 |
| Taj Mahal |
This immense mausoleum was built on the orders of Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. Built out of white marble and standing in formally laid-out walled gardens, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the most perfect jewel of Muslim art in India. The emperor was consequently jailed and, it is said, could then only see the Taj Mahal out of his small cell window.
for more historic detail about taj mahal click hear
for more historic detail about taj mahal click hear
Taj Mahal, India 360 °
How to Reach :
By Air
The fastest way of reaching Taj Mahal, Agra is by air. The city of Taj, Agra, has its own airport that is around 7 km from the city center. Indian Airlines operates flights to Agra on a daily basis.
By Rail
There is a good network of trains connecting Agra with the rest of the country. Apart from the main railway station of Agra Cantonment, there are other two stations also, that of Raja-ki-Mundi and Agra Fort. The main trains connecting Agra with Delhi are Palace on Wheels, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Taj Express.
By Road
There are regular bus services from Agra to a number of important cities. The main bus stand of Idgah has a number of buses running for Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc.
Local Transportation
After reaching the city also, you need some sort of local transport to reach Taj Mahal. You can easily get taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw and cycle rickshaw in the city that will take you to your destination. Prepaid taxis are also available if you want to visit the various places near the city. For the adventurous kind, there are bicycles that can be hired on hourly basis from different parts of the city. Since diesel and petrol vehicle are not permitted in the vicinity of Taj Mahal area, you can find battery-operated buses, horse-driven tongas, rickshaws and other pollution-free vehicles there.
Place Description In Detail :
In the "New 7 Wonders of the World" is one of the most important places is the Taj Mahal - the mausoleum-mosque, located in the Indian city of Agra.
Despite his Muslim origin, this white marble necropolis was actually a symbol of India. To preserve taking serious security measures. At a distance of 500 meters around the complex has a special security zone. Car park for 2 kilometers, and tourists get to the entrance to the rickshaws, carts or electric vehicles, as it is believed that the exhaust gases cause yellowing of the marble facing. Even along the opposite bank of the river Yamuna, in which it is located, is a barbed wire fence. The number of security personnel in the hundreds.
In January 2012, our photographer Dima Moyseenko went to Agra, where he met with the chief archaeologist, who runs the Taj Mahal, and tried to find out from him how to get permission to film from the air. It must be said that the rules of the Taj Mahal is very strict, and the territory is not allowed even with a tripod. What to say: Dima has taken a lighter and cigarettes.
Archaeologist listened to a guest from far away Russia, and said, "I will allow you to shoot with a tripod, but permission to film from the air you will not get ever. Last Taj Mahal filmed from a helicopter 10 or 15 years ago. More while I'm working here, this could not do nothing. couple of years ago, some foreigners tried to run the radio helicopter with a boat from the river, but were immediately arrested by the police. I advise you not to, do not even try. "
We wondered who all the same shot of the Taj Mahal from the air. After searching online, we found that in 1997, the famous Frenchman Yann Arthus Bertrand took photos of the Taj Mahal from a helicopter.
And then we decided to visit the Indian Embassy in Moscow. Dima went to the embassy, provided there materials of AirPano, talked about our non-profit project that aims to show people the most interesting places of our planet from a bird's flight.
We were treated carefully, asked to produce documents and information about the upcoming survey. Paper work was carried out for about two months, we have something to denounce, corrected mistakes, gave explanations. And then, when we were filming in Cambodia, the embassy came good news: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we were given permission to film in March.
For the story about the shooting I give the floor to Stas Sedov.
Although we had planned to shoot in Jordan, but after the permission of the Taj Mahal, we immediately canceled it and went to India.
And in March 2012, we Dima Moyseenko came to the Indian city of Agra, where the Taj Mahal.
There we again visited the Chief Archaeologist, which Dima had met in January. But this time, we have come with papers. But Chief Archaeologist denied us in the shooting, citing the call from Delhi. He said that we should go back to the capital and to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. As a consolation, he was allowed to take pictures inside the territory of the Taj Mahal from a tripod.
To say that our spirits after this conversation was not bad - it's nothing to say.
