Taj Mahal Quartzite: The Soami Bagh tomb took more than a century to create in a free society, unlike the Taj Mahal, which was built in 22 years by the labor of many talented artists and craftsmen under a medieval totalitarian system during the 17th century. A passionate follower of the religion, Pramod Kumar, continued, saying that the mausoleum’s construction is a testament to the builders’ undying faith, enthusiasm, and dedication, which were driven by their religious convictions.
The Taj Mahal 7 Wonders of the World
The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, it was built to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away during childbirth in 1631. The Taj Mahal also serves as the final resting place for Shah Jahan himself.
Here are some key points about this magnificent structure:
Architectural Marvel
- The Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. It seamlessly blends elements of Indo-Islamic design, creating a harmonious and symmetrical composition.
- The mausoleum is constructed entirely from white marble, adorned with intricate inlays of semi-precious stones. Its elegance and grandeur have made it a symbol of India’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Construction and Design
- The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631 and was completed in 1648. However, additional work continued for another five years.
- More than 20,000 workers and artisans contributed to its creation under the guidance of Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the emperor’s court architect.
- The complex spans 17 hectares (42 acres) and includes not only the mausoleum but also a mosque and a guest house.
- The gardens surrounding the Taj Mahal are meticulously laid out, emphasizing symmetry and balance.
Symbolism and Romance
- The Taj Mahal is a testament to Shah Jahan’s undying love for Mumtaz Mahal. Their love story is legendary, and the mausoleum stands as a symbol of eternal love.
- The central dome, flanked by four smaller domes, represents the heavenly abode. The minarets on each corner add to the overall grace and symmetry.
UNESCO World Heritage Site:
- In 1983, the Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is celebrated as “the jewel of Islamic art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.”
- Millions of visitors from around the globe come to marvel at its beauty every year.
New 7 Wonders of the World:
- In 2007, the Taj Mahal was declared one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Its timeless allure continues to captivate hearts worldwide.
The Taj Mahal Quartzite
Taj Mahal quartzite: In the heart of Agra, India, stands a testament to eternal love—the Taj Mahal. This magnificent marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, is a masterpiece of architectural and artistic brilliance.
Taj Mahal Quartzite:
But what about the stone that forms this iconic monument? Let’s delve into the story of the Taj Mahal quartzite:
- The Material: Quartzite
- The Taj Mahal is primarily constructed from a metamorphic rock known as quartzite.
- Imagine a time long ago when ancient dunes stretched across the Indian subcontinent. These dunes were composed of fine quartz sand grains, deposited layer upon layer.
- Over centuries, geological forces transformed these dunes into sedimentary rock—sandstone. But the story didn’t end there.
- Metamorphic Magic
- The Taj Mahal’s quartzite journey began when tectonic forces pushed the Indian plate against the Eurasian plate, creating the mighty Himalayas.
- Under immense heat and pressure, the sandstone underwent a magical transformation. Its quartz grains recrystallized, merging into a new identity—quartzite.
- This metamorphic process erased the original sedimentary layers, leaving behind a rock with a granoblastic texture—a seamless mosaic of interlocking quartz crystals.
- The White Beauty
- Pure quartzite is predominantly white or gray, resembling freshly fallen snow. But the Taj Mahal’s quartzite has a special touch.
- The presence of trace minerals gives it delicate hues—subtle pinks, soft yellows, and occasional greens. These colors dance across its surface, reflecting the changing light of day.
- Crafting the Taj Mahal
- Skilled artisans chiseled and shaped the quartzite blocks, fitting them together like a cosmic puzzle.
- The Taj’s facade, adorned with intricate floral patterns and calligraphy, showcases the translucency of quartzite. When sunlight kisses its surface, it glows, as if whispering secrets of love.
Many travelers visiting the Taj Mahal
After more than a century of construction, a recently finished white marble edifice in Agra is attracting a sizable number of tourists. Located at Soami Bagh, approximately 12 kilometers away from the Taj Mahal, this newly built mausoleum of the founder of the Radha Soami sect is frequently compared by many of these tourists to the famous Taj Mahal. Many travelers visiting Agra are drawn to this immaculate white marble structure, which never fails to astound them with its majesty. It is regarded as a competitive challenger to the Taj Mahal, adding to the city’s architectural grandeur, which is well-known for its Mughal-era structures.
