looking tourist looking for a potential passenger. However, my misbehaving bowels did not give me much motivation to bargain for the cheapest ride to Taj Mahal. I got on the first auto (Rs40 or S$1.48) that I saw; driver was a man (in mid-forties) who kept asking about the expenses on having a tertiary education in Sillypore.
Taj Mahal (a.k.a. the Taj), built in 1631 and completed 22 years later, was a mausoleum commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan (5th ruler of the great Muhgal Dynasty) for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal when she died after giving birth to their 14th child. Described by the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore as "a teardrop on the face of eternity", the raised platform where the Taj is built on means the backdrop is always (and only) the sky; a stroke of mastery in design. Shah Jahan did not get much time to embrace his creation though; he was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb shortly after the Taj was completed. After his death in 1666, he was buried here alongside with his wife; a sad but decent ending to this love story.
There was not many of people (yet) when I got to the south gate of Taj Mahal (it has 3 entrances) at 9am. As I am not Indian, I had to fork out Rs750 (or S$27.78) for admission where Indians only pay Rs20 (or S$0.74). Hated the dual pricing scheme and I presume that the declaration of the Taj as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 did not help much.
I probably made a mistake by not staying overnight in Agra. This industrial city is not all about the Taj (though it is the most significant). Other sights include the Agra Fort (a stone throw away from the train station) and Mughal Emperor Akbar's (he was Shah Jahan's grandfather) Mausoleum. However, my diarrhea was getting worst (felt like running into the toilet every other 10mins) and have to give these sights a miss. The heat was not too kind either. I was essentially waiting for time; time to board my evening train for Delhi.
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Thought that this was rather a nice picture taken at the red sandstone Mosqueto the west of Taj Mahal. |
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Just an alternative view of the Taj; taken when I was in the red sandstone gateway. Tried to smuggle in my mini-tripod but it was a failure (tripods are not allowed). Note that cameras are also not allowed in the central structure.
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An all-time favourite; doing a touristy shot (the picture will appear as if the raised hand is touching the tip of the central structure) when one is at the Taj.
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It was filled with tourists at 12noon! I found a shady place to watch the world go by (and to rest after all those toilet runs that made my legs rubbery).
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The temperature was pratically killing me. Tried to take a nap at Gajor Restaurant (Taj South Gate) but it was so bloody hot. Alos had "ramen" (or at least this is what the boss calls it) but it was just expensive instant noodles at Rs70 (S$2.59) per serving.
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Had a couple of Cokes, a (really weird) mushroom Spaghetti (Rs85 or S$3.15) for dinner and I enjoyed the evening view of the Taj while waiting for my train.
- impressions of Shanti Lodge Rooftop Restaurant, Agra
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The evening sun denotes cooling relief from the heat.
- impressions of Shanti Lodge Rooftop Restaurant, Agra |
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A night snap of the Agra Cantonment Train Station in Agra though I was more interested in knowing if my train will be delayed.
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The non-veg meal on Shotabi Express (Rs395 or S$14.63) back to New Delhi. The train was pretty sleek looking, had power plugs for charging laptops and provided food. Though it looks really good, I had no appetite as I was already "dying" from my stomach upset. Quickly ate the chicken and slept through the journey.
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Street vendor selling "Aloo Chat" (fried potatoes cubes) and “Fruit chat” (fruit salad) at Connaught Place (A-block, near to KFC) , New Delhi. |
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