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Taj Mahal – Just Another Building or Monument of Love?

31/7/2016

32 Comments

 
Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 7 Wonders of the world, Feet Do Travel
The Taj Mahal in Agra, India is one of the new seven wonders of the world. One of the world’s most iconic buildings, it’s on most people’s bucket list.

It was at the top of ours!

I have known about the Taj Mahal my entire life, in fact, I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t aware of it. Back in 1992, Princess Diana had her iconic photograph taken on a bench in front of the stunning white marble building, this helped catapult the world’s most famous mausoleum into modern fame. Who wouldn’t want to replicate such a beautiful photo? 

That bench is still there affectionately known as Lady Di’s Chair’.
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But would I be disappointed when I visited, especially as we were going for sunrise. Is the Taj Mahal just another building? Or is it the greatest monument of love ever built?

Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 7 Wonders of the world, Feet Do Travel
"The Taj" as it is commonly known, has been referred to as ”the tear-drop on the cheek of time” and in 1983 was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage”.

In 2007 it was declared a winner of the "New 7 Wonders of the World". 

On our visit to India, we were most excited about the day we would see the most elaborate display of love the world has known. We aren’t usually attracted to architecture and we know there are many people who feel the same, after all, it’s just a building right?  This isn’t a natural phenomenon, something crafted by nature ... builders created this man-made structure.

In my words … viewing one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World

I kept journals for all my life-changing holidays, and below is an extract written moments after I had been to the Taj Mahal.
“I write this entry, reflecting on the morning’s event, sitting on my bed, looking out of our window which has a view of the Taj Mahal’s dome.  Oh yes, I will repeat that – from my bed I have a view of the Taj Mahal!  End of sentence.

Pause for thought.

Now I will continue. 

We had an early 5.45am start to ensure we arrived in time for sunrise. There are no vehicles allowed in the vicinity to alleviate pollution so an electric coach took us up to the entrance.  
Just as we entered the gates, the sun started to rise from the East. Our first glimpse cannot be expressed in words and during the next 1.5 hours in the grounds, a thesaurus wouldn’t have enough adjectives to describe the varying emotions we felt.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 7 Wonders of the world, Feet Do Travel
As the sun rose higher in the sky on this hazy morning, it cast a subtle pink glow over the pure-white building. There was silence in the crowd; we all watched in awe as the marble slowly changed from a pink hue to the iconic pristine colour with which we are all so familiar.

​Unfortunately the photographs taken were unable to capture its true beauty.
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At around 7.30am it was time for us to take a wander, and get up close to this magnificent building!  We were pleased to see a clear blue sky when the sun shone fully.
We took a plethora of photographs searching for that “perfect” shot, the one which captures the emotion and feeling – that one that takes your breath away as if you were still standing in front of it – the one that you know will be mounted into a frame and displayed for all to view with envy. 
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In truth, I don’t think we succeeded …. I don’t even know if it’s possible!
Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 7 Wonders of the world, Feet Do Travel
We walked towards the main building, up a red brick path flanked by perfectly manicured lawn sculptures and bushes. 

The domed building is the tomb where the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife (for whom this mausoleum was built) are buried so no photography is allowed.  The tombs, and the outside area, are all decorated with hand painted leaves, flowers and quotations from the Quran. 
​

Whilst walking away from the building, we turned to look and, adding to its charm, the sun shone on the stone making it glisten like diamonds. Wow!
Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 7 Wonders of the world, Feet Do Travel
Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 7 Wonders of the world, Feet Do Travel
Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 7 Wonders of the world, Feet Do Travel
Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 7 Wonders of the world, Feet Do Travel
Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 7 Wonders of the world, Feet Do Travel
We completely lost track of time realising that over an hour had passed, so sadly, it was time for us to say goodbye. But not before just a few more photos! 

As we turned to walk out of the main gates, sadness overcome us and the wonder of it all almost brought tears to our eyes.  We couldn’t help but linger for just a few precious moments more before turning our heads, and walking away forever”
Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 7 Wonders of the world, Feet Do Travel
When Princess Diana was asked of her feelings towards the masouleum, she replied “It was a fascinating experience – very healing”

She was right. It was a very strange, humbling feeling and one we had never felt before, or since.

Very poignantly, in April 2016, 24 years after Diana visited the Taj Mahal, her son William and his wife Kate, the 
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, sat on that same bench. 

Prince William felt incredibly lucky to visit a place where his mother’s memory is kept alive by so many who travel there. William and Kate planned to make new memories for themselves of the Taj Mahal for their future.

Our visit to this majestic building left a deep and lasting impression. For me, The Taj Mahal is most definitely a monument of love, and not just another building.

Want to know more about why the Taj Mahal was built, and rumours which surround it? Then read on...

