Taj Mahal The Monument Of Love

[Bartley Trowbridge]

Myfirst fleeting experience with the Taj Mahal in the city of Agra took place at the Red Fort when, visiting Summan Burj, my guide Danish explained to me that right there the king Shah Jahan spent his last years torturing himself with the sight of the awe-inspiring tomb he had built in loving memory of his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal.

As history goes, we know that in the seventeenth century, when it was ruled by Shah Jahan, grandson of Akbar the Great, the city reached its highest moment of architectural style, which culminated, needless to say, with the Taj Mahal.

Since the day of their marriage, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal became inseparable, to the extent that when her husband went to Burhanpur in the Deccan to suppress a revolt of Khan-e-Jahan Lodi, Mumtaz went with him, and after giving birth to their fourteenth child, she fell very ill.

Around the Taj Mahal, there are other minor buildings, also beautifully inlaid with an exquisite taste of colours and decorations, serving as tombs as well, some for the maids of Mumtaz Mahal, some for the other wives of Shah Jahan.

However, since this is also peak season, expect larger crowds which means longer wait times for tickets and security. To beat the heat and stay cool, wear light-colored and breathable clothing like white linen pants.

You are allowed to bring small backpacks inside the Taj Mahal but be prepared for them to be searched before entry. By being aware of what to expect and what to pack, you can make the most of your experience at this UNESCO World Heritage site.

For visiting the main mausoleum of the Tajmahal You would have to buy an additional ticket of Rs.200/- along with your regular ticket. Foreigners also get free electric bus and golf cart services with their entry ticket to the Taj Mahal.

The Wast Gate usually has the longest queues. Early morning visits usually see the longest lines at the Wast Gate. However, there are separate queues for Foreign tourists and Domestic tourists to enter to Taj Mahal.

Some things are not allowed inside the Taj Mahal for preservation reasons, such as food. Visitors must also remove their shoes before entering the mausoleum. Other items like tripods and monopods are allowed but must be left at the entrance.

i love the story of the Taj Mahal and it def overwhelmed me when I was there. I heard the story when I was a little kid, so it was little bit of a fairytale going there. The views at sunset are unbelievable!

thank you for the article it brings back fond memories for me visiting the site in 1980, great to see a few different angles on the tomb, it had me running to my office to re-see my shots that are now framed on my wall. Of note, the story is told that Shah Jahan was planning a tomb for himself across the Yamuna river in black marble with white inlaid, at least until his son decided to put the kabosh on the massive expenditure.

Thanks for your comment Joe, so the tomb was not made? I can imagine how beautiful would have been in black marble. Interesting enough, just yesterday an Indian girl let me know over Twitter that recent findings have claimed the Taj was actually a Hindu temple that was captured by the Mughals and converted to a tomb.

Hi, my name is Angela Corrias, a Journalist, photographer, and blogger, I have a soft spot for the lesser visited corners of the world. After almost ten years of expat and semi-nomadic life around Brazil, Europe, China, and Iran among others, I came back to my homeland, Italy, to settle in Rome.

How about you? What or who is your greatest love? What monument of honor and remembrance will your life leave, pointing to your favorite and greatest love? Are you leaving a legacy of love for the glory of God? Or will you fade away unnoticed, as will your love?

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

Your monument to love is spectacular Charlie! Those of us you have those special people in our lives that love us no matter what are very fortunate. And when we have that special someone then that is what it is all about.

When people think of India, an image of its most famous iconic monument certainly comes to mind: The Taj Mahal. It's been photographed hundreds of thousands of times while being featured on magazine covers, uploaded on social media feeds and headlined in travel guides. When planning my trip to India, visiting the Taj Mahal was at the top of my list. I couldn't not go - I mean, it's the Taj Mahal!

I was really excited to finally set eyes on one of the most famous icons in the world. But, I, myself, was surprised that I didn't fall in love with the Taj Mahal. After all, the story behind the construction of the Taj Mahal is one of epic love.

