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Mosque at The Taj Mahal
On
either side of the Tah Mahal are buildings of red sandstone. The one to
the west is a Mosque. It faces towards Mecca and is used for prayer.
Before we have a look at the Tahj Mahal mosque, let us take note of a
small stone enclosure along the western boundary wall where the well of
the Mosque is located. This greenery shaded structure, measuring 19 ft. by
6.5 ft. marks the site where the remains of Mumtaz Mahal were deposited
when first brought to Agra. From this temporary grave they were removed to
their present place of internment in the Taj Majal.
On the outside the Mosque has pietra dura work twining across its
spandrels. The platform in front of the Mosque is of red sandstone. A
highly polished small marble piece is so fitted that it serves as a mirror
and one can see the mausoleum reflected in it. The floor is of a material
which is exceedingly fine and sparkling and appears velvet red in shade.
On that 539 prayer carpets have been neatly marked out with black marble.
All over there is exquisite calligraphy and the name Allah and quotations
from scriptures inscribed. The roof supports 4 octagonal towers and 3
elegant domes. On either side of the Mosque, to the north and south, and
set along and upon the enclosure wall, there are two towers.
The Rest House at The Taj Mahal
On
the east side of the Tah Mahal stands the twin of the Mosque, a parallel
structure also made of red sandstone, referred to as the jawab, or "answer".
Because it faced away from the Mecca, it was never used for prayer. Its
presence there has always been something of an enigma. Was it a
caravanserai for pilgrims, or a meeting hall before the faithful gathered
before prayer? More p lausible is the theory that its purpose was purely
architectural, to counterbalance the Mosque and preserve the symmetry of
the entire design on the platform.
The jawab is similar to the Mosque at Taj Mahel. However, it does not
contain the accessories which go with a mosque, and, instead of Koranic
inscriptions, there are beautiful flower designs and other decoration
effectively done in white marble on the red sandstone background. On the
floor between the building and the mausoleum there is a full size
reproduction of the pinnacle adorning the Taj Mahel. This gives some idea
of the true proportions (31 ft.) of what from below appears to be a tiny
thing.