Saturday, September 25, 2010

Taj Mahal Tour – Be Part Of The Magical History Of The Taj Mahal

Nothing in the world can beat the magical effect of the Taj Mahal. Tourists who haven’t set foot in India dream to be here one day and tourists who have been here know what haunting beauty is all about. Admired worldwide as a symbol of love and beauty this beautiful Mausoleum seems like a dream woven in marble on a star studded night. Built by Shah Jahan for his lady love and wife Mumtaz Mahal the monument tells a tale of love, bereavement and mystery. Located on the banks of the Yamuna River this architectural marvel was constructed in marble and semi precious stones which were imported from China and Italy. A mere four hours drive from Delhi will take you to Agra. If you are venturing on a Taj Mahal Tour remember to include Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daullah’s Tomb, Chini Ka Rauza and Sikandra as well to get an overall picture about Mughal architecture and Era. For a more endearing experience also visit the derelict town of Fatehpur Sikri enroute.

Taj Mahal Tour commences with your touching Delhi. Make headway right away so as to reach fast and begin exploring early enough. Keep two days in hand for a thorough Taj Mahal Tour.After you reachAgra don’t go to the Taj Mahal right away. Rather take your time to know this old city with its narrow lanes and Mughlai cuisine. Check out some of the handcrafted items on sale by the road. Strike a conversation with a local and know the present scenario of Agra. That’s how a real traveler should travel.

Next day get up early in the morning to go to the Taj Mahal. A careful study of the architecture tells you that the Taj blends Hindu architecture and patterns along with Mughal designs and arches. The red lotus which is seen in Taj Mahal is actually a symbol of Brahma while the trident that features several times in the inner sanctuary of the tomb is a symbol of Shiva. If we keep in mind that Shah Jahan was a liberal ruler who was keener towards humanity in general rather than towards either Hindus or Muslims, everything falls into place. The inner chambers of the Taj are carved and designed with semi precious stones while the exterior facade is a study in geometrical patterns and symmetry.It is said that the Taj looks different in the early rays of the sun, in the afternoon and in the night.

Taj Mahal Tour would be incomplete without a visit to the Agra Fort. Situated right across the Yamuna overlooking the Taj it is said that Shah Jahan used to watch the monument of his love when he was imprisoned in the Agra Fort by his own son Aurangzeb.

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The Taj Mahal and the Art Add Beauty Behind Its Story

Some people claim it is an Indian piece of art while others claim it is an Islamic piece of art. It all depends on how you look at it. When I went to look at it, it seemed like an Islamic piece of art. My father pointed out parts on the Taj Mahal on which there were verses from the Quran engraved into it. It is obvious that Muslims were the ones who designed this wonderful piece of art. The versus of the Quran are all over. Not just in one spot. Physically, it is very beautiful. I had always seen it in pictures and thought “Oh, it looks nice.” I just did not know how nice. When I first step through the gates and looked at it, I was like “OH MY GOSH! IT IS BEAUTIFUL!” It was overwhelming. It is made of marble and the basic elements of it are Persian. There is calligraphy on large pishtaq. When you enter the Taj Mahal Gate, a verse from the Quran is engraved right in and it says “O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you.”

On the inside, Shah Jahan’s tomb rests alongside his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Both of them were put in their tomb facing right so they could face Mecca. Mecca is the Islamic holy Mosque. At certain times of the day, Muslims are expected to face the direction of Mecca and pray.

The marble dome on the top of the Taj Mahal is made of marble and has a moon on the top. The moon is a symbol of Islam and also is similar to the symbol of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. There are several levels of the Taj Mahal. There is also a Garden planted there. It is called the Mughal Garden and it is three hundred meters squared. It reflects the image of the Taj Mahal.

The aspects of culture the Taj Mahal references are Artistic and memorial. The reason why it is artistic is because the beauty and glory of it are simply artistic. The design and the story behind it is simply breath taking. It really is something different to actually see it before your eyes compared to just looking at a picture. The Quran verses engraved in there, the detail, the flowers engraved so wonderfully all show me that this is art. The reason why I say it is memorial as well is because it was made in the memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Legend has it that as she was dying (while giving birth to her thirteenth child) she had told Shah Jahan to build her something more beautiful than the world has ever seen before on the basis of their love. Because of her wish, he built it out of her memory.

The Taj Mahal reflects the culture it comes from by having verses of the Quran engraved into it. I know the Muslim culture is very reliant on the Quran for all their directions and guidance in life. Even when I went to visit the Taj Mahal a year ago, there was an Imam (Like a Muslim Priest) praying in there over the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. From what I heard, there is an Imam there every single day praying. Their culture relies very heavily on their religion. The use of the Taj Mahal was to simply show the Emperors love for his wife. It is important because it shows unity between several cultures. As mentioned above, there are traces of Muslim, Hinduism, and Persian designs and symbols on it. There has been a lot of tension between Indians and Muslims over the last few years. There is still some tension because of the Taj Mahal Hotel attacks as well but everyone can stand in front of the Taj Mahal and say it is beautiful. That holds them together.

