By Sharada Vadla
7 Wonders of the World - The TajMahal - Universally Admired Jewel of Indian Heritage
The Taj Mahal in Persian meaning "Crown of Palaces" is an ivory-white marble impressive building housing a tomb on the south bank of the Yamuna river in Agra, India. In a vast area of 42 acres, the tomb is the centerpiece, which includes a mosque and a guest house, with lush green gardens bounded on three sides by a wall.
Taj was described by the Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, as "the tear-drop on the cheek of time". it is regarded as the a symbol of India's rich history for its architecture and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". It is crowed with visitors around the year including admirers,art-lovers and travelers across the world of 7–8 million visitors a year. Declared a as a winner of the New7Wonders of the World 2000 – 2007 initiative in 2007.
Source : Wikipedia 18th-century view of the Taj Mahal complex with the Moonlight garden shown at the top of the page.
Shah Jahan decided in 1631 to be built in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child, Gauhara Begum. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632.
128 rooms after the entrance were intended for the guests to stay
The entrance arch which opens to the splendid surprise of the beauty of Taj
This is the entrance arch for Taj Mahal. If we see on the on the roof, there are two lines of gol gumbus. The front row has 11 and the back row also has 11, totally 22, it depicts the number of years Shajahan took to complete the amazing monument. Once you enter this shrine, you are left with immense surprise. TAJ...
The large white marble tomb structure which is the central focus of the entire complex of the Taj Mahal is standing on a square plinth. It consists of a symmetrical building with an arch-shaped doorway topped by a large dome and finial.
The base structure is approximately 55 metres (180 ft) on each of the four long sides. Four minarets frame the tomb one at each corner of the plinth. The main chamber has the false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan as the actual graves are at a lower level.
The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is the most spectacular part of Taj. The entrance with 22 gol gumbas entirely masks the strucutre, as one enters the arch Taj is an unimaginable surprise. It is astanishg and stunning. The dome is marvelous and is nearly 35 metres (115 ft) high, close in to the length of the base. The cylindrical dome "drum" sits on which is approximately 7 metres (23 ft) high.
Because of its globas shape, the dome is known an onion dome or amrud (guava dome). The lotus design decorated at the top serves to accentuate its height. There are four smaller replicated domed chattris (kiosks) at its corners emphasize the main central dome. They are provide light to the interior part the dome through their columned bases that open through the roof of the tomb. The lotus motif is repeated on both the chattris and guldastas.
A mixture of traditional Persian and Hindustani decorative elements are seen on top the dome and chattris. Originally the main finial was made of gold but was replaced in 19th century by a copy made of gilded bronze. This feature provides a clear example of integration of traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements.
Each of the minarets are more than 40 metres (130 ft) tall. Each minaret is divided into three equal parts by two working balconies that ring the tower. At the top of the tower is a final balcony surmounted by a chattri that mirrors the design of those on the tomb. The chattris all have the same decorative elements of a lotus design topped by a gilded finial. The minarets were constructed slightly tilting outside of the plinth so that in the event of collapse during an earthquake of any natural calmity to avoid falling of the material from the towers on the central tomb. They would tend to fall away from the tomb keeping the tomb intact.
Can you believe, there are flat finishings on the walls. It left me with utter surprise. we stood close it touched the wall and the designs. I was wondering what is the fun? When the guide told us to move 10 feet away and see the walls, I was taken aback... Wow the complete flat wall looked like a folded paper.. Its amazing workman ship who have created an illusion with no technology....
The visit to Taj raised a question. Neither to create a controversy nor to argue, people standing in a long queue, one had to revolve around the Tomb from below near the basement. People have enough time they watch and enjoy every bit of carvings on the walls, pillars and the derbies of the black Taj known as Shah Jahan's dream to build for himself that is far beyond the bank of the Yamuna river. Every one question is struck with an unanswered question, why does the tomb's shrine high above have a 'KALASH'? ...All are normal people, there is no answer!
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