Taj Mahal - The Symbol of Eternal Love
There is no other monument in the world, which can match the beauty and grandeur of the Taj Mahal. Set amongst the serene ambience of a well laid out garden, the massive marble structure of the Taj Mahal is awe-inspiring. It is more than 350 years since Taj Mahal was built, but it has not lost its romantic aura, which attracts millions of visitors towards it. It is because of this everlasting charm that the Taj Mahal can boast of being one of the most popular world heritage monuments on earth. The world is divided between those who have seen the Taj Mahal and those who have not. Taj Mahal acquires a different hue at different time of the day. One might have seen Taj 15 times but when you return back to see it 16th time, you will find it something different from the earlier visit. The Taj at noon, the Taj Mahal at sunset, under the full moon, against the setting sun, and against the rising ball of fire, each time the mausoleum acquires a different accent and tells a different story. It was a reminder of the love of a king for his queen Mumtaz Mahal who could inspire such a monument and also of the king himself who could sign his love across the horizon.
Agra - City of the Taj Mahal
Agra was the chosen city of the Mughal emperors during the early years. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babur, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the River Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson, raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens. Shahjahan embellished it with marbled mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal, a monument of love and imagination, which represents India to the world.The Taj Platform
The Taj itself stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements.The four minarets at each comer of the plinth provide a perfect balance to the tomb. The minarets measure 41.6 high and each has a deliberate slant outwards so that in an unlikely even of an earthquake, they would not fall on the tomb but away from it.
The bulbous dome of the Taj Mahal rests on an extraordinarily high drum and rises to a total height of 44.41 mt. from the base of the drum to the apex of the finial.
The central dome of the Taj is flanked on all four angles by four very appropriate Chhatris which though sufficiently detached, appear to be attached to the dome, irrespective of the angle of the view.
There is only one point of access to the plinth and tomb, a double staircase facing the entrance. One has to remove shoes over here or can put on the shoe covers, which are provided by the staff stationed here for this purpose.