Life is a mixed affair. It is full of pains and pleasures. They are like shades and sun-shines. Sometimes we are happy and sometimes we are sad and unhappy. Life often swings between these two opposites. But on the whole there are more pains, sadness and sufferings. The moments of happiness are few. Pleasures come but not so often. Suffering has its own value. It prepares a man to face the challenges of life. It also increases our sense of enjoyment of pleasures.

During my short life of 15 years I have experienced many occasions of happiness and sadness. However, the number of sad occasions far outnumber those of pleasure and enjoyment. My birthday is a happy occasion. And so are the days of festivals. Winning prizes in the school also provide a source of great pleasure. My elder sister was married last winter. This was an occasion of great happiness for all of us. But the happiness day of my life came when my father took us to visit the Taj Mahal at Agra. We went by our own car. It took us a little over 3 hours to reach the Taj. The journey was very comfortable interesting and enjoyable.

I had heard much about the Taj. I had also read about it a lot. I often saw its pictures printed in the books, covers of the magazines and in tourist literature. All this had set my imagination on the fire. I was very much excited and looked forward to the golden opportunity to see this wonder of the wonders. I went through it delightfully and prepared myself well for the occasion.

Agra remained the royal seat of the Mughals for a long time. Emperor Shah Jahan built this masterpiece in the memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal. She had died in 1603. Her dead body now rests here under a tomb. This is the best monument of love in marble. It took about 17 years to complete. Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, it is matchless in beauty and grandeur.

We entered through a majestic gateway of the red sandstone. The path which led to the Taj was divided into two by a long water-course. The remany fountains were playing beautifully. A flight of steps led us to the Taj Mahal built on a high platform. There are four high marble towers or minars in the four corners of the Taj. The Taj proper looks like a white flame arrested in marble. The echo in the central chamber of the Taj is a marvel. The inlay work on the walls and ceiling is superb. The Taj looks different seen at different times and at different angles. But it is always very fascinating.

It was really a wonderful experience. I shall never forget this happiest day of my life. It is really worth more than a single visit. I hope to revisit the Taj sometime next year. I took many photographs of the Taj with my family in the foreground. My father was really astonished with my such a good knowledge of the Taj.