It has been called the most beautiful temple in the world, despite the fact that it was built at the cost of much human life. The Taj Mahal is a real monument of one man's love for a woman. The story is a sad one, told many times. But it never hurts to tell it again.
In 1631, when his wife died in childbirth, the emperor Shah Jahan brought to Agra the most skilled craftsmen from all Asia and even Europe, to build the white marble mausoleum that is the Taj Mahal. He intended to build a black marble mausoleum for himself, and the link between the two was to be a silver bridge. This fantastic plan suffered a dramatic and permanent setback when the Shah himself died.
Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond description, particularly at dawn and at sunset when it seems to glow in the light. On a foggy morning, it looks as though the Taj is suspended in mid-air when viewed from across the Jamuna river.This is, of course, an illusion. The Taj stands on a raised square platform with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.
If you don't want the huge crowds to distract you from your view, try arriving just as it opens or is about to close. A few minutes alone in the perpetually echoing inner sanctum will reward you far more than several hours spent on a guided tour. Especially if your tour guide is Murbat Singh, who makes it his job to find a new comic slant on the Taj story every time he tells it.
To really do the Taj Mahal justice, you should plan to spend at least a full day in the grounds, to see this stunning piece of architecture at dawn, midday, and at dusk. The colours and atmosphere of the gardens and the Taj itself constantly change throughout the day. Under moonlight the marble glows.
From the time one enters its sculptured gardens, one is wrapped up in the world of the Taj. The sense of order, beauty and artistry that has combined to create this paradisiacal garden, has enchanted the world for centuries. To its creator, Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal, was an expression of love for his queen whom he had brought to Agra, a tribute to his Mumtaz Mahal, as she came to be known. In Sanskrit, Agra means paradise; as the centerpiece of Agra, the Taj, aptly reflects images of Paradise. The large marble dome is said to be representative of the vault of heaven. The white marble- which has not dulled with age- may be seen as a symbol of eternal beauty. And the inscription from the Qoran on its walls are outpourings of love in all its forms - the love of man for God and God for man, the love of a man and his woman and the love of a mother for her child.Taj Mahal became the tourist emblem of India.
Considered as the masterpiece of Mughal architecture, the Taj owed its perfection to 20,000 people from India and Central Asia, including the skillful architect from Iran as well as some experts from Europe, who worked on the building. Apart from the Emperor's romance that is considered as the great love of a man for a woman, the architectural element is equally enthralling. The white marble structure is reflected in the long watercourse which divides paths leading to from the gate to Taj offer perspective elegance. The backdrop of decorative garden characterized by its classical Mughal Charbagh lines-a square quartered by watercourses enhanced its charm. The tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan were placed in a basement room underneath the false tomb in the central chamber of the dome. To look in close-up, the Taj is really a perfection of architecture as even in details. The marble is adorned with inlaid semiprecious stones,embellishing the Taj even more. It is said that as many as 43 different gems were used in Mumtaz's tomb alone.
The Taj Mahal, the one and only one of its kind across the world. The monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen.The ultimate realisation of Emperor Shahjahan's dream. One of the wonders of the world.
Architecture of the Taj Mahal:
Construction began in 1631, and over 20,000 workmen and master craftsmen worked laboriously for 22 years to give shape to the emperor's passionate dream! The material was brought in from all over India and central Asia and it took a fleet of 1,000 elephants to transport it to the site. The complex was finally completed in 1653 at a cost of 32 Million Rupees (approx USD 68000) on the banks of river Yamuna in Agra, the capital of the Mughal monarchs.But the beauty of Taj Mahal is also tainted by the gory fact that the hands of some of the master craftsmen were amputated, to ensure that the perfection of the Taj could never be repeated ever again!
