Inside Taj Mahal

With a stunning exterior and a magnificent structure that the Taj Mahal is from the outside, it is even prettier from the inside. Decked up with precious stones inside white marble give it distinct beauty which no other monument can ever posses. Taj Mahal has been ranked first amongst the Seven Wonders of the World and there is no doubting as to why. The inlay of the Taj Mahal is not Pietra Dura unlike the exterior of the Taj. The inside chamber is octagonal in shape, with entry on all the eight sides, but only the southern entry is used. The walls of the Interiors of the Taj are high and are imposed with a false dome which also has a sun motif. The windows of the interiors of the Taj Mahal are intricately befitted by a screen called jali cutout in marble. The marble screen or the jali is made so that light could enter through them. Apart from this, light enters through the openings on the roof which is covered by Chattris. The inlaid stones are of the pattern of vines and flowers and fruits, same as the exterior of the Taj, giving it a familiar look. The Muslim tradition prohibits any type of grandeur associated with graves and mausoleums and thus the central grave part of the Taj is quite low key in comparison to other parts of the mausoleum. The graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are kept in a plain crypt within the inner chamber. Their faces are kept in the direction of Mecca. The cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal is in the centre-mid of the inner chamber on a base which is rectangular with dimensions: 1.5 by 2.5meters. The grave of Shah Jahan is kept to the western side of the grave of Mumtaz Mahal, which is the only asymmetrical structure of the Taj Mahal. The lid of the casket of Shah Jahan has a motif of a pen box. This is the distinction which was used in Mughal funerary icons to depict the graves of men and women respectively. The grave of Mumtaz is adorned with the 99 names of Allah. The floor of the Taj has octagonal patterns which are laid in black stones in white marble flooring. The octagonal stars and cruciform structures of the flooring give it an edge in comparison to others in the inner chamber and the outer of the Taj.