Four Wondrous Reasons to Visit the Taj Mahal
The geometrical patterns of the
mausoleum enhance the poise of the whole complex. The moment you enter this
edifice, you will fall in love with the play of the artistic patterns and the
gracefulness of this manse of love. Here is a condensed effort to describe the
grandeur of this edifice in 4 wondrous reasons.
The Myth of the number 7
The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven
Wonders of the World. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Of course, the
certificate is meagre before the magnificence and the opulence called the Taj
Mahal. People, who have visited India, would have to of course answer the
inevitable question on whether or not they have visited the Taj Mahal.
According to some sources, the mausoleum was originally a Shiva temple called
the Tejo Mahalaya. Just like the love story of Mumtaz Mahal and the Emperor
Shah Jahan, the love between Shiva and his soul mate Parvati is the most
auspicious romances of the Hindu folklore.
It is a grand work of architecture
The task of constructing the Taj
Mahal was assigned to the regal architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. The design
comprises four symmetrically made turrets at each corner of the edifice and a
central dome. The beauty of the Taj is not the only thing that is enchanting
about it, but also the play of motifs. The Lotus flower, which is the holy
symbol of the Indian cultural heritage, also signifies Paradise or the Garden
of Eden and this motif recurs throughout the edifice. The dome of the Taj Mahal
bears a trident made of metal that would not rust, which is not only one of the
top religious symbols of the Islamic culture, but also something that serves as
a deflector. Moreover, there is also the symbol of the curved moon, which is
one of the holiest of symbols in the Islamic architecture.
It is a symbol of love
The Taj Mahal holds the grave of
the Mumtaz Mahal. The emperor Shah Jahan wanted to bestow the grace of the
heavens on his late wife and therefore, had this edifice built and also in
honour of his wife, who passed away at childbirth. Shah Jahan had also
described the monument as the teardrops of the sun and the moon. The pure magic
culled by a man who was saddened by the death of his wife and the myth of the
pure Shiva-Shakti have rendered the beauty to this monument.
Gift from infinity to mankind
The evergreen beauty of the Taj
Mahal is a gift from infinity to mankind. In fact, the Taj Mahal has as many shades
as true beauty can have. In the morning, it is pinkish white, in the afternoon,
it is of a milky white and at night, it is a precious golden colour. In fact,
the Archaeological Survey of India allows some nights every week for seeing
this magnificence in stone bathe in the light of the moon.
Tourist Information
Open from sunrise to sunset.
Remains closed on Fridays. Entry fee for those above 12: Rs. 20.
Best time to visit
October to February
Places to visit
Agra Fort, Sikandara, Babur's Ram
Bath,Tomb of Sheikh Salim chisti, Itmad-ud-daulah Tomb, Diwan-i-Aam, Musamman
Burj,Diwan-i-Khas, Jahangir's Palace, Bharatpur, Jama Masjid, and Chini Ka
Ranza.