The Taj Mahal is named after the second wife of Emperor Shah Jahan - Mumtaz Mahal.  It was built as a memorial after she died giving birth to their 14th child in June 1631, both Mumtaz and her husband are now buried there.

The Emperor adored his wife so much and wanted the best for her, so commissioned the Taj Mahal as a declaration of his love.  The building is made from ivory-white marble known as “Taj marble” and is the toughest in the world due to its non-porous quality.  I think it’s fair to say this accolade is true, bearing in mind this majestic wonder has withstood over 350 years of harsh sun, rain, monsoons and is still in pristine condition.

The four minarets which flank each corner were built purely to add beauty but are cleverly positioned at a 4° angle away from the building. If a “mishap” occurred and they were to fall, it would be away from the main building and not into it. 

It is estimated that 20,000 workers consisting of labourers, carpenters, craftsman, artists and engineers worked for almost 22 years on the monument until its completion in 1653.

Our tour guide told us of a horrible grotesque side behind the building of this extravagant “monument of love”.  Local Legend has it that 1,500 chief stonemasons were thanked for their dedication and hard work by having both their hands cut off, this was to ensure they would never be able to re-create the Taj Mahal.

Even worse still, the chief architect not only had both his hands chopped off but his eyes were removed from his sockets.

There are no facts to back up this story, no historical accounts documented, but if this is actually true, the question is whether it should be broadcast as a testament to those who suffered for its cause, or should it remain quiet to maintain the “romanticism” behind the monument??

If it's untrue, you then have to wonder, why would someone make up this terrible tale in the first place?

We will never know ...

Have you been to the Taj Mahal? What were your thoughts, did it meet your expectations? Is the Taj Mahal on your bucket list? Tell us in the comment section below!

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The Taj Mahal in Agra, India is one of the seven wonders of the world. But is it just another building? Feet Do Travel visited, what were our feelings about the world’s most iconic monument of love? #tajmahal #india #agra #thebestlocations #indiatravel #travel #travelblog #travelblogger #traveltips #travelling #travelguides #traveladvice
The Taj Mahal in Agra, India is one of the seven wonders of the world. But is it just another building? Feet Do Travel visited, what were our feelings about the world’s most iconic monument of love? #tajmahal #india #agra #thebestlocations #indiatravel #travel #travelblog #travelblogger #traveltips #travelling #travelguides #traveladvice

Want more information on India? Check out these blog posts
​
The Golden Triangle of India
Tigers, a Walkie-Talkie, and a Gob-Smacked Audience
​

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32 Comments
Sharon
2/8/2016 07:16:22 pm

This was a beautiful piece about a beautiful place.

Reply
FeetDoTravel
3/8/2016 09:08:15 am

Thank you Sharon, I'm glad you felt the beauty we did, I obviously managed to convey the emotions as planned :-)

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Garth link
4/8/2016 09:12:51 am

Must have been so interesting to visit! When places are so iconic like this, you build up pictures in your head of what it's going to be like, and find they always surprise you when you see them for real. I'd love to go one day. It's hard to capture the beauty of somewhere in photos, even if they are just snaps to someone else, to you they are personal and remind yourself of emotions from those once in a lifetime experiences. Great photos of you two! ... and that bit about the builders is a bit grim!

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FeetDoTravel
4/8/2016 07:15:44 pm

We did actually pick a couple of photos to hang on our living room wall and enjoy looking at them every day as a reminder of the amazing time we had here. You are right - they may just be snaps, but the memories they bring back mean they definitely are so much more. Lol yes the bit about the builders is rather grim isn't it!

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Gemma link
8/8/2016 02:06:11 pm

Yes, I absolutely love the Taj Mahal. There is something so Magical about this place.

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FeetDoTravel
8/8/2016 03:02:56 pm

It really is such a magical place, especially in the morning when there are fewer crowds so you can really take your time!

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Sarani link
8/8/2016 02:13:59 pm

I was 5 years old when I visited TajMahal for the first time... I was awestruck!!

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FeetDoTravel
8/8/2016 03:08:28 pm

Wow, you visited when you were that young and can still remember how you felt! That's impressive ... but I guess this just goes to show how beautiful this building is!

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Briana link
8/8/2016 05:24:34 pm

Great shots!

Briana
www.beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com

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FeetDoTravel
8/8/2016 07:16:32 pm

Thank you, I still wish I had more time to take more from different angles ... always striving for that "perfect" pic :-)

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Hey Sharonoox link
8/8/2016 06:35:08 pm

Great pictures. Taj Mahal is one of the places in the world that my hubby and I would love to visit one day. It's in our travel bucket list. x

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FeetDoTravel
8/8/2016 07:43:09 pm

Thank you! It does feel wonderful to tick off a bucket list item, especially one as high-profile and gorgeous as this! I hope you and your hubby get a chance to visit and find it equally as stunning :-)

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Kelly | A Pair of Passports link
8/8/2016 07:58:24 pm

Wow! Absolutely stunning - it nearly looks fake in your photos it's so perfect! You got some lovely photos :)

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FeetDoTravel
9/8/2016 01:06:47 pm

Thank you so much for your comment Kelly, that is a real honour for you to say that! Glad you appreciated them :-)

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Anisa link
12/8/2016 11:16:18 am

I will never forget my visit to the Taj Mahal. I remember it was so hot and the smells were so bad! But, the building is so beautiful, impossible to really capture in a picture. So definitely something that should be on everyone's bucket list.

