Taj Mahal

Published: 05/11/2012

The Tajmahal is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful tombs in the world, a masterpiece of Indo Muslim architecture, an only one of its kind. The monument in white marble is a reflection of the deep and passionate love, of an emperor for his beloved that transcends time to become immortal. Located on the banks of River Yamuna this edifice of sublime love is set against picturesque landscaped gardens laid out in the Persian Char Bagh style.

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One of the most visited sites in the world, the Tajmahal is a saga of love, that has not only enthralled people for centuries but also has inspired poets, artists, writers and dramatists to bring out the best of their creative potential. It is said that Empress Mumtaz Mahal made Emperor Shahjahan promise to make a monument unlike any other in the world as a tribute to their love and so the Taj Mahal was conceived. It took 22 years, 20,000 master builders, architects, skilled masons, sculptors and artisans under the chief architect Ustad Isa Mohammad Khan to complete the Masterpiece.

The Taj Mahal is infact an integrated complex of the main mausoleum, minarets, mosque, gateways reflecting pools and gardens. A unique feature of this stunning structure is that it changes colour throughout the day along with the reflecting sun rays. Large parts of the building is covered with stone work (although almost all of the precious and semi-precious gem stones have been ripped off by the invaders after the 1857 revolt), calligraphy of the passages from Quran and incised stone paintings in vibrant earthy colours that give an exclusive image to the Taj.

Visiting Hours

It is open on all days of the week from 6am to 7.30 pm except Fridays. Night viewing is allowed on full moon nights and two days before and two days after.

Other Tips for Taj Visit

To preserve this UNESCO World Heritage monument from decay, vehicles are not allowed to operate due to pollution. So the ride in horse carriages and cycle rickshaws that are allowed is great fun! Battery driven motor vehicles are also available.
The recently introduced guided audio tour is becoming very popular as one can explore at one’s own pace.