Wednesday April 30, 2014
Red sandstone entry gate to the Mughal Empire Tomb of I'timad-I'd-Daulah from Iran. The building within is known as the Baby Taj.
It is still around 43 degrees and we are buying a litre of water every hour or two.
The white marble Baby Taj, 1628 AD. The first of the white marble buildings built 16 years before the Taj Mahal. Notice the water channel down the centre.
Islamic architecture in general is decorated with geometric patterns and flora motifs in accordance with their strict rejection of idols and images. It's a pleasant relief from the spooky Hindu gods we see everywhere else.
It's basically a Mogul family crypt.
Most exquisite carved white marble lattice.
Looking from the Baby Taj to one of the gates.
Everyone wants a photo with the lady with the short hair.
Arched entry ceiling looking very like an Art Deco precursor...
Mosaic ceiling.
Our tuk tuk driver for the day, "Bicky". A happy chap.
Across the Yamuna River we visited the Mehtab Bagh Garden for a glimpse of the Taj.
In this heat it is tiring to be continuously accosted by souvenir sales people everywhere we go. It's the off season here due to the intense heat so the sales are down. They of course need the money but we do not need religious icons, postcards, saris, fridge magnets or Taj Mahal snow bubbles... We do not want to carry any more than we already are. Basically we have to reject their endless offers as politely as we can. And then there are the beggars...
That makes encounters with Indian tourist families so enjoyable. This family was enjoying a picnic in the shade of the garden when they approached and asked for "photo". So colourful.
Too proud to ask for a photo...
Lloydnalex
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