Standing tall at a height of 240 feet on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, India, the Taj Mahal is considered one of the greatest admired architectural masterpiece of the world’s heritage.
An immense mausoleum of ivory white marble, this UNESCO Heritage site was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their child. The impressive tomb took two decades to complete with an estimated of 20,000 artisans from India. Persia, Europe and the Ottoman Empire, along with some 1,000 elephants!
The site is recognized not just for its craftsmanship, but also the architectonic amalgamation of solids and voids, concave and convex and light shadow; such as arches and domes further increases the aesthetic aspect. The color combination of the lush greenery with reddish pathway against the blue sky showcases the marble monument in ever changing tints and mood.
What is the most inspiring is the love story of how deeply a man can love his wife, even after her death and he wanted to ensure the memory would never fade away. Because of love, we are able to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World today.