There was not enough time to visit
in the late afternoon, especially
since I was still adjusting to jet lag.
So I checked into my hotel and had a
few hours to relax. However, the
property transposed me into another
world, one of great luxury. The ITC
Mughal Hotel is itself a paradise.
Removed from the assaults of the
street, I was enveloped in a calm
retreat, including 35 acres of
gardens. The surrounding beauty
enthralled me. I couldn’t rest in my
elegantly appointed room. I had to
wander the grounds, sit by a
secluded fountain and climb the
observation tower for another peak
at the city’s pride. I was told
however, that there was no need to
photograph the great monument at
night, the Taj is not illuminated.
Taj Mahal at Sunrise
There was not enough time to visit
in the late afternoon especially since
I was still adjusting to jet lag. So, I
checked into my hotel and had a few
hours to relax. However, the
property transposed me into another
world, one of great luxury. The ITC
Mughal Hotel is itself a paradise.
Removed from the assaults of the
street, I was enveloped in a calm
retreat including 35 acres of
gardens. The surrounding beauty
enthralled me; I couldn’t rest in my
elegantly appointed room. I had to
wander the grounds, sit by a
secluded fountain and climb the
observation tower for another peek
at the city’s pride. I was told,
however, that there was no need to
photograph the great monument at
night; the Taj is not illuminated.
Sometime later, I ate my first Indian
meal alone. The next morning, I
would be picked up at 6:15 am for a
sunrise visit to the shrine.
A tray that included a small dish
with almonds soaking in water had
been left in my room. A note said to
eat them for healthy hair, glowing
skin and good eyesight. I also found
a small bottle of Himalayan water to
pour into a copper cup, which should
sit overnight and be consumed in the
morning to prevent skin problems,
anemia and depression. Instead of a
chocolate on my pillow, these gifts
seemed so appropriately Indian.
Gateway to the
Taj
I expected the pre-dawn streets to
be quiet, but I was totally wrong. In
fact, I would quickly learn almost all
my preconceived ideas about India
were wrong. Residents in India arise
very early. The park near the
entrance to the UNESCO World
Heritage site was bustling like an
American high school at dismissal
hour, except daylight was barely
Sitting On
Princess Diana
Bench
Playing with the
Taj
First Glimpse of
the Taj Mahal
20
Interior Tombs