Wonders of the World Series: Taj Mahal

20 June 2008

The Taj Mahal, an embodiment of love and romance, is located in the city of Agra, approximately 204 km to the south of Delhi. The complex itself is huge, and is made up of five main constituents, Darwaza (The main gateway) Bageecha (The gardens) Masjid (The mosque) Naqqar Khana (The rest house) and Rauza (The main mausoleum.)

Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, the Taj Mahal is considered to be one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture and is recognised as a jewel of Muslim art in India.

The focus of the Taj Mahal is the white marble tomb, which stands on a square plinth consisting of a symmetrical building with an arch-shaped doorway, topped by a large dome.

The interior chamber is an octagon with the design allowing entry from each face, the interior wall are about 25 metres high and are topped with false dome which is decorated with a sun motif. The walls are adorned with gemstones which form flowers, fruit and vines.

Ever since its construction, the building has been the source of an admiration transcending culture and geography.

As the Taj Mahal is essentially a burial ground, it is surprising to find it so well decorated, as Muslim tradition forbids elaborate decoration of graves. However, the tomb of Shah Jahan and his wife is a relatively plain crypt beneath the inner chamber, where, a major irony in this wonderful construction is found.

The man who comissioned this magnificent monument designed it entirely around the concept of symmetry, but sadly, he never planned his own tomb, therefore is himself responsible for ultimately making it asymmetrical as his tomb, which lies next to that of Mumtaz Mahal, is bigger than his wife's in order to incorporate his larger cenotaph.

Regardless of whether it is symmetrical or not, the picture we most associate with the Taj Mahal is that of the huge raised marble water tank at the centre of the garden which reflects the glorious image of the Taj Mahal; it is such a well recognised image all over that world that it is obvious that ever since its construction, the building has been the source of an admiration transcending culture and geography.

So it wasn't very much of a surprise when during the early 20th century, British viceroy Lord Curzon ordered a massive restoration project, simply out of a desire to get back some of the palace's former grandeur. The project, which was completed in 1908, included the remodelling of the garden with British-looking lawns that are visible today.

As surprising as it might sound, some of the most beautiful aspects of the Taj Mahal can be found in the palace's 300-metre squared gardens, which are split into four quarters by raised pathways with avenues of trees and fountains.

Each year the Taj Mahal attracts between two and four million visitors, with more than 200,000 from overseas with most choosing to visit in the cooler months of October, November and February in order to avoid the humidity.

Contrary to popular belief, the complex itself is made up of many separate structures, so it might be worth taking two days out to explore this amazing monument; and make sure you're there to marvel at dawn, when it is immersed in a soft red glow as well as at sunset when it is cast in a magnificent orange glow.

I have to be honest though, as a hopeless romantic, the most amazing way to see the Taj is on a clear, moonlit night as the entire complex is bathed in the silver light of the moon: you really feel like you've just been picked up and dropped straight into a fairy tale.

Once you've arrived in India and decide on a trip to explore this splendid monument, you must be aware that polluting traffic is not allowed near the complex so you must either walk from car parks or catch an electric bus, auto-rickshaw or cycle rickshaw.

If you fancy getting physical though, there are bicycles that can be hired on hourly basis from different parts of the city. Also, for security reasons only five items - water in transparent bottles, small video cameras, still cameras, mobile phones and small ladies' purses - are allowed inside the Taj Mahal.

So step through the grand gates, glance upon the calligraphy; "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you." and spend the day marvelling at this fantastic representation of Muslim culture.