Taj waved in honor. The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is a masterpiece of Indian architecture. History of the Taj Mahal after construction

Taj Mahal (India) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone, website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.

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The Taj Mahal is a white marble palace, one of the most grandiose monuments of Indian architecture with luxurious interior decoration and a stunningly beautiful park. It is the last gift from Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, and is the country's main and most popular attraction, visited by thousands of tourists every year.

The Legend of the Taj Mahal

An ancient and very beautiful romantic legend is associated with the Taj Mahal. The Indian Shah Jahan was fascinated by the beauty of a poor girl who traded for local market, and married her. Soon she became his beloved wife and lived with the Shah for 17 happy years. However, the happiness was not destined to last forever, and Mumtaz Mahal died during the birth of their fourteenth child. Jahan could not forget her and was never happy again.

In memory of his beloved wife and their years of marital happiness Indian ruler ordered to build the most beautiful mausoleum in the world, the most beautiful of which is not in the whole world. The best architects and craftsmen of India and Europe were involved in the work - about 20 thousand people in total. Construction lasted for 20 long years, and a luxurious structure was built on the coast of the Jamna River, which still delights everyone who sees it.

Despite numerous earthquakes in these parts, it was never destroyed and was not damaged at all.

Park, architecture, interiors

The mausoleum building creates a unique architectural ensemble in combination with the park that is laid out around it. The entire structure is made of snow-white marble, the square facade is pierced by semicircular niches, and thanks to this it looks as if weightless, despite its massiveness. The impression of “floating” is also created by the reflections of the facades in the canals of the gardens that surround the mausoleum. And the most amazing feature of this building is the ability to change its color depending on the time of day and the weather. In the rain it looks translucent, in the morning it glows pink, and at sunset it shimmers gold. The internal walls of the mausoleum are decorated with painted tiles and inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones and pearls.

Previously, the luxury of the Taj Mahal was even more impressive: the entrance doors were made of pure silver, but like many other valuable interior items, they were stolen. However, the Taj Mahal still impresses with its luxury and rich decoration.

Practical information

How to get there: The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra (200 km from Delhi). You can get there by any train that goes to Kolkata, Mumbai and Gwalior (all of them go through Agra), the travel time is 2-3 hours. From Agra to the mausoleum - by rickshaw or taxi.

Opening hours: the mausoleum is open daily, except Friday, during daylight hours.

Entrance: for foreigners - 1100 INR. Prices on the page are as of November 2019.

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is located in the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh. This is the most famous building in India and the symbol of the country is amazing, as well as the most durable monument of Indian Muslim architecture from the era of the Mughal reign. Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore called the Taj Mahal "a tear on the cheek of eternity."

In 1983, the Taj Mahal was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, the mausoleum is included in the international list of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Every year this beautiful architectural ensemble is visited by several million tourists.

Creation story - love story

The Taj Mahal, often called the “symbol of love,” was built in the 17th century on the banks of the Yamuna River by Emperor Shah Jahan, a descendant of Tamerlane, to celebrate and perpetuate the memory of his beloved wife, who died in childbirth.

Shah Jahan, who was the fifth Mughal Emperor, left behind many famous architectural landmarks. These are the Pearl Mosque in Agra, the capital Shahjahanabad (now old Delhi, including the Lal Qila or Red Fort in Delhi with the beautiful halls of the Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas halls, as well as the Great Mosque of Jama Masjid) and the famous golden throne of the Mughals — The Peacock Throne, rightfully recognized as the most luxurious throne in the whole world.

However, the splendor of the Taj Mahal Palace remained unsurpassed, and it was this building that forever immortalized the names of the emperor and his beloved.

Shah Jahan, who was called the “Emperor of the Universe” after a series of successful military campaigns that expanded the borders of the Mughal Empire, had several wives. His third wife, a 19-year-old beauty, was given the name Mumtaz Mahal by his father-in-law during the wedding ceremony, which means “Pearl of the Palace.”

The ruler fell in love with Mumtaz very much and she accompanied him on all military campaigns. The emperor's relations with the rest of his wives were purely formal, but with Mumtaz he was united by deep, sincere affection. Over 19 years of marriage, the beloved gave the ruler 14 children. However, the last birth that took place during the campaign became fatal for the woman.

It is said that Shah Jahan promised his dying wife that he would build a beautiful mausoleum for her. However, he did not immediately begin to implement his plan. The first year after the death of his beloved, the emperor grieved and spent all his time in solitude.

