8TajMahal+in+India

Taj Mahal in India. Katherine





Katherine May, 3, 2009

The Taj Mahal is the world’s most popular tomb. It is located in Agra India; Agra is 204 km south of Delhi. The Taj Mahal attracts 20,000 people per day, and is a perfectly breathtaking experience. The Taj Mahal (nicknamed the “Taj”) was built by Shan Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Mumtaz was beautiful, smart, and a political advisor to her husband. Mumtaz was a very giving person; she was always doing charity work. Mumtaz died in 1629, when giving birth to her 14th child, she and Jahan’s tombs are in a chamber below ground, and there are no tourists aloud in that area.

The Taj Mahal is so amazing and so carefully made that sources like Paul Theroux say “Needs to be seen in the flesh. And that is the appropriate word, for never has stone seemed so physical, almost sentient.” But some beg to differ. One morning an young English man told a reporter “The Taj Mahal is overrated.” But to build and create the Taj it took 20,000 skilled craftsmen, builders, and architects. Materials were brought in on massive elephants from all over India and Asia. Building materials consisted of: Rajasthan, silver, gold, and white marble that came from Persia and turkey. It took them 20 years to build it, 1630 to 1650.

If after reading this essay you are inspired to go to the Taj Mahal there are some things you should keep in mind. If you visit the Taj Mahal go twice. Once in the morning, so you can see the sunrise and there won’t be any crowds. And go once at dusk, you can see the sunset and take amazing pictures. When you see the semi-professional photographers let them take your picture. They give you good backgrounds and the pictures are good quality too. Also, hire a guide ad listen to them! If they say not to buy things from the little children merchants on the streets don’t do it; you can end-up getting stolen from. The Taj Mahal is beautiful, amazing, and wondrous. It is an experience you’ll never forget, and one you will cherish forever!