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Taj Mahal

Taj mahal
Taj Mahal is the most visited and attractive place in India for tourism. It is a an immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. Taj Mahal is the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage. Its prime location on the right bank of the Yamuna River adds its beauty more attractive.The Taj Mahal is one of the 7 Wonders! of World, is made up of white marble in the south bank of the Yamuna river in Agra by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”


Overview

Location:- On the banks of river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Year of Construction: 1631 – 1653

Built By: Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan

Spread Over: 42 acres (approx)

Significance: One of the Seven Wonders of the World

Dedicated to: Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Bano Begum), the wife of Shah Jahan

Building Type: Islamic tomb

Architecture: Mughal (Combination of Persian, Islamic and Indian architecture style)

Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri

Cost of Construction: 32 crore rupees (approx)

Number of workers: 20,000 (Approx)

Timings for Visitors: Sunrise to Sunset (Friday closed)

Fee:

  • Rs 750 (Foreign Tourists)
  • Rs 510 (Citizens of SAARC & BIMSTEC Countries)
  • Rs 20 (Domestic Indian Tourists)
  • No Entry Fee for children below 15 years of age (Domestic or Foreigner)

Taj Mahal Architecture

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In the construction of Taj Mahal around 22,000 workers including masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome-builders and other artisans called from different countries from all over the central Asia and Iran. It took 22 years around to build the monument with a unique blend of Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural styles.


Interesting Facts Of Taj Mahal

  • Shah Jahan fell in love with the Arjumand Bano Begum and married her as third wife.
  • Arjumand Bano Begum was christened by Shah Jahan as Mumtaz Mahal, meaning the “Chosen One Of The Palace” or “Jewel of the Palace”.
  • Mumtaj Mahal died during giving birth to her 14h child.
  • More than 1,000 elephants were employed, for the transportation of the construction materials for Taj Mahal..
  • More than 28 different varieties of semi-precious and precious stones were used to adorn the Taj with exquisite inlay work.
  • Taj Mahal appears to be in different color every time in day time it’s different and in night it’s differ. White marble that seems to change color depending on the sunlight or moonlight hitting its surface.
  • “Passages from Quran” have been used as decorative elements throughout the complex.
  • 99 names of Allah founded as calligraphic inscriptions, on the sides of the actual tomb of Mumtaz Mahal.
  • Taj Mahal was built in stages, with the plinth and the tomb takes around 15 years. Building of minarets, mosque, jawab, and gateway etc took 5 years extra for completion.
  • Types of marbles used in construction of Taj Mahal were brought over from many different regions & countries i.e Rajasthan, Punjab, China, Tibet, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, & Arabia.
  • Many precious stones and Lapis Lazuli (a semi-precious stone) were ripped off from its walls by the Britishers during the Indian rebellion of 1857.
  • Taj Mahal attracts 2-4 million visitors annually with over 200,000 from overseas.