where: Agra


The amount of carving and detail work is amazing. Even more so, this city/palace was full of symbols from all major religions. The Hall of Public Audiences Guest rooms (?) looking out along the banks of the Yamuna River.
I do not think I would want to be an army trying to attack the gate... Artisans practice the age-old tradition used for doing the inlay work on the Taj itself. Agra Fort began life in 1565 as a principally military structure. It is hard to appreciate how "thick" the outer walls are without being there.
The Taj is magnificent from any angle. The great symbol of India, Shah Jahan A close-up of the carvings reveals the craftsmanship sought during the construction (1631-1653 a.d.)
Each of the minarets are tilted outward -- if they collapse, they will fall away from the Taj! This first view of the Taj Mahal takes your breath away, as it is perfectly framed in the entryway.
The morning mist gives the Taj an ethereal glow. The inlay work is exquisite. If you shine a flashlight on the reddish stones, they glow orange as the light is conducted. I was told the each of the 22 small domes on the roof represent a year of construction
The scroll work and writing is all inlay -- being larger at the top to compensate for perspective.