Saturday, 19 May 2012

The Taj Mahal CROWN OF PALACES






Taj Mahal is the epitome of Mughal art and one of the most famous buildings in the world. Yet there have been few serious studies of it and no full analysis of its architecture and meaning. Ebba Koch, an important scholar, has been permitted to take measurements of the complex and has been working on the palaces and gardens of Shah Jahan for thirty years and on the Taj Mahal itself the tomb of the emperor's wife, Mumtaz Mahal - for a decade. The tomb is the representation of the house of the queen in Paradise, and  it’s setting was based on the palace gardens of the great nobles that lined both sides of the river at Agra India.  You will explore the entire complex of the Taj Mahal with an explanation of each building and an account of the mausoleum's urban setting, its design and construction, its symbolic meaning, and its history up to the present day. Taj Tours

In the year 1631 Shah Jahan, once a Muslim army commander, the Mogul Emperor in central India lost his beloved pregnant wife Mumtaz Mahal only a few minutes after giving birth to her fourteenth child, a daughter. The final request of his wife was for him not to marry again and prove their endless love by building a dreamlike beautiful mausoleum. The emperor mourned his dearest wife for two years, changing his wealthy appearance into pure and simple. It was told that his hair turned white in one night because of his deep sadness. As promised, Shan Jahan built The Taj Mahal, in Agra in northern India by the river of Jumna fulfilling the dream of his wife.The enormous Taj Mahal with a dome height of 240 feet which carries approximately twelve thousand tons was enriched with lovable gardens. The architectural style was a blend of Hindu and Muslim to this day it is not known who the architect was.The mausoleum –known with the names of “holy tomb” (rauza-i maqqadas), “illuminated tomb” (rauza-i munauwara) and “pure tomb” (rauza-i mutahhara) unquestionably deserves all these expressions with its perfect order, harmony, purity and symmetry. “Hasht Bihisht”, the architectural plan preferred by the Moguls for tombs and garden pavilions is used in the mausoleum skillfully in cross-axial symmetry. The plan is set on “Baghdadi Octagon” with four long and four short sides in corners.

Exterior :-


The influence of naturalism is commonly felt through the detailed decorations of the plinth’s carvings. The pishtaq halls above the plinth are ornamented with the carvings of flower patterns growing up from the ground namely tulip, narcissus with smaller flowers and framed by leaf motifs “pietra dura”. Geometrically designed, yellow and black coloured rectangular frames with eight-side stars on the corners embellish the over-plinth decoration facing the garden. The pishtaqs are framed by the passages of Qur’an emphasizing the divine forgiveness, the Last Judgment and reward for the faithful believers. The top of rectangular frames dominate the inner walls of the pishtaq halls. The arched doors of the pishtaqs are covered with jalis, the cages designed in honeycomb pattern. The door on the ground floor is larger than the one above. The sub-pishtaqs are rather smaller and smaller and simple without pattern. The blind arches surround the halls of the sub-pishtaqs. The caged door is located in the center.

Garden (bagh-i firdaus-a’in):-

The paradise-like garden is the very impressing part of the complex. The square garden is divided into four parts with two main walkways. Each of these four parts is also divided into four with narrower walkways, therefore, creating sixteen squares. The canal including a line of fountains passes in-between the main walkway. It is lined with sandstone strips and geometrical stars and then followed by larger sandstone walkway with typical Mogul geometrical designs. The north-south walkway connects the great gate to the mausoleum while the two pavilions are connected through the east-west walkway.

The raised white marble platform at the centre of the walkways, namely “chabutra” includes a pool with five fountains. The four marble banks around the pool were added later with the order of Lord Curzon in 1907.


The mirror-like pavilions at the ends of the east-west walkways are known as “Naubat Khana” (drum house). The second storeys of the both pavilions include double-arched and multi-cusped open verandahs. The red sandstone structures by the garden walls are topped with pillared dome of octagonal chhatris, made of white marble. The dome is supported by eight columns with shahjahani characteristics. 

