Pilgrimage Special: Tomb Tales

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Taj Mahal, the grand tomb built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal combines the elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian and Islamic architectural style and is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture. Being hailed as one of the wonders of the world, many come from afar to see this jewel and it is no wonder that some would not be satisfied with just a glimpse of it especially if it was through the train window. All of us would therefore visit Taj Mahal and see it from near. Many years back, it had been reported that the marble that made up the mausoleum was getting brown with all the air pollution. This time round when I was at the Taj Mahal, I was shuffled into a van operated by electricity which took us to the main entrance where one could get the tickets to get into the UNESCO heritage site. Once inside, we were also given a pair of throwaway shoes to wear over our very own dusty shoes. They should have done that the first time I visited Taj Mahal a few years back...
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Van operated by electricity to take you to the main entrance of Taj Mahal...


Throwaway shoes to minimize pollution...


The Grand Mausoleum...



I do think it looks brighter on a sunny day... the last time, I saw it, the weather was cold and misty...

Comments

Liudmila said…
Once I read a very nice words about the love of this man... What did you hear about it? Was it really so great love?

In Saint Petersburg once we had to wear this sort of shoes in every museum. To conserve the precious floors.
July 10, 2008 at 10:33 AM
footiam said…
I heard the same great love story but I do think the end is tragic. The king was rather cruel too. He had the eyes of the architect gorged out so that he could not build another beautiful mausoleum and the king himself was later mistreated by his own son who wanted the throne for himself. He put him in a palace, a prison really from where he could see through his window the tomb of his beloved. I think that must be Karma at work and with life like that, the floor should be more precious!
July 15, 2008 at 12:31 AM
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