See the Taj Mahal in the morning light

A visit to India cannot be made without admiring one of the architectural wonders of the world: the Taj Mahal

 
Even the least erudite, the most dubious of the dunces in history-geography know what is at stake when the Taj Mahal is evoked in the course of a conversation.
The Taj Mahal is so famous that it embodies the country itself, the marvellous India. With almost 10 million visitors a year, the fame of this imposing mausoleum is no longer in dispute.
But is it really so unmissable?
I think so. Although the site is invaded by curious people from 5 am, the white marble marvel is worth all the sacrifices: getting up very very early, suffering the tourist harassment, the crowds, the selfie poles, the lack of respect for noisy groups… Because it imposes the tomb of the adored Mumtaz, really.
 

The Taj Mahal is a jewel, a miracle of balance, purity and harmony

 
There are masterpieces in this world that remind us of what the hand of man (and woman of course) is capable of when he wants to achieve something beautiful. Despite its size, the building impresses by its lightness. In the early morning mists, it seems to float slightly above the ground. It is a dreamlike vision, worthy of a fairytalebook.
The building is so perfect that it is hardly surprising that the Taj Mahal inspires so many authors, dreamers, storytellers, and so many others.
 
The almost perfect harmony that emanates from the building is based on a complex alchemy of curves and straight lines such as the rhythm between the elegant roundnesses and the sober power of the almost sharp minarets.
The emptiness, the fullness, the hollows, the waves and the sparkling whiteness of the marble. The alleys of the lush green garden with its bright colours, the arabesques, the lace of the bas-reliefs inlaid with precious stones. The Taj Mahal is a poem.
There is something magical or rather fairylike about this mausoleum. It seems to be in perfect symbiosis with the sky, the light and the earth which carries it like a trophy.
So yes, the Taj Mahal deserves a visit, absolutely.
 

The Taj Mahal deserves all the superlatives, however, it has a dark side, or even two

 
The entrance fee is around 20€ per person. It’s really not cheap.
The Taj Mahal being by far the most touristic site in India, it attracts visitors and in its wake a whole flock of rabble-rousers, beggars, swindlers and thieves.
This enchanting rendezvous can quickly turn into a nightmare if the poor visitor allows himself to be tricked or harassed.
More and more travellers are complaining about this. They feel, quite legitimately, mistreated or even threatened. 
The best advice we can give in such cases is to avoid answering any questions or proposals and to stay in the same footsteps once you have left the enclosure. Don’t give credit to any shameless “I’ll get you in with a better price” type offer. Be aware that there are less than 100 official guides registered and that there are around 3000 around the site.
This harassment is highly organised, with the crooks spotting their prey long before they arrive in Agra. Accomplices inform them of the presence of future visitors on trains, buses and taxis. They don’t hesitate to give false directions, false “good advice” so that the naive fall into the trap of a providential, eminently sympathetic guide. So be careful!
 
May these inconveniences not discourage you from going to honour the marvel of white marble in the rising sun. It is a spectacle that reconciles with the human race at its best. Ignore those who represent the worst.

How to escape the scams, the harassing and exhausting demands of touts, crooks and sellers on tourist sites?

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