Monument hopping

For three days in Agra I've been monument hopping.

Day one: cycle rickshaw to Agra Fort, the Baby Taj, and Chini-Ka-Rauza
Day two: cycle rickshaw to bus station, then 1hour ride to Fatehpur Sikri
Day three: sunrise walk to Taj Mahal

Sometimes I find it overwhelming to visit so many historical sites like this at once. Like I can't retain all the information and I just end up hot, tired, and frustrated. So this time I really didn't try to absorb the facts. I read a minimal amount of information about each place and just went to experience them for myself as places of beauty. They really are gorgeous. I feel mega inspired by all of the designs I've seen and can already feel that they will influence my own art.



Inside Agra Fort

Didn't think I was gonna care about a fort, but this one is quite nice inside.

you can see the Taj from here. Apparently Shah Jahan, the emperor who commissioned the Taj was exiled to Agra Fort when his own son seized power and could only gaze at his creation from afar.

Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah aka "The Baby Taj"

Gateway to the "Baby Taj"

marblework

marble cutout windows

ceiling

I am in love with the designs here

Chini-Ka-Rauza-another tomb

This is Ramu, the man who pedaled me to all these places in a cycle rickshaw in the heat of the day. I felt kind of guilty for awhile, though I realized he was happy to have the work. Seems like there are 20 rickshaw drivers for every tourist here this late in the season and they are all vying for business. He took me to a tucked away restaurant where I ordered lunch and he ate the food he'd brought along. He even gave me one of his chapatis.

Fatehpur Sikri

ruins

entrance

Ali was my guide and friend for the day at Fatehpur Sikri

Those squiggly shapes up there are honey combs!! And the black one is covered in bees. So sacred