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Taj Mahal - ‘A Teardrop on the cheek of Eternity’
What is the Taj Mahal
Tajmahal is a surreal monument which is constructed on the right bank of the river Yamuna using the white marble known as Makrana marble that was bought from Rajasthan. It's been more than 400 years since this fascinating piece of architecture was constructed but still, the poetries and architecture of this monument is the most fascinating work of art known to mankind. Taj Mahal is also described as a symbol of love and it is said that the Taj Mahal echoes the beauty, Romance, and Glory of this monument which is one of the seven wonders of the world. The rural beauty of this monument gets enhanced in full moonlight when the semi-translucent white marble reflects the moonlight and glows in the dark. Taj Mahal is the symbol of unconditional love and emotion and it was constructed in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal who was the beloved wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. This beautiful monument has now become a symbol of the integrity and sovereignty of India across the globe and is visited by around 4000 national and international tourists each day.
Anjuman Banu (Mumtaz Mahal) who was the daughter of Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan, was born on the 6th of April in the year 1593, she was the niece of Empress Nur Jahan. Prince Khurram who is also known as Shah Jahan saw her in Marketplace where she was having her stall and he fell in love with her at first sight. In 1612 both got married when Mumtaz Mahal was just 14 years old. Shah Jahan used to take Mumtaz Mahal along with her on all his travel trips and he also gave her his Imperial seat which is known as the Muhr Uzah.
With time, both of them became the parents of 14 children including Dara Shikoh, Roshnara Begum, Shah Shuja, Aurangzeb, and Jahanara Begum. Finally, on June 17, 1631, a day of grief and sadness came into their life on this date Mumtaz Mahal died while giving birth to her 14th child. Her body was buried in a garden located in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh on the bank of the river Tapi. After her death, Shah Jahan became weak and grieved for her for more than a year. Later Shahjahan decided to take her body back to Agra in a golden coffin along with his son Shah Shuja. After bringing back her body he buried her near the bank of the Yamuna in a small building and after that, he began to plant for the construction of a royal mausoleum for his wife.
In 1632 the final construction of the Royal mausoleum began. The construction of the main muscle was completed in 1639 and after that, the construction of the adjacent building was completed by 1643. After that, the decoration work started which lasted till 1647. The complete structure of the Taj Mahal took around 22 years to get into the perfect condition that we witness today. The main architecture was constructed using semi-translucent white marble and the nearby buildings were constructed using red marble. Shah Jahan wanted to construct a Paradise of dreams for her beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The different styles of architecture such as Indian, Islamic, Persian, Turkish, and Ottoman styles of architecture were used for the construction. The prominent architect of this mesmerizing Complex was Ahmed Shah Lahauri who constructed this mausoleum along with his thousands of craftsmen and artisans.
Mumtaz Mahal who was the wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan died on June 17, 1631, and after her death, he was surrounded by sadness and grief. After a year her death, he decided to construct a memorial to make his love immortal. Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world that is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Government of India. It is also known as the jewel of Muslim art in India and it is one of the most highly admired heritage of the world. Having the side of the Taj Mahal is surely an other-world experience. In today's time, the Taj Mahal is an iconic symbol of India that is famous all around the world and is visited by a huge crowd of national and international tourists each day.
Inside the Taj Mahal, there is a marvelous work of art that is done using precious and semi-precious stones which can leave you awestruck. A fine work of marble is done to construct a Jali around the sarcophagi and an awesome work of art is done on it. But to your surprise, these sarcophagi are just to show, the real one is kept in a quiet room in the basement just below the fake one. Tourists are strictly prohibited from visiting the real sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan that are kept in the basement.
There is no artificial light installed in the Taj Mahal complex. One of the major questions that arise in the mind of almost every tourist is why there is no light within the Taj Mahal premises and a straight answer to this is when an artificial light glows at night it attracts various insects and flies which may harm the marble of Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the prestigious Heritage sites of India so the Government of India intends to protect it in any way it can. Due to the increase in pollution and the greenhouse effect Taj Mahal is already facing some real issues and the government of India does not want to increase the risk of harming the monument by installing an artificial light. However, just the rays of the moon are enough to make the whole monument glow like a pearl on a night.
The raw material for the construction of the Taj Mahal was transported using a thousand elephants. The white marble was transported from Makrana in Rajasthan. Crystals and Jade were transported from China, Turquoise was brought from Tibet, Jasper from Punjab, Sapphire was brought from Sri Lanka, Carnelian from Arabia, and Lapis Lazuli was brought from Afghanistan. Almost 28 varieties of semi-precious stones were used for doing inlay work on the marble.