When the inconsolable widower ended his seclusion, his subjects did not recognize him - the ruler grew old, gray and hunched over. The palace chroniclers testified that Shah Jahan stopped listening to music and abandoned jewelry and elegant clothes.

Automobile

The city of Agra is located in the so-called Golden Tourist Triangle; this region is distinguished by an extensive network of roads. Agra connects to Delhi and Varanasi highway NH-2, with Jaipur - NH-11, and with Gwalior - NH-3.

Distances from Agra to other cities:

• Bharatpur - 57 km;
• Delhi - 204 km;
• Gwalior - 119 km;
• Jaipur - 232 km;
• Kanpur - 296 km;
• Khajuraho - 400 km;
• Lucknow - 369 km;
• Mathura - 56 km;
• Varanasi - 605 km.

Parking

The closest parking to the Taj Mahal is at the Shilpgram Cultural and Art Complex.

From Agra to the Taj Mahal

You can get around Agra by Taxi(Uber, Ola), excursion mini-bus “tempo”, auto or pedicabs. You can order a prepaid taxi from the main Agra Cantonment station.

Vehicles with internal combustion engines are prohibited within 500 m from the Taj Mahal, so as not to spoil the whiteness of the palace walls. Therefore, you can drive up to the mausoleum by electric car or rickshaw, but the last 200 meters must be covered only on foot.

Taj Mahal: Google Panorama

Taj Mahal: Google panorama inside the building

Video about the Taj Mahal / National Geographic

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum, located in Agra, is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The structure was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, as well as a symbol eternal love. In this article I will tell you about the history of this miracle, as well as the most interesting facts and events related to it

The Taj Mahal is the most outstanding example of Mughal architecture, combining elements of Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was included in the list of sites World Heritage UNESCO. It is essentially an integrated complex of structures, the central and iconic component of which is the white domed marble mausoleum. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1653, and thousands of artisans and craftsmen worked day and night to create this miracle. A council of architects worked on the construction, but the main one was Ustad Ahmad Lakhauri

Let's start from the very beginning, namely with what prompted the emperor to build such a miracle. In 1631, grief befell Emperor Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Mughal Empire at the very height of its power. His third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died while giving birth to their 14th child. A year later, construction began, which Shah Jahan decided to undertake, driven by his irrepressible grief and strong love for his dead wife.

The main mausoleum was completed in 1648, and the surrounding buildings and garden were completed 5 years later. Let's move on to a description of each of the structural elements of the complex in detail

Taj Mahal Mausoleum

The tomb is the architectural center of the Taj Mahal complex. This huge, white marble structure stands on a square pedestal and consists of a symmetrical building with an arched doorway, topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, the main elements here are of Persian origin.


Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs - the Shah and his beloved wife. The height of the structure is 74 meters including the platform, and there are 4 minarets in the corners, slightly inclined to the side. This was done so that if they fell, they would not damage the central building.


The marble dome that adorns the tomb is the most spectacular part of the Taj Mahal. Its height is 35 meters. Because of its special shape, it is often called an onion dome. The shape of the dome is emphasized by four smaller domed figures placed at the corners of the tomb, which follow the onion shape of the main dome

The domes are topped with gilded figures in the traditional Persian style. The crown of the main dome was originally made of gold, but was replaced by a replica in bronze in the 19th century. The crown is labeled with the month in typical Islamic style, with horns pointing upward

The minarets, each 40 meters high, also display perfect symmetry. They were designed to act as a traditional element of mosques, calling the Islamic believer to prayer. Each minaret is divided into three equal parts by two working balconies encircling the tower. All decorative design elements of the minarets are also decorated with gilding

Exterior
The exterior design of the Taj Mahal can undoubtedly be considered one of the best examples of world architecture. Since the surface of the structure is different in different areas, the artistic design was chosen proportionally. Decorative elements were created using various paints, plaster, stone inlays and carvings. In accordance with the Islamic prohibition on the use of anthropomorphic forms, decorative elements are grouped into symbols, abstract forms and plant motifs

Throughout the complex, passages from the Koran are also used as decorative elements. At the gate at the entrance to park complex The Taj Mahal bears four verses from the 89th sura of the Koran “Dawn”, addressed to the human soul:
“O you, resting soul! Return to your Lord satisfied and having achieved contentment! Come in with My servants. Enter My Paradise!

