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Taj Mahal in Agra is popular to the whole world for the story of love it depicts. The architecture of this breathtaking monument has attracted tourists from all around the globe every year irrespective of the season.
The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his wife Mumtaz. The construction of this monument started in 1631 and got completed around 1653. The structure stands proudly at the banks of the river Yamuna.
Constructed in white marble, Taj Mahal is one tourist spot in India worth visiting again. The perfection of the monument has got it a secure place in the Seven Wonders of the World. Here are a few interesting facts about Taj Mahal that you may not know.
Change of Colours
Did you know that Taj Mahal has different colours during different times of the day? Yes, this breathtaking memorial appears in different colours throughout the day. In the morning, the structure is in pink, the daytime sees a white hue of it and when there is moonlight the whole of the structure turns a golden tint. Some people even believe that these shades depict different moods of a woman.
Effort taken to Build the Monument
It took about 22 years and about 22,000 workers to complete the construction of Taj Mahal. The monuments was built in different phases.
Pillars that Lean Outward
The Pillars of Taj Mahal are designed in such a way that the monument is not destroyed by any natural calamity. All the four pillars that protect the structure lean outward.
Precious Stones from Different Parts of Asia
28 varieties of semi-precious and precious stones were brought from different parts of Asia for the construction of Taj Mahal. The marble was from Rajasthan, jasper from Punjab, blue stone from Tibet, lapiz lazauli from Afghanistan, emerald from Sri Lanka and the crystals from China.
Four Architectural Styles
One of the interesting facts about Taj Mahal is that four different architectural styles were used to make the magnificent structure. The Persian, Turk, Indian and Islamic styles were the types of architecture that were combined to build the structure.
Workers' Hands Chopped Off
It is said that Shah Jahan had ordered that every worker's hands be chopped off immediately after the construction of Taj Mahal so that none can recreate such a marvel.
Plans to Build a Black Taj Mahal
The tales say that Shah Jahan wanted to construct an identical black Taj Mahal on the other side of the river. He couldn't build it as he was imprisoned by his son Aurangazeb.
Symmetrical Structure
The monument of Taj Mahal in Agra is built in perfect symmetry except for the two tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz kept inside the structure.
The Actual Graves not in Public View
The actual graves of the emperor and his wife Mumtaz are not visible to the public. The visitors get to see just a façade below which the tombs are kept. These tombs are places 7ft below the surface and are locked behind a metal door.
Carvings on the Monument
The main dome of the structure has the verses from Quran carved on it. It is also interesting to know that 99 names of Allah are carved on either sides of Mumtaz's grave too.
