 |
|
| | Incredible
Tourism India... | | |  |
 |
|
|
| Kerala, God's Own Country... |
| | |
 |
|
|
| Enjoy Your Stay in India... |
| | |
 |
|
| | Find Flora &
Fauna of India... | | | |
 |
|
|
| Royal Coaches of Maharajas... |
| | |
 |
|
|
| Romantic Experience of Life... |
| | |
 |
|
|
| Taj Mahal Seven Wonder... | |
| |
 |
|
|
| Enjoy Luxury Stay in India... |
| | |
| | Home
» Taj Mahal Tourism » Taj Mahal Architecture
Taj Mahal Architecture |
 |
TAJ MAHAL - THE MAUSOLEUM
The central path within the
garden leads you to the Taj Mahal, which is placed on a high plinth (platform).
The plinth is 6.7 m (21.98 ft) high and covers an area of 95 sq m (1,022.57 square
feet). A double staircase facing the entrance to the tomb is the only way, which
takes you on top of it. This plinth or pedestal is an ideal place from where you
can have a panoramic view of the surroundings, which includes the lush green Charbagh
in the front and the riverfront at the backside. From here, you can also admire
the white towering structure of the Taj.
There are four elegant tapering
minarets, one on each corner of the plinth. Each of the minarets is 41.6 m (136.48
ft) high and is capped by a small cupola. The minarets, not only balance the main
structure of the mausoleum, but are also placed in such a way that in case of
a mishap, they do not fall over the main edifice. Each pillar has a letter written
on it, which put together spell the word ar-rahman (all merciful) - one of the
many names of Allah.
The main structure of the Taj Mahal is square and
is beveled at its corners. Each side of the Taj Mahal is 56.6 m (185.69 ft) long.
On each facade arched recesses arranged in two stories flank a high iwan in the
center. The top border of the iwan on each side rises higher than the rest of
façade, thus concealing the neck of the dome behind it.
A central
bulbous dome crowns the magnificent structure. This dome is further surrounded
by four chhatris (domed canopy, supported by pillars/cupola). Each of which is
topped by a small finial. The dome is an important component of the Islamic style
of architecture, as it is believed to be a link between heaven and earth. While
the square structure of the edifice represents the material world, the dome symbolizes
the vault of heaven. The octagonal part symbolizes the transitional phase between
heaven and earth. The dome is topped by a brass finial, whose tip rises to a height
of 73 m above the ground. Above the finial is the realm of transcendence. The
entire structure of the dome is designed as a replica of God’s throne in
paradise, where a gigantic pearl dome stands supported by four corner pillars.
According to Islam the rivers of grace flow through this dome. The outer walls
of the Taj Mahal are decorated in a number of places with shallow marble carving
apart from the elegant pietra dura work, which can be seen near arched recesses
and borders.
The entrance to the tomb leads you to the central hall,
which houses the false tombs and has four small octagonal halls, grouped around
it. The original graves are located in a crypt, which is directly below the central
hall. The four smaller rooms were originally created for housing the graves of
other members of the royal family. The tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, in whose honor the
Taj Mahal was built, lies directly below the dome. The tomb is placed in such
a manner that it is in direct alignment with the main entrance. The tomb of Shahjahan
is much larger and is placed next to that of his beloved queen.
The
tombs are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. Apart from
unexcelled inlay work the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal is inscribed by 99 different names
of Allah. It is said that the royal graves once laid inside a gem encrusted gold
railing, which was later removed and replaced by an octagonal, all marble lattice
(jali-perforated screen) screen of the most exquisite craftsmanship. Delicate
inlay work can be seen on the surface of the screen. The floral decorations on
the screen are amazing. Some flowers created on the screen are made up of as many
as 64 pieces. The different sections of the screen are carved out of a single
piece of marble. Various sections of the screen are joined together with gilded
fasteners and the entrance is fashioned out of jasper, in the Turkish style.
Apart from the decorations on the tombs and the intricately carved out marble
screen in the central hall, the outer walls of the Taj are decorated with low
relief marble carving of sheer elegance. But it is the pietra dura or inlay work
on the interior of the Taj as well as on its exteriors that is beyond compare.
Its beauty, intricacy, flowing lines and floral patterns, belie the fact that
all of it had been achieved by the extremely slow and painstaking process involving
the use of the chisel on the hard surface of the marble. There is pietra dura
work everywhere in the Taj-on the tombs, on the cenotaph and on the main edifice.
It is said that as many as 35 different types of precious and semi-precious stones
were used in the inlay work done on the Taj. Turquoise, jade, agate, coral, lapis
lazuli, onyx, bloodstone, carnelian, jasper, garnet and malachite were used to
decorate flowers like lily and honeysuckle. Carnelian and lapis lazuli were preferred
for their color and luminosity. Today much is left to imagination as much of the
inlay work has been stripped of its precious and semi-precious stones by plunderers
down the years.
Prudent Networks offers online reservation for Taj Mahal Tour, India. For
details please fill up the Enquiry Form provided below.
|
| | India is a land rich
in monumental
heritage. The monuments of India
not only showcase the
breathtaking architec... | |
|  |
| | | |
>> 