Abstract shapes are used throughout, especially in pedestals, minarets, gates, mosques, and even on tomb surfaces. At the lower levels of the tomb there are realistic marble figures of flowers and vines. All these images are polished and inlaid with stones such as yellow marble, jasper and jade

Interior

The interior of the Taj Mahal strays far from traditional decorative elements. Used inside large number precious and semi-precious stones, and the inner hall is a perfect octagon, which can be accessed from any side of the structure. However, only the south door on the garden side is used.
The internal walls are 25 meters high with a ceiling in the form of an internal dome decorated in the shape of a sun. Eight large arches divide the interior space into proportional parts. Four central arches form balconies and observation decks with a viewing window carved into marble. In addition to these windows, light also enters through special openings at the corners of the roof. Like the outside, everything inside is decorated with bas-reliefs and inlays

Muslim tradition prohibits the decoration of graves. Consequently, the bodies of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan were placed in a simple crypt, with their faces turned towards Mecca. Both the base and the coffin itself are carefully inlaid with precious stones. Calligraphic inscriptions on the tombstone praise Mumtaz. The rectangular diamond shape on the lid of her tomb was presumably designed to allow writing on. The cenotaph of Shah Jahan is located next to Mumtaz, and is the only asymmetrical element in the entire complex, as it was added later. It is larger than the wife's coffin, but decorated with the same elements

On the tomb of Shah Jahan there is a calligraphic inscription that reads: “He set out on a journey from this world to the abode of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth day, the month of Rajab, 1076.”

Taj Mahal Gardens
Let's move on to a description of the magnificent garden adjacent to architectural complex. The Mughal garden stretches 300 meters in length. The architects came up with raised paths that divide each of the 4 parts of the garden into 16 sunken beds. The water channel in the center of the park is lined with marble, with a reflecting pond located in the middle, between the tomb and the gate. It reflects the image of the tomb. The emperor was inspired to create the garden after seeing the same luxuries among the Persian sheikhs. The Taj Mahal Garden is unusual in that the main element, the mausoleum, is located at the end of the garden. Early sources describe a garden with an abundance of vegetation, including exquisite varieties of roses, daffodils, and hundreds of fruit trees. But over time, the Mughal empire weakened, and there was no one to guard the gardens. During the reign of the British Empire, the landscaping of the garden was modified, and it began to resemble an ordinary lawn in central London

Adjoining buildings
The Taj Mahal complex is bordered on three sides by jagged red sandstone walls, with the river side remaining open. Outside the walls of the central structure there are several additional mausoleums where the rest of Jahan's wives are buried, as well as the large tomb of his beloved servant Mumtaz. These structures are built of red sandstone, typical of Mughal-era tombs. Nearby is the Music House, which is now used as a museum. The main gate is a monumental structure built of marble. Its vaulted passages follow the shape of the vaulted passages of the tomb, and the arches are decorated with the same elements as the tomb. All elements are carefully planned from a geometric point of view

At the far end of the complex are two large buildings made of the same red sandstone, located on either side of the tomb. They are absolutely identical, the building on the left was used as a mosque, and the identical building on the right was built for symmetry, but may have been used as a boarding house. The construction of these buildings was completed in 1643



History of the construction of the Taj Mahal
Here I will tell you about interesting facts from the history of the construction of the complex. The Taj Mahal was built on a piece of land south of the city of Agra. Shah Jahan presented Maharaja with Jai Singh big palace in the center of Agra in exchange for this land. Large-scale excavation work was carried out on the territory of the complex. A huge pit was dug and filled with dirt to reduce the flowability of the soil. The site itself was raised 50 meters above the river level. When laying the foundation of the tomb, deep wells were dug and filled with rubble for drainage and foundation support. Instead of bamboo scaffolding, workers built huge brick supports surrounding the tomb - this greatly facilitated further work. Later it took years to dismantle these scaffoldings - they were so huge. In order to speed up this process, Shah Jahan allowed the peasants to use these bricks for their needs.

A fifteen-kilometer trench was dug in the ground to transport marble and other materials to the construction site. Teams of 20-30 oxen pulled large blocks on specially designed carts. A system of special reservoirs was built to supply water from the river to the canal and to the complex itself. The pedestal and tomb of the Taj Mahal were built in 12 years, while the rest of the complex took another 10 years to complete. The total cost of construction was approximately 32 million rupees at that time

Materials from all over Asia were used for the construction of the complex. More than a thousand elephants were used for transportation. In total, twenty-eight types of precious and semi-precious stones were inlaid into white marble. 20 thousand workers from northern India were involved in the construction. Most likely, they did the hardest work in slave conditions, since even in our time people in India work like slaves - for example, the article “Child labor in India”. Sculptors from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, and stone carvers from Balochistan, Turkey, and Iran were also involved.

