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Taj Mahal Agra, India Tajganj
As a tribute to a beautiful woman and as a monument for enduring love!
Located at the city of Agra in the State of Uttar Pradesh, situated about 200 km south of New Delhi...the Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful masterpieces of architecture in the world. Its curving, gently swelling dome and the square base upon which its rests so lightly is a familiar image from hundreds of brochures and travel books. The Taj is renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty, it counts among man's proudest creations and is invariably included in the list of the world's foremost wonders. As a tomb, it has no match upon earth, for mortal remains have never been housed in greater grandeur.
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If there is a building which represents a country, then it has to be the Taj Mahal for India. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, it is often referred to as the most extravagant monument ever built for love.
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Agra, once the capital of the Mughal Empire during the 16th and early 18th centuries, is where Taj Mahal, India's most famous architectural wonder is situated. This is the land where magnificent temples and edificies abound to remind visitors about the rich civilization of India.
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Taj is best described by the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor's love wrought in living stones." It is a celebration of woman built in marble and that's the way to appreciate it.
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An ancedot says Taj Mahal was built over a period of twenty two years, however the fact is that, Taj took only eleven years to complete (1632-1643). Probably the legend of 22 years originated from a statement to the same effect. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The architect of the Taj Mahal was Ustad Ahmad, a native of Lahore who was awarded the title of "Nadir-ul Asr" (Wonder of the Age) by Shah Jahan.
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Different people have different views of the Taj but it would be enough to say that the Taj has a life of its own that leaps out of marble, provided you understand that it is a monument of love.As an architectural masterpiece, nothing could be added or substracted from it.
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Taj Mahal stands on the bank of River Yamuna, which otherwise serves as a wide moat defending the Great Red Fort of Agra, the center of the Mughal emperors until they moved their capital to Delhi in 1637. It was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Burhanpur in a campaign to crush a rebellion after giving birth to their 14th child. The death so crushed the emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months.
The unique mughal style combines elements of Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic architecture. Most impressive are the black and white chessboard marble floor, the four tall minarets at the corners of the structure, and the majestic dome in the middle. The impressive pietra dura artwork includes geometric elements, plants and flowers, mostly common in Islamic architecture. The level of sophistication in artwork becomes obvious when one realizes that a 3 cm decorative element contains more than 50 inlaid gemstones.
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Taj Mahal Map
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Agra, India Travel Information
Tajganj, Agra - The city of Taj Mahal. Located at a distance of 200 kms from Delhi, 236 km from Jaipur, 60 km from Bharatpur, 58 km from Mathura, 118 km from Gwalior.
How to Get There?
Air: (Kheria Airport - 9 Kms) Daily Air services connects Agra to Delhi.
Rail: Agra is on the main Delhi to Bombay broad gauge railway line, and is linked to Delhi by Shatabdi (2 hrs), Taj Express (3 hrs), Intercity Express (3 hrs). Shatabdi also links Agra to Gwalior, Jhansi & Bhopal.
Road: Regular service of A/c and Deluxe coaches from Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Bikaner, Gwalior.
Other Information
From Sunrise to Sunset
Closed on Friday except between 12:00 -14:00 Hrs. for offering prayers.
Taj Mahal Visitors Fees
For Indians above 15 years : Rs. 10/- per head
For Others above 15 years US$ 5 or corresponding to Rs. 250/- per head
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Agra, India New Delhi Weather
The temperature rises to oppressive levels during the Hot Season, Daytime temperatures can reach the 40's(C) and night time temperatures can remain in the high 20's(C). Pollution levels can also be alarmingly high during this time.
The Monsoon Season can begin as early as late June but generally the effects are not felt until mid July. Rain tends to be intermittent but torrential. An umbrella is essential if travelling at this time as waterproofs would be too hot.
Best time to visit: During the Cool Season as days are warm, dry and pleasant, however nights can be surprisingly cold and temperatures can drop below 10 (C) take a few extra layers to pile on after the sun goes down.
Agra, India Weather forecast
New Delhi, India Weather forecast
Agra, India Hotels
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