In the year 1607 when a prince of the royal Mughal household
strolled down the Meena Bazaar, accompanied by a string of fawning
courtiers, he caught a glimpse of a girl hawking silk and glass
beads. Five years and a wife later (in those days princes did not
marry for love alone) the regal 20-yr-old went to wed his
19-yr-old bride. It was a fairytale union from the start, one that
withstood court intrigues, battles for succession and finally, the
grand coronation. And when she died on the 19th year of their
marriage, he etched her story in stone. The Taj Mahal is the
living symbol of the monumental passion of Shah Jahan and Arjumand
Banu. Which other love story has so grand a memorial?
Agra, The
Chosen City for Taj Mahal
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 pavillions of gem-inlaid white marble. Agra
is globally renown as the city of the Taj Mahal, a monument of
love and imagination, that represents India to the world.
History of
Taj Mahal India
The origin of the name the "Taj Mahal" is not clear. Court
histories from Shah Jehan's reign only call it the rauza (tomb) of
Mumtaz Mahal. It is generally believed that "Taj Mahal" (usually
translated as either "Crown Palace" or "Crown of the Palace") is
an abbreviated version of her name, Mumtaz Mahal (Exalted One of
the Palace).
The Taj Mahal is a deserving resting palace for an Emperor's
Empress. It stands on the banks of the river Yamuna, which
otherwise serves as a wide moat defending the Great Red Fort of
Agra, the center of the Mughal emperors until they moved their
capital to Delhi in 1637. It was built by the fifth Mughal
emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz
Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her
husband in Burhanpur in a campaign to crush a rebellion after
giving birth to their 14th child.
MUMTAZ MAHAL - "Build me a Taj"
As Mumtaz Mahal lay dying, she asked four promises from the
emperor: first - that he build the Taj, second - that he should
marry again, third - that he be kind to their children, and fourth
- that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the
first and second promises. Construction began in 1631 and was
completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to
work on it. The principal architect was the Iranian architect
Istad Usa; it is possible that the pietra dura work was
coordinated by an Italian artist.
TAJ MAHAL - Wonder of the World
To people the world over, the Taj Mahal, mausoleum of Mughal
Emperor shah Jana's chief wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is synonymous with
India. Its curving, gently swelling dome and the square base upon
which its rests so lightly is a familiar image from hundreds of
brochures and travel books. The Taj is undoubtedly one of the most
spectacular buildings of the world. Renowned for its architectural
magnificence and aesthetic beauty, it counts among man's proudest
creations and is invariably included in the list of the world's
foremost wonders. As a tomb, it has no match upon earth, for
mortal remains have never been housed in greater grandeur.
Full Moon at Taj:
1 - The Supreme
Court has now permitted visit to Tajmahal by moonlight.
2 - The Tajmahal by
moonlight shall be open on Full moon day and 2 days before and 2 days
after the full moon.
3 - On every
Friday, it shall remain closed. (even for moonlight visit it shall
remain closed on Friday).
4 - The full moon
dates are given below.
5 - The entrance
tickets presently are as follows:
Adult
Foreigners - Rs.750/- +
Service Charge
Indians - Rs.510/- +
Service Charge
Children : 3 to 5 years
Foreigners - Rs.500/- +
Service Charge
Indians - Rs.500/- +
Service Charge
6 - The timings are 2030 to 2400 hours.
7 - Tajmahal for moonlight visits shall NOT be
open to visitors during the month of RAMZAN.
For Foreigners following required to obtain permit:
Name, Sex, Passport Number. Age, Nationality.
Full Moon Dates :
| ----- |
2006 |
2007 |
|
January |
3 |
22 |
|
February |
2 |
21 |
|
March |
3 |
21 |
|
April |
2 |
20 |
| May |
2,
31 |
20 |
| June |
30 |
18 |
| July |
30 |
18 |
|
August |
28 |
16 |
|
September |
26 |
15 |
|
October |
26 |
14 |
|
November |
24 |
13 |
|
December |
24 |
12 |
