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As the first of my blogs, I decided to write about my experience and the emotion I had with the Taj Mahal. Like many people from all over the world, India also attracted me. But what was most advertised in the media was the magnificent Taj Mahal. The wonder of the world, the fascinating view, the majesty and other superlatives also attracted me to this place. The name of this fascinating mausoleum translates as “crown of palaces”. Emperor Shahjahan wanted to prepare the most luxurious resting place for his beloved wife in this way. When he lost her, he transformed his unrelenting grief into a magnificent vision to honor his wife. The place he chose had to meet a number of parameters, but above all it had to be a dignified final resting place. However, few people know their love story and sad ending. 

Sources state that in 1631 AD l. was Shah Jahan, the emperor at the height of the Mughal Empire, deeply saddened when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died while giving birth to their child, Gauhar Ara Begum. The chronicles also illustrate stories of love and heartbreak, traditionally considered the inspiration for the Taj Mahal.

But what is even more interesting, and few people know until they get to the place, is that the Emperor’s original plans were even more dignified. Another building was supposed to stand opposite the current palace. It was supposed to mirror and be a true copy of the Taj Mahal. The difference would be that the second structure would be built of black marble. Mystically, they would create two worlds together. This is because these places were to be separated only by the river bed. In the end, the realization did not happen because of the long battles that the emperor led against his son and which financially drained the country’s treasury.

Today, the Taj Mahal is considered a modern wonder of the world. About 7 million tourists visit it every year.About 10% of them are foreigners. Which will also bring huge profits to the state treasury every year. Just for comparison, from statistical data, a similar number of tourists annually visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

A very nice surprise for me was the quality and processing of the marble, the inlaying and literally the jewelry work in the form of master stonemasons. But what surprised me was the story about the four minarets. Until I arrived at the place, I did not read about this fact anywhere. He fascinated me all the more. The four minarets as part of the Taj Mahal are not only precisely laid out, but also have their two futuristic, timeless innovations. They are built to tilt slightly outwards. One of the reasons is practical, in that they are supposed to protect the mausoleum in case of an earthquake so that it collapses outwards and not on the Taj Mahal. The second reason is for an optical illusion. From a distance, they effectively create the feeling of a much larger structure, and from any direct direction you look at the Taj Mahal, you always see four minarets, making the mausoleum look more magnificent. It’s not just that it captures and fascinates. There is another optical illusion. The supporting columns on the mausoleum are laid out of stone in such a way that the closer you get, the more walls of the column you can see. However, as you go further, the number of walls decreases until a hexagon is formed.

However, I was surprised by the fact that not only Shah Jahan’s wife is buried in the Taj Mahal, but also the emperor himself. Their tombs are located in the center of the building and are modest compared to the rest of the building and are hardly decorated at all. With this expression, they respect the strictly established Muslim rules. However, the room is richly decorated and its majesty is breathtaking to behold.

In the end, however, I can say that I warmly recommend everyone to see the Taj Mahal. The feelings I experienced in this place exceeded my expectations and I didn’t want to leave. The touch of the love story of two beloved people in the form of the materialization of this building and its surroundings is something I will definitely always like to visit again.

Tips for you:

Tip 1, The Taj Mahal officially opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset six days a week except Friday. It’s a bit unconventional, but the paradox is that people are already waiting in line for tickets.

Tip 2, Taj Mahal tickets and prices – as one of the many Indian buildings, it has a set model of entry conditions for domestics. A complete ticket for an Indian costs 300 Inr. = 3.50 Euro, but for a foreigner it costs 1200 Inr. = 13.50 EUR. WARNING !!! There are two types of tickets to the area + to the mausoleum.

Tip 3, Guides – There are two types of guides in India and the Taj Mahal was no different. Certified with a card around the neck and those who pretend to be. Because we are “different”, they tear at us and convincingly explain the need to have a guide with us. Since they can’t tell us apart, they ask too much for my taste. My recommendation until you get to 700 Inr. = 7.5 Euros, which is a reasonable price for the Taj Mahal guide until then, bargain. I managed to do it. However, I definitely recommend the guide, in this object, the details and the story really matter.

Tip 4, Do not stand in queues for tickets, even if they declare that foreigners are preferred, until you push through the crowd. Buy a ticket to the guide, he will take care of it in a few minutes.

Tip 5, After passing through the main gate, you will have to take off your shoes approximately in the middle of the area and, according to Muslim tradition, enter barefoot. However, it is well organized so there is no need to worry.

Tip 6, At the exit through the southern gate, there is an old alley with shops. Immediately after the crossing on the left side is the shop of stone masons who come from a direct line of stone masons who built and decorated the Taj Mahal. It is certainly very interesting to hear this story and see their work.