The Taj Mahal
I’ve written quite a bit about how difficult it is to travel in India. There are many highlights, however- with two destinations standing out in particular.
The first and most obvious destination is the one that you come here for: The Taj Mahal. Built in honor of his life-long love who died while giving birth to their 14th child, the Taj is a testament to commitment and honor between a King and Queen.
What I found to be most fascinating about the structure is that it is composed of elements that come from all over the world. The white marble from Rajasthan was floated down the Yemena river. Semi precious stones were imported from as far away as Belgium and South Africa. Skilled workers (estimated at 20,000 men) spent 22 years building the structure.
My favorite fun fact about the building is that the 4 minarets that surround the tomb where the king and queen were buried are built at an angle. Each leans 2 degrees out and off vertical so that in case of an earthquake, they don’t fall into the tomb and instead fall outward into the vast open gardens surrounding the center structure.
A skilled artisan carves the same white marble used on the Taj Mahal
I highly recommend arriving on a Monday- as early as possible. Sunrise is suppose to be the most majestic time to arrive, but unless you are staying in town- this is difficult. We arrived at about 9:30am and didn’t feel that we missed anything. Note that there are multiple fees associated with the experience- 750 R to enter, 100 R for a tuk tuk to the front gate (worth it), and additional fees (500 R) for parking our taxi and 300 R for our tour guide. Not including taxi, this means each of us spent about US $35 on the experience.
Our tour guide also brought us to a marble manufacturer in Agra where we learned more about the process by which the stones are carved and embellished with the semi precious stones that make it so glamorous. The guide enjoys a commission from anything we purchase, of course, but the information and demonstration of skills is free and well worth the annoying sales pitch at the end.
The picturesque lotus temple is reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House
My other favorite destination in India is the Baha’i Lotus Temple in Delhi. Situated in South Delhi, the architecturally unusual structure is far removed from the hustle and bustle that surrounds it. The temple was constructed specifically to create a space where people from any religion could come together and pray. Just the idea is comforting, but physically experiencing being in a room full of diverse people and prayer is indescribable.
Acres of green grass and clear pools fill the surrounding land and shoes are left far outside the door. Before entering the prayer structure, a short speech is given by the young female staff that no photography or noise is allowed in the structure. You simply enter, find a seat, and pray silently. You stay as long as you desire. I chose to sit directly under the roof’s pinnacle- as if looking out from the center of the lotus. I closed my eyes and relaxed into prayer. I felt peace move over me as I let go of the tension that I’ve carried while traveling in this country. I emerged from the experience much calmer and more appreciative of my time in India.
One of many cheesy tourist pictures taken on the road
You don’t have to be a religious person to find the experience moving and memorable. The architecture itself is worth the visit- and the free entry is a welcome relief from repeated fees at other monuments in the country. Sitting quietly is also a rare treat in a compact and claustrophobic city. Visiting this space as my last stop before heading to the airport was a particularly wise decision as the normal stresses associated with travel seemed to de-escalate as I walked out of the Baha’i Lotus Temple.
Both the Taj Mahal and Lotus Temple are extravagant. Both are made of white marble. Both are unmatched around the world. If you are ever in North India- both are worth your time.
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Janelle K. Eagle is infamous for always having her hands tied up in multiple projects simultaneously. She's directed a lot of theater, worked on some films, and raised lots of money for non-profits. She travels all the time and loves to share her videos, photography and writing via this blog. 