There are several reasons why this holds significance historically. One of them is that it showed both Shah Jahan’s loving side and brutal side. His loving side was of course about his wife. He made it for her. But the brutal side also includes how he asked every worker who helped make the Taj Mahal to come to his Palace. Thinking that they were going to get some sort of compensation for their work, they went. Instead Shah Jahan ordered all of their hands to be cut off so none of them could make anything equally as beautiful or more equal. He wanted the most beautiful object for his wife. For historians, this helped better understand the personality of this Muslim Empire. The uniqueness of the Taj Mahal is that there is no other building like it. There was just so much love and thought put into the creation of this. It is a special and unique story about a man who grieves for his wife and out of his grief; he made such a lovely sight. It is a shame his wife did not get a chance to see it.

A Visit to the Taj Mahal Will Leave You Amazed

Taj Mahal in Agra city in India is the most beautiful building in the world. This building has a rich history that dates back to 1630 AD. Taj Mahal was constructed with marble stones and it took 22 years for 20,000 workers to complete the construction. The Moghal king Shah Jahan constructed Taj Mahal in remembrance of his beloved wife Mumtaz.

Taj Mahal is a costly building and it is worth $100 millions. Various architectural styles such as Hindi, Moghal, Persian and Islamic are used in the construction of Taj Mahal. The evolutionary design is considered priceless. Craftsmen from several parts of Asia such as India, China and Italy worked on designing the building.

The monument consists of two main identical chambers. One of the chamber is directly below the other one. Two bejeweled sarcophagi can be found in these rooms and they correspond to the king Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz. Every part of the building is symmetrical and the walls are decorated with floral and calligraphic designs. The acoustics are awesome and you can even hear the whispers on the other side of the room.

The visual charm of Taj Mahal is enhanced by the reflecting river Yamuna and the surrounding trees. Spectacular views of the building can be seen during sun rise, sun set and moon light. The magnificent wonder is constructed on a square red sandstone platform. The air and noise pollution from the surrounding factories and vehicles has caused significant damage to the beauty of Taj Mahal. However, the government of India is taking serious measures to maintain the beauty of the wonder.

You can reach the Agra city in Uttar Pradesh from the capital city of India, Delhi. Agra is well connected by roadways and railways. The building is open from 6 am to 7 pm. The view of the building is spectacular during full moon days and two days before full moon, Taj Mahal is open from 8.30 pm to 12.30 am as well. Tickets to Taj Mahal cost only $18 and entrance is free for children under the age of 15. The ideal time to visit Agra is from November to February and you can find a large number of tourists during these months

The Taj Mahal – An Epitome of an Eternal Love

One of the eight wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is an ode to eternal love. Located in Agra once the capital of the Mughal Empire, this great architectural monument was stands magnificently on the banks of the River Yamuna. A testament of love through the ages, the Taj Mahal that means “Crown Palace” is the World’s Greatest Monument to Love.

Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the beautiful Taj Mahal is a tribute to his favoured wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to the Emperor’s 14th child. The grief-stricken Shah Jahan commissioned the construction of her tomb soon after her death resulting in a 22-year long journey of completion in 1648. This white marble creation of beauty was carried our by many skilled people, with intricate designs and detail made to every part of this great monument. Standing on a red sandstone base, the white marble which is adorned with semi-precious stones, calligraphy, plant motifs, Spandrel detail and delicate pierce work. Declared a work of art, the Taj Mahal is said to have been designed by giants and finished by jewellers this describing its exquisite workmanship.

In the 19th century Lord Curzon, a British viceroy commissioned the restoration of the Taj Mahal as it had fallen to dismay due to thievery and defacement. Following the completion of the restoration, the Taj Mahal displayed the splendour of what is loved and revered today. The beautiful gardens and British styled lawns as well as the lamp in the interior chamber were the result

The Taj Mahal being a monument to Shah Jahan’s eternal of his love for Mumtaz Mahal is also her tomb. Her tomb lies in the lower chamber of this architectural wonder. Many historians believe the shrine is a dedication to a beautiful woman, whereby its side depict the many ways of viewing a woman. As the river reflects the Crown Palace, it sparkles with the jewels reflecting the many colours of the air. The Taj Mahal sparkles like the jewels it carries on its white marble and as the sun hits its jewels, the palace turns a soothing shade of pink during dawn, pure and milky white during the day and evening, and golden under the moonlight.

As one of the wonder of the world, this monument is a favoured attraction of people around the world; the Taj Mahal brings forth many tourists from all over the world. Lovers flock to this monument of eternal love, in the hope of experiencing a love as great as that of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. With the popular magnetism to the Taj Mahal, the local commune has flourished with local bazaars and markets. With the Taj Mahal being declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1983, many means have been undertaken to not let the rising population and pollution cause any harm to this epitome of love.

Taj Mahal – The Marble Wonder

A trip to Taj Mahal will give you more than just a trip to another ancient monument. Visiting Taj is like a journey to the glorious Indian historic age witnessing an eternal love story. Taj is just not another architectural grandeur but it is an epitome of love. The masterpiece in white marble, one of the seven wonders of world, is one the most spectacular and sought after tourist attraction.