Soon after the completion of the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his own son Aurangzeb and arrested at the Delhi Fort. After his death, he was buried in the mausoleum next to his beloved wife. By the end of the 19th century, parts of the structure fell into disrepair. The Taj Mahal was looted by British soldiers and officials, who carved precious materials from the walls of the building. At the same time, Lord Curzon conceived a large-scale reconstruction, which was completed in 1908. At the same time, the famous garden was modified, giving the lawns a British style.

In 1942, the government erected scaffolding in an attempt to camouflage the Taj Mahal before an attack by Luftwaffe and Japanese pilots. air force. The same action was taken during the India-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971. This had an effect, and the structure remained intact and unharmed.

The complex is currently threatened by pollution environment. Due to the pollution of the Jamna River, there is a threat of its shallowing and soil erosion. Cracks began to appear in the walls of the tomb, and the mausoleum began to settle. Due to air pollution, the building began to lose its whiteness and a yellow coating appeared, which has to be cleaned annually. The Indian government is taking urgent measures to close hazardous industries in Agra and expand the environmental protection zone, but this has not yet had an effect

The Taj Mahal is India's top tourist attraction, attracting between 2 and 4 million tourists annually, more than 200,000 of them from abroad. There is a special entry price for Indian citizens, many times lower than for foreigners. The complex brings huge amounts of money to the state treasury, replenishing the budget. Most tourists visit the complex starting in October, during the cooler time of year. Due to measures to protect nature, access by buses is prohibited here; an electric tram that brings tourists from special remote parking lots is supervised

One of the most wonderful creations of human hands, a place that annually attracts millions of people from all over the world - the majestic and beautiful Taj Mahal - is rightfully a real symbol of India.

History of construction

The Taj Mahal is an amazing snow-white structure that was built as a tomb for the third and beloved wife of the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal, on the banks of the Jumna River in Agra. Despite the large harem, the emperor loved Mumtaz Mahal most of all. She bore him thirteen children, and died in 1631, when the fourteenth was born. The ruler grieved greatly after the death of his beloved wife, so he ordered to gather the most skilled craftsmen of that time to create a mausoleum that would become a symbol of his boundless love for Mumtaz. Construction began in 1632 and lasted over 20 years: the main complex was completed by 1648, and the secondary buildings and garden were completed five years later. The original “prototypes” of this grandiose tomb were Guri-Amir - the mausoleum of Tamerlane, the founder of the dynasty of Mughal rulers, located in Samarkand, the Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi, as well as the tomb of Humayun - one of the Mughal rulers.

Architectural miracle

The Taj Mahal is designed in the traditional Persian style and is a complex of luxurious and majestic structures built from white marble. The main place in it is occupied by the mausoleum itself, located in the center of the site. It has the shape of a cube with “cut” corners and is topped with a huge dome. The structure stands on a square “pedestal”, at the four corners of which there are tall minarets. The mausoleum inside has a large number of rooms and halls, decorated with amazing mosaics, painted with subtle patterns and ornate ornaments. The coffin of Mumtaz Mahal is located in one of these rooms. And next to him is the coffin of Shah Jahan himself, who wished after his death to be buried next to his beloved. Initially, the ruler was going to build an exact copy of the tomb on the other side of the Jumna for himself, only from black marble, but he was unable to bring his idea to life, so he bequeathed to be buried in the Taj Mahal next to his wife. But it is worth noting that both of these coffins are empty, and the real burial place is in an underground crypt.

Initially, the mausoleum was decorated with a huge number of precious and semi-precious stones, pearls, and its main door was made of pure silver. But, unfortunately, to this day all these treasures have practically not survived, having “settled” in the pockets of not very honest “tourists”.

The Taj Mahal is surrounded on three sides by a beautiful park, the gates to which are also architectural masterpiece. Roads running along a wide canal lead through the park to the main entrance. And on both sides of the mausoleum there are two mosques.

Translated from Persian, “Taj Mahal” means “crown of all palaces.” And it truly is “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the internationally recognized masterpieces of the world’s heritage.”

