The interior of the mausoleum comprises a lofty central chamber, a crypt immediately below this and four octagonal corner rooms originally intended to house the graves of other royal family members.

In the centre are the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.Shah Jahan's cenotaph is to the left and is higher than that of his beloved which rests immediately below the dome.

The cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal stands in the centre of the marble screen, it has inscribed on it in Persian with texts from the Koran.

The cenotaph of Mumtaz has the single epitaph inscribed on it

"Marqad Munavvar Arjumand Bano Begum Mukhatib bah Mumtaz Mahal Tanifiyat fer sanh 1040 Hijri" (Here lies Arjumand Bano Begum called Mumtaz Mahal who did in 1040 A.H. or 1630 A.D.)

The cenotaph of Shah Jahan is inscribed in Persian- .'Marqad Mutahar Aali Hazrat Firdaus Ashiyani Sahib-qiran Saani Shah Jahan Badshah taab surah sanh 1076 Hijri"

(The sacred sepulchre of his most exalted Majesty, dweller of Paradise, the second lord of constellations, the king Shah Jahan, may his mausoleum ever flourish, 1076 A.H. (1666 A.D.).

Above the tombs is a Cairene lamp, the flame of which is supposed to never burn out.

Marble screen of trelliswork surrounds the graves.

Both tombs are exquisitely inlaid with semiprecious stones.

The acoustics of the building are superb with the domed ceiling being designed to echo chants from Koran and musician's melodies. It is suggested that one walk around the outside of the tomb, before retrieving your shoes, to appreciate it from all sides.

Suggested Agra Holiday Packages

Agra Taj Mahal Holidays	Golden Triangle Tiger Tour
Duration : 6 Nights / 7 Days Places to Visit : Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi	Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days Places to Visit : Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Umaria - Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
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Hotel in Agra

Clarks Shiraz Hotel	Hotel Amar Yatri Niwas
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Mughal Sheraton Hotel Agra	Taj View Hotel Agra
Category: 5 Star (Deluxe Hotel) Location: Taj Ganj, Agra India Rooms: 300 Rooms	Category: 5 Star (Deluxe Hotel) Location: Taj Road, Agra India Rooms: 100 Rooms
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