Taj Mahal | The Icon of Love for Centuries

There are many historical attractions in India but none of it matches the wonderful beauty of the Taj Mahal of Uttar Pradesh. This is one of the seven wonders of the world that attracts souls in love. In the present time, it is known as a resemblance of love, depicting the depths a man can go for his beloved.

But apart from that, the great monument also reflects the hardship and skills of 22000 painters, artists, stonecutters, laborers, and embroiders who worked for 22 years for this monument to take shape. And we will be reflecting on each and every aspect of the Taj Mahal in the hope to give it the fame it deserves.

History and General information about the Taj Mahal:

The Taj is a historical monument that is very well-known to the whole world. Built by the Fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, this monument was a token of love and respect for his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to their 14th child in 1631 AD.

Also known by the name of Arjumand Banu Begum before the marriage, Mumtaz was an Iranian princess known for her beauty. Shahjahan and Mumtaz got married in the year 1632 and were inseparable since then. The loss of his favorite wife and soul companion devastated Shahjahan for the rest of his life.

The construction started in 1632 AD under the guidance of Ustad-Ahmad Lahori and was finally completed around 1653 AD.

Some facts and figures:

• 1000 elephants were used for the transportation of materials
• Approximately 20,000 laborers gave 22 years of their life
• Around 32 million rupees were spent

General Information:

A Glimpse of the Popularity Of The Taj Mahal, India:

The popularity of this gorgeous monument can be guessed by the fact that foreigners travel to Agra despite knowing the fact that there isn’t much in the city apart from the Taj Mahal. The monstrous Taj is even enough to stand out from the other wonders of the world.

Taj not only attracts people in love but is also the point of attraction for architects. Its architect is considered a perfect mix of domes, curves, arches, solids, and voids which gives the illusion of shadow dancing in the middle.

The change in color of the Taj:

There is nothing in this world that can match the beauty of the gorgeous Taj Mahal during sunrise and sunset. The Makrana marble used in the construction of the monument reflects and refracts light from the sun throughout the day which results in the phenomenon of color changing.

Taj Mahal is located in the South-west direction of Graham and forms an almost opposite angle with the rising hence and just before sunrise, it appears to be pure black like a shadow. During the time of sunrise, it is bathed in a combination of red and golden which gives the illusion of gold. It is the time we suggest visiting the Taj.

There is no need to worry if you are not an early bird. You can compensate for the situation by taking a tour during sunset. The mask of light yellowish and orange light makes Taj equally breathtaking. The Taj also seems to be at peace with the moon. During the full moon nights, the Taj wears the bright white color of the moonlight. The phenomenon makes it one of the most visited Tourist destinations in India.

Comparison of The Taj Mahal To Other Modern Wonders Of The World:

The Taj Mahal became one of the wonders of the world because of its uniqueness decorated in precious white marble laced with delicate Pietra Dura work and adorned with some of the precious and semi-precious stones that were used for its inlay work.

In 1983 Unesco listed it in the heritage site and named it a “universally admired masterpiece of the world’s heritage”. Taj Mahal is the only Wonder that holds a very strong place in the fields of heritage as was as history. It has different aspects for different people which makes it unique even amongst the 7 wonders of the World.

For people in love, it is a beautiful monument that signifies love, for historians, it is the monument that created a rift between Shah Jahan and his son Aurangzeb leading to the fall of the Mughal Dynasty. Lastly, for the architects and artists, it is the live canvas adorned with the strokes of Pietra Dura.

Best time to visit the Taj Mahal:

As we discussed, the Taj Mahal is situated in Agra, Uttar Pradesh state of India along the longitudinal location that leads to scorching summer months and humid after months. So we suggest it’s better to visit during the colder months( October – Mid-March) when the weather tends to move towards colder temperatures.

Operating Hours of the Taj Mahal:

Entry Fees Of the Taj Mahal:

Note: Additional INR 200 to see the main mausoleum. And free entry for children below 15 years old.

How to reach the Taj Mahal, Agra?

• Nearest Airport- Agra Airport (7 Km away from The Taj Mahal). All Airlines of India operate flights to Agra on a daily basis.
• Nearest Railway Station– Agra city has its own Railway Station. That is well with the rest of the country.
• Via Road- The major bus stand of Agra City is Idgah. Agra is well connected to the rest of the cities of India. The city has many regular bus services that connect Agra to important cities..

Nearby Places to Visit Around Taj Mahal:

1. Agra Fort (Approx 5 to 10 minutes walk-in distance from the Taj Mahal)
2. Fatehpur Sikri (Approx 36 Km away from Agra City)
3. Imad-Ud-doula’s Tomb (3 Km away from the Taj Mahal)
4. Akbar’s Tomb (7 Km away from The Taj Mahal)
5. Mehtab Bagh (3 Km distance from Agra City)
6. Wildlife SOS (Approx 17 Km away from the city)
7. Taj Museum (3 Km away from Agra city)
8. Anguri Bagh (1 Km away from the main town)
9. Chini Ka Rauza (4 Km away from the main town)
10. City Shopping Hub (2 Km away from the main town)

Some Important Facts About the Taj Mahal:

• During the time period of 1632-1653, around 32 crore Indian Rupees($385148.80) were spent on the construction of this beautiful monument. The cost of the Taj in 2023 is around 83,08,26,00,000 Indian Rupees ($1 Billion).
• Total 28 varieties of precious stones and jewels were used to accessorize the Taj Mahal. These precious and semi-precious metals include Yemeni, Petunia, Zahar-mohra, sang-i-Surkh, Yasheb, Khathu, Nakhod, and many more unknown jewels.
• The four miners (pillars) surrounding the main tomb are built slightly tilted outside to protect the main tomb in case of natural calamities.
• The calligraphy and verses on the walls of the Taj are taken from the holy book of the Quran Sharif. It even has 99 different names of Allah calligraphed on the walls.
• Apart from Mumtaz Begum, Shah Jahan’s other wives are also buried in and around the Taj Mahal.
• It is a no-fly zone and no vehicles paper from electric ones are allowed on the premises of the Taj. So you would have to walk from the parking area to the main gate.

The Taj Mahal’s Rest House

The guest house was built on the east side of the Taj Mahal and a replica of the mosque is on exactly the opposite side to keep the needed symmetry of the monument. Both Mosque and Guesthouse were built of red sandstone with marvel-facing structures to contrast the marble mausoleum in the center.

The guesthouse has been referred to as Jawab, Rest house, Guesthouse, Assembly House, Mihman Khana, and Naqqar Khana. Inside the Mosque there is Mehrab, a place where Muslims can pray but the guesthouse doesn’t host Mehrab.

The main reason behind the rest house is surrounded by many traditional folk stories. But the most famed story tells that it was built to host guests that came for the death anniversary of Mumtaz Mahal.

The final thoughts:

With all the points, our blog comes to an end. The magnificent Taj Mahal holds different significance for everyone. We hope that we were able to do justification to its significance. So plan your next tour of the Taj Mahal with our elaborate guide. Happy journey.

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