The Taj Mahal is a sight unlike any other. No words can accurately describe it.
I was fortunate enough to go there on my trip to India in 2009 and the extra day it took to get there was well worth the journey. I was not about to miss this great monument and eternal symbol to love after the 30 hours it took to fly to the other side of the world. Even if it meant traveling solo at 4am on a commuter train.
Yeah. Tell ya that story another time.
Once I passed through the outer gate, I caught my first glimpse of the Taj.
The temple appeared to be shrouded in a mist.
Once I crossed over the threshold, the sight took my breath away.
The temple is not an object. It’s an experience.
One can literally feel the love that drove the construction of this great monument radiating from every corner.
Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passion of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones. – Sir Edwin Arnold.
And although you are surrounded by hundreds of other visitors, strangely there’s an air of peace. Reverence for the deceased perhaps.
The story goes that Shah Jahan, born Prince Khurram, fell in love at first sight with Arjumand Banu Begum, a Muslim Persian princess, back in 1607. She was 15 and he was 14. Immediately declaring his love for her to his father, he was finally able to take her as his own five years later. In 1628 Jahan became Emperor and though he had other wives, Arjumand Banu donned the royal seal and was titled Mumtaz Mahal, the “Jewel of the Palace.” But in 1631 she died while giving birth to their 14th child.
14th! If that’s not a lotta love, I don’t know what is.
Jahan was heartbroken and he ordered the court into two years of mourning. After her death, he had this mausoleum erected in her honor. The Taj Mahal took 22 years and 22,000 men to build. Upon his death in 1666, he was laid to rest by her side.
Almost 400 years later, the Taj is still considered one of the most stunning man-made monuments in the world.
So what is your monument to love?
If you were to die tomorrow, what would people say about you?
What legacy of love would you leave behind?
They say the measure of a man lie in the fruits of his labors. Where are you choosing to spend the majority of your time? Helping yourself or helping others? Enjoying life or stressing over what you don’t have?
In the end, it all comes down to love. Not that work isn’t important but as my friend Nigel so eloquently put it, “Who lay on their deathbed and said, ‘wish I’d put some more hours in at the office’?”
So are you enjoying your life today the best way you possibly can?
You have the ability now to change anything in your life. What will it be? What does it need to be?
Wanna give more love? Go for it! You’ll get loads in return.
Wanna have more pleasure in your life? Learn to love the meantime. Find a way to seduce your cheese, like the French do. That right there is bound to make your day 😉
Wanna bring back that lovin’ feeling with you and your love? All you gotta do is love. It’s as simple as that.
No matter where in your life you feel you lack love, all you gotta do is give a little. If at first you don’t succeed, then try, try again. It won’t take long for the universe to respond to your love song.
And lastly, let’s remember that having love doesn’t have to involve a lover. [okay get your mind out of the gutter] If you have one, awesome. That’s a bonus! But the love begins first with us and us alone. If you’re not feelin’ the love in your life right now, look inside. For we can only absorb the love we receive from others to the extent to which we can love ourselves.
It’s time for a LOVE Revolution guys. Our world needs it now more than ever. How are you going to contribute? Wanna start at home? Or are you ready to take the LOVE out into the streets and your place of work? Do you feel you’re already doing a pretty good job of spreading the love?
Love is free so we can all afford to give a little. Let’s never doubt the significance our little dose of love can have on the world. As the butterfly effect states, what we do today can actually have great effect on the world.
Have fun lovin’!
Hi. Loved this post. Excellent writing. Excellent theme. I’ve been to the Taj. We go to India often. You may like my blog:
http://writingstraight.com/2012/02/27/indias-ancient-roots-of-christianity/
Btw, if this comes twice its because I didn’t think the first comment went through. If it did, sorry!
Thank you Holly 🙂 I’ll definitely check it out. And no worries… no duplicates 😉
Don’t you just love India?? I can’t wait to go back!
Yes, we’ve traveled quite extensively all over India. Love Darjeeling a lot, Goa was great. I have some other photos on my blog of different places in India. Look at the Location….blog, too.
Great post Ingrid. I’ve always wanted to see the Taj. Thx for sharing your journey.
You’re welcome Louise! It was a fantastic trip. I highly recommend going 🙂
Stunning Ingrid. I had no idea the story behind the monument – wow! What a declaration of love and adoration.
LOVE the love revolution!! Gonna try to spread more luv in my every day life by being kind and open…and less focused on me and what I need to get done. LOL!
Right!? It’s definitely a balance but I’ve just found the more self-centered I was, the less happy I was. I’m just much happier now that I spend at least half if not more of my time helping and serving. But I’m sure it’s different for everybody 🙂
What a terrific post, Ingrid! It was just what I needed to read today. Thank you!
Oh good 🙂 You’re so welcome Annie!
Ingrid – you are rapidly becoming synonymous with “love.”
Aww! Thanks David 🙂 I’m thinking of making this the “love blog”. Kinda like the Love Boat. hehe
I love what you said about feeling the love radiating from the Taj Mahal, Ingrid. I’ve always wanted to go to India. Thanks for giving me a virtual dose! 😉
My special monument is the Eiffel Tower. I never dreamed it would come to mean what it does to me, much because of my personal/ED story. When I first saw it, its sheer beauty took my breath away. (Photographs don’t do it justice!) Now it’s a symbol of overcoming hardship, peace, healing and joy. Places become so much richer when paired with personal experience, right?? Thanks for another great post!
You’re welcome 🙂 And absolutely! India has the same meaning in my heart as the Eiffel Tower does for you. The Taj was such a magical experience and hopefully you’ll get to see it one day 🙂
Love this post! Fantastic. About to tweet. In the meantime, I’d have to say my “monument to love” is my kids.
Thanks for the tweet Julie! I think kids are one of the greatest monuments to love! Can’t wait to have some one day 🙂
The Taj Mahal is so beautiful! What a wonderful experience you must’ve had, Ingrid. I like the story behind the reason it was built, though it’s bittersweet!
My “monument” to love would have to be the rock my husband gave me in 2nd grade. It’s about the size of a seven-year-old’s hand, dark green and smooth as glass from years of erosion. We were just childhood friends then. Who knew we’d fall in love as teenagers, get married and I’d have the rock after all those years? It’s a special item!
Oh my gosh, how sweet!!! I love that! What’re the odds?? What a love story! You should write about that one day 🙂
I loved this blog, Inge!!!
love,
Mom
Thank you Mom!! XOXO
Superb post!! Someday the Taj is on my list. I love hearing the story behind it though, beautiful.
Thank you Traci 🙂
The Taj Mahal is on my bucket list and now that I’ve read your post, it’s moved up in priority! It’s so beautiful and a lovely testament to love. I think of my home as my monument to love. Each time I cook a meal, clean or do laundry, I’m telling my family how much the mean to me and how special they are. It’s silly, I know, but being able to take care of my family is my testament of love.
Oh good! I heard somewhere it’s closing in a few years so you may wanna go soon.
That’s a wonderful monument to love and a tough one to maintain 😉 Running a household ain’t easy!