ID :
285326
Tue, 05/14/2013 - 10:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/285326
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Taj Mahal, A Love Story Cast In Marble
By Ravichandran D.J Paul
AGRA (India), May 14 (Bernama) -- It was a cold winter morning in New Delhi
as the coaster made its way to one of the wonders of the world, the majestic Taj
Mahal in Agra.
As for this writer, after years of watching Taj Mahal in documentaries and
movies, and reading numerous times how the greatest Mughal monument immortalised
an emperor's love for his wife, stepping into the marble mausoleum was a
momentous occasion.
Throughout the three hour journey from New Delhi to Agra, along the Yamuna
Expressway, India's modern marvel, the view of the vast plains and wheat farms
dominated the landscape.
On both sides of the highway, farmers and villagers were seen plying the
dirt roads running parallel to the highway on oxen carts and camels, a wonderful
spectacle of both modern and old India.
THE FIRST SIGHT OF THE TAJ MAHAL
The coaster exited the highway and continued its journey to the town of
Agra. Crossing the bridge that spanned across the vast Yamuna, the biggest
tributary of the holy river Ganges, proved to be an exhilarating experience,
thanks to the colourful traffic - bullocarts, cyclists, pedestrians,
three-wheelers, cars and trucks - and the accompanying cacophony.
At the town of Agra, again the sight of old and new India greet visitors. As
more than eight million tourists flock to Taj Mahal each year, Agra also boasts
for modern hotels and fast food chains.
As soon as the coaster passed the Agra Fort, for the first time the view of
Taj Mahal appeared in the distance. Inside the coaster, the euphoria was obvious
with fingers pointing in that direction and the cameras clicking non-stop.
The coaster's journey ended at the tourist centre, located about 1km away
from the gates of the monument, the last stop where any motorised vehicles are
allowed.
From here, our assigned guide Ramesh Deewan took us on the electric buggy to
the mausoleum’s entrance.
THE TAJ MAHAL
Ramesh, born and bred in Agra, speaks English fluently with an American
accent. He has also mastered French from the hundreds of foreign tourist who
arrive here each day.
As the group arrived at the East Gate, there was no sign of the Taj Mahal
revealing itself to the eager visitor with the perimeter wall and the impressive
regal red sandstone Royal Entrance concealing the monument.
The first glimpse of Taj Mahal appears when one walks into the Royal
Entrance, where the panorama of the long courtyard and fountains with the white
marble mausoleum at the end comes into full view.
Like described by Ramesh, the white marble domes and minarets appear like a
painting in the sky with the clear blue sky on that day serving as the backdrop.
Truly a sight to behold.
Looking at the crowds on that day, numbering at thousands, and their
nationalities, it dawned upon me that Taj Mahal certainly has a strong following
from all corners of the world.
A LOVE IMMORTALISED
"Taj in the Mughal language means crown and Mahal means palace," said Ramesh
of the magnificent monument completed in 1653.
"A love immortalised in marble and precious stones by Shah Jahan Khurram for
his consort Arjuman Banu Begum (a.k.a Mumtaz Mahal)," added Ramesh.
Taj Mahal is literally built around Mumtaz's sarcophagus with the
mausoleum’s design emphasising on symmetries and mirror images, therefore they
appear the same when viewed from any angle.
Ramesh went into the many amazing architectural details of the monument
including the fact it is solely made from marble without any wood or steel
reinforcement.
The non-porous white marble found in Rajasthan was the choice for the
builders as it does not stain and is harder than iron. But how did the artisans
cut and carved these hard marble to such fine details with primitive tools?
The intricate and colourful designs on the marble walls are actually made of
precious stones - carnelian (brownish-red), lapis lazuli (blue), black onyx and
jasper (cyan) - embedded on the marble. Also, there were intricate floral
designs carved into the marble.
Also adorning the facade walls are the Islamic calligraphy praising Allah, a
statement of Shah Jahan's devotion to Islam as well.
A DIFFERENT STORY FROM INSIDE
Walking on the marble floor, I found it hard to believe it is the same floor
that Shah Jahan had walked on, probably while admiring his creation and
remisnicing his beloved late wife.
While Taj Mahal looks huge from outside, its main chamber within appears
rather small due to the double layer marble walls and the brilliant optical
illusion outside created by its designers.
Visitors were only allowed to see the false sarcophagi of Mumtaz and Shah
Jahan. The real tombs are located at the enclosed chamber below.
There are two red sandstone buildings flanking Taj Mahal, at the left is the
Khan-e-Alam that now functions as a mosque and at the right hand side is
Jamat-Khanna that once served as a rest house for nobility. Right behind Taj
Mahal is the silted Yamuna river.
SHAH JAHAN'S ETERNAL MAGIC
Shah Jahan was the fifth great Mughal ruler after Babur, Humayun, Akbar, and
Jahangir to leave behind monuments that now regarded as the glory of India and a
magnet for tourists.
While most of his monuments reflected the crowning glory of a ruler, Taj
Mahal is something different as it stood for the eternal love between Shah Jahan
and his third wife Mumtaz Mahal.
While Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are resting in eternal peace in their
magnificent mausoleum, their love story has touched the hearts of many as
witnessed by this writer at the Taj Mahal's grounds.
At Taj Mahal couples could be seen hugging each other, some especially
ladies can be seen weeping and the rest stood awed by Taj Mahal's splendour.
This writer left Taj Mahal with a heavy heart and is certain to return to
learn more of the magic of Taj Mahal and the surrounding Moghul monuments.
Not everyone can build a Taj Mahal for their loved ones, even Shah Jahan
almost bankrupted his kingdom in the process of fulfilling his late wife's
wishes.
Today visitors can have their own miniature Taj Mahal replicas at an
affordable price, sold at the numerous souvenir shops in Agra. Also, Agra is
known for its leather industry and its leather items like footwear, wallets and
bags that are worth buying.
The trip to Taj Mahal is certainly enlightening as much as entertaining.
-- BERNAMA