Left, floral etchings on marble; below, one of the 4 arches, with Koranic verses which are so etched (see the pic.) that, to a reader below, the size of the letters appear same! 
Below right, a miniature showing Shah Jehan and Mumtaj Mahal. Below, the Taj view from the Agra Fort across the Yamuna river.
Although the Taj Mahal, a labour of love, was the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's eternal tribut
e to his favourite wife and only true love, Mumtaj Mahal, the outlying area bordering the huge park, fronting the monument, also served as the burial place for Shah Jehan's other wives.
Although the Taj Mahal, a labour of love, was the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's eternal tribut
e to his favourite wife and only true love, Mumtaj Mahal, the outlying area bordering the huge park, fronting the monument, also served as the burial place for Shah Jehan's other wives. This is not to belittle this great and romantic Emperor for the love he held for his beloved Mumtaj Mahal, it is that this post will serve to correct the impression and the Taj is, besides these two royals, the burial place of his other wives as well.
When I first came accross these details in the guide book available at the outer car-park west of the Taj area, I was also surprised and wondered this great Emperor had other wives.However on reflection, one realises that the traditions and social practices of those times it was just natural to have more than one wife, and Shah Jehan would be no exception.In fact, Mumtaj Mahal was his third wife. But she was his constant companion and confidante and even advised him on all court and political matters.Soon after her untimely death, during delivery of their fourteenth child, Shah Jehan was so uncontrollably grief stricken that he emerged from a few days of seclusion with his hair and beard fully white and looking years older.............
More details about the Taj: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal
hotels: http://www.planetholiday.com/hotels/asia/india/agra.html
I recommend, if you have the time, go shopping for those superb intricately carved round marble slabs inlaid with stones.......or similar wood carved pieces, these can serve as a lavish table top or show-piece in your home. Please bargain the price!!! (check your luggage limits-air travellers- before buying the marble pieces.) Tell your guide to take you to the best shops for these, and the best confectionery/mithai shops for Agra Petha , a very delicious sweet. Please be sure you know beforehand the weekly day the Taj is closed for maintenance. The usual electricity outages/blackouts can occur late evening , so carry a torch with you.
I recommend, if you have the time, go shopping for those superb intricately carved round marble slabs inlaid with stones.......or similar wood carved pieces, these can serve as a lavish table top or show-piece in your home. Please bargain the price!!! (check your luggage limits-air travellers- before buying the marble pieces.) Tell your guide to take you to the best shops for these, and the best confectionery/mithai shops for Agra Petha , a very delicious sweet. Please be sure you know beforehand the weekly day the Taj is closed for maintenance. The usual electricity outages/blackouts can occur late evening , so carry a torch with you.
2 comments:
Humm...very interesting. I have always wanted to visit the Taj Mahal. Seen a lot of really beautiful pictures. Now I have more information to rely on. I can't wait for my next holiday. Nice blog by the way. will add it to my favourites.
hi tairebabs,
thanks; the first glimpse of the Taj is so stunning.....watch out!! Make sure you visit the Taj early morning, check out the opening hours with your hotel reception.... later in the day increasing numbers create long queues; and kids like to try out the natural echo effects in the central chamber by clapping or trying out their vocal chords!!!
geveN
Post a Comment