Esther's photos with the keyword: Mahal

Red sandstone walkways in Agra, India AIMG_6027

The entrance to the site of the Taj Mahal is enormous, as is evidenced by comparing it to the size of the people passing through it.. The building known as the Taj Mahal is actually a mausoleum on the other side of this entrance. It was built in Agra, India by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. In addition to the iconic mausoleum, there are a number of other significant structures on the site. Contruction took place from about 1632 until approximately 1653. AIMG_6028

There are many domes and arches at the Taj Mahal AIMG_6118

The Taj Mahal is a masoleum and memorial that was built in Agra, India by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during the birth of their fourteenth child. Contruction took place from about 1632 until approximately 1653, employing about twenty thousand workers. It was built out of marble with semiprecious stones inlaid as decoration. The central dome has a diameter of 58 feet and rises to 213 feet. The tilt of the tower in the foreground is only the effect of the 18 mm lens. AIMG_6056

The Taj Mahal complex consists not only of the iconic white masoluem, but also a mosque and other structures. The mosque was undergoing a re-gilding and the workers were perched on percarious and minimalist scaffolding. AIMG_6057

The view from the Taj Mahal looking across the Yamuna River. AIMG_6106

The Taj Mahal complex consists of a number of buildings including the iconic white masoleum. One of these buildings is the jawab (answer) which served as an architectural balance to the similarly designed mosque on the western side of the complex and may also have been used as a guest house. AIMG_6092

The Taj Mahal complex consists of a number of buildings including the iconic white masoleum. One of these buildings is the jawab (answer) which served as an architectural balance to the similarly designed mosque on the western side of the complex and may also have been used as a guest house. The walls are composed mostly of red sandstone with inlaid white marble. AIMG_6099

The dome of the Taj Mahal in Agra India. The Taj Mahal is truly a wonderous sight. Photographs can not do it justice The Taj Mahal is a masoleum and memorial that was built in Agra, India by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during the birth of their fourteenth child. Contruction took place from about 1632 until approximately 1653, employing about twenty thousand workers. It was built out of marble with semiprecious stones inlaid as decoration. The central dome has a diameter of 58 feet and rises to 213 feet. AIMG_6042

The design is not painted but is made from several types of inlaid stone. The Taj Mahal is truly a wonderous sight. Photographs can not do it justice The Taj Mahal is a masoleum and memorial that was built in Agra, India by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during the birth of their fourteenth child. Contruction took place from about 1632 until approximately 1653, employing about twenty thousand workers. It was built out of marble with semiprecious stones inlaid as decoration. The central dome has a diameter of 58 feet and rises to 213 feet. AIMG_6053

Inlaid stone decorates the Taj Mahal in Agra, India AIMG_6086

As the afternoon fog began to roll in, theTaj Mahal was cast in a dreamy light. The Taj Mahal is truly a wonderous sight. Photographs can not do it justice The Taj Mahal is a masoleum and memorial that was built in Agra, India by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during the birth of their fourteenth child. Contruction took place from about 1632 until approximately 1653, employing about twenty thousand workers. It was built out of marble with semiprecious stones inlaid as decoration. The central dome has a diameter of 58 feet and rises to 213 feet. AIMG_6042 AIMG_6144

The dome of the Taj Mahal in Agra India is made of marble in which in recent time, hooks were inserted ffor the purpose of attaching camoflouge. Attempts were made to camoflouge the dome from the German Luftwaffe and the Japanese during World War II and decades later from the Pakastani air force. Because removing the hooks would cause damage to the dome, they have been left in place and now serve only as unintended bird perches for black kites - large birds of prey that soar on the thermal currents. A black kite can be seen flying on the left side of the photograph. AIMG_6121

There is something very challenging about getting a person with a machine gun or automatic rifle to smile for the camera. In the US, they tend to be rather cranky about it. In Italy, they were only too happy to do so if requested. In China, it was strickly forbidden, although when the errant tourist did so, most guards at the major tourist sites merely ignored them. In India, some police were sufficiently scarey in the conduct of their duties to avoid even approaching. This man seemed friendly and very professional as he guarded the Taj Mahal and a smile from me while pointing to my camera got a pose and a smile back. AIMG_6105

The Taj Mahal complex consists of a number of buildings including the iconic white masoleum. One of these buildings is the jawab (answer) which served as an architectural balance to the similarly designed mosque on the western side of the complex and may also have been used as a guest house. AIMG_6088

Details from the Taj Mahal Jawab AIMG_6093

Detail of the top of theTaj Mahal Entrance Gate. The structure is built primarily out of sandstorne and marble with other stones inlaid as part of the design.

This photograph is of the top of one of the four minarets at the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is a masoleum and memorial that was built in Agra, India by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during the birth of their fourteenth child. Contruction took place from about 1632 until approximately 1653, employing about twenty thousand workers. It was built out of marble with semiprecious stones inlaid as decoration. The central dome has a diameter of 58 feet and rises to 213 feet. AIMG_6123