The Taj Mahal in Agra, India is undoubtedly one of the best-known monuments in the world. We present here some of the not so well-known, but interesting facts about Taj Mahal, that are sure to surprise you. The Taj Mahal with its architectural brilliance and the legend of love that is associated with it never fails to awe visitors who throng to have a glimpse of it.

It is one of those rare monuments that look more beautiful when you stand face-to-face with it. Whether you have been to the Taj Mahal or not, these facts about Taj Mahal are sure to pique your interest.

Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is one of the prime tourist attractions in India. It is located in Agra which is part of the famed Golden Triangle tourist circuit of India. The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of The World, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we take a look at some of the hidden facts about Taj Mahal.

Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal | Unknown Facts About Taj Mahal

Here are some top interesting facts you must know about Taj Mahal. The famous monument in marble that stands like a teardrop on the cheek of time, according to the famous words of Rabindranath Tagore remains shrouded in a veil of mystery because of these fascinating facts.

1. The Optical Illusions – Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

The builders and craftsmen who gave shape to the massive structure of the Taj Mahal were also skilled in optical physics. They were able to create optical illusions within the premises of the Taj Mahal.

When you see the Taj Mahal from the main gate, the monument of love appears quite close, however, when you walk towards it, you feel that it appears further than what you had seen from the main gate, something which is contradictory to what you would expect. The next time you are at the Taj Mahal, do check out this fascinating fact about the Taj Mahal.

2. The Leaning Minarets – Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

The four minarets that stand at the four corners of the Taj Mahal appear to be standing straight. However, they lean or slant slightly, of course not as dramatically as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The minarets are slanted in such a manner, that in case of an earthquake or other catastrophe if the minarets were to fall, they would fall away from the main structure and not damage it. Is this not an amazing fact about the Taj Mahal that demonstrates the ingenuity of its builders?

3. The Fate Of The Craftsmen – Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

There is a popular myth about Shah Jahan, the emperor who had the Taj Mahal built as a timeless ode to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. According to this myth, Shah Jahan had the hands of the workers and artisans who worked on the Taj Mahal amputated and their eyes gouged.

This was allegedly done to prevent them from building another masterpiece like the Taj Mahal. However, fascinating as it may seem, there is no historical evidence to substantiate this fact.

4. The Empty Cenotaphs – Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

Excited visitors marvel at the grandeur of the cenotaphs that lie side by side in a room with ornate walls. Light filters in through an exquisitely designed lattice window, casting a surreal halo on the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

But hold your breath! The cenotaphs are empty and serve as mere decorative pieces. The actual remains of the royal couple lie in another chamber below the cenotaphs at a lower level.

5. A Perfect Structure (Almost) – Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is not only representative of the finesse of Mughal architecture and design, but it also represents the pinnacle of symmetry and precision of Mughal architecture. Everything from the Mughal Gardens, the mausoleum, the minarets, and the mosque is in perfect balance and harmony.

However, there is one aberration, the cenotaph of Shah Jehan does not conform to the equilibrium of the entire structure, it lies west of the central axis. This is one of the unknown facts about Taj Mahal and may be due to the fact that Shah Jehan may have not planned to be buried there at all.

6. Multani Mitti Facepack – Unknown Facts About Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal which is like a pure white pearl has been losing its sheen owing to the vagaries of weather, pollution, and insects. This has resulted in its shining white colour deteriorating.

To arrest this change in colour, the Taj  Mahal is literally treated to a facial treatment with a paste made of Multani Mitti, which is a mud that is used by women for their facials to enhance the glow of their skin. Did you know about this intriguing fun fact about Taj Mahal?

7. The Chameleon Quality – Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

One of the reasons why visitors like to view the Taj Mahal many times and at different times, is that it looks different at different times! Not its physical appearance, but its colour.

From sunrise to sunset, the rays of the sun caress the beautiful monument lovingly, rendering it with a different hue every time. And after sunset, if it happens to be a full moon night, the Taj Mahal creates a different kind of magic in tandem with the silvery moon.

8. The Black Twin – Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

If local lore is to be believed, Shah Jahan had the plan to build a structure that would be a mirror image of the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank of the river Yamuna. The only difference would be in its colour. While the Taj Mahal was silvery white and built with white marble, its twin would be built with black marble.

Shah Jahan himself planned to be buried in what would have been the black Taj Mahal. But fate had other plans and the black twin was never born, and Shah Jahan lies buried beside his wife Mumtaz Mahal. However, this too is an unproven myth.

9. A Billion-Dollar Wonder – Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

It is believed that the Taj Mahal was built between 1631 – 1653 and at that time the cost was about 32 million Indian Rupees. According to current standards, this would amount to more than US $ 1 Billion. That is definitely a gargantuan budget for a mausoleum and priceless for a monument of love.

10. A Bamboo Screen – Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal because of its size and glow makes for a sitting duck for invaders from the sky. During World War II, the monument was concealed under bamboo scaffoldings, disguised as a stockpile of bamboo. This was done to save it from enemy attacks from the air.

These are some of the fascinating facts about the Taj Mahal that only add to its aura of mystical beauty. We hope you enjoyed reading about these interesting facts about the Taj Mahal and want to head out to view the beautiful monument once again.

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Sandy & Vyjay

Sandy & Vyjay are a husband and wife duo who are travel content creators. They are co-founders of this travel website and are one of the leading travel content creators in India.

Sandy & Vyjay quit their successful corporate careers to pursue their passion for travel and writing full-time. Their dedication has earned them the “Best Travel Writer” award and numerous accolades on both national and international stages. Focusing on India’s destinations, heritage, and culture, they are passionate advocates for nature and the environment. Through their content, they promote ecotourism and sustainable travel, inspiring others to explore and preserve the beauty of India.