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The beauty and grandeur of the 350 year old Taj Mahal is second to none. Set amongst the serene ambience of a well laid out garden, the massive marble structure of the Taj Mahal is awe-inspiring. The romantic aura of the Taj attracts millions of visitors towards it. The Taj Mahal acquires a different hue every time you see it. No matter how many times you might have seen it, you will find something different the next time. The Taj at noon, at sunset, under the full moon, against the setting sun, and against the rising ball of fire, each time the mausoleum acquires a different accent and tells a different story. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description.
Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife and Queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of Queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later.
Agra was the chosen city of the Mughal emperors during the early years. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babur, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the River Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson, raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens. Shahjahan embellished it with marbled mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal, a monument of love and imagination, which represents India to the world.
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The Taj itself stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements.
The four minarets at each comer of the plinth provide a perfect balance to the tomb. The minarets measure 41.6 high and each has a deliberate slant outwards so that in an unlikely even of an earthquake, they would not fall on the tomb but away from it.
The bulbous dome of the Taj Mahal rests on an extraordinarily high drum and rises to a total height of 44.41 mt. from the base of the drum to the apex of the finial.
The central dome of the Taj is flanked on all four angles by four very appropriate Chhatris which though sufficiently detached, appear to be attached to the dome, irrespective of the angle of the view.
There is only one point of access to the plinth and tomb, a double staircase facing the entrance. One has to remove shoes over here or can put on the shoe covers, which are provided by the staff stationed here for this purpose.
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