You will never forget the history of the Taj Mahal once you embrace the beauty of the architectural design. Taj was constructed by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place of his favourite queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is situated on the banks of river Yamuna. The exterior grounds are a beauty to behold with landscaped gardens and fountains.

This mausoleum is a piece of poetry in marble. The entrance to the Taj is built in red sandstone which has got verses from the Koran inscribed on it. Every bit of inlaid wall and marble screen is a masterpiece of art in marble unfolding the talent and craftsmanship of those who created this architectural wonder. The Taj Mahal, is perhaps India’s most fascinating and spectacular monument. Taj, built by Persian architect Ustad Isa, took 22years to get ready. 20.000 workers, masons and jewelers were involved in building this masterpiece of love.

To visit Taj, you can book Taj Mahal tour packages from the travel tour operators offering various custom made India tour packages. Taj Mahal is situated in Agra which is well connected by road, railways and air to all major cities of India. These travel agents also help you in making your travel itinerary and also assist in getting a booking for your stay in hotels in India and flights to India. To take back the memories of the Taj, a small replica of the Taj Mahal makes the most perfect souvenir and gift items.

Taj Mahal Agra Tour – Worth Visiting, Worth Appreciating

If you have an insight love for historical monuments and you are very particular about theme based vacations – travel to India, where you will be transported to a completely distinct land. Of all the India tourism packages, golden triangle tours claim to be the hottest. covering hot destinations like Delhi, Jaipur and Agra – golden triangle tour packages have made India tourism popular everywhere.

Agra City Tour

This historical wonder city is internationally famed because of the symbol of love – the Taj Mahal. The best part with this monument is that it serves as one of the Seven Wonders of the World as well as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Located at a distance of just 200 km from Delhi, Agra lies at the banks of picturesque Yamuna River that adds to the beauty of the monument. Built in pure white marble with exquisite Pietra Dura (stone inlay) work, the Taj Mahal is a tribute of love to Mumtaz Mahal by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

If you wish to relish the authentic Indian music and traditional folk art forms, do visit Agra in February when the city gets indulged in the Taj Mahotsava. This is one such festivity that draws countless tourists to Agra from across the globe.

Moreover, places like Itmad-ud-daulah’s Tomb (Baby Taj – built in the memory of Mirza Ghiyas), Agra Fort (housing the Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Musamman Burj, Khas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and the Anguri Bagh) and Jama Masjid (large mosque withsandstone domes of striking marble patterning) are several other hot spots in Agra.

Apart from that, if you are interested in a sightseeing trip to Agra – places like Sikandra (the sandstone and marble tomb of Akbar), Dayal Bagh and Rambagh (one of the earliest Mughal Gardens) are worth visit. These magnetic attractions altogether form the exclusivity of an Agra tour.

Planning how to reach Agra? This wonder city is just 200 kms from the national capital Delhi. So book a train ticket today or hire a cab and leave for the finest history exploration trip with your loved ones. Apart from being an unavoidable element of the Golden Triangle Tour, the Taj Mahal is also the most frequented monument of India travel tours.

Tour to Taj Mahal

Tajmahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and one of the most excellent ways to make your Indian vacation an unforgettable experience is to visit this enchanting beauty. A trip to Tajmahal from Delhi, India is the very expedient point to commence your journey. The Tajmahal Agra is approximately 220 kilometres from the capital Delhi and is well linked by air, rail and road. There are few things one must keep in mind while planning a trip to Agra and Tajmahal. Firstly Tajmahal stay closed on Fridays and petrol and diesel vehicle are not allowed close to the monument Tajmahal, Agra.

It does not take more than half an hour to arrive at Tajmahal Agra if you are traveling by air from Delhi. By train it takes nearly one and a half hour and if you are commuting by road you can reach the town of Tajmahal in just over two hours. In detail road transport and the rails are the most excellent and finest ways to get a feel the rich inherit age of India.

The moment you arrive at the destination Agra, the city of Taj, the exhilaration and enthusiasm of watching Tajmahal-the 17th century awesome sight outshine everything. It’s an amazing feeling to have the glimpse of the emblem of love disclose its magnificence before your eyes. As you stare at the pillar, minarets, dome, the flourishing gardens, the mosques on both side and flower-patterned motifs on its wall; you can actually be aware of the fact as to why the Tajmahal is so conversed and printed about.

Your trip to Tajmahal provides a lot to look out for. From the time you enter the main gate, constructed in red stone, the primary thing that grabs your attention is the dome of the Tajmahal built in snow white marble. As your eyes get used to the attractiveness of the white marble you observe the intended marvels that are scattered around. These are the four lush green gardens with watercourse and a pool in the middle. The chief construction can purely be portrayed as poetry in stone. Within the mausoleum is the grave of Mumtaz Mahal with nearly 99 names of God emblazoned on it. The flowery motifs on the walls and the jali work provide an out of this world view.

Tajmahal looks dazzling and glittering on moonlit nights, and currently there is a special provision as you can tour Tajmahal during nights as well. The Taj has of late been unlocked for night visiting too. For this you need special passes which you have to take at least 24 hours in advance. So take pleasure in a trip to Agra.