Taj Mahal Inside

The real Taj Mahal consists of the mausoleum that is situated approximately 900 feet (275 m) away from the main entrance. Standing at the opposite end of the magnificent Taj gardens, it rises to a height of almost 200 feet (76m). At the lowest level of the Taj is a red sandstone platform that was built to level the land. Above that is the marble podium that serves as the base of the mausoleum. On the corners of the marble platform are four minarets that are almost 138 ft high and capped with eight windowed cupolas.

As far as the view inside the Taj Mahal is concerned, it is as magnificent as its exterior. All the porticos of the tomb consist of huge iwans (a sort of arched gateways) that are adorned with exquisite calligraphy. The angles of the tomb consist of semi-octagonal arched alcoves of equal size. Attached pilasters rising from the base of the tomb demark each of the porticos, on both the sides. These pilasters rise above the fresco and are topped with beautiful pinnacles with lotus buds and finials.

As we move further to get Taj Mahal inside look, we will come across an elevated central chamber, a crypt immediately below this and four octagonal corner rooms. These rooms were initially meant to house the graves of the other members of the royal family. In the central chamber is placed the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal and that of Shah Jahan, to the left and a little higher than hers. Both the cenotaphs are inscribed in Persian and that of Mumtaz Mahal even has texts from the Koran.

Interiors of the Taj Mahal of Agra also boast of a Cairene lamp above the tombs. The flame that burns in that lamp is supposed to never burn out. The, there are perforated marble screens surrounding the tombs that are inlaid with semiprecious stones. One thing is for sure that if you visit Taj Mahal once, its memories will remain etched in your memory forever.

THE TAJ

ताज महल تاج محل , at Agra, one of the 7 wonders of the world is undoubtedly the finest achievement & the most exquisite of all Moghul buildings. In its flawless beauty it ranks among the most perfect monuments in the world. It was erected by Shah Jahan to the memory of his beloved queen, Arjumand Banu Begum, called Mumtaz Mahal ( exalted of the palace ). A year after her death in 1631 he began the Taj & it took twenty-two years to complete. The Taj Mahal stands in a walled enclosure measuring around 580x305m. The red sandstone gateway at the south leads to a spacious ornamental garden(305sq m). Near the river Jamuna on the northern side of the enclosure, a low red stone terrace extends from one end of the wall to the other, terminating on both sides in a red standstone building. That on the west is a mosque, & the eastern one-its jawab (answer) - serves as mihman-khana (guest house) or as majlis khana (assembly hall).

In the centre, on a white marble platform almost seven metres high, is the rauza in glittering white marble, with four minarests at the corners of the plinth. The bevelled angles give this cubicle structure the shape of an irregular octagon. The elevation, equal on all four sides, is typically Islamic in design.

The greatest elegance of the Taj lies in its beautiful white marble dome surrounded by four chatris (smaller domed pavilions). The dome rests on a low drum. Lotus petals encircle its restricted base. It curves up gently to the pointed top, covered with radiating petals. While the dome reveals Persian influence, the four chatris are purely Indian.

Delicacy & grace characterise the beauty of the Taj. The white marble from the Makrana quarries has a texture of the finest quality. It shows subtle variations in colour with every change of light; dazzling white in the noonday sunshine, tinted pale rose at sunset, & gleaming like a pearl in the moonlight.

Light & shade are cleverly arranged. There are no outstanding parts producing sharp contrasts of light & shadow; the shadows are soft & delicate. The arched recess of doors & windows are just deep enough to bring out their pointed shape. This softness of shadows is oneof the great charms of the Taj. The lovely tomb building together with the four minarets, detatched from it yet united by means of the common platform, form a harmonious open design. The setting too fits such a lovely masterpiece.

A pair of buildings in red sandstone flank the glittering white edifice. Before it
lies a spacious garden laid out in a conventional plan, forming a carpet of green lawns & flower beds as well as of strems, fountains & lotus pools whose clear waters mirror the beauty of the Taj. The contrast of the dark green trees & red sandstone buildings enhances its white loveliness all the more.