In fact, collapsing the entire plan of the trip. After all, the Taj Mahal was the main purpose of our trip.
The next day we spent on trips to authorities and the police, trying to somehow get permission from the local authorities, but to no avail. After listening to us and watching our paper, we are still sent to the chief archaeologist.
Without much hope Dima called the Indian Embassy in Moscow and told me that despite all the papers in place we do not give the Taj shoot.There replied that they would try to understand, but it can take a long time. And we had only 3 days.
In the evening a council of war. It was decided to take off in the morning from the walls, from the river, with the documents that we received at the embassy.
Decided to fly to the mind of not hiding - so that we did not shoot, taking the terrorists. We realized that we could take off only once, the second departure we do not give.
In the morning we packed equipment and drove to the shooting, mentally preparing to soon in the local jail. When we drove up to the Taj Mahal, the phone rang. Called embassy official in Moscow. He said he needed to go to the chief archaeologist and take permission to shoot. He was able to decide for us. Still not really believing what was happening, we went to the office. Chief Archaeologist did not even come out to us, we took his men and made of paper.
In it was a piece of paper! Permission to fly over the fort of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, and most importantly - the resolution to remove the Taj Mahal from the air - for two whole days!
To be honest, I have my eyes at first did not really believe it. But the kind of dancing for joy in the street dust Dima still brought me feel.
We shot the Taj Mahal from a helicopter two in the morning and one evening. Any object in our production history, we did not work so well.Take place on the territory of the helicopter had tripled. Every local security guard stopped us and strove with round eyes in amazement trying to figure out how so we carried the equipment into the territory. Show the paper within 10 minutes of her study, and then say that we still can not shoot here.
But we have achieved the! For the first time in 15 years, managed to fly around and shoot the Taj Mahal. For the first time in the world we have made a virtual tour from the air about the Taj Mahal - one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. And now you can enjoy the beauty of this symbol of India as before he could only see the bird.
After that we had a lot of filming in India:
Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Varanasi, Jaipur, Delhi, but any problems anywhere else was not. On the last day we were able to obtain authorization to shoot in the unique Akshardhama (New Delhi).
As we process, we will put these materials on from Airpano website.
The Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor and a descendant of Tamerlane, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. In our cynical age is hard to believe such strong feelings after 17 years of marriage and 13 years of common children. However, the fact remains that all the legends and stories of that time definitely agree on one thing - the first day of their meeting, Shah Jahan was literally bewitched by his chosen, to the point that he stopped paying attention to his other wives. And when Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 at the next delivery, Shah interrupted the military campaign, he returned home and spent the rest of his life building the mausoleum.
Twenty thousand workers erected a monument more than twenty years. The construction, in addition to local artists were attracted foreign architects - the Venetian and French. Joint efforts were created pyatikupolny building height of 74 meters on a platform with four minarets at the corners. The walls are lined with polished translucent marble, brought the construction of 300 kilometers. In bright daylight it looks white in the dawn - pink, and a moonlit night - silver. Not only that: the walls are inlaid with turquoise, agate, malachite, carnelian and other semi-precious stones, which are delivered from many countries of the world, including from Russia. majestic building of the Taj Mahal is surrounded by a park, separated by water channels into square sections, the main gate is wide channel with fountains. When the fountains are silent, in water there is a magic mirror reflection of the Taj Mahal ...
During construction at Shah Jahan had the idea to create on the opposite bank of the river Yamuna flowing behind the mausoleum, exactly the same monument for himself. He would have been made of black marble, and was connected to the mausoleum of his wife openwork bridge.Unfortunately, this beautiful plan had no chance to come true. But in order that nothing should obstruct the most beautiful mausoleum in the world, within a radius of three kilometers away were never built houses four floors above. However, long-term grief and its expression in marble prevented Shah Jahan engage pressing issues of the country. As a result, he was deposed by his son (and the son of the one after whom the mausoleum was built), and spent the rest of his days in prison. Legend has it that, as if in mockery of his prison window out of the Taj Mahal: the monument untimely deceased lover and, simultaneously, a failed career of the emperor. Taj Mahal - not just the most popular tourist attraction of India. This is a rare monument that can not only see but also feel, it's a love story, brilliantly captured in stone and leaves no one indifferent.
