My First Glimpse of the Taj
Ever since I saw a picture of the Taj Mahal at my aunt’s house I had always dreamt of visiting the Taj.
My dream came true when I visited Agra a couple of years ago. I was very excited at the prospect of finally standing in front of the monument of my dreams.
Due to the excitement, I could not sleep the night before my visit. I recollected all the information that I had gathered about the monument. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, it took twenty thousand labourers, working for over twenty-two years, to build this magnificent monument.
As I enter the gateway and catch my first view of the Taj, framed by the main darwaza, I am spell bound by its beauty. There are some moments in our Life when we are silenced by the beauty of what we see. This is one of them!
What first catches the eye is the scale and symmetry of the monument. It forms the perfect back drop for the mughal gardens, Charbagh, which lie in front of it. The beauty of the mausoleum is reflected in the water tank that lies in the center of this garden.
Four minarets frame the main mausoleum which is made of white marble and has calligraphic verses inlaid in it. The huge marble dome on top is the focal point of the mausoleum.
As I reluctantly leave the complex. The last memory etched in my mind is of the river Yamuna twinkling in the setting sun which bathes the Taj in myriad hues of orange. It is an image that I will never forget!
