Taj Mahal - A Symbol of Undying Love

The image is iconic, found in millions of pictures and descriptions from around the world: the Taj Mahal. Its stately and otherworldly appearance attracts millions of visitors every year, and its beauty and romantic history make it worthy of inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list, where it has held pride of place since 1983.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum. Begun in 1631 and only completed seventeen years later, it was built by Shah Jahan, the emperor of the powerful Muslim Mughal dynasty that ruled northern India for generations, for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The legend says that when she died, she made her husband promise to build her a tomb more beautiful than any that had ever before been seen. The result was the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan’s rule was eventually overthrown by his son Aurangzeb, and he ended his life ill and imprisoned; his only solace was to gaze at the Taj Mahal from his window.

The Taj was constructed in the Mughal city of Agra, on the bank of the Yamuna River. The main gate, or Darwaza, is built of red sandstone, and it opens to a stretch of gardens and reflecting pools. This echoes the beauty of the Taj itself. On the west side of the mausoleum is a mosque, and mirroring it on the east is the jawab. The central building, the Rauza, sits on two bases, one of sandstone and the second of marble. Four minarets flank the building’s marble terrace. The Rauza, constructed of white marble, is square in shape, and a dome sits on each of the corners, while a larger, double dome with a brass finial floats above the center of the building. The inner chamber has an octagonal shape, with a high, domed ceiling. It contains replicas of the coffins of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.

The Taj is lovely in the daylight, but there are many who prefer to view it at dawn, sunset, or under a full moon to see how the light changes the colour of the marble. It is possible to buy tickets for any of these viewing times - and many visitors say that it is worth the cost to make multiple visits.  However, bear in mind that the Taj Mahal is always closed on Friday, which is the Muslim day of rest. Also, because of the number of visitors that come to see the Taj every day, and the importance of maintaining the building and grounds, there are strictly enforced rules for anyone wishing to enter.

Agra, where the Taj is located, is in northern India. It is 200 km southeast of Delhi, and is accessible by plane, train, bus, car and taxi. The plane trip from either Delhi or Jaipur is less than an hour. Trains run from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, and there are connections from locations in eastern India, such as Kolkata. There are also buses that run from Delhi, a trip which takes four or five hours. Within Agra, taxis and cars can take you around the city. It is also possible to rent a car to travel to Agra. However, the city experiences thick fogs in the winter, which reduces visibility and makes travel very difficult.

There is plenty to see in and near Agra, besides the Taj. The Agra Fort was built in 1565 by Akbar, the Mughal emperor, and inside it are a number of buildings, including Musamman Burj, the place where Shah Jahan was imprisoned and where he died. There are also several gardens, including the Ram Bagh and the Mehtab Bagh. A number of mosques, temples and memorials from various faiths also mark the city, including Mankameshwar Temple, Jama Masjid, Mariam’s Tomb and Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb. Sikandra, about 10 km from the city center, was built as the mausoleum for Emperor Akbar; although it was constructed earlier than the Taj Mahal, its architectural and artistic elements presage the later building’s beauty.

Outside Agra by 37 km is the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was also built by Akbar. It was constructed as a gesture of thanks to a holy man called Shaikh Salim Chishti. The city was eventually deserted when the water ran out, but the beauties of the art and architecture remain. It contains, among other attractions, Salim Chishti’s tomb. Other famous locations include Mathura, where Lord Krishna was born, and Nandgaon, the site of the Holi festival every March.

It is easy to find good restaurants in the city, and numerous places sell local specialties, including Petha, Dal Moth, Chaat, and various sweets. Restaurants include the Treat Restaurant, the Only Restaurant, and the Priya Restaurant. The Kamat Hotel has a restaurant on the roof with views of the Taj. The Nice Point Restaurant offers both Indian and international food, as well as free wifi. Although the staff of most hotels will sell Indian beer, there is almost no nightlife in Agra.

Hotels will fit all budgets, from the more inexpensive Dayal Lodge, Saniya Palace, Hotel Amba Inn, and Col. Lamba Indian Home Stay, through the mid-range Hotel Raj, N. Home Stay, and Hotel Taj Resorts, to the luxurious ITC Mughal, Trident Hilton, and Oberoi Amarvilas, which is consistently rated among the top ten Asian hotels.

There are a number of Internet cafes in Agra; among them are Sify Iway and Reliance World, which both offer broadband connectivity.

You may think that you have seen the Taj Mahal in a thousand pictures, but the visitors who pass through its grand gates say that no photograph can measure up to the beauty and majesty of Mumtaz Mahal’s mausoleum, or the way that it reflects the light of the dawn and the shimmer of the full moon. Visit the city of Agra, and judge for yourself whether the great poet Rabindranath Tagore was correct when he wrote, “Only let this one teardrop, the Taj Mahal, glisten spotlessly bright on the cheek of eternity…”