The Taj Mahal was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

It is also worth noting that tourists are officially allowed to photograph the Taj Mahal only from one side - opposite the main entrance.

Note

• Location: Agra city, 200 km from Delhi.
• How to get there: by train or express train to the railway station "Agra Cantt."
• Official website: www.tajmahal.gov.in
• Opening hours: daily from 6.00 to 19.00, except Friday. Two days before and two days after the full moon, the mausoleum is open in the evening hours - from 20.30 to midnight.
• Tickets: foreigners - 750 rupees, local residents- 20 rupees, children under 15 years old - free. Tickets for night visits must be purchased one day in advance.

Rabindranath Tagore described the Taj Mahal as “a tear on the cheek of immortality,” Rudyard Kipling as “the personification of all that is immaculate,” and its creator, Emperor Shah Jahan, said that “the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.” Every year, tourists twice the population of Agra pass through the gates of the city to see, at least once in their lives, the building rightly called by many the most beautiful in the world. Few people leave disappointed.

This is truly a monument, beautiful in all seasons. There are those who love the sight of the Taj Mahal on Sharad Purnima, the first full moon after the monsoons, on a cloudless evening in October when the light is clearest and most romantic. Others like to view it at the height of the heaviest rains, when the marble becomes translucent and its reflection in the canals of the gardens surrounding the mausoleum is washed out in the rippling water. But it makes a mesmerizing impression at any time of the year and at any moment of the day. At dawn, its color changes from milky to silver and pink, and at sunset it looks as if made of gold. Look at it also in the midday light, when it is blindingly white.

Story

The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to his 14th child in 1631. Mumtaz's death broke the emperor's heart. They say he turned gray overnight. Construction of the Taj Mahal began the following year. It is believed that the main building was built in 8 years, but the entire complex was completed only in 1653. Shortly before the completion of construction, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and imprisoned in the Agra fort, where he spent the remaining days looking at his creation through the window of the dungeon. After his death in 1666, Shah Jahan was buried here next to Mumtaz.

In total, about 20,000 people from India and Central Asia. Specialists were brought from Europe to make beautiful carved marble panels and decorate them in the Pietra Dura style (inlay using thousands of semi-precious stones).

In 1983, the Taj Mahal was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and today looks as immaculate as it did after construction, although large-scale restoration was carried out at the beginning of the 20th century. In 2002, as the building gradually lost color due to the heavy pollution of the city, it was refreshed using an ancient recipe for a facial mask used by Indian women to maintain beautiful skin. This mask is called multani mitti - a mixture of earth, cereal grains, milk and lemon. Now, only environmentally friendly vehicles are allowed to travel within a few hundred meters around the building.

Architecture

It is not known exactly who the architect of the Taj Mahal was, but the credit for its creation is often attributed to an Indian architect of Persian origin named Ustad Ahmad Lahori. Construction began in 1630. From Persia Ottoman Empire and European countries, the best masons, artisans, sculptors and calligraphers were invited. The complex, located on the southwestern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, consists of five main buildings: the darwaza, or main gate; bageecha, or garden; masjid, or mosque; the nakkar zana, or rest house, and the rauza, the mausoleum itself, where the tomb is located.

The unique style of the Taj Mahal combines elements of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture. Among the complex's highlights are a black-and-white checkerboard marble floor, four 40-meter minarets at the corners of the mausoleum, and a majestic dome in the center.

Qur'anic verses written around arched openings appear to be the same size no matter how far from the floor they are - an optical illusion created by larger fonts and letter spacing as the height of the inscription increases. There are other optical illusions in the Taj Mahal mausoleum. Impressive pietra dura decorations include geometric elements as well as plant and flower designs traditional to Islamic architecture. The level of craftsmanship and complexity of the work on the monument become clear when you start to look at the small details: for example, in some places more than 50 precious inlays were used on one decorative element measuring 3 cm.

The gate to the mausoleum gardens can be admired as a separate masterpiece, with graceful marble arches, domed chambers on four corner towers and two rows of 11 small chattris (domes-umbrellas) right above the entrance. They provide the perfect frame for a first look at the entire ensemble.

Char Bagh (four gardens)- an integral part of the Taj Mahal, in a spiritual sense symbolizing the paradise to which Mumtaz Mahal ascended, and in an artistic sense emphasizing the color and texture of the mausoleum. Dark cypress trees enhance the shine of the marble, and the channels (in those rare cases when they are full), converging on a wide central viewing platform, not only provide a wonderful second image of the monument, but also, since they reflect the sky, add soft illumination from below at dawn and sunset.

