Location - Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Best Time To Visit - October to March
The new poll conducted on 7th July, 07 again proved that Taj Mahal is the
best. Ranked among the seven wonders of the world, Taj is considered to be
the most beautiful mausoleum on earth.
As quoted by Bill Clinton (former US President) -" There re 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." Built by Mughal Emperor
Shah Jahan in memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum (Mumtaz Mahal). Almost
four centuries ago, when this monument was unveiled to the world, many
things have been said about it. Writers have written their hearts out on
Taj, poets have formed couplets, singers and musicians have composed several
songs and directors have made many films on Taj. So, what more can be said
on Taj that hasn't already been said.
The fast pace of the clock has also not ceased the praise for the
marbled wonder. Shah Jahan himself presenting his opinion on Taj has said in
his Badshahnama that the sight of its beauty 'creates sorrowing sighs and
makes the sun and moon shed tears from their eyes.'
Architecture
The
British painter Hodges has compared the Taj to a ' perfect pearl on an azure
ground - with the effect so dazzling that no other work of art can ever
produce.' When Shah Jahan thought of making Taj Mahal, his strong idea was
to make it very unique - something that was not made before. His
architecture certainly did not let him down in bringing on bricks the whole
idea of Taj as thought by the king. The Taj is said to be the finest
structures of Mughal era. It combines the element of Persian, Turkish,
Indian and Islamic architectural styles. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri was the
principle designer of this great monument in white marble.
The main marble tomb stands on a square plinth, with four minarets on each
corner of the plinth, giving it a symmetrical design. The minarets have been
so designed that in an earthquake, they will fall away from the tomb and not
on it. The surface of the tomb has been extensively and intricately adorned
with exquisite calligraphs.
The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an
elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and
several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this
complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four
reflecting pools dividing it at the centre.
Taj In the Making
It took around 17 years in the completion of the Taj Mahal. Around 20,000
workers were employed for the construction work. 40,000 elephants were used
to transport the materials for the building of this great epitome of love.
The total cost of the Taj Mahal's construction was about 50 million rupees.
Feather to the cap
In the year 1983, Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
and UNESCO described it as the 'Jewel of Muslim art in India'. It is one of
the most visited monuments in India that attracts almost 3 million visitors
every year.
It is not just the physical appearance of Taj that is the main crowd
puller. The story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz behind it is also a main draw.
May be it is this diversity, in which lies the beauty of Taj - to be
different things to different people, yet still be beautiful to all.