Places to visit in Agra and Near by :
Taj Mahal
Completed in 1653 A.D., The Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his favourite Queen, Mumtaz. Finished in by Marvel, it is perhaps India most fascinating and beautiful monument. This perfectly symmetrical monuments took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, Masons and Jewellers to built and is set amidst landscaped gardens. Built by the Persian architect, Ustad Isa, The Taj Mahal the bank of the Yamuna river. It can be observed like a Mirage from the Agra Fort from where Emperor Shah Jahan stared at it, for the last eight years his life as a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb. It is a masterpiece of symmetry, Seeming to be floating in the air from a distance, and each revealed as an illusion experienced as one enters through the main gate. The verses of Holy Koran as inscribed on it and at the top of gate 22 small domes, signifying the number of years the monument took to built. The Taj Mahal has been built on a Marvel Plateform that stands above a standstone one. The most elegant dome of the Taj, with diameter of 60 feets, rises 80 feets, over the building and directly under the dome is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan's tomb has been irected next to her's by his son Aurangzeb. Fantastic Inley works using semi-precious stones decorate and interiors.
Open Time : 6 A.M. to 7.00 P.M. (Friday is closed)
Agra Fort
The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 A.D., although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shah Jahan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hight an inner pardise. The fort is crescent shaped, flattended on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 k.m., and is ringed by double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9 mt. wide and 10 mt. deep moat surround the outer wall.
There are number of exquisite building like the Moti Masjid-a white marvel mosque akin to a perfect pearl, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khaas, Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Shish Mahal and Musamman or Samman Burj-where Shahjahan was held captive in 1666 A.D.
Open Time : Sunrise to Sunset
Sikandara
The mausolumn of emperor Akbar represent his philosphy and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and Muslim architectures in a superlative region. Completed in 1613 A.D. by his son Jahangir, it is one of the well preserved monuments. This is the last resting place of the Mughal Empror Akbar.
Open Time : Sunrise to Sunset.
Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Approximately 15 km from Agra, on Agra-Mathura highway, an area of 4.03 sq km was declared a sanctuary under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in 1990, seeing its ecological importance. This is the only representative “Protected area” in UP under “Punjab Plains” biotic province.
Values, flora and fauna: This wetland sanctuary situated near Agra supports nearly 50000 waterbirds and a large and only heronry of breeding waterbirds including rare birds like the Black-necked Stork. The Prosopis juliflora trees being the main species of tree that support the mixed heronry. Apart from the waterbirds, there are many species of woodland birds as well. More than 150 species of birds has been listed in this sanctuary.
The Sanctuary also supports a sizable number of Rock Python.
A “Bharatpur” in Agra, it is “must see” for the tourists visiting Agra.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah
Itmad-ud-Daulah is the tomb of Mirza Ghyas Beg, a persian who had obtained service in Akbar Court. The Marvel tomb was made by Emperor Jehangir's Queen, Noorjahan, for his father Mirza Ghyas Beg during 1622-1628 A.D..
The Craftmanship at Itmad-ud-Daulah foreshadows that of the Taj Mahal. It was here that. "Pietra Dura"-the inlay work on marble-so characteristic of the Taj-was first used.
Open Time : Sun rise to Sunset.
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is an epic in red sandstone. A city of yeasteryear, today lost in the mists of time. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 A.D.. Mughal Emperor Akbar had no heir. He visited holy men to enlist their prayers for his son. When he visited Sheikh Salim Chishti who was living at the village of Sikri the saint foretold the emperor that he would be blessed with a son. When is son was born, he is gratitude, constructed his capital city and named it Fatehpur Sikri. Later, due to sortage of water and unrest in North-West, Akbar has to abandon this city. The beautiful marvel tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti still attract thousands who seek blessings of the revered saint. Other renowned places are Dewane-e-Am, Dewane-e-Khaas, Buland Darwaja, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai Palace and Birbal Bhawan. Fatehpur Sikri is about 39 K.M. from Agra.