Unfortunately, vandals stole all the treasures of the tomb, but the delicate beauty of roses and poppies was still preserved in richly inlaid slabs of onyx, green peridot, carnelian and agate of various colors.

On both sides of the mausoleum there are two almost identical buildings: to the west - a mosque, to the east - a building that may have served as a pavilion for guests, although its main purpose was to provide complete symmetry to the entire architectural ensemble. Each of them looks beautiful - try looking at the pavilion at sunrise, and the mosque at sunset. Also walk out to the back of the Taj Mahal, to a terrace overlooking the Jumna River all the way to the Agra Fort. At dawn the best (and cheap) the viewpoint is located on the opposite bank of the river, where, according to popular (but probably unreliable) According to legend, Shah Jahan planned to install a mirror made of completely black marble, reflecting the Taj Mahal. A line of boats lined up along the shore, ready to transport tourists across the river.

The Taj Mahal itself stands on a raised marble platform at the northern end of the ornamental gardens, with its back facing the Yamuna River. The elevated position means that “only the sky is higher” - this is an elegant move by the designers. Decorative 40-meter white minarets adorn the building on all four corners of the platform. After more than three centuries, they tilted slightly, but perhaps this was intentional (installation at a slight angle from the building) so that in the event of an earthquake they would fall not on the Taj Mahal, but away from it. The red sandstone mosque on the western side is an important temple for the Muslims of Agra.

The Taj Mahal mausoleum was built from translucent white marble blocks, on which flowers are carved and a mosaic of thousands of semi-precious stones is laid out. It is a superb example of symmetry - the four identical sides of the Taj with magnificent arches decorated with scroll carvings in the Pietra Dura style and quotations from the Koran, carved in calligraphy and decorated with jasper. The entire structure is topped by four small domes surrounding the famous central onion dome.

Immediately below the main dome is the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal, a tomb (false) fine workmanship, surrounded by perforated marble slabs, decorated with dozens of different semi-precious stones. Here, breaking the symmetry, is the cenotaph of Shah Jahan, who was buried by his son Aurangzeb who overthrew him in 1666. Light penetrates into the central room through carved marble screens. The real tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are in a closed room on the ground floor below the main hall. They cannot be seen.

Requiem in Marble

Mahal means "palace", but in in this case Taj Mahal - diminutive name of Mumtaz Mahal (« gem palace"), which was given to Shah Jahan's cousin when she married him. The daughter of his mother's brother, she was his constant companion long before he received the throne, and later she was the first lady among hundreds of others in his harem. During 19 years of marriage, she bore him 14 children and died giving birth to her last child in 1631.

Legend has it that Shah Jahan's beard - he was 39, just a year older than his wife - turned white virtually overnight after her death, and he continued to mourn for several years, dressing in white on each anniversary of her death. It took twelve years to build the Taj Mahal. tireless work with a Persian architect and craftsmen brought from Baghdad, Italy and France, a period which may be considered the highest expression of his grief. “The Empire has no sweetness for me now,” he wrote. “Life itself has lost all taste for me.”

Myths about the Taj Mahal

Taj - Hindu temple

A popular theory is that the Taj was actually a Shiva temple built in the 12th century. and later was transformed into the well-known Mumtaz Mahal mausoleum, owned by Purushottam Nagesh Oak. He asked to open the sealed basement rooms of the Taj to prove his theory, but in 2000. Supreme Court India rejected his request. Purushottam Nagesh also states that the Kaaba, Stonehenge and the papacy are also of Hindu origin.

Black Taj Mahal

This is the story that Shah Jahan planned to build a black marble twin of the Taj Mahal on the opposite side of the river as his own mausoleum, and this work was started by his son Aurangzeb after imprisoning his father in the Agra fort. Intensive excavations in the Mehtab Bagh area have not confirmed this assumption. No traces of construction were found.

Dismemberment of the Masters

Legend says that after the construction of the Taj was completed, Shah Jahan ordered the hands to be cut off and the eyes of the craftsmen to be gouged out so that they could never repeat it. Fortunately, this story has not found any historical confirmation.

The sinking Taj Mahal

Some experts claim that, according to some sources, the Taj Mahal is slowly leaning towards the river bed and this is caused by changes in the soil due to the gradual drying of the Yamuna River. The Archaeological Survey of India declared the existing changes in the height of the building to be minor, adding that no structural changes or damage have been found in the 70 years since the first scientific survey of the Taj Mahal was carried out in 1941.

