Monday, November 21, 2011

Agra

Fun fact: The Taj Mahal was built for a Persian queen by a Persian architect. Apparently during the Mughal Empire, all the kings imported their queens from Iran. And again, your welcome India.



The day we visited coincided with a Muslim, Hindu, and National Holiday (naturally), so essentially all of India was there. It was so crowded I was only able to take a few pictures before one of the guards whistled at me to get back in "single file line".


The other amazingly beautiful thing you see in Agra is The Red Fort. It's much less talked about in comparison to its queenly sister, but I think it's one of the most beautiful things I've seen in India. Also there are monkeys. 









The Red Fort is opposite the Taj, so on clear days you can look out from the balcony and see it across the city.




The red sandstone it's made of constantly changes color depending on the light. At times it's a really vibrant orange, at others a muted pinkish gray. Can't decide which one I like more.



And that's a wrap folks. Hope you enjoyed the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. Have an amazing Thanksgiving and eat lots of turkey for those of us who live in India and can't! xo.

28 comments:

  1. oh my goodness. these photos are fantastic. i'd love to see the taj mahal someday, but these pictures make me feel like i'm there! xo

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  2. Breath taking! That first photo is my favorite. Love your perspective.

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  3. The shadows in these photos are so beautiful, and the colors are divine. x

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  4. When my mom lived in India as a teenager, a wild monkey jumped in her bathroom window while she was using it. I always laugh hysterically whenever I try to picture that moment.

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  5. beautiful photos, once again.

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  6. Just gorgeous! I'm glad to see you're getting out and taking in some beauty, even if you can't have turkey on Thanksgiving!

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  7. Kimia, I love your fun facts. :) Gorgeous photos, every single one.

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  8. I cannot get over the architecture...and that is interesting about the imported queens!

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  9. Oh my goodness, how stunning! Those Iranians, always making India more beautiful!

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  10. Beautiful! Between your blog and watching Eat, Pray, Love last night, I totally want to go to India now!

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  11. @Stephanie, I love Elizabeth Gilbert. :) That book was so amazing that Ken and I are tempted to find her ashram and go hang out there for a month or so.

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  12. great photos. a friend and I were just talking about possibly going to India next year, so this post came at the right time...

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  13. beautiful! and those crowds are crazy.

    i'll have a little extra turkey on your behalf :). happy thanksgiving!

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  14. Gorgeous, gorgeous photos.

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  15. i could look at these pics all day. these are simply beautiful.

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  16. Wow! Stunning shots. I think you went at a perfect time and captured the lighting perfectly.

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  17. Thank you so much for sharing these- they are gorgeous!I will definitely eat turkey for you
    :-) Happy Thanksgiving!

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  18. i love getting these mini- history lessons about india, complete with beautiful photographs.

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  19. Love your images - how mad crazy and crowded it must have been to visit on a national holiday. I'm with you - as much as the Taj Mahal was stunning in real-life - I loved the Red Fort the most. The reds, pinks and ochres are incredible. I hope all is going well for you in India - sending you heart-felt Thanksgiving wishes. Annie x

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  20. these photos are beautiful =) I wish I could visit this magical monument myself :) That monkey is SO cute! x

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  21. kimia ~ i'm so blown away by your photography! really! the architecture is just amazing, i don't even know where to begin. . . the monkeys, the muted sandstone buildings, i love it all. . . xx ~ kristina

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  22. I would love to visit here one day. Lovely photos, thanks for sharing!

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  23. wow these photos are so beautiful! I hope to go there one day!

    www.mapleandvine.com

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