About Taj Mahal

• Taj Mahal India
  The origin of the name the "Taj Mahal" is not clear. Court histories from Shah Jehan's reign only call it the rauza (tomb) of Mumtaz Mahal. It is generally believed that "Taj Mahal" (usually translated as either "Crown Palace" or "Crown of the Palace") is an abbreviated version of her name, Mumtaz Mahal (Exalted One of the Palace).
  
  
• Getting to Taj Mahal
  Domestic aircarrier, Indian Airlines runs daily flights connecting Agra to Delhi, Khajuraho and the holy city of Varanasi. Kheria Airport is about 6 km from the Agra city centre and can be reached by taxis and auto-rickshaws at fixed rates, Rs 75 for the former and Rs 50 for the latter.
  
  
• Taj Design & Layout
  Shahjahan purchased a plot of land from Raja Jai Singh on the banks of Yamuna River for building the Taj Mahal. Raja Jai Singh was also instructed by Shahjahan to provide a regular supply of special, hard and non-porous marble from the quarries of Makrana. A 2½-mile (4.02 km) road ramp was built to haul huge pieces of marble to the site of the construction.
  
  
• Taj Mahal Myths
  The architect of the Taj Mahal aimed at giving maximum strength and stability to the tomb and worked out the minutest details with utmost precision : the weight of the entire structure is uniformly distributed, extraordinarily massive piers and vaults were constructed to support this heavy load, the very best quality of bonding material helped combat the disrupted tensile stress etc.
  
  
• Taj Mahal - Tracing Its History
  Although, the origin of the name the "Taj Mahal" is not clear, there are certain views among the historians in connection with the same. If we go to its history at deeper level, we find that during the Shah Jehan's reign, it was called rauza (tomb) of Mumtaz Mahal.
  
  
• History Of Taj Mahal
  For centuries, the Taj Mahal has inspired poets, painters and musicians to try and capture its elusive magic in word, colour and song. It is one of the most flawless architectural creations of the world. Since the 17th century, travellers have crossed continents to come and see this ultimate memorial to love, and few have been unmoved by its incomparable beauty.
  
  
• Mumtaz Mahal
  Mumtaz Mahal or Arjumand Banu was the woman in whose memory the Taj Mahal was built. Perhaps, there is no better and grand monument built in the history of human civilization dedicated to love. Arjumand Banu was daughter of Asaf Khan and when she married Shahjahan at the age of 14 years, imperial city of Agra was already agog with the stories of her beauty. She was third wife of Prince Khurram or Shahjahan and the principle one throughout their life.
  
  
• Taj Mahal Pictures
  
  
• Taj Mahotsava
  One of the best time to travel to Agra is during the grand Taj Mahotsav or the Taj Festival. It is a ten-day event, the Taj Mahotsav at Agra is a festive introduction to India and to the state of Uttar Pradesh. With the mesmerizing Taj Mahal serving as the backdrop for the annual festival, the annual Taj Mahotsav is usually held in the month of February.
  


• Imitating Taj Mahal
  The Bibi Ka Maqbara is made mostly of sandstone and has plastered walls (a cost cutting measure), and a marble dome. The expert - Ustad Ata-mullahs came from Persia. Bibi Ka Maqbara is known as the South Indian Taj Mahal. However, if the delicacy of work is compared, it falls far short of the glory of the Taj at Agra. Below the tomb, lattice works are in marble. However, the lattice work and inlay decorations of flowers and creepers are beautiful.