The Symbol Of Love: Taj Mahal

No word can justify the beauty of the Taj Mahal. A wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal in Agra is a monument which no other in the world can match its beauty and grandeur. Called the most beautiful temple in the world, the white marbled mausoleum at Agra has become the epitome of a man's love for a woman.

Synonymous with India, the Taj Mahal is undoubtedly the epitome of India tourism. India travel is incomplete without experiencing the Taj Mahal. This supreme temple of love, standing gracefully by the sacred Yamuna at Agra, is set amongst the serene ambience of a well laid out garden. The massive white marble structure was built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan was so disheartened by her death that the royal court went in mourning for two years and there was no music, no dancing, no celebrations and no feasting for two years. After such a long period when he recovered his consciousness Shah Jahan decided immortalize their love in the form of the Taj Mahal. He had selected the place for the Mahal Taj in Agra so that he could see it from his personal palace at Agra Fort.

Designed by the local Muslim architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the Taj Mahal is a reflection of the gardens of Paradise to which the faithful ascend. The entire complex, with gardens, gateway structures, and mosque, was completed in 1643. The mausoleum stands at one end of the garden adorned with fountains and marble pavements. The garden contains four water channels to echo the four rivers of the Islamic Paradise.

It is more than 350 years since Taj Mahal was built in Agra, but it has not lost its romantic aura, which attracts millions of visitors to India to experience it. It is because of this everlasting charm that the Taj Mahal in Agra can boast of being one of the most popular world heritage monuments on earth.

Taj Mahal Architecture

The Mughals are famous for their architectural passion, which is evident from the numerous majestic monuments they built across India. But the one that strikes out is the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra, built by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. Taj Mahal not only marks the zenith of Mughal architecture but is also the culmination of tomb architecture, which began with the building of the mausoleum of emperor Humayun (the second Mughal emperor and the great grandfather of Shahjahan). Renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty, the Taj Mahal is synonymous with India and is undoubtedly the epitome of India tourism.

The structure of Taj Mahal adheres to the Islamic style (Mughal style) of architecture, which flourished in India during the medieval period. The Islamic style of architecture is also referred to as the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. This magnificent monument is set around a Charbagh or 'four garden' plan, which is split by watercourses- a reflection of the Persian style. The Taj Mahal itself is not set within the Charbagh but is located towards the far end of the enclosure near the bank of River Yamuna.

Taj Mahal is built on a high plinth, which has four tapering minarets at each corner. At the center of this plinth is an octagonal structure comprising of a central hall, with four smaller halls grouped around it. A central bulbous dome stands atop the roof of the Taj that is surrounded by four chhatris (domed canopy, supported by pillars, mainly seen in Hindu or local monuments and sometimes in Islamic buildings). The Taj Mahal is a two-storied structure, each having arched recesses with a highly decorated iwan in the middle. The tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shahjahan are actually located in the basement, while their replicas are placed directly above in the upper hall.

The Taj Mahal is entirely made of white marble and its pure white walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. It is said that different types of precious and semi-precious stones were used in the intricate inlay work done on Taj Mahal.

In spite of its massive proportions, Taj Mahal looks weightless and airy. Each section of this unique monument blends harmoniously with each other to create a perfect unit. Broadly, the Taj Mahal complex can be divided into distinct parts to understand its design and architecture. These are:

The Taj Gateway

Befitting the most beautiful symbol of love, the Taj Mahal, is the gateway to this great monument. Taj Mahal looks like a miniature on the landscape from a distance, but appears to grow as you start to approach it. But, the minute you would enter the open square before the main entrance, you will be surprised to find the Taj Mahal disappear from your sight. Actually, the Taj is hidden by the massive red sandstone gateway within this square. The massive Taj Gateway was completed in the year 1648 and stands 30 m high. The gateway is topped by small cupolas or chhatris. Symbolic of the divide between the material and the spiritual, the gateway is decorated in calligraphy with verses from holy Koran.

The Tomb

The tomb stands on its own marble plinth, which rests on a red sandstone platform. Four tall pillars, 138 ft each, rise up from the corners of the white marble plinth are topped with eight windowed cupolas. This has been made to replicate throne of God in paradise. Immediately below the dome is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal which is centrally lined with the main entrance. Besides Mumtaz Mahal's tomb is the tomb of Shahjahan. The tomb of Shahjahan was not actually intended to be there but Aurangzeb placed it there thus breaking the symmetry.

Pietra Dura

The crypt and the cenotaphs at the Taj carry pietra dura decoration of a fabulous unexcelled elegance. As Percy Brown, the noted art historian observes, the Taj "resembles the spirited sweep of a brush rather than the slow laborious cutting of a chisel". As many as 35 different types of precious stones have been used on a single bloom-turquoise, jade, agate, coral, lapis Lazuli, onyx, bloodstone, cornelian, jasper, garnet and malachite used to fashion blooms of fuchsias, lily, honeysuckle, etc. The ninety-nine names of Allah have been used to decorate the eastern and western sides of Mumtaz's grave in the crypts. Today, much is left to the imagination of the visitors as most of the precious stones have been plundered or destroyed in the years when Taj Mahal fell into insignificance.

Charbagh - The Taj Garden

Leaving the entrance gateway you can see a sprawling garden in front of you, which goes all the way up to the plinth of the Taj Mahal. The beauty of the Taj Mahal is accentuated by the garden laid out in the Persian Charbagh (four garden plan) style. The entire area of the Taj complex is 580 m (1,902 ft) by300 m (984 ft), while the garden alone makes up an area of 300 m (984 ft) by 300 m (984 ft).

In Islamic style of architecture, the garden is not just another feature but has a well-defined meaning and it symbolizes the spirituality. According to the Holy Koran, a garden is symbolic of paradise. In Islam, it is believed that there are four rivers in paradise, one of water, other of milk, the third of wine, and fourth of honey. From this concept the Charbagh style of garden planning took root.

After the completion of Taj Mahal the four regions of the garden within the Charbagh was divided into 16 flowerbeds, making a total of 64. It is said that each flowerbed was planted with 400 plants. Trees were planted carefully in accordance with the symmetry of the overall plan. The trees, which were generally preferred, were either cypress (Cuprussus) (signifying death) or different fruit bearing trees (signifying life). These trees were home to many birds, which migrated from distant places to enhance the liveliness of the Taj Mahal. The water channels were filled with colorful fishes. Royal guests were invited to the tomb - so the stables and guesthouses were also built.

The Charbagh or the Taj Garden today is the only peaceful region in the entire Taj Mahal complex and is highly popular with visitors for framing photos of the Taj with the surrounding foliage.

The legend of the sinking Taj Mahal

There have always been some beliefs, legends and myths related to the famous historical monuments all over the world. And it is nothing surprising that the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra is engulfed with myths and legends. One that rises above all is the 'Story of the sinking Taj Mahal'. In spite of taking all possible care in constructing the Taj Mahal it was believed that it was sinking. Building Taj Mahal on the bank of Yamuna River in Agra proved to be its biggest disadvantage.

The story of the Black Taj Mahal

Another interesting story associated with the mesmerizing Taj Mahal in Agra is about Taj Shahjahan's dream to build another Taj for himself, but this time in black. He intended to build the other Taj on the other side of Yamuna River and join them with a bridge, but unfortunately his dream could not be materialized.