TAJMAHAL AGRA

INTRODUCTION

The crowning jewel of Indo-Islamic architecture, the Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most beautiful and beloved structures. The monument was built in Agra, India, for Mumtaz Mahal, the favorite wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Construction of the tomb began in 1632 and employed more than 20,000 laborers for 20 years

Taj Mahal stands in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. TAJ MAHAL is a feeling that caresses one's heart like a pure melody of love. Mesmerizing, majestic, scintillating - the Taj Mahal in Agra India is a wondrous gift to the world that depicts love in all its grandeur. India travel is incomplete without experiencing the Taj Mahal. This supreme temple of love, standing gracefully by the sacred Yumana at Agra, has become the monument of a man's love for a woman. The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 1983, and described as "The jewel of Muslim art in India".

HISTORY OF TAJ MAHAL

The origin of the name the "Taj Mahal" is not clear. Court histories from Shah Jehan's reign only call it the rauza (tomb) of Mumtaz Mahal. It is generally believed that "Taj Mahal" (usually translated as either "Crown Palace" or "Crown of the Palace") is an abbreviated version of her name, Mumtaz Mahal (Exalted One of the Palace).The Taj Mahal is a deserving resting palace for an Emperor's Empress. It stands on the banks of the river Yamuna, which otherwise serves as a wide moat defending the Great Red Fort of Agra, the center of the Mughal emperors until they moved their capital to Delhi in 1637. It was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Burhanpur in a campaign to crush a rebellion after giving birth to their 14th child. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The principal architect was the Iranian architect Istad Usa; it is possible that the pietra dura work was coordinated by an Italian artist.

DESCRIPTION OF TAJ MAHAL

The architecture of the Taj Mahal has been praised by historians, architects, poets and travelers from all over the world. Built of white marble brought from Makrana in Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal appears different at different times of day and during the changing seasons. The color of the sky is reflected by the white marble, and the rays of the sun give it an almost ethereal appearance. The sight of the Taj Mahal on a full moon night is an enchanting experience. When seen from Agra Fort across the Yamuna River on a foggy morning, the Taj Mahal appears like a fairytale castle floating on a soft carpet of air.
The Taj Mahal is part of a complex of structures. These structures include the Darwaza or main gateway, the Bageecha or garden, the Masjid or mosque, the Naqqar Khaana or guest house and the Rauza or mausoleum. The entrance to the complex is through the grand gateway. The gateway is inscribed with Islamic calligraphy and floral decorations. As you enter the gateway, its high arch frames the vista before you. A path with green lawns on either side leads to the raised platform on which the Taj Mahal is situated. The approach to the Taj Mahal, with intersecting paths and waterways is called the Charbagh.
The Taj Mahal is situated on a raised platform that is over 6 meters high. The actual tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are in the basement below this platform. The main building surmounted by a curving dome is over 60 meters long on each side. The dome rises to a height of over 60 meters at its pinnacle. The platform covers an area of almost 94 sq meters. A tall minaret of over 40 meters reaches up to the sky at each corner of the platform. On either side of the Taj Mahal there is a red sandstone building - a mosque to the west and a guesthouse to the east. The fountains, waterways, formal garden and the river Yamuna flowing in the background add to the overall effect. The overall symmetry of the Taj Mahal complex, makes it an aesthetically perfect sight.
The architecture of the Taj Mahal is enhanced by delicate inlay work. The interiors of the Taj Mahal are decorated with inlay work known as pietra dura. Semi precious stones such as jasper, jade, turquise, lapis lazuli and sapphire, were used in these decorative devices, many of which can still be seen. These decorative elements include inscriptions from the Quran, geometrical designs and graceful depictions of flowers and plants. The inlay work has been carried out with great skill, creating a seamless and smooth surface with no visible joints. The pristine white marble of the Taj Mahal contrasts with the colors of the inlaid stones creating a beautiful and majestic effect.
The beautiful proportions of each element of the complete complex, their exquisitely decorated interirors, the brilliance of the carving in the latticed screens that surround the tomb and the setting of the Taj Mahal add up to the sublime experience that is a glimpse of the Taj Mahal. The architecture of the Taj Mahal Agra is considered the most spectacular example of Mughal architecture in India.

HOW TO REACH

AIR- Agra airport is 7 km from the city center and 3 km from Idgah bus stand. Major Indian airlines operate daily tourist shuttle flights to Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi and back. It only takes 40 minutes from Delhi to Agra.
RAIL- Agra is well connected by railroad. The main railway station is the Agra Cantonment station. Agra is well connected by rail to Delhi, Varanasi and cities of Rajasthan. Trains like Palace on Wheel, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Taj Express are the best choices if you want to reach Agra from Delhi in luxury.
ROAD- Idgah bus stand is the main bus stand of Agra, from where one can catch buses for Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc. Buses for Mathura also leave from Agra Fort bus stand.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

When it comes to visiting Taj Mahal, there is no such thing called best time and worst time, because the Taj Mahal offers a different perspective to all the visitors all the time. The colors of Taj Mahal changes at different hours of the day and during different seasons. Like a jewel, the Taj sparkles in moonlight when the semi-precious stones inlaid into the white marble on the main mausoleum catch the glow of the moon.