Marble, minarets and mouthwatering munch (Taj Mahal)

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Product:	Taj Mahal
Date:	31/01/02 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Curry

Disadvantages: Boring marble everywhere and a big building that you have to look around

Spring is the loveliest season in which to visit the Taj Mahal, for in the morning the wind is sweet with the perfumes of springtime blossoms and the hot, tropical sun rises high in a burning sky. Bright-winged birds sing in the pines and palms, and the high stone wall, in the centre of which is an arched gate, gleams in the sun.

Through the gate and beyond is the fabulous tomb, built by the King of India for the woman he adored, Arjemand, "The Chosen of the Palace". Rising from a sea of fresh, green grass and flowers into a sky intesly blue, the Taj seems to be all the dreams of beauty in the world suddenly come true.

It seems not a building made of stone, but a vision made of sunlight and clouds, floating against a turquoise sky, at the end of the cypress tree avenue. Stretching across the garden from the entrance gate to the Taj, there is a long, narrow canal, bordered by a marble pavement. Fountains, in a long row, splash beside the pavement, and trees and flowers all in blossom grow everywhere.

Halfway along the Cypress aisle is a raised lily pool, which is approached by marble steps. Upon the surface of the pool huge white lotus blossoms float. At the end of the pavement soars the ivory temple, and standing on the marble platform on which the Taj is built, the wondrous sepulchre, with its domes and minarets, seems to float like a bubble of sunlight or a temple of snow. After more than three centuries the building is still as fresh and fair as it was when the Shah Jehan was living.

A carved marble doorway leads into the central room of the Taj where lie the tombs of Arjemand and the Shah. Encircling the tombs is the most wonderful screen, made of pierced marble slabs, slabs that look more like delicate lace than stone. Far overhead, in the half-light, arches the carved marble ceiling, and in this peaceful room every whisper echoes. All about are the inlaid walls, as delicate as the embroidery of the bridal gown of
"The Chosen of the Palace". The silver doors, the canopy of pearls, disappeared a long time ago, but a treasure house of beauty still remains.

Early in the evening, when the huge full-moon rises, the Taj turns into a pale, pearl ghost, touched by the moonlight, and perfumed by the spring blossoms flowering on every side. One wonders if it is going to melt into the moonlight, as the legend tells, and reveal the image of the worshipped queen. Beside the marble benches by the raised lily pond, the crickets begin to chirp, and from the flame-of-the-forest trees, from the bowers of honeysuckle, come stirrings of the night birds singing softly to the Emperor and Empress, asleep, side by side, in the magic palace of the Taj Mahal.

When that time comes, time to leave the majestic beauty behind, the time has arrived for a right good curry. All that marble and minarets is okay for a while, but the real reason for going is the authentic grub in the surrounding eateries. Do make sure to go into a restaurant with an English language menu though - I've heard they eat dog around those parts.

A STUDY OF MY OPINION

I received an email from Dooyoo atating that from my opinion it was not obvious that I had even been to the Taj. I think I can thank MALU for that (see comments). My opinion was placed in a locked status.

I would like to have a look at my opinion. I am not going to change it.

(a) "Spring is the loveliest season in which to visit the Taj Mahal" How would I know this if I hadn't visited on several occasions?

(b) "the wind is sweet with the perfumes of springtime blossoms" How could I describe a smell that I had never smelled?

(c) "an arched gate, gleams in the sun" How would I know about gleaming in the sun?

(d) "the Taj seems to be all the dreams of beauty in the world suddenly come true" Seems to who?? To me, that's who.

>(e) "slabs that look more like delicate lace than stone" LOOK to who??

(f) "and in this peaceful room every whisper echoes" Did I get that impression from a picture?

I am not going to bother going on any further. This site is a JOKE. You are all mad. Bye.

Charlie, chuckling at dooyoo, no actually rolling on the floor laughing at how stupid this site really is.

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