Agra Fort

It's been a while since I posted additional shots from my trip to India. How fitting to make an update to the Blog India series with what I consider to be one of the best kept secrets in India - Agra Fort.

The ride to the Fort was very interesting, hot, windy and filled with unexpected obstacles but our guide made sure we got there safely and with enough time to explore. Agra Fort is less than 2 kilometers from the Taj Mahal and the history dates back over 2500 years ago. The fort
is built alongside the Yamuna river and stretches almost 2.5 km. It consists of a wall built in red sandstone and several buildings inside. The wall has 2 gates, the Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate.

After going through the gate you walk up this ramp and it's better to be on the side of attacking down the ramp versus someone who was trying to wage the battle uphill. The Fort was built by Shah Janan in 1628. Further you find the Royal Pavilions. It contains beautiful mosques, palaces and the Zenana Mina Bazaar. Several of the buildings are made of pure marble with beautiful carvings.

As you can tell from many of the inside shots, the Fort has seen better days but not bad for being over 2500 years old and of course it is a Fort. Taking nothing away from the Taj Mahal but Agra Fort in my opinion is every bit impressive. I hope everyone enjoys these shots and I apologize for my delay in getting these posted.

Beas






























Yes that is a Swastika below and here's some information on its' context in Indian culture.

Blow Horn - Don't try this at home.

Traveling in India is an experience to say the least and there's nothing I've witnessed that can prepare you for what has got to be the 9th Wonder of the World. So hold on baby and you may want to get one of those bags you put your face in on the airplane because this isn't for the faint at heart. While you're at it grab a couple of bucks because that's how much the airline will charge you for your deposit; you're welcome for the visual.

Just close your eyes and imagine you're taking one of those lazy Sunday drives; you know the one where you went to the early church service and there's nobody on the road but you (King of the Road). Are you eyes still closed??? Well off in the distance but coming up on you fast is a large mass of mechanized machinery with a purpose and on the wrong side of the street. Horns a blazing, cows a mooing and by the way, did you get that wrong side of the road piece "chief"? Ready to open those eyes partner?

Not only are you not in Kansas anymore buddy; you're in India!!!!! Accident free discount, safe driver medallion are irrelevant here and yes there were five people on that motorcycle that just passed you and yes she was holding a baby while she rode side saddle. They start them off young because nobody in their right mind can get use to this; you gotta be born into it.

Let's recap, here's what just whizzed by you. Cars of all types, bicycles, rickshaws, auto rickshaws, motorcycles (two seaters and up), small trucks, large trucks, cows, horses, dogs, buses, and enough pollution to put New York and California to shame. Also, that thing in the middle of your steering wheel, yes the horn thingy, is getting a serious workout as are your lungs if you were stupid enough to have the window down. Been there done that and it's not a pretty site or sounds coughing your brains out while trying to get some fresher air back into those lungs. That was me with the window down so the Blog community could experience India as I did. So without any further adieu, I bring to you another little bit of India.