Taj Mahal, is not just an ivory-white marble mausoleum situated on the south bank of Yamuna river in Agra, in fact it is an inspiration for all those people who love someone truly and can’t even imagine a life without their loves ones.
The meaning of the Taj Mahal is crown of the palace and it has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, it was included in the New Seven Wonders of the World.
History
The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his loving wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The construction of Taj Mahal started in 1632 and till 1643, the construction of principal mausoleum got finished while the other buildings and gardens took 5 years more to get completed. However, it is believed that the construction of Taj Mahal complex got completed till 1653, and the total number of artisans employed in this project was 20,000 and Rs. 32 million were spend on the complete project at that time.
The tomb of Mumtaz Mahal is inside the Taj Mahal and the imperial court documents how the grief of Mumtaz’s death inspired Shah Jahan to make Taj Mahal in her memory. The Taj Mahal has been built with white marble and it can easily be called as one of the best examples of Mughal architecture.
Tourism
Taj Mahal is a very important part of Indian tourism as it attracts almost 7-8 million tourists from other parts of India and all over the world, every year. The majority of the tourists visit Taj Mahal in the months of October, November and February as the temperature is a little pleasant in these months.
Threats
The increasing pollution is a big threat to the Taj Mahal, especially the environmental pollution which is taking place in Yamuna due to the refineries situated on the bank as it is turning Taj Mahal, yellow from white.
Another threat for Taj Mahal is the declining level of Yamuna river basin which is resulting in the cracks on monument as they are tilting due to decrease in water levels.
Importance of Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal holds immense importance as it is not just a tourist place, it is also a symbol of love and it shows the rich culture and heritage of India. The government of India should ensure the safety and integrity of the Taj Mahal so that the future generations can witness the deep and true love of an emperor for his queen.