Taj Mahal

When in India, you have to go to the Taj Mahal, and that is precisely where we travelled last week. Immense, beautiful, elaborate and holy, thousands of people visit this monument every week – snapping pictures, wandering its gardens and learning about the passionate love that caused Shah Jahan to build this memorial for his wife. This stunning monument, however, is just one of the many amazing landmarks India has to offer.
As we travel and work through different cities, each has its own historical landmarks and attractions that we are able to experience. Between ancient caves, elaborate forts, Gandhi’s Smriti and more, these landmarks provide insight into India’s history and current situation, giving me a better understanding of the culture and the people.
With its many different conquerors, each site has its own story and style of architecture. Although all the sites we have seen are extremely elaborate in architecture, the moguls tended to build many domes and tombstones, while Hindu rulers tended to build temples and shrines. Each story depends on the time period – from the early 17th century all the way back to the sixth century. The ancient remains have a way of blending into the cities, making the history and story of these landmarks feel alive.
So far, my favorite sites have been Amer Fort in Jaipur and the Ellora Caves in Aurangabad. Like many sites, Amber Fort had many tourist attractions other than the architecture. Because the fort is on a peak, we had the opportunity to ride elephants on the way up – this experience was definitely a highlight of the trip. The elephants were larger than I anticipated, and the ride a little bumpy. Though I was a little nervous about riding these amazing creatures, it was an amazing view and opportunity I doubt I will get to repeat. The fort itself was also amazing – the many corridors, gardens and public spaces were intricate and beautiful, providing great views of Jaipur and the surrounding nature as well as an interesting look into the lives of the kings during the late 16th century.
Built ten centuries before the Amer Fort, the Ellora Caves are one of the most remarkable pieces of history I have ever witnessed. The Hindu and Buddhist temples carved out of the rock are wondrous – elaborate carvings and perfectly straight lines suggest meticulous care and work were put into creating these monuments. These caves are not only extraordinary to see, but also host small rooms that have beautiful acoustics, allowing the experience to use almost all senses.
As we near the halfway point of our course, I am becoming more and more familiar with India’s way of life, and these landmarks are helping me learn about India’s culture and current state through making its history come alive.