The Taj Mahal, India- celebration of love and zenith of an architect's prowess

O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you reads the calligraphy on the Great Gate of one of the 7 wonders of the world The Taj Mahal, India.
The Taj Mahal, built by the then most powerful Mughal emperor Shahjahan in loving memory of his beloved third wife Mumtaz Mahal, stands as a symbol of eternal love and dedication in the city of Agra which is a must visit tourist destination in India.
The 3814045 greattajmahal Taj Mahal, Agra is built on the principles of self- replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements. Abstract art forms and complicated paragraphs from the Quran can be seen decorating the facet, minarets, plinths and the mosque. As Islamic culture prohibits elaborate decoration of graves, the cenotaphs of the Emperor and his beloved queen are placed in a relatively plain chamber with the caskets inlaid with precious stones and calligraphic inscriptions praising the King and the queen.
Built on the banks of the Yamuna and spread over 42 acres of land, this marble structure houses beautiful gardens and sprawling lawns which in the yester years were know for their profusion of vegetation and spectacular flowers. As the number 4 is considered the holiest number in Islam, the gardens have also been laid out on a quadrate plan with special emphasis on clear view of the mausoleum from every corner of the garden. Cypress trees, symbolising death can be seen artfully lining the fountains and canals.
Popular legends associated with this spectacular marble edifice also add to the mysticism of this structure. Some say that it's built over an ancient Hindu Shiva temple called Tejo Mahalaya or was a palace of the then glorious Rajput kings. Most popular of all, is the story of the mutilation of the 20, 000 craftsmen involved in building the structure to avoid its replication ever in the future. Another beautiful story associated to the monument of eternal love says that till date, one raindrop falls on the cenotaph every year during the rainy season as if to testify Rabindranath Tagore's description of the mausoleum as one tear- drop ...... upon the cheek of time.
3814045 greattajmahal Taj Mahal tourism is at its peak from October to March. Visit to the Taj Mahal becomes more spellbinding when you are able to view the monument with different beautiful shades of nature. The marble wonder emanates a golden glow at sunrise, looks suspended in mid air in the winter fog when viewed from the banks of the Yamuna and shimmers bright and silvery in the clear moonlit night.
Visit to the Taj Mahal is incomplete without tasting the famous petha. 12-13 flavours are available but the authentic taste lies in the plain or the angoori petha. This delicacy is available in most of the sweet shops of Agra and its worth spending a few bucks on this sugar delight.
Tribute to a beautiful woman and a monument of love, the subtleties of the Taj are revealed to the human eyes when visited with a heart full of appreciation for the eternal love and a mind eager to discover the wonders of art and architecture.
Ankit Singh is a full time author travel related sites .He enjoys exploring and learning about new places. He writes quality articles about travel, web designing, seo, education related content.