"Taj Mahal" is called the symbol of love.
The basic structure is essentially a large multichannel cube with chamfered corners, forming an octagon uneven which is about 55 meters (180 feet) on each of the four sides. On each of these sides, a huge pishtaq or vaulted archway, frames the iwan with two similarly shaped, arched balconies stacked on either side. This pattern is replicated pishtaqs stacking corners beveled, making the design completely symmetrical on all sides of the building. Four minarets frame the tomb, one at each corner of the plinth chamfered corners. The main room houses the false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan, the actual graves are at a lower level.
View from the south
Seen from the East
The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is the most spectacular feature. Height of about 35 meters (115 feet) is about the same as the length of the base, and is accentuated as it sits on a cylinder "drum" which is roughly 7 meters (23 feet) high. Because of its shape, the dome is often called an onion dome or Amrud (guava dome). The top is decorated with a lotus, which also serves to accentuate its height. The shape of the dome is emphasized by four smaller domes chattris (kiosks) placed at its corners, which replicate the onion shape of the main dome. Their bases open columns through the roof of the grave and supplying light to the interior. High decorative arrows (guldastas) extend from the edges of the base walls and provide visual emphasis on the dome height. The lotus motif is repeated on both chattris and guldastas. The dome and chattris are topped with a golden finial, which mixes traditional Persian and Hindustani decorative elements.
View from the south
Seen from the East
The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is the most spectacular feature. Height of about 35 meters (115 feet) is about the same as the length of the base, and is accentuated as it sits on a cylinder "drum" which is roughly 7 meters (23 feet) high. Because of its shape, the dome is often called an onion dome or Amrud (guava dome). The top is decorated with a lotus, which also serves to accentuate its height. The shape of the dome is emphasized by four smaller domes chattris (kiosks) placed at its corners, which replicate the onion shape of the main dome. Their bases open columns through the roof of the grave and supplying light to the interior. High decorative arrows (guldastas) extend from the edges of the base walls and provide visual emphasis on the dome height. The lotus motif is repeated on both chattris and guldastas. The dome and chattris are topped with a golden finial, which mixes traditional Persian and Hindustani decorative elements.
