Exterior Taj Mahal

The Taj itself stands on a raised platform. The four minarets at each comer of the plinth provide a perfect balance to the tomb. The minarets measure 41.6 Ih high and each has a deliberate slant outwards so that in an unlikely even! of an earthquake, they would not fall on the tomb but away from it. The bulbous dome of the Taj Mahal rests on an extraordinarily high drum and rises to a total height of 44.41 mt. from the base of the drum to the apex of the finial.

The central dome of the Taj is flanked on all four angles by four very appropriate Chhatris which though sufficiently detached, appear to be attached to the dome, irrespective of the angle of the view. There is only one point of access to the plinth and tomb, a double staircase facing the entrance. One has to remove shoes over here or can put on the shoe covers, which are provided by the staff stationed here for this purpose.