You can't beat the Taj Mahal.

Jan 27, 2024, 8:21 am

It was commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658) to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Mumtaz Mahal was Jahan's favourite wife, known for beauty. She died giving birth to their 14th child.

When you first see the Taj Mahal it takes to breath away. The greatest building in the world built from love.

It's made from Makrana marble of Indian, known for its durability and luminosity. Light can shine through it

A tear drop over the cheek of time.

The minarets surrounding the Taj Mahal tilt away from the main building so that in the event of an earthquake, the main buiding will not get damaged.

Lawrence was giddy. I haven't seen him this excited since he was a child.

Words from Koran in Arabic inscribed on the walls. The Taj was built by Mogul invaders from the north, descendants of Ghengis Khan. They ruled northern India for centuries, bringing Islam to a Hindu land.

The Yamuna River, along with the Ganges, one of the two holy Hindu rivers in India.

I can't believe Prime Minister Modi took time from his busy schedule to meet with me.

Monkeys everywhere.

Two side buildings. One a guest house. The other a mosque.

Traveling with my son Lawrence and Sudhakar Madikasara, my friend for 33 years who was born in India. Sudha is an amazing American success story.

Instructions on monkey-human interactions.

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