Not everyone is given a mausoleum as beautiful as the Taj Mahal, the place where Mumtaz Mahal was laid to rest. Mumtaz Mahal is the favourite wife of Emperor Shah Jahan of Agra, India. The Taj Mahal is a white marble tomb that looks like a castle more than a regular burial chamber.

Taj Mahal has a total of 55 meters on all its sides. It has an arch shaped balcony that is reminiscent of the majestic palaces of the Mughal era. Mughal architecture is a rich combination of different influences obtained from the Turkish, Islamic, Persian, and Indian construction arts.

Built in 1648, Taj Mahal has been one of the most visited and photographed places in all of India. The structure was designed by Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, who is a respected architect and builder during that time.

The interior and exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are very breathtaking, especially for those who are seeing the entire structure face-to-face the first time. The frescos, calligraphy, and stuccos that the palace has are a showcase of the artistic nature of the Hindus and their equally rich heritage.

The tomb

No trip to India will ever be complete without appreciating the magnificence of the Taj Mahal up close. The chamber of the majestic tomb is referred to as the cenotaphs, where the inlay work displays the creative use of both precious and semi-precious stones. It is also built with many arches and roof openings to let natural light from the outside seep through the catacomb.

While the tomb is made especially for Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan was eventually laid into the same place when he died. Right now, the emperor and his wife lay side by side inside the tomb. However, even if the exteriors and interiors of the mausoleum are of elegant designs, the actual graves of the Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan don't exhibit the same elaborate architecture.

Muslim tradition forbids the use of intricate designs on the grave itself. Don't get disappointed if you find no gemstones or gold in the couple's grave because you really won't find any. All the beauty of the Taj Mahal can be appreciated in and around the structure. And those are not going to disappoint you at all.

The Taj Mahal is also a popular for its 360 degrees panoramic view. The Chahar Bagh garden is 300 square meter greenery with raised pathways, flower beds, and pools. It is very reminiscent of the Persian gardens and it was actually the first of its kind in India.

What will you see in the site ?

- History.
- Tourism.
- Myths.
- The garden.
- and more info...