The Tajmahal complex has an ornamental Garden which is atypical Mughal Charbagh. There are Four Square Gardens that are separated by water bodies that are flowing through a marble plinth in between these Gardens. In the Northern part of this Complex, there is a raised platform that is constructed using white marble and this platform is holding the main mausoleum of this monument. Besides the main mausoleum, 4 minarets are located on each corner of the elevated platform. These minarets are 40 meters in height and I tilted them outwards so if in the future this Complex encounters an earthquake then the Minar will fall outwards without distracting the main mausoleum.
Near the elevated complex, on both the left and right side of the main mausoleum, there are two identical buildings located at a certain distance among which one is the mosque for offering prayers and the other one is a guest house. Three main entrance gates are constructed out of red marble and are located in the Western eastern and Southern directions of this monument.
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The main mausoleum is constructed in a semi-translucent white marble which has some interesting carvings and inlay work of semi-precious and precious gems. There are four sides of this mausoleum with identical carvings and detailing. On the top, there is a huge dome in the center along with four small domes located on the four corners of this complex. Under the Dome that is located in the center, there is a cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal, which has a magnificent work in Marble and gorgeous jellies besides this, there is a cenotaph of Shah Jahan (Her Beloved Husband). This chamber is designed in such a way that during the time the ray of Sun passes through these challenges and Falls directly on the cenotaph. But these cenotaphs are not the original ones the original ones are kept in the basement room and public visiting is prohibited in this chamber.
Before sunrise, the Taj Mahal appears to be completely dark and a little ray seems to be waking up the Taj Mahal. At this time the monument appears like a shadow and the view becomes magnificent.
The best view of the Taj Mahal can be witnessed during sunrise time as at this period the Taj Mahal turns red as the rays of the rising sun fall on it. Morning time is perfect to have a portrait shot as there are less number of tourists present during the sunrise time and also the Taj Mahal glows with yellow and pink color that looks extraordinary in photographs.
During the afternoon time, the Taj Mahal appears to be milky white and completely bright. At this period, every detail of the Taj Mahal can be seen and it's the best time to capture some sharp pictures of the Taj Mahal.
The sunset time which is also known as the golden hour turns the Taj Mahal into a pleasant yellow color that occurs due to the rays of the setting sun falling on the monument. During this time the site becomes soothing and mesmerizing and is also the best time to capture some stunning photographs and keep them forever.
During the full moon night, the beauty of the Taj Mahal gets enhanced as the light of the moon falls on the Taj Mahal, the monument and it feels like A shining Pearl among the stars. A huge crowd of tourists is attracted to have this view but the night view is only permitted for five days in a month that is on a full moon day 2 days before the full moon and 2 days after the full moon.
As per the Legend, it is said that Shahjahan wanted to construct a black Taj Mahal that is located on the exact opposite side of the Yamuna river which will be a replica of the white marble Taj Mahal. The construction of the black Taj Mahal was started but it remained incomplete as the son of Shahjahan, Aurangzeb imprisoned his father. During the last day of his lifetime, Shajahan just used to sit in the prison and gaze at the Taj Mahal from the window of Agra Fort located in proximity to the Taj Mahal. After the death of Shahjahan, he was also buried in the white marble Taj Mahal, beside the grave of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
There was a French Traveller, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier who visited Agra in 1640 and 1655 and he wrote that Shahjahan which to construct a black marble exactly on the opposite side of river Yamuna and I wanted to connect it with the white marble Taj Mahal through a silver bridge which will be constructed over the river Yamuna. The traces of black marble were witnessed by several archaeologists in the Mehtab Bagh and after the research, they declared that these marble were white but with time the white-colored stones turned into a black color.
The Western gate of the Taj Mahal is the main gate of entrance for this you can buy tickets near Saheli Burj. There is a red sandstone structure that is constructed outside the skate which is known as “Fatehpur Begum” which is dedicated to one of the wives of Shahjahan. This gate is the main entrance to the mausoleum, which can accommodate approximately 200 people at a time for offering Namaz.
The tickets for the Eastern gate of the Taj Mahal are available at the entrance of the gate itself. This gate faces Fatehabad and has a Tomb that is dedicated to Sirhindi Begum, another wife of Shah Jahan. This tomb is known as “Sirhi Darwaza” having magnificent architecture with 24 arches, a huge Courtyard, and a hall that is constructed in a unique 8-sided style.