The Majestic Tomb
Built entirely of white marble from Makrana in Rajasthan, the towering 193-foot building is supported by 52 wells and is one of India’s most complex construction projects.
The majestic tomb, located in the Soami Bagh colony in the Dayalbagh neighborhood of Agra, is devoted to Param Purush Pooran Dhani Swamiji Maharaj, the founder of the Radha Soami faith. The mausoleum receives a tonne of visitors per day. Although it is free to enter, taking pictures is not allowed.
If reports are to be believed, the mausoleum still needs a few small additions. It is still possible to witness artisans at work. “Now, of course, we have huge grinders, cutters, finishers, lorries, lifters, and all kinds of machines and computer technology, all of which were employed to advantage here, and the results show,” a person associated with the project stated.
The Mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor
Visitors have already begun to make similarities between the Taj Mahal, which is visited by thousands of people every day from all over the world, and the Soami Bagh mausoleum. The mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal is located inside the Taj Mahal. According to the officials in charge of the building, “it represents a form of worship that has persisted and will continue tirelessly.”
The Radha Soami faith, which has millions of followers in areas like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Karnataka as well as in other international countries, is the community that surrounds the Soami Bagh tomb.
White Sandstone Building
The first samadhi was a simple white sandstone building. In 1904, work on a new design by an Allahabad-based architect commenced. Men have been laboring nonstop, mostly by hand, on the vast and ornately decorated building since 1922, in spite of setbacks. The legacy that has been passed down through the years is carried on by artisans, some of whom have lived on the site their whole lives. Even with the assistance of contemporary machines, their workmanship is still exacting.
The building’s architectural style is not limited to any one modern or traditional aesthetic, despite its Eastern inspiration. A focused effort is made to effortlessly blend various styles. However, the promoters of Soami Bagh, also known as the “garden of the Lord,” strongly refute any plans to compete with the Taj Mahal.
A Popular Tourist Destination
Due to difficulties locating marble, the 31.4-foot gold-plated pinnacle—taller than the Taj Mahal—took years of work to erect and a crane from Delhi. With mosaic stones from Nowshera, Pakistan, and semi-precious stones from Indian riverbeds, the majority of marble comes from Makrana and Jodhpur. Leasing quarries in Mount Abu and Udaipur did not solve the problem of finding good marble; in addition, the migration of qualified masons to Gulf countries created a labor crisis. While the Taj Mahal is still a popular tourist destination due to its beauty, Soami Bagh has drawn comparisons to the Taj Mahal in Agra from those who are spiritually oriented.
FAQ.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Taj Mahal quartzite:
Q1: What are the visiting hours of the Taj Mahal, and when is it closed?
- The Taj Mahal is open for visitors from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset. It remains closed on Fridays. Other monuments and tourist places in Agra are open from sunrise to sunset.
Q2: How can I get day visit tickets for the Taj Mahal?
- Day visit tickets can be purchased either from the ticket window at both gates or online on the official website. The best season to visit is from October to March.
Q3: What are the charges for a night viewing of the Taj Mahal?
- For domestic tourists, the charge is Rs 510/-, and for foreigners, it’s Rs 750/- per person.
Q4: Are there specific timings for night viewing of the Taj Mahal?
- Yes, night viewings are allowed between 20:00 and 23:59 hours, with a duration of 30 minutes.
Q5: Where can I get night viewing tickets?
- Night viewing tickets are available at the Archaeological Survey of India office in Agra. You need to purchase these tickets a day before the viewing date.
Q6: What is the maximum limit for night viewing?
- A maximum of 400 tourists are allowed for night viewing, divided into 8 batches of 50 people each.
Q7: What else is there to see in Agra?
- Apart from the Taj Mahal, Agra has other attractions like Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Itimad-ud-daula (Baby Taj), Mehtab Bagh, Sikandra, and more. There are also excursions to nearby places like Bateshwar, Chambal Sanctuary, Mathura, and Firozabad.
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