Taj Mahal, a symbol of love

The power of love has given the world one its greatest wonders, the Taj Mahal. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan was so grief-stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died that he built the mausoleum in her memory. The building in Agra in India is now considered one of the world’s most beautiful structures and a symbol of eternal love.

Between 1632 and 1653, more than 20,000 people, including skilled calligraphers and stonecutters, from all over north India worked on the building. They used white marble to build a marble dome that is symmetrical on all sides and inlaid it with 28 types of precious and semi-precious stones.

The magnificent dome surrounds the tombs of Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz, who lie with their heads facing right towards the city of Mecca, which Muslims consider the holiest city of Islam. Shah Jahan’s tomb has an inscription that begins, "He travelled from this world to the banquet-hall of Eternity".

Up to four million people visit the Taj Mahal every year, mostly in the cooler months of October, November and February. The grounds are open all day every day except Friday and are open at night sometimes. You can visit the buildings and also the garden that has 16 flowerbeds and a pool that reflects the dome.