I spend only 24 hours in Arga, and it was enough for me… why, because it felt like everyone around the tourist areas were trying to take advantage of me, I got scammed, it was dirty, loud and dry, I’ve been on the road for many hours and haven’t had a comfortable quiet stay for awhile.
This was my first few weeks in India. So 24 hours for this trip to Agra was enough, for now. I knew I’ll be back again someday to explore more.
Though Agra’s history is largely recognised with Mughal Empire, the place was established much before it and has linkages since Mahabharat period and Mahirshi Angira in 1000 BC. It is generally accepted that Sultan Sikandar Lodī, the Ruler of the Delhi Sultanate founded Agra in the year 1504.
After the Sultan’s death the city passed on to his son Sultan Ibrāhīm Lodī. He ruled his Sultanate from Agra until he fell fighting to Bābar in the First battle of Panipat fought in 1526
Jahāngīr had a love of gardens and flora and fauna and laid many gardens inside the Red Fort or Lāl Qil’a. Shāh Jahān, known for his keen interest in architecture, gave Akbarabād its most prized monument, the Tāj Mahal.
Built in loving memory of his wife Mumtāz Mahal, the mausoleum was completed in 1653.
A scene from an illegal dobi ghat in Arga, they didn’t want me there but after a little convincing I finally got some shots.
A local going about his ‘business’ doing no one on the wall in the streets of Arga, this was taken on my way to a dobi ghat on a rickshaw. This is very unusual for me.
Kids playing catch, on the grounds inside the Taj Mahal.
I walked among the thousand of visitors here and waited for the sun to set at about 5.30pm, when suddenly the skies and shade on the Taj turned a different colour.
Lovely, blessed and magical Taj Mahal, Agra at about 4pm.
This guys were dancing like there is no tomorrow, and one of them even pull me in the group after I got this image. I had to drag myself out worrying about my camera getting all colourful.
Kids playing with Holi colours during a festival in Agra. So lucky to be here during this times.