Taj Mahal Museum

The Taj Mahal complex includes the small but wonderful Taj Museum (entrance 5 rupees; 10:00-17:00 Saturday-Thursday). It is located in the western part of the gardens. The museum houses original Mughal miniatures, a pair of ivory portraits of Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (XVII century). There are also several well-preserved gold and silver coins from the same period, architectural drawings of the Taj, and several elegant celadon plates that are rumored to shatter into pieces or change color if there was poison in the food on the plate.

The best views of the Taj Mahal

On the territory of the Taj

You will have to pay 750 rupees for the pleasure, but only inside the complex around the Taj Mahal you can fully experience all the beauty and power of the most beautiful building on earth. Be sure to pay attention to the mosaic (Pietra Dura) inside niches with arches (pishtakov) on the four outer walls. Don't forget to take a flashlight with you to better see similar patterns inside the dark central hall of the mausoleum. Pay attention to the white marble and semi-precious stones interspersed with it.

From Mehtab Bagh

Tourists are no longer allowed to walk freely along the embankment on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River, but it is still possible to admire the Taj Mahal from behind, from Mehtaba Bagh Park (XVI century) on the other side of the river. The path leading down to the river will lead you to a place where the same views can be enjoyed for free, albeit from a limited perspective.

View from the south bank of the river

This great place to watch the sunset. Follow the path that runs along the eastern wall of the Taj Mahal down to a small temple by the river. There you will find boats that you can ride on the river and enjoy even more romantic views. Expect to pay approximately 100 rupees per boat. For safety reasons, it is better not to go here alone at sunset.

From the roof of a cafe in Taj Ganj

A great option for photographing at dawn is the rooftops of a cafe in Taj Ganj. The pictures come out very beautiful. We think the rooftop cafe at Saniya Palace Hotel is the best place. The location is great, there is a lot of greenery around. But in principle such good places there are many, and they all offer as a bonus a view of the Taj Mahal, which you can admire while enjoying a cup of morning coffee.

From Agra Fort

If you have a camera with a decent lens, you can take stunning photographs of the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort, especially if you are prepared to get up at dawn and catch the moment when the sun rises from behind its walls. Perhaps, best places for filming are the Musamman Burj and Khas Mahal, the octagonal tower and palace where Shah Jahan was imprisoned and where he spent the last eight years of his life.

Information for visitors

Taj Mahal opening hours

The mausoleum is open daily from 6 am to 7 pm, except Friday (On this day it is open only to those who come to the Friday service at the mosque on the territory of the Taj Mahal).

You can also admire the Taj Mahal at moonlight– two days before and two days after the full moon, the mausoleum is open in the evening hours – from 20.30 to midnight.

Entrance

Entrance to Taj Mahal costs 750 INR (about $12), children under 15 years of age – admission is free.

Best time to visit Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is magnificent at sunrise. This is definitely best time for visiting, and there are fewer people during these hours. Sunset is another magical time to enjoy wonderful views. You can view the Taj for five nights during the full moon period. The number of entries is limited. Tickets must be purchased a day before the visit from the Archaeological Survey of India Office (12227263; www.asi.nic.in; 22 Mall; Indians/foreigners 510/750 INR). Read more on their website. Please note that this office is known as Taj Mahal Office among rickshaw drivers.

Photo and video shooting

Photo and video shooting with professional equipment is prohibited (DSLR cameras, due to their great popularity among tourists, are usually not considered professional equipment, but there may be problems if you have a very large lens). Permission to shoot with a regular camera will cost an additional 25 INR.

How to get there

The Taj Mahal is located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in the city of Agra - it is approximately 200 km away. from Delhi.

The following trains operate from Delhi to Agra:

• Shatabdi Express - leaves New Delhi Station at 6:00 am, returns at 20:40 (travel time 2 hours).
• “Taj-Express” - departs from Nizamuddin Station at 7:15, back at 18:50 (travel time 3 hours).
• In addition to them, all trains to Kolkata, Mumbai and Gwalior go through Agra.

In addition, you can get to Agra by bus (express from 3 hours), taxi (2000 INR) or by ordering group tour(from 1500 INR, including entrance fees).

From Agra itself you can get to the Taj Mahal by rickshaw or taxi.