The Real Reason the Taj Mahal was Built

On a recent trip to India, I was able to visit the world-famous Taj Mahal in Agra. It is a magnificent masterpiece of workmanship and a testament to the power of love. Mughal Emperor Shan Jahan built it to honor his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died during childbirth in 1631. Imagine an architectural marvel combining Persian, Islamic and Indian styles built out of white marble and red sandstone,  embedded with intricate designs of precious stones. Words cannot describe the beauty and workmanship. It is no wonder that it took 20 years to complete and the skill of over 20,000 workers.

I pondered the depth of love a mere mortal must have possessed to create such a gorgeous shrine. As I walked the gardens, I observed families and tourists snapping photos to commemorate their visits. Women from Ukraine, dressed in Indian garb were having professional photos taken. Such is the world-famous allure of the Taj Mahal.

When I finished the tour, I walked back to the entrance area to wait for the tour group to gather. It was here that I felt overcome with grief and sadness and it was if Shan Jahan was saying, “I miss her so. I miss her so.” I could sense that he wanted to connect but I was distracted with all the people. Even now as I sit quietly back in my hotel room, I hear him nudging me and saying, “Do it now?” as if he is asking permission.

So let’s go Shan Jahan. Tell me what you want to say. Herewith is our conversation:

Shan Jahan: First of all, thank you so much for taking the long voyage to India to see my creation, my masterpiece! I hope it did not disappoint.

Janie J: It was magnificent and did not disappoint. We are glad we finally got to see it in person and felt the love you must have had for your wife.

Shan Jahan: Oh yes, I did (and still do) love her so! I am happy, so happy that the millions and millions of visitors continue to visit this special site.

You see, for even though I built the monument in honor of my lovely wife, it had a dual purpose. The other purpose was to remind people they too have such a special person in their life. It may not be every lifetime, but someday we’ll all have the opportunity to meet our one true great love. I knew it was a special occurrence in meeting her, so I wanted to shout my joy.

It is my hope that others will find their special someone as well, but in the meantime show love (and sometimes affection) to others. It’s very important for people to learn to love each other. Love each other in the bad times. Love each other in the good times. It matters not the situation; just love each other.

For when we deny love to another, we are denying love to ourselves. We all need love to grow just like a flower needs water and sun to grow and bloom. If there is no love then society will not bloom. It will not grow (or advance) in the ways we are meant to by our Gods.

This is the real true reason for the Taj Mahal—to promote love to one another. A lesson we must all learn if we are to not just advance, but even to merely survive.

This is an important message. It’s the reason that so many others, such as yourself, are needed to spread this important mission. Humanity is lifted each time a new person makes the revelation that our intent or purpose on Earth is to learn to love—truly love—one another.

Namaste and thank you once again for making this noble visit.