Wonders of Taj Mahal

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Words fall short when it comes to describing the magnificence of the Taj Mahal – the wonder of wonders. The Taj has made men amaze at the unfathomable love Shah Jahan had for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. And it has made women wish to die to have such a mansion built on them. Such is the grandeur of Taj Mahal, the eternal symbol of love! A mansion  built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Bano Begum) who died while giving birth to their 14^th child.

Tourist Info:

• Timings: 6am to 7pm (closed on Fridays and public holidays)
• Entry Fee: Free for children below 12 years of age
• Non-Indians: 5 US$
• Indians: From 8am to 4pm – 0.31 US$
• Indians: From 6am to 8am and 4pm to 7pm – 0.20 US$

Facts about the Taj Mahal:

• Duration of construction: 1631- 1653 (22 years)
• Labors used: 20,000 workers.
• Chief architect: Ustad Isa Khan
• Location: Banks of River Yamuna in Agra, India
• Area: 42 acres.
• Architectural style: Islamic

Taj Mahal comprises five major constituents:

1. Darwaza (The main gateway)
2. Bageecha (The gardens)
3. Masjid (The mosque)
4. Naqqar Khana (The rest house)
5. Rauza (The main mausoleum)

It is believed that Shah Jahan ordered that the craftsmen’s and architect’s hands be chopped off after the building Taj Mahal.

The secret of the Third Grave:

It is customary of the Mughal Tombs to have the third set of graves, however it is absent here. The doors that are believed to lead to the third have been permanently blocked.

The scholars believe that Taj has the traditional third set of graves existing somewhere in the underground vaults. However this mystery remains a mystery forever. There are only two graves found in the Taj, that of the Emperor and his Queen.

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Unbelievable but true!

Do you know that the main gateway of the Taj Mahal is adorned with Hindu motifs along with Arabic calligraphy of verses from the Quran?  The main gateway sports an image of a white teardrop with a red trident. These motifs of the gateway reflect a Hindu touch. There are also images of red lotus flowers that represent Lord Brahma. All these point towards a Hindu influence in the construction of Taj Mahal.

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Myths related to the Taj:

• There is a popular myth that Shah Jahan wished to construct a Black Taj Mahal, which would house his tomb. But no such evidences were found

• P.N. Oak, an Indian writer claimed that the Taj Mahal is a corrupt form of the sanskrit term ‘TejoMahalay’ which signifies a Shiva Temple.

It’s rightly said that ‘you may leave the Taj Mahal’ but the ‘Taj Mahal’ will never leave you. Visit it yourself to experience the wonder Taj holds!

Video Section : 

Interior of Taj Mahal