Ever stumbled upon a moment so perfect it felt like the universe was putting on a show just for you? In recent years, I’ve been blessed to experience a few such moments, each as awe-inspiring as the next. From the snow-kissed magic of Engelberg, Switzerland, to the pristine natural beauty of Loen, Norway, each experience has been a testament to the world’s wonders.
And then, there’s this equally mesmerizing moment from my trip to India in late 2022, standing in the shadow of the majestic Taj Mahal as the day waved goodbye.
Imagine planning to catch the Taj Mahal in the full glory of daylight but ending up there as the evening sets in. What seemed like a missed opportunity transformed into one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life. The monument, bathed in the soft golden hues of sunset, presented a sight so stunning it almost felt surreal.
Just before exiting (it was closing time), I captured this serene beauty with my iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The Taj, in all its solitary grace, against the backdrop of the evening’s embrace—captured forever.
Diving into the engineering side:
Creating something as grand as the Taj Mahal with the tech available back in the day! It blows my mind how they pulled off such an architectural feat without any modern machinery. Truly impressive.
Also, I found out that the intricate designs on the walls aren’t actually painted. They’re made using a technique called Pietra Dura, where artisans inlay colored stones into the marble to create those stunning patterns. No paint, just pure skill and patience.
The inside of the mausoleum is something else entirely. It’s got this remarkable acoustic design that creates a “whispering gallery effect.” The way the cenotaphs and double domes are positioned, even the softest whisper gets carried across the chamber. Our guide had us experience this firsthand, and it was one of those ‘have to hear it to believe it’ kind of things.