TAJ MAHAL

The Taj Mahal is one of the most iconic and recognizable structures in the world. It is a mausoleum located in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and was completed in 1653. The Taj Mahal is considered a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, and it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

The Taj Mahal is a white marble structure that stands on a raised platform in the center of a large, symmetrically planned garden. The garden is divided into four parts by a water channel, which reflects the Taj Mahal and enhances its beauty. The Taj Mahal is surrounded by four minarets, which are 40 meters tall and are constructed in such a way that they lean slightly outward, so that they would not collapse onto the main building in the event of an earthquake.

The Taj Mahal is constructed entirely of white marble, which was brought from Makrana, a town in Rajasthan. The marble was transported to Agra using a fleet of elephants, and it took more than 22 years to complete the construction of the Taj Mahal. The intricate carvings and designs on the Taj Mahal were created using precious stones, such as diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. The dome of the Taj Mahal is made of white marble and is 73 meters high.

The interior of the Taj Mahal is equally impressive. The central chamber houses the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. The tombs are surrounded by a carved marble screen, which is decorated with delicate floral patterns. The walls of the central chamber are decorated with intricate calligraphy, which consists of verses from the Quran. The calligraphy was created by a team of skilled artisans, who worked for more than 10 years to complete the task.

The Taj Mahal is not only a masterpiece of architecture but also a symbol of love. It is said that Shah Jahan was so devastated by the death of his wife Mumtaz Mahal that he ordered the construction of the Taj Mahal as a tribute to her memory. The Taj Mahal has been the subject of many poems, songs, and stories, and it continues to inspire people from all over the world.

In recent years, there have been concerns about the deteriorating condition of the Taj Mahal. The pollution in the surrounding area has caused the white marble to turn yellow, and there have been efforts to clean and restore the monument. The Indian government has also taken steps to limit the number of visitors to the Taj Mahal in order to reduce the wear and tear on the structure.

Despite these challenges, the Taj Mahal remains a symbol of beauty, love, and human ingenuity. It is a testament to the architectural genius of the Mughal period, and it continues to attract visitors from all over the world who come to marvel at its beauty and pay homage to the love that inspired its creation.

The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1631 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself The Taj Mahal attracts a large number of tourists. UNESCO documented more than 2 million visitors in 2001,[71] which had increased to about 7–8 million in 2014.[72] A three-tier pricing system is in place, with a significantly lower entrance fee for Indian citizens and more expensive ones for foreigners. As of 2022, the fee for Indian citizens was ₹50, for citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries ₹540, for foreign tourists ₹1,100.Most tourists visit in the cooler months of October, November and February. Polluting traffic is not allowed near the complex and tourists must either walk from parking areas or catch an electric bus. The Khawasspuras (northern courtyards) are currently being restored for use as a new visitor centre. In 2019, in order to address overtourism, the site instituted fines for visitors who stayed longer than three hours.

The small town to the south of the Taj, known as Taj Ganji or Mumtazabad, was initially constructed with caravanserais, bazaars and markets to serve the needs of visitors and workers. Lists of recommended travel destinations often feature the Taj Mahal, which also appears in several listings of seven wonders of the modern world, including the recently announced New Seven Wonders of the World, a recent poll with 100 million votes.

The grounds are open from 06:00 to 19:00 weekdays, except for Friday when the complex is open for prayers at the mosque between 12:00 and 14:00. The complex is open for night viewing on the day of the full moon and two days before and after,[79] excluding Fridays and the month of Ramadan.