India guide 1

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DANIEL MCCROHAN

DANIEL MCCROHAN

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This stunning screen was carved out of a single piece of marble. It surrounds both cenotaphs, allowing patterned light to fall onto them through its intricately carved jali (latticework).

Central Dome

The Taj’s famous central dome, topped by a brass Ànial, represents the vault of heaven, a stark contrast to the material world, which is represented by the square shape of the main structure.

SIG H T SPR &ADESH AC T I V I TAG UT TAR S I EGRSHAT S & AC T I V I T I E S

Filigree Screen

Yamuna River

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Pietra Dura

It’s believed that 35 diՖerent precious and semiprecious stones were used to create the exquisite pietra dura (marble inlay work) found on the inside and outside of the mausoleum walls. Again, Áoral designs are common.

Calligraphy C alligraph

The strips of ca calligraphy surrounding each of the four pishtaqs gget larger as they get higher, giving the impression of uniform size when viewed from the ground. Th There's also calligraphy inside the mausoleum, includ including on Mumtaz Mahal’s cenotaph.

Cenotaphs

DANIEL MCCROHAN

DANIEL MCCROHAN

The cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan, decorated with pietra dura inlay work, are actually fake tombs. The real ones are located in an underground vault closed to the public.

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