TAJ MAHAL – The monument of LOVE

MONUMENT OF LOVE

Taj Mahal, Agra

Famously considered the most stunning building in the world, the Taj Mahal is situated in the historic city of Agra. It was erected by the Mughal Ruler Shah Jahan as a commemorative for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Built entirely out of white marble in the 17th century, it is among the premium structures of Mughal architecture. Recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the Taj Mahal is also considered to be one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Every year tourists numbering more than the complete population of Agra enter the splendid gates to catch a preview of this breathtaking monument and make memories of life. Shah Jahan said about the Taj that it made “the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes”.

The Taj Mahal stands for the Crown of Palaces in the Persian language. Even the roughest fancies leave tourists underprepared for this world wonder. Covering an area of approximately 42 Acres, the Taj Mahal was built using white marble obtained from Makrana in Rajasthan.

Rabindranath Tagore pronounced it as “a teardrop in the cheek of eternity” while Rudyard Kipling exclaimed it is “the embodiment of all things pure”. The construction of the Taj Mahal commenced in 1631 and took 17 years before it was completed in 1648! The tomb is rested out in a rectangular shape and can be approached through a huge gateway that has an arch and alcoves on either side of it. The Taj, so majestic from the exterior, has equally marvelous artistic work done in the interiors. There are water channels and fountains in the entrance which makes the monument even more outstanding. The reflection of this majestic vision in the Yamuna is almost poetic in its perfection!