The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal Taj is one of the very famous and beautiful buildings on the planet.

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built Taj in memory of his third spouse, Mumtaz Mahal. In 1631, Mumtaz Mahal, died through the birth of their 14th child, Gauhara Begum, when Shah Jahan was with an expedition south and, like always, Mumtaz Mahal accompanied him. When Mumtaz Mahal died, she was just 39 years of age. She was the emperor's beloved spouse and also Shah Jahan's trusted companion, traveling with him all around the Mughal Empire.

Shah Jahan in the beginning known as Prince Khurram met Persian Princes 'Arjumand Banu' and fell deeply in love with her. After five years, in 1612, they got married. In 1628, Shah Jahan became king, and he gave her title 'Mumtaj Mahal' meaning 'Jewel of Palace'.

On the death of Mumtaz, the Emperor was so heartbroken to the point that he requested the court into mourning for just two years. After her death, Shah Jahan made a decision to erect the world's most beautiful monument in the memory of his beloved. Before she passed, she had her husband promise to construct something unique in her memory.

Taj Mahal stands in the populous city of Agra, in the north-Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. It took 22 years and the labor of 22,000 personnel to create the monument, which is also reported to be the last wish of Mumtaz Mahal.

Built as the best expression of love, Taj remained a fascination for most poets and lovers. Here are the lines, from an exceptionally lovely melody composed by Shakeel Badayuni in Hindi: "Ek Shahanshah Ne Banavaa Saarii Duniyaa Ko Muhabbat

Ke Kii

Hasin Taj Mahal Nishaanii Dii Hai"

(By developing the Taj, the Ruler has given the entire world a token of love) Rabindranath Tagore described Taj as "a teardrop on the cheeks of time".

It's best described by the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor's love wrought in living stones."

This is situated in Agra, after the capital of the Mughal Empire during 16th and early 18th century, Taj is the center of pilgrimage. Tourists from all around the world visit Agra to see Taj. It really is 125 km in the south of New Delhi, the capital of India.

The truly tragic part of the love story is based on the final years of Shah Jahan. When he was 65, his child Aurangzeb detained him at Red Fort in Agra and turned into the successor to the throne. While he was in prison, he somehow was able to see Taj from the grill of prison. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains Taj attracts you to observe the ultimate beauty outlined in stones. A green carpet of garden runs from the key gate to the base of the Taj Mahal. It is based on the Holy Kuran, a garden is symbolic of paradise.

Very interestingly, Taj noticeable change colors with changing daylight.

It is created to reflect the sky so that it is pinkish each day, milky white at night and golden by moonlight. As your day turns to night and the sun completes its journey and moon involves heal the entire world. You may even forget to breathe or blink, wondering it to be real or some illusion.

Changing colors of Taj are thought to signify the changing moods of a female. Impressed by the flawless beauty of Taj, I would like to visit Taj over and over again.

Reference: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Taj-Mahal&id=9474214