Taj Mahal

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ― Lao Tzu

As said by Lao Tzu, love do gives you courage and strength to face every situation you encounter, be it good or bad. As they say every love story is unique in its own way. We have heard numerous love stories since our childhood days, of which books has been written, among many stories told one story stands out all and that is the love between Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan built Taj Mahal in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631, after having been the emperor’s inseparable companion since their marriage in 1612. The Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan is the epitome of modern day love story and is not limited to the books or story but is an actual physically present monumental structure standing tall till date. What could one expect from a lover than to symbolize their love story that would speak out loud to the world even when the person themselves do not exist?

Entrance to the Taj Mahal

First view of  Taj Mahal from the entrance gate

Taj Mahal, also spelled Tadj Mahall, mausoleum complex is situated in Agra, western Uttar Pradesh state, northern India. in the eastern part of the city on the southern (right) bank of the Yamuna (Jumna) River. Agra Fort (Red Fort), also on the right bank of the Yamuna, is about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the Taj Mahal.

View of Taj Mahal with Yamuna River flowing beside 

In its harmonious proportions and its fluid incorporation of decorative elements, the Taj Mahal is distinguished as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles. One of the most beautiful structural compositions in the world, Taj Mahal is also one of the world’s most iconic monuments, visited by millions of tourists each year. The complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 (britannica.com).

Emperor who reigned between 1628–58  built the Taj Mahal to immortalize his wife Mumtaz Mahal (“Chosen One of the Palace”). The five principal elements of the complex—main gateway, garden, mosque, jawāb (literally “answer”; a building mirroring the mosque), and mausoleum (including its four minarets)—were conceived and designed as a unified entity according to the tenets of Mughal building practice, which allowed no subsequent addition or alteration. Building commenced about 1632 and it took 22 years to complete the construction where more than 20,000 workers were employed from India, Persia, the Ottoman Empire, and Europe. Monument is spread across the 42-acre (17-hectare) of land.

One of the section of  Taj Mahal

A different perspective of Taj Mahal

View of Taj Mahal from Agra Fort

People enjoying front (main) view of Taj Mahal

Enjoying the beauty of  Taj Mahal

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder! Probably for Taj Mahal, the axiom is just the other way round. The Taj is the beauty personified! The Taj displays its different moods through its varied shades. The Taj has as many shades as any kind of beauty can ever have! The Taj is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening, golden when the moon shines and the intermediary variants during different hours of the day and during different seasons in a year.

Reflection of Taj Mahal on the pool

If one has a heart that beats and that beat throbs to seek, the purity of love in galore then one surely deserves a visit to ‘The Taj’, as much as ‘The Taj’ deserves your visit once, and more!