Taj Mahal, one of the greatest Seven Wonders of the World, always stood as the pride of India. Now, the esteem of India goes one step further when an Indian artist creates the replica of Taj Mahal and all in wood!

Arun Kumar Meher, an artist from Bargarh district created the five feet high and ten feet wide wooden replica of Taj Mahal. He used different shades of Sal wood to create the replica within three months.

“Not everyone can go to Agra to see the actual Taj Mahal made by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz. So, for those who have not witnessed the monument, my work will give them an idea of how it actually looks like,” According to Meher .
Different shades of Sal wood were used for making the replica. No external colours were added to it.

Locals in the area have expressed appreciation, but believe it deserves greater recognition.

Taj Mahal is one of the most popular tourist places in the world, attracting around 20,000 visitors daily.

Preparations are on in full swing for the “Taj Mahotsav”, the ten-day annual festival at Shilpgram near the Taj Mahal.
Bedecked elephants and camels, drum beaters, folk artists and master craftsmen together would recreate the glorious past of the Mughal era ambiance during the carnival that kick starts every year on February 18.

The Taj Mahotsav will display the country’’s extensive arts, crafts and culture besides folk music, and classical dance performances as well as elephant and camel rides, games and a food festival, all forming part of the festivities.

Organised by the state tourism department every year to promote tourism in and around Agra, the festival is truly India at her best with a glimpse of her rich heritage and extraordinary legacies.

This year, over 1500 artists would be performing during the festival. There would be around 217 performances.
Traditional folk musicians, performing at the gateway to the “Shilpgram”, welcome the visitors.
The majestic Taj Mahal forms the backdrop of the festival.

‘Tulsi’, known for its medicinal utilities, will now help protect the Taj Mahal against the ill-effects of environmental pollution.

In a joint exercise being undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh forest department and Lucknow-based Organic India Private Ltd, one million tulsi saplings would be planted in the vicinity of the Monument of Love.

“Till now, nearly 20,000 tulsi saplings have been planted. More will be planted in nature parks near Taj Mahal and throughout Agra,”  According to company’s MD Krishan Gupta.

“It is one of the best plants which purify the environment. Its cleansing action is due to its property of releasing high amount of oxygen, which minimises the adverse impact of industrial and refinery emission.” Krishan Gupta added.

The visit to incredible India cannot be complete without experiencing its most spectacular piece of architecture — the Taj Mahal, literally ‘the Crown Palace’. Its curving, gently swelling dome and the square base upon which its rests so lightly, surrounded by four lofty minarets, is a familiar image in hundreds of travel brochures and travelogues on India. This picture postcard image of the Taj, as it is lovingly called, does little justice to the legend, the poetry and the romance woven into its history. Its beauty is eternal. It overawes, it mesmerizes, and it inspires.

The beauty of Taj Mahal is so mesmerizing that one cannot avoid the enticement of capturing it into their camera. Agra Taj Mahal is believed to be the most photographed monument of India. Taj Mahal in Agra India has never failed to fascinate the tourists from the world over. If one want to understand this beauteous monument of love and would like to know more about Taj Mahal then one should experience it. No trip to India is complete without visiting the Taj Mahal Agra.

The structure of Taj Mahal adheres to the Indo Islamic architecture, which flourished in India during the medieval period. It is said that the structure was based primarily on the structure of Humayun’s tomb in Delhi, which was culminated in precision with the building of the Taj.

The mammoth entrance gate built in red sandstone is a beautiful inscribed with texts from the Koran. They are beautifully written in absolutely uniform size from whichever angle you see them. After passing the gate you enter in to the exquisitely laid gardens with symmetrical designs and fountains built in red sandstone with the majestic Taj standing nearly thousand feet away.

The Taj stands atop a plinth with four minarets in each corner. The central dome is huge supported by four smaller domes. The elegantly carved arches and the floral designs, not only intricate, but in perfect symmetry is the highlight of Taj. The exquisite tracery looks more like lace than actual carvings. Earlier precious and semi-precious stones were laid inside the floral designs, a very typical form of craftsmanship known as the pietra dura.

Inside the cenotaph are the two dummy tombs of Shahajehan and his wife Mumtaz; the original ones are in the basement just beneath these. The tombs studded with various precious gems like the Sapphire, Ruby et al were the natural target for grave robbers. The interiors of the chamber have fine floral motifs on in its walls with various shades of marble stones. The most moving feature is the tragic prayer of the emperor which is carved in perfect calligraphy on the tomb which asks for help from the almighty and says, ‘Help us, O Lord, to bear that which we can not bear!’

