Origins and architecture of the Taj Mahal older, pre-Mughal methods of proportion were employed as ordering principles in the Taj. The focus and climax of the Taj Mahal complex is the symmetrical white marble tomb; a cubic building with chamfered corners, with arched recesses known as pishtaqs. It is topped by a large dome and several pillared, roofed chhatris. In plan, it has a near perfect symmetry about 4 axes. It comprises 4 floors; the lower basement storey containing the tombs of Jahan and Mumtaz, the entrance storey containing identical cenotaphs of the tombs below in a much more elaborate chamber, an ambulatory storey and a roof
Taj Mahal Marathon Taj Mahal Marathon is regarded as a tough and unpredictable event, and only for the grown ups. A prior experience of running on highways along with traffic is highly recommended. The course begins from three points: Eastern Gate, Southern Gate and Western Gate of Taj Mahal and lead the runners to NH 11 towards Jaipur, that takes runners to Bharatpur, Rajasthan via Fatehpur Sikri. The course provides runners the opportunity to run along the Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, which is a famous avifauna sanctuary that plays host to thousands