A Play Date with Dove!!!

Being a mother is a gift of joy in itself and if your 4 year old turns up with a hand sketch card to wish you on Mother's day, then you are on cloud 9. To add to the Mother's Day celebration and fun was a Play Date with Dove, an all women indiblogger's meet, for those pretty daughters, stunning sisters and gorgeous moms.
I reached quite on time and registered. At the Dove registration counter, each of us were allotted to one of 12 groups, we were handed over the group bands, task list and the Map. There were cams to click selfies and upload on twitter. Then was the photo session with masks, colour hats, hair accessories. After snacks, we assembled at the ball room, for an intro and the start of the #playdate.

We joined our team and it was Zumba time, to shake our body. A warm up session for an evening full of action. Then started the tasks, Jigsaw Puzzle, Have a ball(where three members of the group standing in a pool of balls, had to throw the white balls into the tube held by two other members of the team), Hips don't lie(Hula hoop, which turned out to be so true for me that I couldn't complete even single round), Hair do(where each of us in the team had to get a hair style done from one another) and our last task was Dove Salon. But by the time we reached Dove Salon, we were already late and were asked to head to the pool side. At pool side was "Be the Bartender", were we nominated one person per team to make a perfect cocktail for the evening. It was one of the group events, unfortunately which our team lost. We were back from pool side to have our hair done at the Dove Salon, and my stylist gave me a simple but fab hair style.
And the best part, take aways. Our pics with props and the Dove hamper(Dove Elixir and hair straightener). As I have already been using a straightener since years, the Elixir was a perfect take away for me.

The Dove Elixir Dryness Care oil which I received is enriched with Lavender and olive oil which leaves your hair smooth. The oil can be used for nourishing your hair by applying prior hair wash, as it claims to nourish just in 30 mins and also can be used as an after-wash/serum to leave your hair shiny and non-greasy.  The oil has a mild lavender fragrance, which sooths your mind too. The packing is perfectly lovable, a transparent pump bottle. Floating lavender petals in the oil, gives the product a luxury look.
All in all, it was a perfect evening with lot of fun, action and goodies.

Sikandra, Agra

One of the other historical monuments in Agra is Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra. Sikandra was all together a new city constructed by Mughal Ruler Sikandar Lodi, quite before Babur. There was a old fort of King Badal Singh called Badalgrah fort, which Sikandra Lodi demolished and constructed a new fort during his rule. Off the glorious buildings constructed by Sikandar Lodi only the Baradari is what remains at the Sikandra today. Later during Akbar's rule, he chose this place for his burial and started its construction. Though this was completed only by his son Jahangir in 1613AD. Sikandra was 12km from Agra then, presently emerged into Agra.

South Gate

The main gate or so called south gate is made of red sand stone. Its said this gate was decorated with precious metal and stones, which was looted by Jats during their rule. The gate is a two storey building, upper storey has 'Naubat Khana', were big drums were played from moring to evening in honour of dead emperors. On either side of the gate way are court yards called 'Nau-Mahal'.

Akbar's Tomb

As we walk from the main gate, there are small tanks and cannals and there stands the four storeyed building(three stories made of red stone and last of marble, indicating their construction during Akbar and  Jahangir respectively). The building is said to resemble Panch Mahal of Fatehpur Sikri, both of which resemble Buddhist Viharas. Center of the main building is the grave of Akbar the Great, constructed on raised platform, cut out of single marble.

Other buildings in Sikandra are Sheesh Mahal, constructed by Jahangir for his beloved Noor-Jahan and Tomb of Mariam Zammani, Akbar's wife. Both the buildings are in ruined condition.
Travel Info:
Entry fee:
Indian tourist: Rs. 10/- for Akbar's Tomb, Rs. 5 for Mariam Tomb
Foreign tourist: Rs. 110/- for Akbar's Tomb, Rs. 100 for Mariam Tomb
Entry free for children below 15years(both Indian and foreign)
Open on all days from sunrise to sunset.

 

Related Posts: Check out the complete series on Golden Triangle Tour.  

Magnificent Taj Mahal

It was more than 15years back, when I visited Taj Mahal last. The memory of the Taj complex was not too clear, but for the magnificent Marble structure, which stays in every Indian's mind. The first look at the huge white wonder, leaves a person spellbound. My daughter had been waiting for our visit to Taj, since our trip started. The burning heat had tired her, but her enthu to visit the Taj, kept up her spirit. And then we get the first glimpse of the Taj.

