May 2, 2015 at 8:27 pm

Picture of the Day: Perfectly Framed

by twistedsifter

Taj_Mahal-framed-Agra_India

 

Seen here is the stunning Taj Mahal, perfectly framed by this nearby archway and captured by Diego Delso. The Taj Mahal (which literally translates to ‘crown of palaces’) is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. [Source]

The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”. It is regarded by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen. [Source]

The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is the most spectacular feature. Its height of around 35 metres (115 ft) is about the same as the length of the base, and is accentuated as it sits on a cylindrical “drum” which is roughly 7 metres (23 ft) high. [Source]

 

 

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