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FeetDoTravel
12/8/2016 06:17:51 pm

I will never forget our visit either, although thankfully I don't recall any bad smells :-) It really is a beautiful building and so, so difficult to capture with a camera - if it's on people's bucket list, maybe they can strive for that perfect shot as well.

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Lisa link
12/8/2016 11:52:05 am

Great post Angie, loved all the details. I always love to know the history of places I visit. It is a beautiful and facsinating place and I think your pictures are wonderful. Would definitely love to see it one day.

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FeetDoTravel
12/8/2016 06:18:40 pm

Awww thanks Lisa, I'm so glad you enjoyed the history and the pictures. I hope you get a chance to see it for yourself and enjoy :-)

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Stephanie (1AdventureTraveler) link
12/8/2016 04:14:25 pm

What a beautiful and magical place the Taj Mahal. I'm so jealous, the photos look amazing and you captured the beauty of the site. I also loved the details that you shared. Thanks for sharing.

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FeetDoTravel
12/8/2016 06:21:39 pm

Thanks Stephanie and you are right, it is a beautiful and magical place :-) Glad you appreciated the photos, that means a lot :-)

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Nikita link
12/8/2016 07:24:21 pm

Beautifully written! I'm so glad it didn't let you down. It sounds like quite the humbling experience.

Such a sad story about the stonemasons, though. I hope it isn't true, but people have done crazier and crueler things...

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FeetDoTravel
14/8/2016 02:25:45 pm

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it and yes, it was very humbling. You are right about the stonemasons though, people have done crazier things in history!

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Travel Lexx link
12/8/2016 10:02:57 pm

Angie, so beautiful! You are being hard on yourself - the photos are fantastic and you could easily deck out an entire house with those! It must have been such an incredible feeling watching the sunrise over such an iconic spot. I would love to spend a couple of days exploring the area and trying to get a shot from the uncrowded area - I heard if you approach from a certain area, there are hardly any tourists!

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FeetDoTravel
14/8/2016 02:28:28 pm

Awww thank you so much! Yes it was truly incredible watching the sunrise, sunrises generally are special anyway but at a place as beautiful as this, well it's just magical. I would love to have spent more time here as well, I have also heard of a place close by where you can get a fantastic photograph with no crowds, I think it's across the water and I wish I had the time to have done that.

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Brooke of Passport Couture link
13/8/2016 04:59:01 am

Interesting to not only read about your thoughts and journey in the Taj Mahal, but also about the history of its building and creation. The rumors about the loss of hands and vision are grotesque, but a great way to create interest and mystery in this historical building. It creates an interesting and contrasting ambiance within this structure.

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FeetDoTravel
14/8/2016 02:31:22 pm

I think you have probably hit the nail on the head about the rumors! It does create an air of mystery and contrast, I have never thought of that so thank you!

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Marcelle link
13/8/2016 04:21:40 pm

It's the best to be early for photographs and not only because of the light but more to skip the crowds. You made some beautiful pictures. Amazing - it looks empty! #WeekendWanderlust

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FeetDoTravel
14/8/2016 02:33:49 pm

Thank you for your comments, I really appreciate it :-) It does look empty doesn't it! It definitely wasn't like that when we were leaving so you are right, first thing in the morning for sunrise ticks a number of boxes!

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Lolo link
13/8/2016 07:54:42 pm

I've also wanted to visit the Taj Mahal forever. I first learned about it when I was a little girl also after Princess Diana took her iconic picture there. I hope to make it there one day! #WeekendWanderlust

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FeetDoTravel
14/8/2016 04:21:25 pm

If you have wanted to visit for so many years like I had, I'm sure you will make it one day, and I hope it lives up to your expectation :-)

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Rob+Ann @ TravelLatte(.net) link
18/8/2016 07:56:08 pm

What a great post, and fantastic pictures! It's funny how, when you've known something your whole life, finally seeing it in person can be so much more than you expected. It's great that you kept and shared your emotions...and we are more than just a little jealous at your hotel room view! ;) #WeekendWanderlust

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FeetDoTravel
19/8/2016 10:44:21 am

Thank you so much and you are totally right; you think you know a place because you have seen it on TV or looked at photos but it can be totally different when you actually see it for yourself!! As for the hotel room - lol we couldn't believe it either!!!

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