I was really excited to finally set eyes on one of the most famous icons in the world. But, I, myself, was surprised that I didn't fall in love with the Taj Mahal. After all, the story behind the construction of the Taj Mahal is one of epic love. The story goes like this:

When Mughal Emporer Shah Jahan lost his beloved (and favorite) wife, Mumtaz, to a sudden death giving birth to their 14th child, he was in so much grief that he ordered the construction of the most elaborate and beautiful tomb ever built as an ode to his eternal love. Romantic, isn't it?

Located in the city of Agra, the Taj Mahal consists of a main centerpiece mausoleum which houses Mumtaz's tomb (Emporer Shah Jahan's tomb is next to hers), a red sandstone mosque and an elaborately designed guest house. Four minarets strategically placed at each corner stand tall seemingly guarding the tomb (they were actually built to facilitate the call to prayer).

The expansive complex is set on verdant gardens with a pristine water channel in the middle. With the main mausoleum made of white marble and decorated throughout with intricate lattice work, detailed floral inlays, finely-executed carvings, delicate bas-reliefs and elegant Arabic calligraphy, no one can argue that the Taj Mahal is a work of architectural genius.

I was fascinated by the fact that the Taj Mahal is of Muslim (about 14%) origin while India is mostly Hindu (80% of its population) and yet it's the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions India. Just another odd realization that's part of the wonderful complexity and history of Mother India.

I was impressed by the magnificent design, the exquisitely rich materials, the endless details on every wall and the history attached to this beautiful complex. The sheer beauty of it all was incredible. It was breath-taking. It was extravagant. It was grandiose. But it also felt shallow.

As I mentioned earlier, the Taj Mahal is India's most prominent site with millions of people from all over the world (including India) visiting every year. Fortunately, the grounds are expansive enough to accommodate lots of people every day without feeling crowded. That is, except for when you enter the main mausoleum complex where speaking and taking photos are not allowed.

I kept thinking that this was essentially a tomb, a place of rest. I felt like I was trespassing. I was getting annoyed at so many people trying to get that perfect picture. I admit I also wanted my photo in front of the Taj Mahal but my patience was wearing thin.

I didn't get a sense of serenity or calmness I (foolishly) thought I would. Quite the opposite, I felt uneasy at the overt opulence of the Taj Mahal (and the crazy amount of water used) whilst just outside its gates was a city filled with poverty, desperation and pollution. It looked totally out of place.

Don't get me wrong, the beautiful architecture as well as the surroundings of the Taj Mahal are amazing! I'm grateful I was able to visit one of the most iconic monuments in the world but it left me feeling underwhelmed.

Everyone knows about the Taj Mahal. A seventeenth century emperor, Shah Jahan, commissioned the white marble mausoleum as a grand gesture to his wife, or at least his favorite one. Nearly 8 million visitors make the trek to Agra to this breathtaking structure.

Germany also has more than its share of romantic royal monuments in the form of castles. Few are as imposing, haunting and beautiful as Heidelberg Castle, or Schloss Heidelberg. Its location alone, perched above the green hills of the old city and the Necker River, dominates the landscape and makes you wonder what it truly looked like at the height of its glory.

Heidelberg was the fifth stop on our Rhine Getaway river cruise on the Viking Hlin. To be more accurate, the actual docking point was Mannheim, an industrial city directly on the Rhine. We passengers boarded five motor coaches near a park, then rode twenty minutes to the city known as a center for romanticism in the 19th century.

During that time, many writers and artists traveled to Heidelberg to visit the castle, which in its ruined state became a symbol of lost love and dreams. This provided inspiration to these creators - one was Mark Twain. Resplendent in red sandstone and still intact on the exterior, the castle still appears habitable and well conceals its interior ruins.

It was first established in the 14th century as a residence for counts palatine, later called prince electors. The mostly Renaissance-style complex eventually consisted of several massive and ornate buildings that surrounded a cobblestone courtyard. Just outside of these structures was the Heidelberg Castle gardens.

Prince Elector Friedrich V wished to give the Hortus Palatinus as a lasting gift of love to his wife Elizabeth. They may have rivaled the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in design, construction and lusciousness. But workers never finished long-standing project, even when the entrance arch. I still want to think that this might have been on the same level as the Taj Mahal - just with flowers, fountains and greenery.

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