More About the Taj Mahal

Not to beat the proverbial dead horse, but the Taj Mahal is awesome. There is more to share about this Monument of love. As already stated, The Taj Mahal has come to be known for its architectural beauty. Interestingly, many of its aspects were based on Muslim beliefs. Given the fact that it is a mausoleum, every part is laced with spiritual references that hold spiritual relevance.

The Taj Gateway is the entrance to the Taj Mahal. It was built in 1648 and made of red sandstone; it is symbolic of the divide between the material and the spiritual and is decorated with verses from the Koran. Its primary purpose was to keep people from getting a glimpse of the tomb before entering.

The Taj Garden is a sprawling green carpet that lies before the Taj Mahal. According to the Holy Koran in Islam, a garden represents “paradise”. The garden is accessed through the Gateway. Created with bountiful painstaking details, one point of interest about the garden besides its beauty is that in it grows Cypress trees, which signify death and fruit trees, signifying life.

The Taj Mausoleum  is accessed by way of the central path through the garden. The Mausoleum is the pearl shape dome. This part of the Taj Mahal is the most recognized feature.

The Tomb is the actual location of Queen Mumtaz Mahal’s remains. It is much to be studied and simply admired about this structure. From its unique architecture to its symbolism of “paradise”, it is breath taking. Interestingly, Emperor Shah Jahan wanted all the family to be buried there, but the son who succeeded him did not follow his wishes.

Keep in mind that neither of these four parts where built for mere beauty or intrigue, but at the root of all the pomp and circumstance was also to give honor to Allah. The beautiful dome, which is the most recognizable part of the Taj Mahal “unites heaven and earth”. The dome also represents a pearl, which is significant because it is believed in Islam that God sits on a throne where a pearl dome supported by pillars exists and from it flow the rivers of grace.

Imposing, graceful and eternal the Taj Mahal lives on as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and it rivals as one of the most beautiful structures to ever be created. Unfortunately, Shah Jahan spent his last days unable to touch the prolific structure he had made but was tortured to gaze at it from a distance. He was over thrown and put in prison by his son, who “graciously” created a portal for him to stare out of till he died at the age of 74.

A testament of longevity, mystery, honor, grief, grace and love…The Taj Mahal.

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