Taj Museum is situated in the pavilion on the west with the wide collection of paintings, calligraphic documents, imperial orders, coins and valuable objects. The museum also houses the detailed plan of Taj Mahal. Taken with the order of Lord Hastings in 1815, the two large columns from Shah Jahan’s hammam (bath) at the Agra Fort are also of interest.


Since today, Taj Mahal is one of the most important travel destinations in India, leading tour operators have come up with a variety of travel options in Taj  Mahal. They offer include various facilities like accommodation arrangement, transportation, sightseeing and many more. All these aim to make Taj Mahal Tours convenient and comfortable. 
You too, should avail one of these to make your journey hassle free.


The Taj Mahal - there is no other monument in the world, which can match the beauty and grandeur of the Taj Mahal. Fully built in White Makrana Marble Located at the city of Agra in the State of Uttar Pradesh, the Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful masterpieces of architecture in the world. Agra is situated about 200 km south of New Delhi, Capital of India. 

Agra was once the capital of the Mughal emperors. Their passion for building has endowed it with some of the loveliest building in the world.

Taj Mahal : - Built in white marble by a grief sticken Emperor Shah Jehan, the Taj Mahal was a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took twenty two years to build and the finest of skilled artisans inlaid the white marble edifice with precious stones and conjured up lacy stone screens around the cenotphs of the emperor and his beloved wife.

The Taj Mahal is one of the most wonderful tourism destinations in India and is aptly considered one of the greatest wonders of the world. Most of the India seek tourist in world know Taj Mahal first then India.
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Taj Mahal Tour Package - Experience of Mughal’s Period


The Glory of Taj Mahal increases the pride of India. This wonderful monument is a highlight of golden triangle tour packages. If you go to this astonishing tomb during full moons, it will give a different look and that can make anyone spellbound. If you are on honeymoon tour, Taj Mahal tour package is perfect option for you because the ambiance of this building and its surroundings will make you romantic even if you are not romantic. Travelers, who are on a family trip, can also spend a good time in front of this tombstone. four long and four short sides in corners. The basic cross pattern intersects with the second pattern linking the central hall to the four corner rooms. The ground plan is alike with the upper floor.

Well with the increasing visit of tourists in the city, leading tour operators are now providing several Taj Mahal tour packages online. When you search with the relevant keywords such as Taj Mahal tour or tours to Taj Mahal or Taj Mahal tour package, you will find several website appearing on your desktop. Click and open any one of them and see you will find several package and some of are even customize and tailored with other destinations. For example you will find Taj Mahal tour with Delhi, Delhi Agra Jaipur Tours, Agra Tour with Shimla, Taj Mahal with Khajuraho and several other customized travel packages.

Well Agra is also the major attraction of Indias major travel circuit Golden Triangle tour which covers the main three cities, Jaipur, Delhi and Agra. These cities of India are dotted with royal attractions with the perfect blend of modern culture as well as heritage beauty. Due to these most the Taj Mahal Tours, are blended with either some other destination so that tourists enjoy their visit to India at their greatest delights.

The raised white marble platform at the centre of the walkways, namely “chabutra” includes a pool with five fountains. The four marble banks around the pool were added later with the order of Lord Curzon in 1907.
The mirror-like pavilions at the ends of the east-west walkways are known as “Naubat Khana” (drum house). The second storeys of the both pavilions include double-arched and multi-cusped open verandahs. The red sandstone structures by the garden walls are topped with pillared dome of octagonal chhatris, made of white marble. The dome is supported by eight columns with shahjahani characteristics. 

Taj Museum is situated in the pavilion on the west with the wide collection of paintings, calligraphic documents, imperial orders, coins and valuable objects. The museum also houses the detailed plan of Taj Mahal. Taken with the order of Lord Hastings in 1815, the two large columns from Shah Jahan’s hammam (bath) at the Agra Fort are also of interest.

Since today, Taj Mahal is one of the most important travel destinations in India, leading tour operators have come up with a variety of travel options in Taj Mahal. They offer include various facilities like accommodation arrangement, transportation, sightseeing and many more. All these aim to make Taj Mahal Tour, convenient and comfortable. You too, should avail one of these to make your journey hassle free.