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The Taj Mahal is the one among the Seven Wonders of World. The beauty of Taj is worth appreciating for its legendary history and wonderful architecture. This epitome of love is a source for inspiration for many since ages. Tourists are bewitched by the magnificent sight of Taj Mahal. One visit to experience the architectural beauty of Taj is a must for everyone. And once there, you will obviously feel like re-visiting it.
Taj Mahal Tours
Bagging the top list of New Seven Wonders of the World for one more time, has just multiplied the enthusiasm of the visitors to explore the architectural marvel of this wonderful structure in marble, our very own Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is the finest specimen of architecture. Visitors to Taj Mahal are simply awestruck by the exquisite architectural excellence. The transcendent Taj is often described as India's "Jewel in the Crown", which certainly Taj is. For many centuries, visitors have been coming and seeing the beauty of Taj to appreciate the charming site.
Origin of Taj Mahal
The elegance of Indo Islamic architecture of Taj still attracts the lovers, poets, composers, tourists, travelers, architects, archaeologists alike. Unraveling the mysteries of Taj Mahal is quite interesting. Legend has it that Taj Mahal would not have been a reality had not Prince Khurram, Shah Jahan, seen and fallen in love with Arjumand Bano Begu, Mumtaz Mahal.
Their love at first sight solemnized into marriage and Mumtaz asked Shah Jahan to grant her wishes. Of four wishes, the one was to build a tomb in her memory which would not have seen or made ever before.
Shah Jahan fulfilled the dream of his beloved wife and the rest is history. The opulence of Taj Mahal works like a magic on the beholders. It casts a spell and the beholder is simply amazed by the splendid extravaganza of mysticism. It boasts of being the most enduring symbol of love in the world and one of the most sought after tourist attraction.
Architecture of Taj Mahal
The construction of Taj Mahal required great artistry and mastery. The magnum opus was not built just out of blue. Much pains had been taken for the designing and erection of this grand edifice. The present Taj is an outcome of skill, experience, expertise and diligence of about twenty thousand labors and artisans. The period of its construction is not less amusing. It took twenty two years to transmute this dream of Mumtaz into an epitome of eternal love. Started in 1632, the construction culminated in 1654.
Not only a long duration of erection but the amount of royal treasure spent on its construction is also stunning. If historians are to believed, it is said that Shah Jahan had spent thirty two million rupees from the royal treasury and had consulted several experts form Middle East and Europe. Master craftsmen were imported all the way from Qannauj, Lahore, Multan, Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara to make the wonderful piece of marble.
A fleet of one thousand elephants transported the construction material sourced from different parts of India and Central Asia. Twenty eight different kinds of rare, precious, and semi precious stones were used in the inlay work embellishing Taj.
The architectural complex of Taj Mahal comprise of five main elements:
The darwaza or the main gateway
The Baggecha or the garden
The Masjid or the Mosque
The Naqqar Khana or the Rest House
The Rauza or the Mausoleum
Gateway of Taj is built in pure red sandstone and measures 30 meters in height. The gateway is inscribed in apparently uniform lettering with a "Promise of Allah" (verses) from Koran. The garden of the Taj covers the entire area between the main gateway and the foot of the edifice. The layout of Taj Garden is in the formula of four with two intersecting marble canals studded with fountains and edged with cypress tress. The tomb of Taj is in square plan with chamfered corners. Entry to the mausoleum is through the southern portal. The slender minarets are crowned with eight windowed cupolas that accent the central structure.
