 |
| Taj Mahal front view © Jessica Devnani / Burst |
THE TAJ MAHAL, its beauty has been appreciated as The Taj (Crown), which is adorned on the head of love. It has been described by poet Rabindranath Tagore as a 'teardrop on the cheek of eternity'; while the English poet Sir Edwin Arnold, described it as " Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are".
The Taj Mahal is widely regarded as one of the greatest monuments ever built by the people, in which the finest example of Mughal architecture is seen on marble and semi-precious stones, and it is the most prominent monument in India as a timeless symbol of love (Otherwordly - memorial of tragedy). The white marble structure in Agra, India is a huge beautiful mausoleum, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the last resting place for his beloved wife (Mumtaz Mahal). It's a form of memory of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's eternal love for his wife.
The monument is one of the seven wonders of the world. It stands high and serene, barefoot on the banks of the Yamuna river - it's an inspiring achievement of the architecture and scientific research of the Indian Mughal Era. Shah Jahan became the fifth Mughal emperor of the Mughal Empire after the death of Nur-ud-din Muhammad Salim (imperial name- Jahangir). The Mughal Empire reached the peak of its wealth and cultural glory during Shah Jahan's reign. He had more in the royal treasury, precious gems and precious stones as like Kohinoor, which makes him the richest Indian in the Mughal era or history. However, Shah Jahan is most recommended for his architectural achievements.
Shah Jahan met Arjumand Banu Begum in his youth and fell in love on seeing her beauty. Poets of Agra's Mughal court say that Mumtaz was so beautiful that - "even the moon hid her face in shame upon seeing her". Both became engaged in 1607 and were married five years later in 1612 to Arjumand Bano Begum (Mumtaz Mahal), the grand daughter of Itimad-ud-Daula, the Wazir (Prime Minister) of Emperor Jahangir. Mumtaz, who was devoted to the dearest wife Emperor, died while giving birth to her 14th child in 1631, a sad and wounded heart Shah Jahan transformed his memory to the mausoleum as one of the beautiful creations on earth.
Creation of Taj
Believe it or not, many forts and mausoleums were built all over India by the Mughals during the Mughal Empire, but even the Taj-like and other-worldly monuments are not even close to it. After the death of his dearest wife (Mumtaz Mahal) in 1631 AD, Shah Jahan has become so heartless, he has put the memory of his wealth and love into a structure of memorial.
The construction of the Taj Mahal complex was handed over to the Board of Architects by Emperor Shah Jahan, and the construction of the Taj complex began in the following year 1632 AD; Although the main mausoleum was completed in eight years in 1648 AD, the construction of the entire complex - exterior buildings and gardens was finished in 1653 AD after five years. For the construction of the Taj Mahal complex in rectangular shape on the banks of the Yamuna, Emperor Shah Jahan invited skilled artists from all over the empire including Italy, Persia, Iran and Central Asia to help build and design the beautiful monument - its Including around 20,000 artisans (stone carvers, masons) were employed.
 |
| Minarets view on main platform © Gowri Subramanya / Unsplash |
The Taj Mahal is built on a platform atop 22 feet high and 313 feet wide - each tower is 133 feet tall, the building is 186 feet high and 70 wide; And the central inner dome of the mausoleum is 24.5 m (81 ft) high and 17.7 m (58 ft) in diameter, but is surmounted by an outer shell around 61 m (200 ft). The minarets at the corner of the platform are 137 feet 'tall - with which the Taj Mahal is decorated. The main mausoleum also flank by two red sandstone buildings on either side - a mosque (when seen from the garden) on the west and a guesthouse on the east. The Taj complex has intricate inscriptions, while exquisite marble screens with white marble, lapis-lazuli, cornelian, mother of pearl, emerald such precious gems and peatra dura have been used in its design - on the other hand exquisite inlay work and calligraphy The elaborate craftsmanship coupled with is commendable. The buildings are set up with expanses of greenery, fountains between the northern end of the tomb and the gateway - an experience of its kind. After this ended, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb from the throne and imprisoned in the Agra Fort, where he spent the last days of his life looking at the Taj through only one window. After his death in 1666, Shah Jahan was also buried here with his beloved wife Mumtaz. No human has been able to fully express the beauty of the Taj Mahal through poems or music.
Why not to Gaze
 |
| Woke up view of Taj early morning © Krishna Moorthy D / Unsplash |
“There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have seen the Taj Mahal and love it and those who have not seen the Taj and love it.” - former US President Bill Clinton . The Taj Mahal changes its color from dawn to midnight - this drama of light is its important ornamental jewel that always adorns it. The Taj is most alluring in the early morning when bathed in soft redness glow, majestic & sensual shining in the afternoon sun, and representing heaven on earth in the moonlight night. Keeping in view the vision of Shah Jahan, it reveals a magical aura. No one will have reason to see this beautiful monument which is devoted to true love. By the end of his days, Shah Jahan has also requested to see this beautiful structure staring through a window - though as a prisoner, not as a ruler.
How to Reach
The world-famous Agra is the most prominent city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and tempt a large number of visitors. The Taj Mahal attracts 7 to 8 million visitors annually, while the number of foreign visitors is more than 0.8 million. The city is located on the Golden Triangle of the Tourist Circuit (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) - well connected by bus (regular bus services on highway), train (Agra Cantt railway station), and air service (nearest Kheria Airport) route, and can be easily reached. However, you will have to travel on foot to the Taj Mahal campus.
How to Visit
 |
| View from one side of the Taj © Sylwia Bartyzel / Unsplash |
The Taj complex has excellent architectural and visual illusion. Through both the east and west gates one enters the Taj's inner courtyard from Darwaz-e-Rauza, a 30-meter-high red-sandstone entrance to the south. The complex has 16 gardens and 53 waterfalls. The white makrana marble in the mausoleum reveals its aura - which appears to vary with colors. On seeing the Taj Mahal from the main gateway, it looks large and imposing, but as it comes closer, it looks shrinking in size. The towers around the Taj, upon seeing it in full view, are actually bent away - so that they do not fall on the main mausoleum when an earthquake-like disaster strikes. It is a change scene that forces gaze. Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan real graves are in basement room below the main chamber - where entry is forbidden.
When to Go
The Taj Mahal, the world's most amazing wonder, does not need the best time to get down to sight. It is an all-year attraction which is always busy with Taj-lovers. However, tourists can go from in October to March (cool weather) to avoid the weather from April to September (unbearably hot or rainy). Visitors can try to coming early or late in the morning to avoid solitude and heavy crowds. The Taj Mahal is seen slowly alter its color in the changing light throughout the day from sunrise to sunset, its majestic experience is worth the effort. Should not visit is on Friday, The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors for general viewing.
Read Also:
Post a Comment