Open Time : Sunrise to Sunset.
Radha Swami Samadhi
This is the head quarter of Radhaswami religion, here the holy ashes of the founder of the faith have been preserved. On the sprawing lawns here, is a beautiful marvel temple with beautiful carving of fruits, flowers, leavesand plants which have been reduced into stone true to nature, and are distinctive speciments of the plastic arts. This is under construction for almost 100 years.
Open Time : 9 A.M. to 5.30 P.M.
Taj Mahotsava (ShilpGram)
Come February, and it's springtime. The time of the year when nature dawns all its colourful splendour and Agra bursts into colourful celebrations. For 10 days there is sheer celebration of U.P.'s rich heritage of arts, crafts, culture, cuisine, dance and music. Yes, it is Taj Mahotsav time again. There are festivities all around and Agra truly puts on the colours of joy and gets transformed into one non-stop carnival. Organised by U.P. Tourism and held as an annual event at Shilpgram, literally next door to the Taj Mahal, the Taj Mahotsav is indeed a fitting tribute to the legendary skills of mastercraftsman and other exponents of art, music and cuisine. Not only this, it is also a gentle peep into the rich heritage and extraordinary legacies of this wounderful land. The festivities commence with a spectacular procession inspired by mughal splendour. Bedecked elephanbts and camels, drum beaters, folk artistes and mastercraftsmen... all help recreate a visual delight reminiscent of the golden era of the Mughal Darbars.
Open Days : 18-27 FEBRUARY
OTHER PLACES
CHINNI KA ROJA
This was constructed by Afzal Khan, A high official in the court of Shah Jahan. Decorated by glazed tiles on the facade, the structrure clearly depicts the Persian influence in architecture.
Open : Sunrise to Sunset
MARIYAM'S TOMB
This uniqe tomb in red sandstone was built in 1611 A.D. a memory of Emperor Akbar's Goan christian wife Mariyam. The tomb has some exceptional carvings.
Open : Sunrise to Sunset
JAMA MASJID
This building, with a rectangular open forecourt was constructed in 1648 A.D., by Shah Jahan's daughter, Jehanera Begum in memory of the famous Shiekh Salim Chistti and his grand son Islam Khan. Of perticular importants is its wounderful assimilation of Iranian architecture.
OTHER RELIGIOUS PLACES
- KAILASH TEMPLE
- MANKAMESHWAR TEMPLE
- BALKESHWAR TEMPLE
- PRITHVINATH TEMPLE
- RAJESHWAR TEMPLE
- GURU KA TAL GURUDWARA
- BAPTIST CHURCH
- CATHOLIC CHURCH
- DIGAMBAR JAIN MANDIR
- BATESHWAR (ABOUT 65 K.M.)
- MATHURA (ABOUT 53 K.M.)
- VIRNDAWAN (ABOUT 65 K.M.)
- KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK (GHANA BIRD SANCTUARY) BHARATPUR (ABOUT 65 K.M.)
- PATNA BIRD SANCTUARY (ABOUT 54 K.M.)
- CHAMBAL SAFARI (ABOUT 80 K.M.)
FESTIVALS IN AGRA
KAILASH FARE
Held at Kailash about 12 k.m. from Agra in the month of August/September. It is a major fair celeberated in honour of Lord Shiva who is belived to have appeared here in the form of stone Lingam.
SHEETLA FAIR
It is held near Delhi Gate in July/August month.
BATESHWAR FAIR
A month long festival is held annualy during the month of November at the place called Bateshwar, Which is about 65 k.m. from Agra.
URS (FATEHPUR SIKRI)
This fair is organised at Sheikh Salim Chistti's Dargah during the month of Ramzan.
Note: Hello readers make comment if you like this post. we do heard work only for our unique visitors. share your review with us if any improvement or mistakes suggest us.
That is very impressive detail of Taj Mahal, Agra, one of the seven wonders of the world. I just read here the detail but still your detail more impressive.
ReplyDelete