The Taj Mahal History page

-- Taj Mahal History --

The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is one of those must see sights that are few and far between.

It’s a monument to love, and what a monument! If you want to see what true, undying love is about, or just look at some of the finest architecture in India, this is a must see.

Undying Love

A trip to the Taj Mahal has something bittersweet about it – on the one hand the domed white marble mausoleum, set in its gardens, and constructed in Islamic and Persian style is beautiful.

However, when you consider that it was post mortem symbol of the love of Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz, it becomes a little bit of an eerie experience to wander around it.

Then again, I think I would be pleased if someone loved me enough to build something so beautiful to commemorate my life!

-- Taj Mahal History --

Beautiful Building

Most people don’t visit the Taj Mahal purely for the romantic story behind it though. This really is a beautiful building, and the tomb, topped with a dome, and delicate minarets, is also one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, so if you love architecture, it’s worth a visit for that reason alone.

Sheer Size

Something else that is immediately noticeable when you visit the Taj Mahal is the sheer size of the building.

Then main dome over the mausoleum or tomb itself is around thirty five meters tall on its own. That should put the rest of the building into perspective for you. While the Taj is impressive in photographs, it’s only when you actually visit it that you truly see the size of this amazing building!

Detailing

Something else that’s not visible on most photos of the Taj Mahal is the incredible amount of detail in the decoration. From afar, or in photographs, the Taj Seems to be a plain white marble structure. Up close though, it’s a collage of designs. There is calligraphy, images of plants and flowers in stucco, inlays and paint. In fact, the decorations on the Taj are almost as awe inspiring as the building itself!

Not to mention that the white marble is set with many semi precious stone inlays, in beautiful colors, and using stones such as jasper and jade.

-- Taj Mahal History --

The Tomb

The tomb itself, which houses the false sarcophagi of Shah Jahan and his wife, is an amazing site. Built as an octagon, and accessible from each face, it’s also twenty five meters high, The decorations inside the Taj Mahal are even more delicate and amazing than the outside, with more inlays, and even delicately carved marble screens on the viewing balconies.

It is because of Muslim tradition that the Shah and his bride aren’t laid to rest in this ornate tomb. It’s the fact that decorated tombs are forbidden in that tradition that their actual resting place is plain and unadorned, below the main chamber.

The Gardens

The gardens that surround the Taj are just as impressive as the building itself. Modeled around the four rivers of Paradise, and it features the world famous reflecting pool – a long, shimmering body of water that leads the eye up to the mausoleum.

There are other attractions within the complex, like the entrance, known as the Great Gateway, other tombs, including that of Mumtaz’s favorite servant, and more to see when you visit the Taj Mahal. It’s definitely well worth making the trip!

-- Taj Mahal History --

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