2011 Biking Rajasthan

From Ajmer by train (reeking of urine) to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal. Agra lies outside Rajasthan, but the Taj is built from Rajasthani marble, so was a suitable finale to our Rajasthan odyssey. It is interesting to note that Hindu India’s premier tourist destination is a Muslim tomb. It was built by Shah Jahan who ruled for 31 years from 1627, following a bloody succession battle in which he executed two brothers and several male cousins. The Taj is the burial place of Shah Jahan’s favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace). She died aged 39 giving birth to their 14th child. Her husband was later entombed at the Taj beside her.

The Taj Mahal is a building of astonishing beauty, the impact of which cannot be captured on film. Construction, begun in 1632, took 20,000 workers 22 years to complete. The Taj is totally symmetrical and its white marble, transported 300km by 1000 elephants, is reflected in shallow pools. Inlaid in the marble are semi-precious stones from Egypt, China, and Afghanistan. If you have never visited the Taj Mahal, you must add it to your “bucket” list.

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