Involvement of 22, 000
workers including masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters,
calligraphers, dome-builders and other artisans called on from all over the
central Asia and Iran, and some 22 years later when a monument with a unique
blend of Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural styles came into its own,
it was a sight to behold! The grandeur of the structure then created was such
that even decades after its creation, it is still regarded as one of the most
arresting and attention-grabbing manmade monuments of the world. Not just Taj,
even structures alongside it add to the architectural beauty and artistic
wonder of the place. The entire Taj complex consists of five major
constituents, namely Darwaza (main gateway), Bageecha (gardens), Masjid
(mosque), Naqqar Khana (rest house) and Rauza (main mausoleum).
The Taj Mahal covers an
area of 42 acres in total with the terrain gradually sloping from south to
north, towards the river Yamuna in the form of descending terraces. The main
gateway situated at the end of the long watercourse, decorated in calligraphy
with verses from Holy Quran and a domed central chamber, was constructed from
the period 1932 to 1938. The original door of this massive sandstone gateway
was made out of solid silver. It was constructed to serve the function of
preventing the people from getting any glimpse of the tomb until they are right
in the doorway itself. With a vertical symmetry, the main gateway of Taj Mahal
stands bordered with Arabic calligraphy of verses from the Quran, made up of
black stone.
The main tomb of Taj
Mahal stands on a square platform that was raised 50 meter above the riverbank
and was leveled with dirt to reduce seepage from the river. The four minarets
on each corner of this square are detached, facing the chamfered angles of the
main and are deliberately kept at 137 feet to emphasize the beautiful and
spherical dome that itself is 58 feet in diameter and 81 feet high. The western
side of the main tomb has the mosque and on the eastern side is the Naqqar
Khana (rest/guest house), both made in red sandstone. The two structures not
only provide an architectural symmetry, but also make for an aesthetic color
contrast. One can only marvel at the mosque and the rest house as despite being
on the opposite ends, the two are mirror image of each other.
Out of the total area
of 580 meter by 300 meter, the garden alone covers 300 meter by 300 meter. The
immaculate symmetry with which this garden has been laid out can be experienced
everywhere. The Islamic style architecture of this garden also has a well
defined meaning that symbolizes spirituality and according to the Holy Quran,
the lush green, well watered is a symbol of Paradise in Islam. The raised
pathways divide each of the four quarters into 16 flowerbeds with around 400
plants in each bed. Even today, the garden boasts of being a tranquil and
soothing region in the entire complex and is considered best place for taking
snaps of the main tomb.
A shadowy burial crypt
inside the Taj Mahal houses the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan himself,
who was buried there after he died. Above these tombs is the main chamber that
has the false tombs and perforated marble screens have been used to transmit
light into the burial chamber, typical of mausoleums of the Mughals.
Semi-precious stones are exquisitely inlaid in both the tombs. Calligraphic
inscriptions of the ninety nine names of Allah can also be found on the sides
of actual tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj has some wonderful specimens of
polychrome inlay art both in the interior and exterior on the dados, on cenotaphs
and on the marble jhajjhari (jali-screen) around them. Shah Jahan's tomb, which
lies next to that of Mumtaz Mahal, was never planned and deranges the otherwise
perfect symmetry of the Taj.
Veerapagupathy,
Chothavilai Beach,
Thengamputhoor,
Kanyakumari.
Ph: 04652-221337
Cell: 8220099080
Email: aveholidayhome@gmail.com
Website:www.aveholiday.com
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