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Doom of Taj Mahal

It’s said that any replica, in any shape, form, or material of Taj Mahal should never be gifted. It signifies separation, or leads to it. I did gift it to my friend once….
Infact, my best friend, years back….
It was a normal day at school and out of nowhere the discussion rose as to what would we want to own if sky is the limit. She leisurely said Taj Mahal… Days and months passed. I was hunting for a birthday gift for her when I chanced on a small and pretty Taj Mahal replica. Instantly I knew this is the best thing I could gift her. I did.

That was then. I wont call it a tragic separation or sad disconnection but we changed school, kept in touch but eventually drifted. Now, I have loads of friends, so called friends, acquaintances on my mail, orkut, facebook…She somehow is untraceable…
Choose your gift carefully eh….

Things however have changed…
I visited Taj Mahal a day before…earlier people used to go with awe that it will be extremely beautiful and get somewhat disappointed. We went with high expectations of it not being any great; it actually wasn’t not-so-great.
It is beautiful though mournful; a makbara afterall. Maybe we have stopped appreciating its beauty after we saw numerous beautiful monuments and buildings…but those times were different…

Made by hundreds of thousands of men, after Mumtaz died during their fourteenth (!) child’s birth. She asked for a memorial so grand for her that the world will be awestruck…
Shah Jehan granted the wish…Taj Mahal was built. To secure the patent, he had the hands of chief architect cut so that such a monument could not ever be replicated…
Soon after Taj Mahal was built, Shah Jehan’s son had him dethroned and confined in Agra Fort. Interestingly, from his room in Agra fort, Taj Mahal is clearly visible.

Wonder how this monument which is essentially a mausoleum has survived through the centuries and attracted love and awe of one and all.
Today, Taj’s premises probably holds maximum non natives. Also, most varied nationals of various countries at a single place at any point of time. We, funnily, on out way to Taj were unsure if we were on the right track and decided to follow 3-4 foreigners walking ahead of us. No need to mention it worked!

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