The famous Taj Mahal monument is located in the city of Agra in India. It was built by the emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Few know that beyond the imposing appearance, the monument “hides” a touching love story.
The construction of the building began in 1630 and lasted until 1653. In 1983 the monument became part of the UNESCO world heritage and is currently one of the most famous and most visited monuments in the world.
Taj Mahal is a marvel of architecture, of symmetry and details, a symbol of passion and love that defies the passing of time.
Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to her 14th child in 1631. It is said that the emperor was so devastated that his hair has whitened overnight and, desperate for her death, he established a council of the best architects to build the mausoleum.
Before she died, Mumtaz asked her husband to build her a tomb, but he built the Paradise as described in the Quran: a lush garden, split into symmetric water canals and surrounded by a wall. Taj Mahal becomes also a symbol of the reward that the religious receives after death.
Construction of the monument lasted 22 years and needed 20,000 people to complete it. Most of the workers were brought especially from India and Central Asia. Were brought also specialists from Europe to work the marble and to make impressive decorations encrusted with precious stones.
All these transform the mausoleum into a real jewel that changes color from hour to hour and from season to season, so it never looks the same. If in the full moon evenings the marble and precious stones make it glow, at sunrise the entire place has a pink color, and white-yellow in the evening. In fact, they say that the change of color symbolizes the mood of women.
If you come to Agra, you must visit the famous monument. But you must prepare yourself morally because the entrance to the monument is a long process. Before you get there, expect to be stopped by many merchants trying to sell you souvenirs.
Entry to the monument cost 750 rupees per person. At the entrance you will have to leave your personal items in a cupboard. You are allowed to enter the monument only with a bottle of water, the camera and pocket money. Moreover, men and women stay at different lines to be searched, which can take a long time.
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