 |
| Base, dome and minaret |
Wah Taj! This is what every visitor says when they witness this majestic beauty. It was my last year's trip which took place on New Year. Who doesn't want to celebrate their very first day of the year in the presence of one of the world's seven wonders? When I was hastening my steps towards this bewitcher I was eager to catch her glimpse. What an imperial stunner that towering over everything around her with her white untouched look. I was witnessing Taj mahal after almost 23 years and still, it has sheer grace and beauty that can sweep you off your feet.
 |
| Darwaza-e-Rauza |
In 1983, Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being the jewel of Muslim art in India. This wonder of the world is situated on the south bank of the Yamuna river in Agra (UP, India). Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (grandchild of Akbar) had commissioned it in 1632 to house the tomb of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. 20,000 artisans were employed and led by the court architect to the emperor, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, to build this enormous structure. They took a number of years to finish it as Taj Mahal had been completely built-in 1653.
 |
| Taj Mahal |
To go near to Taj Mahal, you need to pass through the Mughal Garden which is an epitome of Persian, Indo-Persian and Islamic quadrilateral garden layout. There are several walkways beside the reflecting pool. When I was meticulously watching this spellbinder, I could notice calligraphy of Persian poems & Arabic Ayaat, reflective tiles, plant motifs, incised painting and many more. There are numerous arts which are still alive and artisans carve out several art details on daily basis in Agra.
 |
| Mughal Garden |
 |
| Calligraphy of Persian poems |
 |
| Calligraphy of Arabic Ayaat |
 |
| Reflective tiles |
 |
| Plant motifs |
 |
| Incised paintings |
When you visit Taj Mahal, you barely set your eyes on other structures which are presented in the complex because the charm of this heritage structure allures you every second. However, you can see two grand red sandstone buildings, at the far end of the complex, which look exactly the same and face the sides of the tomb. One of them is a 'Mosque' and the other one is 'Jawab'. The major difference between them is that the floor of the Mosque is embellished with outlines of 569 prayer rugs but 'Jawab' is lacked mihrab (a niche in a mosque's wall facing Mecca).
 |
| Mosque and Jawab in red square and rectangle |
I wanted to spend my whole day there and wanted to see the area around & of course the night viewing of Taj Mahal. But, time was running short and for that reason, I skipped that plan to come home on the same day. While coming back to Delhi, I was thinking about that enchanting beauty and hoping to see it again even with my grand-children😇.
How to reach
- Airport - Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay airport (16.2 km away from Taj Mahal)
- Railway - Agra Fort Railway Station (5.7 km away from Taj Mahal)
Taj Mahal timings and entry fee
- Timing - 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM (MON-SUN)
- Entry Fee - 45 INR/Head (Indian), 1050 INR/Head (Foreigner or NRI)
Comments
Post a Comment