Attractions
Find serenity among the crowds at the Taj Mahal, the pinnacle of Mughal architecture
INDIA // The Taj Mahal is so much more than India's most perfect building. Sure, the acres of white marble seem to float weightlessly above the surroundings in perfect symmetry. And the pietra dura inlays of semi-precious stones simply stun in their intricacy. It's not even the sublime setting by the banks of the sacred Yamuna River, surrounded by jewel-like formal gardens, that clinches the deal. What truly elevates the Taj Mahal is its story and symbolism. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj has become a symbol of timeless yet lost love. The pathos only deepens when you learn the emperor spent his final years incarcerated in nearby Agra Fort, with just a window view of the Taj to remind him of everything he had lost. Despite the hordes of visitors the Taj is still a stunning place to visit. There's no other building in India that so perfectly sums up the attitudes and atmosphere of its era.
Who built Taj Mahal for why?
Shah Jahan built this funeral mosque to immortalize the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who died in 1631.
How much big is Taj Mahal?
42 hectares
Why is the Taj Mahal a love story?
When Mumtaz died due to childbirth complications, the world was inconsolable and mourned the entire imperial court for two years. He began planning the construction of the Taj Mahal, the ultimate testament of his love for his beloved wife.
What is written on Taj Mahal wall?
"O soul, you are at peace. Return to God in peace with him and he in peace with you." Arabic inscriptions with black marble are used to decorate the south gate and the main tomb. Black marble letters are inlaid in scroll borders like white marble framing architectural features.