As Taj Mahal is to India …. this
country’s most famous architectural wonder
so is the Statue of Liberty to America, the pyramids
to Egypt and the leaning tower of Pisa to Itlay.
Variously defined as `A materialized vision of
loveliness’; `A poem in stone’; `A
dream inmarble’; `A Noble Tribute to the
Grace of Indian womanhood’; `A Resplendent
immortal Tear-drop on the cheek of Time’;
`A monument of Love’; `A wonder of the world’; the
Taj Mahal is representative of the glorious Mughal
Age and is a unique gift of the medieval period
to the people of India.
The Taj, a marvel among buildings, belongs to
an age when leisure added zest to living and appreciation
was meant to be savoured slowly. |
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Discovering the secrets of the Taj is like discovering
the different moods of a woman, for it not only changes
colour according to the time of the day but also with
every change in the season. The Taj sparkles like a
jewel at night; golden, as the semi-precious inlaid
stones on the main mausoleum catch the glow of moon
and silver ,as the light of full moon shines upon the
cool,white dome.
Though the extreme magnificence and beauty of the Taj
can be appreciated best in the subtle moonlight , the
radiance of dawn and the orange glow of the sunset also
illumine the splendour of this most beautiful monument,rendering
it pinkish in the morning and milky white in the evening.Its
stunning architectural beauty is said to have a life
of its own,a life that leaps out of the marble.
Universally, it is one of man’s proudest creations
and easily the most familiar image to be associated
with the rich civilization and magnificent edifices
of India.It marks the highest stage in the evolution
of Tomb not only in India but also in the whole world.
Among sepulchral monuments,it is the most brilliant
and the most successful achievement.
It is here that the art capabilities of the Indian
builder under the Mughals received the most beautiful
and profound expression. It is the culmination of the
art-epoch which really derived deep inspiration from
the ancient Indian architectural traditions which guided
the aesthetic norms in all ages whether under the Jaina,
Buddhist, Brahmanical or Muslim patrons. The Taj in
all its glory was, is and will always remain the yardstick
of measure for all great episodes of time.
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