Thursday, July 26, 2012

Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra

Sikandra is a small town 8 kms away from Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The main attraction here is the Tomb of Akbar, the Great who is considered as one of the greatest Mughul Emperor.

Akbar started construction of his Tomb during his lifetime around 1600. After his death in 1605, his son Jahangir completed the construction work between 1605-1613.



The tomb complex is entered through very grand gateway built in red sandstone. It is decorated with floral, geometric and calligraphic designs. At the top of the gateway on the four corners, there are four white marble minarets. Once inside one can see huge Charbagh style garden with tomb in center.



The tomb is also built using red sandstone. The facade has a beautiful arch and there are floral, geometric and calligraphic designs in white, red and golden colors. It is a five-tiered pyramid, surmounted by a marble pavilion containing the false tomb in the central chamber on the ground floor. The actual tomb is in the basement. The top most storey is entirely made up of white marble.


45 comments:

Ramakrishnan said...

Glorious and charming monument.

Lindy said...

Your photographs of the tomb are stunning. It must be quite fabulous to see it in person!

My Thursday Challenge

Zuzana said...

Reminds me of Taj Mahal, but I guess that is a tomb too.;) Lovely last image.;)) Have a great weekend,
xoxo

Jidhu Jose said...

nice


Thursday Challenge

RIZALENIO said...

The last photo is very well captured. It tells a thousand stories of three couples. Awesome.

R Niranjan Das said...

Beautiful monument. Well captured. Missed out on this when i visited Agra.

http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2012/07/the-house-of-royals.html

Vineeta Yashsavi said...

Wow...Beautiful pictures...

Sudhir R said...

I missed Sikindra, being so near as Agra. That the problem of you do not do the tour yourself. For the moment I enjoyed seeing it on your blog

Magia da Inês said...

¸.¸❤✿彡
Imagino como deve ser impressionante admirar essa maravilhosa arquitetura de perto. Como deve ser linda essa decoração!

Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos do Brasil.

✿彡
¸.¸❤✿•.¸

beagleAnnie said...

Perfectly symmetry. Beautiful captures.

Lowell said...

When I think of a tomb, I usually think of a small stone in a cemetery! This is some tomb! Gorgeous. I esp. like the last shot with the two couples! Very nice!

Al said...

That is quite the impressive tomb. I guess Akbar must have had a rather big ego to build such a monument to himself!

anney said...

Looks interesting!

Wenche said...

Ooh, how nice and beautiful it is. Lucky you :0) Have a nice weekend :0)

Unknown said...

What a stunning building. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Anonymous said...

beautiful architecture and they are so kind of unique.

Carver said...

The tomb is stunning and looks like a beautiful day.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

What an ornate, yet inviting, structure!

Fence and Sky

Meoww said...

I just figured that i have not seen anything India has to offer...

Great shots!

Sylvia K said...

Such an awesome, beautiful tomb and such clear, blue skies! Terrific captures as always, Rajesh! I hope you and your family have a great weekend!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Captured so beautifully! Have a happy weekend and happy sky watching.

Anonymous said...

Wow!Looks like the Taj Mahal.

Anonymous said...

That tomb is beautiful.

Leovi said...

Nice pictures. I love, gorgeous architecture. Greetings.

Jeevan said...

Fascinating structure and the gateway was is impressive! Beautiful shots on the monument.

George said...

This is a beautiful structure. The details on the facade in your first photo are amazing.

P.N. Subramanian said...

I loved the photographs. This is something I have never seen. Good info to go with.

Lynn Proctor said...

wow amazing and beautiful :)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Amazing structure and hard to believe it is a tomb. It is so interesting to think of planning your tomb while you are alive...

A b eautiful building

Gattina said...

What a beautiful architecture !!

Suzy said...

Beautiful buildings. The Mughals really knew how to build stunning monuments.

Symmetry

genie said...

This is such an impressive structure. All the detail is beautiful. Do not think there are any tombs like this in the US. Quite the place to be buries. genie

Liz said...

What a beautiful temple. Happy sky watching.

City View

SmilingSally said...

How beautiful. Happy Blue Monday, Rajesh.

joy said...

Very nice palace! worth sharing:)

Fashion Momma said...

It's a beautiful temple.

My Blue.

cassandrasminicorner said...

Beautiful photos!

Visiting for Blue Monday- hope you can stop by..

http://www.cassandrasminicorner.com/2012/07/newest-baby-2012-yamaha-rhino-700.html

LV said...

Always enjoy seeing and learning about some of the interest in your part of the world.

joanne said...

Emperors (kings, pharaohs,etc) fancied themselves a type of god......they would let their people go hungry so they could have an over-the-top tomb! Very interesting, and a beautiful palace....

Unknown said...

beautiful photos. i love that first pic. perfect to make a postcard. Hope you can stop by at my blue monday: http://www.heartscontentofamama.com/2012/07/vince-moments-on-our-drive-rest-stops.html

Anonymous said...

Magnificent Tomb... :-)

Unknown said...

Nice pics..........

indu chhibber said...

The facade is very impressive--pity it is not so famous as Tajmahal.

Anonymous said...

nice captures looks amazing the tomb and the couple .. in the 3rd snap too :)

Rajesh said...

Thank you for appreciating this structure.