The southernmost gate of the Taj Mahal is only meant for exit and no entry is allowed from here. This gate also has a Tomb that faces Mumtazabad. This tomb is dedicated to a maid of Mumtaz who always looked after her and is constructed in red sandstone. This Tomb also has a huge Courtyard and a dome.
|
Taj Mahal Gates |
Opening & Closing time |
|
The Western Gate |
Opens an hour before sunrise & closes 45 minutes before sunset |
|
The Eastern Gate |
Opens an hour before sunrise & closes 45 minutes before sunset |
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The Southern Gate |
Only Exit |
Agra has one of the best shopping places in India. This market is famous, particularly for buying handmade stuff and souvenirs. Sadar Bazar is one of the famous markets from where one can get garments, leather bags, handicraft items, etc. Subhash market which is famous for silk sarees and other products made up of silk is located near Jama Masjid and Agra Fort. Kinari Bazar is yet another popular shopping destination from where one can buy clothes, shoes, marble Handicrafts, jewelry, etc. Kinari Bazar is one of the best places to shop for a small replica of the Taj Mahal made with white marble. Lastly, Agra has a Shilpgram market area where one can find open-air stalls and huts that sell ethnic clothes, footwear, jewelry, and many such things. Handicraft items are the highlight of this art Bazaar located in Shilpgram.
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Agra has various restaurants with delightful-smelling cuisines that you totally can't resist. There are various rooftop restaurants from where you can have a view of the Taj Mahal while enjoying your delicious meal. Some of the best restaurants located near the Taj Mahal are Yes Restaurant, Joney’s Place, Dostea Cafe, Yash Cafe, Treat Restaurant, Tea’se Me, Esphahan, Bambino Cafe & Restaurant, etc. These places have some mouth-watering cuisines that will give your tastebuds an unrivaled flavor.
You can explore the Taj Mahal, on all the days of the week except Friday as it remains closed for prayers on Friday. The normal timings when you can visit this magnificent monument are from 6 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Other than this on the occasion of the full moon and 2 days before the full moon and two days post full moon you can witness this fascinating monument in the moonlight from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Just imagine that you are staying in a five-star hotel with all the luxurious service and the view of the Taj Mahal which is one of the seven wonders from the window of your room is like a cherry on the cake. Now, this dream can be fulfilled at The Oberoi Amarvilas. Agra has multiple options for accommodation be it a hostel for backpackers, a budget hotel, a Deluxe hotel, or a luxury property. You can even have a view of the Taj Mahal from hostels and budget properties too. Some of the accommodations that are located in the proximity of the Taj Mahal are Joey’s Hostel, Hotel Atulyaa Taj, Taj Resorts, Radhe Inn guest house, The Coral Court Homestay, Howard Plaza, Hotel President Agra, etc.
Early summer months which start from March till June month is the most appropriate time to visit the Taj Mahal as during these months the weather remains clear and pleasant. During the winter months, most of the time Taj Mahal remains shadowed by fog and can’t be captured properly in photographs or videos. So it is advisable to avoid visiting the Taj Mahal Complex from November till late February. Although there is no restriction you can explore the Taj Mahal, all year round as per your wish. You can explore this ancient monument during all the days of the week except Friday.
The nearest International Airport is located in Delhi that is Indira Gandhi International Airport which is and the distance of 235 kilometers from Agra. The nearest Domestic Airport is located in Agra itself which is Agra airport is located at a distance of 11 kilometers from the center of the Taj Mahal. From the International Airport, you can take any inter-state Bus or local cabs to reach your desired destination in Agra.
Here is the list of some important point points that need to be considered while visiting the Taj Mahal:
|
Visitor Type |
Ticket Price |
|
Indian Visitor / Indian Nationals |
INR 45 |
|
Foreigner Tourist |
INR 1050 |
|
SAARC and BIMSTEC |
INR 535 |
|
Children Below Age 15 (Indian/Foreigner) |
Free |
|
Visitor Type |
Ticket Price |
|
Indian Visitor / Indian Nationals |
INR 245 |
|
Foreigner tourist |
INR 1250 |
|
SAARC and BIMSTEC |
INR 735 |
|
Children Below Age 15 (Indian/Foreigner) |
Free |
If you want to have a mesmerizing view of the Taj Mahal in the moonlight then you need to get your reservations done 24 hours before the visit. Tickets can be e-booked online or from the Archaeological Survey of India office located on Agra Mall Road between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., only 400 tools are allowed inside the Taj Mahal Complex in a single night and these 400 tourists are divided into 8 batches of 50 members each and they are given the time duration of 30 minutes to explore the complex without entering the main building of Taj Mahal. The total period to explore the Taj Mahal at night is from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. and just 5 days a month. The days are full moon day 2 days before the full moon and two days post full moon and it remains closed on Friday.
|
Visitor Type |
Ticket Price |
|
Indian Visitor / Indian Nationals |
INR 510 |
|
Foreigner tourist |
INR 750 |
|
Children Below Age 15 (Indian/Foreigner) |
INR 500 |
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