Taj Mahal- The first view

Of the imperial rulers, Taj Mahal was built during the rule of Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. A Persian by birth Arjumand Bano Begum(Mumtaz Mahal) was a beautiful and mentally alert lady. She was the daughter of Noor Jahan(Jahangir wife)'s brother Yamin-U-Daulla Asaf Khan. Her father arranged for her education in a royal manner and she developed great qualities of royal family. She attracted Prince Khurram(Shah Jahan), both fell in love and got married to each other. She was the chief advisor to the Emperor and had major say in the administration. She also used to accompany the emperor during the wars. At the war against Khanjahan Lodhi at Burhanpur, Mumtaz fall ill during the birth of her 14^th child Gauhar Ara Beguam. Mumtaz express her last wish to Shah Jahan, to get a beautiful and uncomparable monument to be built over her grave. Transferring the care of Shah Jahan to her elder daughter Jahan Ara, Mumtaz breath last on 7^th June, 1631. The remains of Mumtaz Mahal were burried in a garden opposite to Burhanpur on other side of river Tapti. On 29^th December 1631, the body reached Agra, and was again buried temporarily in the Garben on the bank of river Jamuna. The construction of Taj started after many designs were put before the emporer. The main Mausoleum said had been completed by 1643AD, while the whole Taj complex took 22 long years for completion.

We were dropped at the Western gate of Taj, a few mins walk leads you to the ticket counter to the left. Along with ticket we purchased shoe covers, as its not allowed to enter the Mausoleum with shoes. Just near the ticket counter is Fatehpuri Maszid, which is said to be constructed in the memory of Fatehpuri Begum another wife of Shah Jahan.

As we enter through the Western Gate, there is a tomb of Situ-nu-Nisa Khanam on the left side. She is said to be the personal and favourite maid of Mumtaz Mahal.

Jilan Khana

Passing through the big courtyard called Jilan Khana or the Forecourt, you reach the gate way of red stone, which is a beautiful monument in itself. The gate way is an octagonal entrance hall surrounded by small rooms on both sides. The red stone structure has inlayed white marble, black marble and precious stones.

Main Gate

From this gate a few steps down take us to the Taj Garden. And you get the first glimpse of Taj Mahal.

 

Fountains and running channels of water with the reflection of Taj Mahal and rowed trees on either side of the channel, enhances the beauty of the complex. Its said, when constructed, water was drawn up from the river Jamuna by system of buckets, dipping into river and conveying water up by a chain way, drawn by bullocks or camel to run through the fountain and channels.

Taj Garden

As you reach the Mausoleum, high value ticket visitors are allowed from left stairs, while Indians through stairs.

The Mausoleum has the grave of Empress Mumtaz Mahal, built by Shah Jahan and of Emperor Shah Jahna, which was built by his son Aurangzeb. Taj is a mixture of Hindu and Persian Arts. Mughal Emperors were influenced by Hinduism, Jahangir's mother Jodha Bai and Shah Jahan's mother was a Hindu from Marwar. While their mothers worshipped hindu gods representing five basic elements of the Universe, its said the Taj has the influence of Shilpa Shastra, so called Panch Prasad or five Shrines. Taj Mahal with four corner minarets and the main building in the middle, is said to be purely Indian and is of 'Panch Prasad' type. The main building material, white marble was brought from Makrana of Rajasthan, red stone from Dholpur and fatehpur Sikri and precious stones and metals from around the world.

 

 

Both the interior and exterior of the Mausoleum has great architectural beauty. While photography is not allowed inside, you can capture the beauty on the outer walls. The cool river breeze from the river Jamuna and the treat of architectural beauty makes you sit and enjoy the magnificent Taj for hours.

River Jamuna

Mosque to the right of Mausoleum

With no mood to leave the place, we got out through the South Gate also called Sirhi Darwaza. Named after Shah Jahan's other wife Sirhindi Begum. Next to the Sirhi Darwaza is the tomb of Sirhindi Begum.

A well at the South Gate with Sirhindi Begum's tomb at the back

The South Gate is just for pedestrians and have souvenir shops on either side. You can shop miniature Taj Mahal and marble articles as souvenirs from here.

Travel Info:

Entry Fee:

Indian Tourist: Rs. 20/-

SAARC and BIMSTEC citizens: Rs. 520/-

Citizens of rest all countries: Rs. 750/-

Entry free for children below 15 years

Taj Mahal is open from sunrise to sunset, except for South Gate ticket counter, which is open from 8AM to 5PM.

Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

Related Posts: Check out the complete series on Golden Triangle Tour.