The world is divided between those who have seen the Taj and those who have not.
Very soon, I hope to be on the side that has seen the Taj." Words said by William
Jefferson Clinton President, United States of America while addressing the Indian
Parliament on 22.03.2000 rightly defining the immense architectural and emotional
significance the Taj Mahal has, in the hearts of people around the world.
Taj Mahal : Completed in 1653 A.D., The Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his favourite Queen, Mumtaz.
Finished in by Marvel, it is perhaps India most fascinating and beautiful monument.
This perfectly symmetrical monuments took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, Masons and Jewellers to built and is set amidst landscaped gardens.
Built by the Persian architect, Ustad Isa, The Taj Mahal the bank of the Yamuna river.
It can be observed like a Mirage from the Agra Fort from where Emperor Shah Jahan stared at it, for the last eight years his life as a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb.
It is a masterpiece of symmetry, Seeming to be floating in the air from a distance, and each revealed as an illusion experienced as one enters through the main gate.
Taj Mahal, Agra TourThe verses of Holy Koran as inscribed on it and at the top of gate 22 small domes, signifying the number of years the monument took to built.
The Taj Mahal has been built on a Marvel Plateform that stands above a standstone one. The most elegant dome of the Taj, with diameter of 60 feets, rises 80 feets, over the building and directly under the dome is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan's tomb has been irected next to her's by his son Aurangzeb. Fantastic inley works using semi-precious stones decorate and interiors.
Agra Fort : The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 A.D.,
although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shah Jahan.
The forbidding exteriors of this fort hight an inner pardise. The fort is crescent shaped, flattended on the east with a long,
nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 k.m., and is ringed by
double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9 mt. wide and 10 mt. deep moat surround the outer wall.
There are number of exquisite building like the Moti Masjid-a white marvel mosque akin to a perfect pearl,
Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khaas, Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Shish Mahal and Musamman or Samman Burj-where Shahjahan was held captive in 1666 A.D.
Itmad - Ud Daula : To the
north of the fort and across the river Yamuna are several fine examples of Mughal
architecture. The Itmad -Ud -Daula as a by the Empress Noor Jehan as a memorial
to her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg , is beautifully ornamented with pietra dura inlay
and lattice work marble screens.
Chini Ka Roza : The tomb of
Afzal Khan, the persian poet and minister at Shah Jehan's court gets its name from
the brightly coloured glazed tiles that decorate it . Lies just 1km beyond itmad
-ud -daula.
Sikandara Fort : Welcome to Sikandra, a suburb of Agra, only 13 km. From the Agra Fort. The
last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal
emperors and one of the most secular minded royalties of his time. He was the heir
to a long tradition of oriental refinement, a great patron of the arts, literature,
philosophy and science. A visit to Akbar's monument opens before one, the completeness
of Akbar's personality as completely as the Taj Mahal does of Mumtaz Mahal's.
Fatehpur Sikri : Imposing
gateways and light- hearted palaces were built in red sandstone within this fortified
city only to be abandoned a few years later. Among its many architectural game are
the places for his queens - Jodha Bai, Mariyam and his Turkish sultana, built in
varying styles, each perfect in itself.
The Diwan-e-Khas entirely unique
in its concept is a tall vaulted room with an intricately carved central pillar
and capital supporting a platform that once held the emperor's throne. Narrow galleries
link this to the corners of the room where it is believed his ministers sat The
airy panch mahal a 5 storied structure rising in pyramidal fashion was probably
used by the ladies of the court. Set like a jewel in a courtyard of pink sandstone
is the finest building here, the marble tomb of Salim Chisti enclosed by finely
carved, lacy marble screens. The Buland Darwaza, an imposing gateway 54 m high was
built to commemorate Akbar's Aligarh the famous university town is a center of Islamic
studies. The city is also noted for its handicrafts and metal ware.
Taj Mahotsav :
Come February, and it's springtime. The time of the year when nature dawns
all its colourful splendour and Agra bursts into colourful celebrations. For 10
days there is sheer celebration of U.P.'s rich heritage of arts, crafts, culture,
cuisine, dance and music. Yes, it is Taj Mahotsav time again. There are festivities
all around and Agra truly puts on the colours of joy and gets transformed into one
non-stop carnival. Organised by U.P. Tourism and held as an annual event at Shilpgram,
literally next door to the Taj Mahal, the Taj Mahotsav is indeed a fitting tribute
to the legendary skills of mastercraftsman and other exponents of art, music and
cuisine. Not only this, it is also a gentle peep into the rich heritage and extraordinary
legacies of this wounderful land. The festivities commence with a spectacular procession
inspired by mughal splendour. Bedecked elephanbts and camels, drum beaters, folk
artistes and mastercraftsmen... all help recreate a visual delight reminiscent of
the golden era of the Mughal Darbars.
Radha Swami Samadhi :
This is the head quarter of Radhaswami religion, here the holy ashes of
the founder of the faith have been preserved. On the sprawing lawns here, is a beautiful
marvel temple with beautiful carving of fruits, flowers, leavesand plants which
have been reduced into stone true to nature, and are distinctive speciments of the
plastic arts. This is under construction for almost 100 years.
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