The word 'Taj Mahal' is Arabic for 'crown of palaces'. The mausoleum is constructed with some inflections from Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles. It just goes to show how far the Mughal Empire extended its influence.
The year is 1662 and Mughal emperor Shah Jahan has just lost his beautiful third wife - Mumtaz Mahal. In her memory, he orders the construction of Taj Mahal - one of the most historic Mughal architectural masterpieces that is admired world over as an example of Mughal empire creativity.
The word 'Taj Mahal' is Arabic for 'crown of palaces'. The mausoleum is constructed with some inflections from Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles. It just goes to show how far the Mughal Empire extended its influence. Taj Mahal was constructed under the imperial supervision. It enlisted hundreds of artisans with renowned architects of the time such as Abdul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri taking leading roles in its construction.
Taj Mahal is mainly constructed using marble stones. Its inlay stones feature yellow marble, jasper and jade. It is decorated with herringbone, plant motifs, spandrel detail, incased paintings, reflective tiles, Persian calligraphy, and finial tiles on the floor among others.
To complete the picture of royalty, the Taj Mahal boasts a 300-square meter Mughal Garden that features sunken flower beds, Persian gardens and landscaped exotic trees. The Taj Mahal was indeed built for a queen.
Since it is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India; the Taj Mahal is best seen from the Yamuna River. If however you arrive on a car or bus, you will have to walk the rest of the distance since no vehicles are allowed near the mausoleum. The mausoleum attracts more than 2 million visitors yearly. The best time to visit is during the months of October, November and February.
From the Yamuna River, you can take the pictures of the photographic Gardens and the mausoleum. Taj Mahal is a prized Indian monument and it is very well taken care of. You can be sure that your voyage here will be a pleasant one. All you need is a pair of binoculars, a camera, and street wear. The dress code in New Delhi is almost completely westernized and travelers roam around freely. This destination is a must visit for the romantic at heart. It inspires one to love his/her spouse/fiancé more.