I once thought of calling this article, My Journey to the Taj Mahal. But on the contrary, there are wonders that must be shared and this wonder that I beheld was the Taj Mahal. It all started on the 30th of January, 2008, when I was invited for a conference to be held in New Delhi, India; then I barely knew of the Taj Mahal.
I braced up with the help of My Father who used someone to make the journey fruitful. It was a voyage that broke bounds; it was the first time to step beyond the shores of my native country, Nigeria.
My Father granted me favor at the Indian Embassy while I was thoroughly interviewed on the purpose for the journey. We checked into the Ethiopian Airlines at 2.00pm on the 8th of March 2008 at the Lagos International Airport and we were soon off the ground, coasting along the blue horizon with an earnest anticipation to see the much talked about Incredible India.
Before we go to India, my Father was there waiting to receive me. We arrived New Delhi by 9.00am Indian time and were conveyed by a police taxi to the Tourist Hotel.
In my native country, we use the left-hand driving system, but in Delhi, I observed they used the right-hand driving system. The wonders in my mind started to ensue but had not beheld the wonder that was yet to unfold- the Taj Mahal.
We checked into the hotel only to find out that My Father had paid the hotel bills for us. I was puzzled but anticipated it. We began socializing with other participants at the conference and more puzzles began to unravel. I heard that there is more to see than the conference can offer. It is only in Incredible India, in a tourist-busy town called Agra, will you see the Wonder of Wonders.
We picked up our train tickets to leave for Agra from Delhi to behold this wonder. On getting to Agra after so many stops on the train track, we were greeted by cab drivers who continuously advertised their services to us. We picked our choices and got to the very site of the wonder. We soon found ourselves in the midst of a queue of tourists on a mission to see this wonder. Beyond the queue, was a group of what I call the Taj Paparazi waiting to give us unanticipated snap shots.
Finally, we walked into the gate of this wonder which stood yet afar but beautiful to touch. I saw the beautiful water course; I saw the thousands trooping in and out; I saw many races; I saw the vegetation; I bubbled up with excitement and I walked on like an African going to pick an Oscar Award for the first time.
Many call Taj Mahal, the seventh wonder of the world, I call it: The Structural Edifice that has Stoodthe Test of Time. The story behind the Taj Mahal speaks louder than the love Romeo expressed for Juliet.
Often times, we know that when love speaks in wealth, wealth then becomes a servant to the one loved. I pondered through the thoughts of my heart as I saw this marbled structural masterpiece which reflects on the face of the water course during the evening sun tide. It was the place where the symphony of Yanni rested.
My heart still looked for My Father who made all this possible. Is this a story about the Incredible India or the Taj Mahal, Yes and No! India is Incredible, Taj Mahal is a wonder of wonders but the greatest of all wonders still remains My Unseen Father. I urge my readers to know this Wonderful Person.
My Father built all things yet yearns to be known and trusted. He allowed me to call this article: The Heart of Wonders.
