Photo of the Day – Agra, India
The view of the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna river
On the banks of the river Yamuna, the Indian city of Agra in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Of course, the most famous of these – and the reason most travelers eventually make their way to Agra – is the glorious Taj Mahal. Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most universally admired masterpieces. Construction of the intricate complex of structures began around 1632 and continued for more than 20 years employing thousands of craftsmen and artisans. It’s India’s greatest jewel of Muslim art and totally worth the white-knuckle, four hour drive from New Delhi. Just don’t plan your visit for a Friday (like I did), it’s the only day of the week the Taj is closed to the public.
