Taj Mahal - Through Lens & Words

It is not possible to discuss Uttar Pradesh and India without speaking about the magnificent Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal of India - "the epitome of love", "a monument of immeasurable beauty". The beauty of this magnificent monument is such that it is beyond the scope of words. The thoughts that come into the mind while watching the Taj Mahal of Agra is not just its phenomenal beauty, but the immense love which was the reason behind its construction. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan got this monument constructed in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, with whom he fell in love at the first sight. The very first sight of the Taj Mahal, the epitome of love and romance leaves one mesmerized.

Inviting all ILites to share with us your experiences of visiting the Taj Mahal. How many times have you visited the Taj? Have you seen the Taj on a moonlight night? Share your most beautiful memories and pictures of the Taj Mahal.

Sharing with you all a beautiful picture of the Taj Mahal.

Thanks Ashwini for starting this great thread. You are absolutely right, speaking of Uttar Pradesh and India without a mention of the Taj Mahal is impossible. Many of you have visited the Taj, but do you know the basic facts.

Year of Construction: 1631
Completed In: 1653
Time Taken: 22 years
Built By: Shah Jahan
Dedicated to: Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Bano Begum), the wife of Shah Jahan
Location: Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
Building Type: Islamic tomb
Architecture: Islamic
Cost of Construction: 32 crore rupees
Number of workers: 20,000
Highlights: One of the Seven Wonders of the World
A UNESCO World Heritage site
Timings: 6:00 am to 7:30 pm (Friday closed)
Fee: Rs 970 (Foreigners)
Rs 20 (Indians, during daytime)
Rs 110 (Indians, during sunrise and sunset)

Thank u ashwini remanding the Taj mahal.


Thank u sadina for the information with timings and fees.

Taj Mahal according to me is an eternal beauty, which is beyond the scope of words and lens. Don't you think so? My fondest memory of the Taj Mahal is a photograph of my grandma & grandpa posing in front of the Taj maybe about 50 years back. So cute!

Do you have any memories of the Taj to share with us?

It's a beautiful craftsmanship. Amazing art work !!

But somehow I don't feel happy when I see it.

May be because the Emperor did not want any of the workers( and they were around 22,000 I guess) to recreate the same design anywhere in the world and so he cut their hands off with the hope that taj mahal stays as one unique building in this world. History has that, the chief architect Isa khan was supposedly beheaded.

Why?? Because to show his love? total BS...

Sorry, but there are many many ways to have shown the love for his wife..

what about when she was alive.. Well, wasn't she used as a baby popping machine alone? and building such a place was to show off his power.

What a different perspective you have shown Nandhu of the 'symbol of eternal love' Taj Mahal. I appreciate your honesty in coming forward with this rather 'dark' introspection of the Taj. The world goes gaga on seeing this beautiful monument of love, but I wonder if we really ponder on what went behind the scences.

The Taj Mahal is beautiful as ever and will remain so....but I'm sure, everyone reading this will surely introspect on 'the other side of the Taj' you have shown. And I'd like fellow ILites to actually share their thoughts on this.

Happy Posting!

Sonia

Well said Sonia, Nandshyam has indeed given this thread a new perspective. I'd rather say 'Food for thought'.

The Taj Mahal will always remain our pride and is dear to us all; however, I'd request fellow ILites to please share with us facts and legends associated with the Taj.

I read somewhere, Emperor ShahJahan also wanted to construct an identical Black Taj Mahal. Have you heard about that?

I have been to Taj Mahal 3 times and every time I saw it up close I was more mesmerized than before. This is such a beautiful structure that it almost looks alive. I have never seen a monument that looks like it will start talking to you any moment.

If you get a chance, go to see it in the early morning. The view is simply amazing.