Taj Mahal Garden The garden in Islamic Style of architecture is not just another feature it has a well-defined meaning and it symbolizes the spirituality. According to the holy Koran, a garden is symbolic of paradise.On leaving the entrance gateway, you can view a sprawling garden in front of you going all the way up to the plinth of the Taj. The Taj Garden covers most part of the Taj Complex. Out of a total area of 580 m by 300 m, the Taj Garden alone covers 300 m by 300 m.

Garden of Taj Mahal Though the garden is now maintained regularly, there is still a patch on the original royal garden. The char bagh, separated by the watercourses originating from the central, raised pool, were divided into 16 flower beds, making a total of 64. There were 400 plants in each bed. All the trees, either cypress (signifying death) and fruit trees (signifying life) were planted to maintain symmetry.

A green carpet of garden, a Persian garden, runs from the main gateway to the foot of the Taj Mahal. Such gardens were introduced to India by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, who also brought with him the Persian infatuation with flowers and fruit, birds and leaves, symmetry and delicacy. Unlike other Oriental gardens – especially those of the Japanese, who learned to accentuate existing resources rather than formalise them – the Persian garden was artificially contrived, unbashedly man-made, based on geometric arrangements of nature without any attempt at a “natural” look.

Hindu Symbols in Taj Mahal  With the coming of the Mughals in India, the architectural style of Hindus were greatly influenced. On the other hand, the Mughals also incorporated some elements of Hindu architecture in their style

Taj Mahal is an example of the rich Mughal architecture. The influence of the Hindu style of architecture on the Islamic buildings was natural. It is said that many holistic symbols of Hindus had been followed in designing Taj Mahal. Most important of all is the use of lotus.
Lotus
Lotus is a holy symbol of the Indian cultural heritage. It is a sacred symbol for Hindus and has been mentioned in all Hindu scriptures. Lord Brahama and Vishnu are depicted sitting in a lotus. The Indian poets have used lotus as a simile to the feet of the Gods. According to Mahayana, the sect of Buddhism all souls emerge from a lotus. Lotus is the prominent Hindu symbol used in Taj Mahal.

Though Muslims does not have any significance to lotus they have used lotus in Muslim architecture under the influence of Hinduism. The Taj Mahal contains a lot of lotus motifs in its designs. The dome of Taj Mahal resembles the upside-closed lotus resting on its petals.

Purankalsa
Purankalsa Purnakalasa also known as Purnakumbha, Purnaghata and Mangalakalasa is one of the eight auspicious symbols of the Indian classical art. It is a symbol of plenty and creativity. This symbol is normally associated with Lakshmi and with over flowing foliage composed of lotus buds, flowers and leaves. The motifs of Purankalsa appears in its finest form on the interiors of Taj Mahal. Here the vase and the foliage motif have been combined in a very fine way with the inner border.

It’s never too late to plan your Valentine’s Day and for those who like to make early plans, here’s a suggestion for your Valentine’s Day 2009. If Tanflora’s ambitions are anything to go by, lovers across the country and Europe can buy their loved ones the Taj Mahal.

Don’t look surprised, because the Taj Mahal is an exotic variety of red rose that will flood the market by Valentine Day 2009. After extensive lobbying, Tanflora was successful in securing exclusive marketing rights for this variety of rose. Having acquired the rights from a rose breeder in Holland, Tanflora is setting up a plant propagation unit following which five hectares will be dedicated to cultivation of this variety.

One reason is attributed to its perfect proportions and geometry. Another is ascribed to the various moods that the Taj presents to its viewers. Clad in delicate, white Makrana marble, the Taj changes its character across time as the light changes- dawn, noon, twilight, night. The shadows that fall on the marble too enhance the effect, being very delicate. The Taj is considered especially ethereal when viewed on a full moon night.

Taj Mahal stands on the bank of River Yamuna, which otherwise serves as a wide moat defending the Great Red Fort of Agra, the centre of the Mughal empire until they moved their capital to Delhi in 1637. It was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Taj Mahal of India – “the epitome of love”, “a monument of immeasurable beauty”. The beauty of this magnificent monument is such that it is beyond the scope of words. The thoughts that come into the mind while watching the Taj Mahal of Agra is not just its phenomenal beauty, but the immense love which was the reason behind its construction. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan got this monument constructed in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, with whom he fell in love at the first sight. The very first sight of the Taj Mahal, the epitome of love and romance leaves one mesmerized.

Standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is synonymous with love and romance. It is believed that the name “Taj Mahal” was derived from the name of Shah Jahan wife Mumtaz Mahal and means “Crown Palace”. The purity of the white marble, the exquisite ornamentation, precious gemstones used and its picturesque location, all make Taj Mahal travel gain a place amongst the most popular ones. However, unless and until, one knows the love story behind the Tajmahal of India, it will come up as just a beautiful building. But, the love behind this outstanding monument is what has given a life to this monument.