Taj Mahal: Facts and Photos

The Facts:...

• The Taj Mahal was built for & named after Mumtaz Mahal, the third wife of the Mughal emperor Shahjahan. She died during the birth of their 14th (yes FOURTEENTH) child!... a prime example of why India's population is growing so rapidly!! The seventh wonder of the world was built in her memory by the mourning Shahjahan.
• The building is actually a tomb, with the happy couple buried beneath it & fake tombs on view inside the main domed structure. The only part of the structure that is asymmetrical are the tombs, the male tomb being larger.
• The 4 pillars in the corners surrounding the main structure are all leaning outwards. It is thought they were made this way intentionally to protect the palace in the case of an earthquake.
• The Taj Mahal also boasts a mosque on its west side. This means the monument is closed on a friday for prayer... so if you have one day in Agra (which is advisable!), make sure it isn't a friday!!! On the east side is an identical guesthouse, thought to be built solely to keep symmetry.
• Figures:- It cost 32 crore rupees to construct, taking 20,000+ workers 22 years to complete, with the help of about 1000 elephants, finishing in 1653.
• There's a myth that Shahjahan was planning to build a second mausoleum for himself & legend has it the emperor's Taj was to be made from black marble to represent his mourning. The proposed site for the 'Black Taj' was across the Yamuna river, opposite the Taj Mahal, continuing the theme of symmetry. Unfortunately, Shahjahan's feud with his son's halted any build. He was thrown in prison & succeeded by his son Aurangzeb, only able to stare at his wife's tomb from his jail cell window in Agra fort.
• FACT:- The most beautiful building in the world?!?...

 The Photos:...