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Agra

Agra in August 2025: the Great Gate mirrored in its long pool, monsoon-green lawns, and the two of us at the Taj Mahal in full Indian dress.

Agra was part of our August 2025 swing through the Golden Triangle, and we did it the classic way: up early, monsoon clouds parked overhead, and the world's most famous mausoleum waiting at the end of the garden.

The red sandstone Great Gate of the Taj Mahal complex reflected in a long pool lined with cypress hedges, crowds passing under its central arch
The Great Gate, which would be the headline monument anywhere else. Here it is the doorman.

We had picked up Indian outfits for the occasion, which felt slightly theatrical right up until we stood on the lawn in front of the Taj itself, at which point it felt exactly right.

Dileep in a dark embroidered kurta and turban and Inga in an orange sari standing on the lawn in front of the Taj Mahal
Full dress at the Taj Mahal, August 2025. No regrets whatsoever.

From Agra the Golden Triangle rolls on: Jaipur came the very next day, and Delhi closes the loop.