August 1, 2007 - Agra, India

"It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart.”
~Oscar Wilde

Built in 22 years by 20,000 people. Exact symmetry of the entire building construction had originally been accomplished. The building is made of brick and mortar, and then covered in white marble. The only difference between the surrounding land in 1631 and today, is that there is now a reflective pool and manicured gardens. Originally, only mango trees stood on this land. To the left of the tomb is the red Masjid (mosque) facing Mecca and to the right of the tomb is the red Mehmankhana (guest house). The perfect white marble Taj Mahal tomb stands in the middle.

This World Heritage Site and member of the Seven Manmade Wonders of the World is considered a monument to love.

Shah Jahan built the tomb for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. It was his intention to build an exact replica on the other side of the Yamuna River in black marble for himself. However, Shah Jahan was overtaken by his son and placed in captivity for the remainder of his life. The son then placed his father's crypt to the right of his mother, causing the perfect symmetry of the original Taj Mahal to be eternally off balanced.

All Indian's have a great deal of pride in Agra and the Taj Mahal. However, it was through a personal conversation with a well-educated woman when the perspective arose that this is not a monument to love; it is a monument to male-chauvinistic, bigger-is-better, self-pride.