The Taj Mahal
We almost didn't visit the Taj Mahal. It seemed a bit cliche. Plus, we had seen so many photos of the Taj Mahal already that we didn't think it would blow us away. We were so incredibly wrong. We are now two more souls brought under the spell of the Taj Mahal.
The Story
The story of the Taj Mahal is one of love, devotion, and decadence. The Taj is actually a complex of buildings, anchored by the incredibly photogenic glowing white marble mausoleum that was commissioned by the fifth Mughal Emperor (the name given to Muslim rulers in India), Shah Jahan, to honor his third and favorite wife who died giving birth to their fourteenth child. Legend has it that Mumtaz Mahal, while on her deathbed, asked her husband to build her the most beautiful tomb in the world.
And that he did.
While earlier Muslim buildings were built primarily using red sandstone, Shah Jahan spared no expense to honor his true love. He ordered an immense amount of white Makrana marble to be carried by elephants to Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, from over 400 kilometers away. Shah Jahan also required that the marble be inlaid with jewels and semi-precious stones from around the world, taking the design to a new level of luxury and beauty.
Under a team of the most talented architects at the time, 20,000 workers took 22 years to complete the complex (1631-1653), which also consists of a mosque to the left of the mausoleum and a structure identical to the mosque directly opposite it, constructed solely to provide architectural symmetry (yes, they built a gigantic building JUST for architectural symmetry). The buildings are set within a lush garden complete with a massive reflecting pool, representing the paradise that so many Muslims expect to find in death.
Arriving at the Great Gate, also known as Darwaza-i-Rauza.
Our first glimpse of the Taj Mahal, as seen through the Great Gate.
Simply breathtaking.
The gardens and reflecting pool leading to the Taj Mahal.
The Details
What so many people miss from looking at photos of the Taj Mahal are the incredibly intricate details that make the tomb even more beautiful in person. The marble takes on many colors, from bright white to pink to yellow to grey, depending on the time of day. The marble contains inlaid semi-precious stones such as lapis-lazuli, turquoise, jade and jasper that were painstakingly carved and shaped to create a stunning floral motif. The rising and setting sun glints off of the red carnelian, another of the semi-precious stones used, to appear as if the Taj is sparkling. Large slabs of marble were carefully chiseled to reveal meticulous floral carvings. A black, white, silver and gold herringbone pattern decorates the exterior. Calligraphy of Koranic verses are etched into the marble both inside and outside of the tomb.
Another small and interesting detail is that the four minarets at the corners of the Taj Mahal slightly lean outward in an effort to protect the main mausoleum should they collapse for any reason. The architects literally thought of everything!
The marble detailing, which often can't be seen in photos.
Our fantastic guide Pawan explaining the inlaid semi-precious stones and detailed marble carvings.
The marble was chiseled away to produce this gorgeous floral pattern.
Even the ceiling had a pattern carved into the marble. No surface was neglected.
Herringbone pattern etched into the marble.
At sunset, the sunlight makes the red carnelian sparkle.
Visiting the Taj Mahal
We spent hours at the Taj Mahal complex, more than the average tourist might spend. We were enamored with the beauty, and we luckily had the most incredible and knowledgable guide to share information not only about the Taj Mahal, but about the current state of affairs in India today. We loved visiting this famous monument, and would 100% recommend that anyone visiting India needs to see the Taj Mahal.
During our visit, we also explored the interior of the tomb, the Taj Mahal Mosque, and crossed the Yamuna River to watch the sunset reflect off the Taj. We learned a few things during our visit that we thought we would share, in addition to some silly portraits that our guide made us take.
A few interesting things to note:
-The entry price for Indian citizens is $0.33. The price of entry for foreign tourists is $12.25.
-You cannot wear your shoes on the exterior platform or inside the Taj Mahal. Everyone is given cloth booties, or you can go barefoot like most Indians.
-No photos are allowed inside the mausoleum. Guards stand around blowing whistles at anyone taking photos. You are also encouraged to move very quickly as the crowds are always very thick.
-Shah Jahan had a few other wives that are buried outside the walls of the complex. Ouch!
-There is a myth that Shah Jahan cut the hands off of his sculptors and architects so that they would never build anything as beautiful or amazing as the Taj Mahal. Double ouch!
-The actual bodies of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal were actually buried at a lower level. The sarcophagi that one sees inside the building are fake.
-The best place to watch the sunset over the Taj Mahal is not at the site of the monument; it is sitting at the edge of the Moonlight Garden, on the west side of the Yamuna River. This is also the site of the mythical beginnings of the Black Taj Mahal, an identical tomb that Shah Jahan was going to build for himself directly across the river, made exclusively of black onyx.
-We would definitely recommend hiring a guide. The story of the Taj Mahal is fascinating, and more importantly, it is always nice to have someone around that you can trust to take as many photos of you as you want. You'll definitely want to remember this visit!
All smiles at the Taj Mahal.
A silly pose required by our guide. There were also kissing poses, but we will spare you.
We sat in front of the Taj Mahal discussing the romantic story as well as the current political situation in India with our guide.
About to enter the Taj Mahal. We had to wear these booties inside.
View of the Great Gate from the Taj Mahal platform.
We also visited the Taj Mahal Mosque. Monkeys hang around the small pool used for ablutions before prayer.
A monkey purifying himself at the Taj Mahal Mosque.
Side view of the Taj Mahal from the mosque. The tomb is exactly the same on all sides. Shah Jahan insisted on total symmetry.
Inside the Taj Mahal Mosque, constructed mostly of red sandstone.
Say a little prayer for me.
This photo contains graphic material.
Another shot inside the mosque. Way less crowded than the Taj Mahal!
Soaking in the view before heading to the Yamuna River.
I'm sure one day we won't be totally mortified by this shot.
At Moonlight Garden where we watched the sunset.
Within Moonlight Garden are the beginnings of another structure, often thought to be that of the Black Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan was rumored to want an identical tomb made of black onyx across the river from his wife's white marble tomb.
While admiring the Taj from the banks of the Yamuna River, these heartbreaking children were begging for money. Our guide told us that they hang around every night, waiting to ask for money from tourists.
Beautiful Agra sunset.
Final view of the Taj Mahal. It never got old.