5 Unknown Secrets of Taj Mahal that You should Know

The Ivory White Marble Mausoleum Standing, popularly known as the Taj Mahal, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1983. Being “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage,” it is considered to be a part of the seven wonders of this world. This architectural beauty is situated on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, India.  It is said that this was built in the memory of Shah Jahan’s beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after her demise and since then this has attracted 6 million visitors every year from all parts of the world.

This epitome of eternal love has many secrets that are less known to the common people or even visitors. Over the years, historians have studied and dug out the past about this monumental marble structure which is mind-boggling as well as unbelievable. Although the truth behind such secrets or revelations is subject to discussion, they have definitely added to the aura of this Mughal structure.

Here are some of the secrets that reveal more about the Taj Mahal:

Taj Mahal Stands Big and Strong on a Wooden Foundation

A monumental structure of such magnitude and symmetry as the Taj Mahal has been built following some hard calculations and scale. This iconic architecture was constructed keeping in mind the necessary aspects associated with lightness and weight. When the plan of such a huge architecture was chalked out, the load that the foundation needed to bear was definitely taken into consideration. In order to hold the 12,000 tons main dome and the rest of it, a strong foundation was built out of stone, masonry, and wood.

Now, many of you must not have the faintest idea that almost 400 years ago wood was used in the base Taj Mahal which still holds one of the greatest architecture in this world.  The truth behind is the water table which has stopped the 400 years old wood from drying out, rotting, or splitting up. Taj Mahal was built on the banks of the Yamuna River and so, it has stood the stands of time with its wooden base foundation.

The Cenotaphs inside the Taj Mahal are Empty

The Taj Mahal was constructed as an honor to the most favorite wife of Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal and so, at the center of it, lays her cenotaph. Later, after the demise of the emperor Shah Jahan, his cenotaph was also laid beside Mumtaz. There is an eight-sided chamber decorated with pietra dura and a marble lattice screen inside which the two cenotaphs are present.

Artistic creativity and excellence can be noted in every corner of this architecture including the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal but it is unknown to most people that these two cenotaphs are actually empty. They have been made be symbolize the mortal remains and showcase the ornate stone works on it. The actual tombs are believed to be in a room under that on a lower level with no elaborate decorations. They lay there in peace and in a simple fashion.

There are locked mysterious Rooms in the Taj Mahal

There is a hush-hush amongst many historians about twenty-two locked rooms that are situated in the basement of the Taj Mahal at the garden level. These rooms have remained closed since the time of Shah Jahan when the Taj Mahal was constructed and nobody dared to open them ever since. Recently, questions have come up regarding the truth and the reason behind those locked doors. Many people have raised the idea of the royal treasury being locked up in those chambers just like it was found inside the locked chambers of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Trivandrum.

Taj Mahal Changes Color Throughout the Day

To the common people and visitor, Taj Mahal is made up of White Marble and so the color of Taj Mahal is white. True, it is but that is only the partial truth. Taj Mahal changes its hues with the change in light. At dawn it is of reddish hue as the sun rises which slowly changes to a waxy yellow. The bright White color of the Makrana Marble is visible in the afternoon which the sun is high up in the mid sky.

At the time of the sunset it ones again becomes a reddish yellow with the mood of the setting sun. Although at night the Taj Mahal seems to be large shadowy figure on this planet, visitors have shown interest in looking at Taj Mahal on a Full Moon Night. If you are interested in witnessing this love symbol on a Full Moon Night, you will have to book tickets a day before the full moon.

The mysterious little stream of Water in the Taj Mahal

One of the recent revelations also suggests that there is a little stream of water in the Taj Mahal where water suddenly streams. The common people have never really noticed or found out the well-spring of that stream but special researchers have found evidences that show a link between the source of the stream and its hidden origin. The government of India has ordered to cease any further research on this monument and has also restricted a book called The Truth of Taj Mahal.

Tourists from different segments of this world come every day to witness this wonder, changing colors throughout the day. All eyes feel blessed and mesmerized by the beauty of the Taj Mahal. Being a symbol of the past, it holds deeper history and mystery within itself while witnessing modernization today. It is time to know the truth and look at this monumental structure through the lens of wisdom.