A trip to India is never complete without visiting the Taj Mahal. Built more than 350 years earlier by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, it is still an architectural marvel. This UNESCO world heritage center is also considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
This magnificent symbol of love has been standing for centuries to charm the onlookers with its incredible beauty. It stands on the bank of River Yamuna, in Agra, like a drop of tear on the cheek of time. No matter if one belongs to Chicago or any other corner of the world, life remains incomplete without seeing the Taj Mahal. It lets one identify the true and immortal love.
It took almost 22 years to complete the entire construction. It is said that the 22 white domes inside the monument stand for the number of years needed to complete the monument.
The estimated cost at that time was 32 million rupees that would be equivalent to above $900 million at present. Taj Mahal is made of high-quality marbles from Rajasthan and precious stones and rare gems from different parts of the world.
Its main entrance on the south is made of red sandstone and contains calligraphic scripts from the Quran. The entire mausoleum is also decorated with incredible mosaic works. The first glimpse of the tomb leaves one awestruck. As one is about to step into the area, the majestic monument seems to be very near and extremely large. But, it shrinks in size as one gets closer. This optical illusion is opposite to what one expects and blows one away.
Another amazing thing about the Taj Mahal is that it changes its color throughout the day. The monument looks pale pink or grey at the time of sunrise. It turns into a glittering white at noon and looks orange-bronze when the sun sets down. Taj Mahal looks like a translucent blue tomb in the evening. As the moon reaches its pinnacle, the moonlight reflects on the marble and brightens the monument. It delivers an amazingly different view on the full moon night. Night viewing of the Taj Mahal is available on five nights in a month; on the full moon night and two nights before and after the full moon.
Spanning over an area of 42 acres, the structure now stands as the epitome for pure love. Couples all over the world visit this iconic symbol of love.
“It was enjoyable to stay with the family of Monica in Agra. She was my friend, philosopher, and guide. The Taj Mahal takes one back to the Mughal era. It depicts the royalty and their luxurious living and gives a memory that will draw you again and again to this architectural marvel. Monica arranged a visit on the full moon night. I was thrilled at the prospect of seeing the mausoleum. Everything was soaked in the bright moonlight of October. The white marble tomb was shining like anything and delivered a magical experience of a lifetime,” said Alex with dreamy eyes.