For
centuries, the Taj Mahal has inspired poets, painters and
musicians to try and capture its elusive magic in word, colour and
song. It is one of the most flawless architectural creations of
the world. since the 17th century, travellers have crossed
continents to come and see this ultimate memorial to love, and few
have been unmoved by its incomparable beauty.
Taj Mahal stands in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state
of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was built
in the memory of the beautiful Arjumand Bano Begum, who won the
heart of a Mughal prince. She was married at 21 to Emperor
Jahangir's third son Prince Khurram and stayed loyally by his side
through good times and bad; in the luxurious royal palaces of Agra
as well as the transient tents of war camps.
History Of Taj Mahal
In AD 1628, Khurram became king after a bloody battle of
succession: he took the name Shahjahan or King of the World and
Showered his beloved begum with the highest titles. She became
Mumtaz Mahal, the exalted of the palace and Mumtaz-ul-Zamani, the
exalted of the Age. But Mumtaz Mahal was not destined to be queen
for long. In 1631, Shahjahan went on an expedition to the south
and, as always, Mumtaz Mahal accompanied him. But she died in
childbirth at Burhanpur. She had borne Shahjahan fourteen
children, of whom four sons and three daughters survived. When
Mumtaz Mahal died, she was just 39 years old. Shahjahan was
inconsolable and contemporary chronicles tell of the royal court
mourning for two years. there was no music, no feasting, and no
celebration of any kind.
Building A Wonder
Shahjahan, who was a passionate builder, now decided to erect a
memorial to his queen in pristine marble that the world would
never forget. The site selected for the tomb was a garden by the
Yamuna river, unshadowed by any other structure. The garden had
been laid by Raja Man Singh of Amber and now belonged to his
grandson, Raja Jai Singh. By a royal Firman, Shahjahan gave Jai
Singh four Havelis in exchange for the garden. The site was also
chosen because it was located on a bend in the river, and so could
be seen from Shahjahan's personal palace in Agra Fort, further
upstream.
Work on the mausoleum began in 1633 and 20,000 workers laboured
for 17 years to build it. The most skilled architects, inlay
craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from all
across Indian and lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The
master mason was from Baghdad, an expert in building the double
dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi.
Yemen sent agates, the corals came from Arabia, the garnets from
Bundelkhand, onyx and amethyst from Persia. Mumtaz Mahal's final
resting-place was ornamented like a queen's jewel-box.
A Day at Taj Mahal in Agra
Taj Mahal in the Morning
 The
glory of the monument is strangely undiminished by the crowds of
tourists who visit each day, as small and insignificant as ants in
the face of this immense and captivating monument. That said, the
Taj is at its most alluring in the relative quiet of early
morning, shrouded in mists and bathed with a soft red glow. As its
vast marble surfaces fall into shadow or reflect the sun, its
colour changes, from soft grey and yellow to pearly cream and
dazzling white; it's well worth visiting at different times. This
play of light is an important decorative device, symbolically
implying the presence of Allah, who is never represented in
anthropomorphic form.
Beauty of Taj Mahal during Day
The Taj Mahal shows a different aspect of beauty at different
times of the day. The sight of the Taj awash with the subtle pinks
of dawn is an unforgettable sight. Sunsets stain the Taj an exotic
shade of orange. But nothing beats the poignant beauty of the Taj
seen when the cool white marble is bathed in the soft silver light
of the moon. Even in the bright light of the day, this wonder of
the world shines with an awe-inspiring loveliness.
There's no time limit on visits to the Taj, and some people spend
most of the day here, sitting, reading, dozing or picnicking in
the beautifully kept gardens. Hawkers and salesmen are not allowed
in, and official guides are not available on site, but can usually
be provided by hotels, and always accompany organized tours. The
ticket office, just outside the western gate, is rarely blocked by
long queues, except between 4 and 5 pm before the admission fee
increases; bring the right amount of money as the ticket booth
attendants rarely have change and tend to pocket the difference.
Many Faces Of Taj
Taj Mahal changes its moods with the seasons and the different
times of the day. At dawn, the marble has a delicate bloom in
shell pink, by noon it glitters majestically white, turning to a
soft pearl grey at dusk. On full-moon nights, the silver light
makes it float away against the star-spangled sky. Monsoon clouds
give it a moody blue tint and it appears and disappears like a
mirage in the drifting mists of winter. It can be solid and
earthbound, fragile and ethereal, white, amber, grey and gold. The
many faces of Taj Mahal display the seductive power of
architecture at its best.
Taj Mahotsav - Celebrating The Glory Of Taj Mahal
With the arrival of Springtime in February comes the most
colourful and festive time at Agra - the Taj Mahotsav. A 10-day
long celebrations of Uttar Pardesh's multicultural heritage that
becomes major display platform of the arts, crafts, culture,
cuisine, folk and classical dance and music of India.
Taj Mahotsav is a special event organised by the U.P. Tourism
department, keeping the focus as Taj Mahal and held as an annual
event at Shilpgram, the neighbouring site of Taj Mahal. This
artistic event is a dedication to the legendary skills of
mastercraftsmen and other exponents of art, music and cuisine. Its
an opportunity for tourists visiting Taj Mahal to get a glimpse
inside the rich heritage and extraordinary legacies of Uttar
Pradesh's historic past.
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