All attention zoomed in on Seven-Seven-Seven, the
heart-throb of millions of Indians, the marvellously matchless Taj Mahal voted
out the rest of wonders and created a new history of standing the first of the
new list of Seven Wonders of the World. The announcement in Lisbon sent queer
waves of exultations in the loving Indian heart. Not to speak of only Indians,
even countless foreign nationals who have ever been to Agra and loved the sight
of majestic Taj anticipated with bated breath for its formal inclusion in the
list of Seven Wonders of the World. This worldwide acclaim of the glorious Taj
must have gladdened Shah Jahan's soul as well, whose soul aim for erection of
the mausoleum was to immortalize his passionate love for his extraordinarily
beautiful second wife, Mumtaz Mahal to whom he was so much enchantingly
enamoured that he always accompanied her.
After Mumtaz Mahal died while delivering their
daughter, Gauhar Begum, Shah Jahan was grief-stricken. Melancholy and despair
became his companions. It is said that once in his dream he saw the like of Taj
Mahal in Paradise and later he committed to have the construction of its
replica as mausoleum for his beloved late Mumtaz Mahal. The construction of Taj
Mahal began in 1632 and was completed in 1648. A team of renowned designers and
peerlessly skilled craftsmen was made responsible for the great design, with
Ustad Ahmad Lahauri at the helm of affairs.
The Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal
architecture, a unique blend of elements of Persian, Turkish, Indian and
Islamic architectural styles. The white domed marble mausoleum is the most
distinguished part of the monument. The excellent master calligraphy amply
decorates the tomb. In 1983 the Taj became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was
cited as the jewel of Muslim art in India and of the universally admired
masterpieces of the world's heritage.
Some time ago I had the opportunity of visiting the
Taj with a friend and the experience of this trip I would like to share with
you. When I entered the gateway and came across for the first time the
unbelievably majestic and awe-inspiring Taj right in front there, for a moment
I became immobile and sight-struck of its magnificence. As I gazed on the
dazzling monument, I felt myself hypnotized by its enormous beauty. The
embodiment of Shah Jahan's immortal love for Mumtaz Mahal was beckoning me
closer. As my friend and I walked towards the Taj Mahal our attention was drawn
to sumptuous Charbagh. The melodious nightingale was cooing and eulogizing the
grandeur and beauty of the love-monument. The gardens had profuse vegetation;
daffodils and roses were swinging along the aromatic lee in the dalliance of
love. The fragrantly refreshing ambience soothed our every strained nerve. Hand
in hand a lot many new couples were walking around trying to fathom the
splendid scene. They looked dazed by an overdose of Taj's splendour. Gaudy
dressed children did also seem to have forgotten their usual childish pranks
and were fervently savouring the rare feast to their eyes. Beauty of the Taj
was beyond their comprehension and appreciation.
Before coming to Agra I was told that the Taj wore
an entirely different sheen during different parts of the day. In the twilight
it reflects slightly pink shade, at noon it is dazzling white and at the fall
of evening it grows silvery. The best time to watch the Taj is when it bathes
in full moon-light.
My friend was entranced by the enthralling beauty
and grandeur of every part of the monument and blurted out the he could not
find suitable adjectives to encompass the description of its beauty.
heart-throb of millions of Indians, the marvellously matchless Taj Mahal voted
out the rest of wonders and created a new history of standing the first of the
new list of Seven Wonders of the World. The announcement in Lisbon sent queer
waves of exultations in the loving Indian heart. Not to speak of only Indians,
even countless foreign nationals who have ever been to Agra and loved the sight
of majestic Taj anticipated with bated breath for its formal inclusion in the
list of Seven Wonders of the World. This worldwide acclaim of the glorious Taj
must have gladdened Shah Jahan's soul as well, whose soul aim for erection of
the mausoleum was to immortalize his passionate love for his extraordinarily
beautiful second wife, Mumtaz Mahal to whom he was so much enchantingly
enamoured that he always accompanied her.
After Mumtaz Mahal died while delivering their
daughter, Gauhar Begum, Shah Jahan was grief-stricken. Melancholy and despair
became his companions. It is said that once in his dream he saw the like of Taj
Mahal in Paradise and later he committed to have the construction of its
replica as mausoleum for his beloved late Mumtaz Mahal. The construction of Taj
Mahal began in 1632 and was completed in 1648. A team of renowned designers and
peerlessly skilled craftsmen was made responsible for the great design, with
Ustad Ahmad Lahauri at the helm of affairs.
The Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal
architecture, a unique blend of elements of Persian, Turkish, Indian and
Islamic architectural styles. The white domed marble mausoleum is the most
distinguished part of the monument. The excellent master calligraphy amply
decorates the tomb. In 1983 the Taj became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was
cited as the jewel of Muslim art in India and of the universally admired
masterpieces of the world's heritage.
Some time ago I had the opportunity of visiting the
Taj with a friend and the experience of this trip I would like to share with
you. When I entered the gateway and came across for the first time the
unbelievably majestic and awe-inspiring Taj right in front there, for a moment
I became immobile and sight-struck of its magnificence. As I gazed on the
dazzling monument, I felt myself hypnotized by its enormous beauty. The
embodiment of Shah Jahan's immortal love for Mumtaz Mahal was beckoning me
closer. As my friend and I walked towards the Taj Mahal our attention was drawn
to sumptuous Charbagh. The melodious nightingale was cooing and eulogizing the
grandeur and beauty of the love-monument. The gardens had profuse vegetation;
daffodils and roses were swinging along the aromatic lee in the dalliance of
love. The fragrantly refreshing ambience soothed our every strained nerve. Hand
in hand a lot many new couples were walking around trying to fathom the
splendid scene. They looked dazed by an overdose of Taj's splendour. Gaudy
dressed children did also seem to have forgotten their usual childish pranks
and were fervently savouring the rare feast to their eyes. Beauty of the Taj
was beyond their comprehension and appreciation.
Before coming to Agra I was told that the Taj wore
an entirely different sheen during different parts of the day. In the twilight
it reflects slightly pink shade, at noon it is dazzling white and at the fall
of evening it grows silvery. The best time to watch the Taj is when it bathes
in full moon-light.
My friend was entranced by the enthralling beauty
and grandeur of every part of the monument and blurted out the he could not
find suitable adjectives to encompass the description of its beauty.
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