Taj Mahal Travel Guide
Stunning Marble Mausoleum
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Poetry in marble, majesty and magnificence unrivalled. There is no comparison to the Taj Mahal, the one and only of its kind in the world. A monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen, visit the Taj Mahal not just once, but several times at different times of the day to see its colours change from pink to white and burnished yellow.
The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan erected the Taj Mahal mausoleum in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who died in 1630. It is said that building material was brought in from all over India and Central Asia and that it took a thousand elephants to transport it all to the site. In all 28 kinds of rare, semi precious and precious stones were used for inlay work, the chief building material being the famous white marble from the quarries of Makrana in Rajasthan.
Visitors enter by way of a small door in the main gate and come upon the classic view of the building in front of which are the gardens laid out in the charbagh style. Mosques frame the Taj as it is said to sanctify the area and provides for a place for worship. An identical, unused (as it faces east) mosque is also built to the right of the Taj, for symmetry.
The Taj itself stands in a raised platform its four minarets, 41.6m high, provide a perfect balance to the tomb whilst the dome rises to 44.41m. The interior of the mausoleum comprises a lofty central chamber, a crypt immediately below this and four octagonal corner rooms originally intended to house the graves of other royal family members. In the centre are the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, with Shah Jahan's to the left and being higher than that of his wife which rests immediately below the dome. Marble screen of trelliswork surrounds the graves. Both tombs are exquisitely inlaid with semi-precious stones.
A visit to the Taj is an experience to be treasured and is for many the sole reason for a visit to India. Visit first thing in the morning (noting winter mornings are often atmospherically misty) for sunrise and again throughout the day to appreciate the changing colours. A moonlight visit is especially worthwhile.
Activities in Taj Mahal
A visit with a local guide will explain the history of the building and they will point out things easily missed.
Relaxing
The Taj Ganj area has many cheap eateries (some with great views of the Taj Mahal) whilst the 5* hotels provide dining at the other end of the scale.
Getting Around
The Taj Mahal can be approached on foot through the Taj Ganj area, or be built into a city-sightseeing tour.
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