The Symbol of Love....

Everyone recognises the Taj Mahal as one of the Seven Wonders of the world. The mausoleum is a glorious structure, built of white marble, and symbolises purity, love and pain, like no other architecture does. The Taj Mahal built in Agra, India, has many stories revolving around it.  It took approximately 22 years to complete this astounding piece of architecture.  The magnificent edifice is bounded on three sides by red stone walls. It is constructed completely of white marble. The emperor had marbles of the best quality brought from Rajasthan, Afghanistan, Tibet and China. It is believed that more than 28 different types of precious and semi-precious stones, including the striking lapis lazuli, were inlaid into the marble. Another interesting fact is that there are 99 names of Allah found on the sides of the actual tomb as calligraphic inscriptions.

The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan, the builder.


The tomb is the central focus of the entire complex of the Taj Mahal. It is a large, white marble structure standing on a square and consists of a symmetrical building with topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, the basic elements are Persian in origin. The most spectacular feature is the marble dome that surmounts the tomb.

On the lower walls of the tomb are white marble sculpted with realistic depictions of flowers and vines. The marble has been polished to emphasise the exquisite detailing of the carvings.. The inlay stones are of yellow marble, jasper and jade, polished and levelled to the surface of the walls.


Today the Taj Mahal, surrounded by gardens, guest houses , battles to hold on its glory, as the milky marble suffers from environmental pollution. It is gradually turning yellowish, particularly due to acid rain Yamuna, by which Shah Jahan had once approached the Taj Mahal in the boat & set his eyes upon his dream mausoleum for the first, is now dry. But Emperor Shah Jahan lies in a peace beside his beloved Mumtaz Mahal, within the wall of the Taj Mahal, which stands as the Symbol of their love.