Qutub Minar: India Tourist Place by Mzondi Lungu

Qutub Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing '27 Hindu temples'. A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled.

The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer.

No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement. His successor, Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey.

The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tughlak is quite evident in the minar. The relief work and even the materials used for construction differ. The 238 feet Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets. Even though in ruins, the Quwwat Ui Islam (Light of Islam) Mosque in the Qutab complex is one of the most magnificent structures in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak started its construction in 1193 and the mosque was completed in 1197.

Iltutmush in 1230 and Alla-ud-din Khilji in 1315 made additions to the building. The main mosque comprises of an inner and outer courtyard,decorated with shafts and surrounded by piller. Most of these shafts are from the 27 Hindu temples, which were plundered to construct the mosque. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Muslim mosque has typical Hindu ornamentation. Close to the mosque is one of Delhi's most curious antiques, the Iron Pillar.

The Taj Mahal: Top Tourist Attraction in India by Mzondi Lungu

The Taj Mahal is the epitome of Mughal art and one of the most famous buildings in the world. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river. The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad ‘Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time. The documents contain names of those employed and the inventory of construction materials and their origin. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara worked on many specialized tasks. It is one top tourist attractions of the world. Throughout the year thousands of tourists from different parts of the world visit Taj Mahal.

The tomb is the representation of the house of the queen in Paradise, and  its setting was based on the palace gardens of the great nobles. Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queen’s real name was Arjumand Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628.

 

The Taj has some wonderful specimens of polychrome inlay art both in the interior and exterior on the dados, on cenotaphs and on the marble jhajjhari (jali-screen) around them. The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four sections is further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet another four sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque, standing on their own and also constituting the whole.

 

Where it is

The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The mausoleum is located on the right bank of the river Jamuna at a point where it takes a sharp turn and flows eastwards.

How to reach

Agra is 200 km southeast from Delhi and is one of the points of the tourist's Golden Triangle of Agra-Delhi-Jaipur. Agra is also very well connected via rail and road with other nearby cities and tourist destinations. Close to 20 trains connect Delhi and Agra each day with journey times varying from 2 hours to 5 hours. Service to Agra's Kheria Airport is seasonal.

 

Frankfurt in Germany by Mzondi Lungu

Frankfurt, long considered strictly a financial capital and major travel hub, used to land on the culturati map once a year, during its annual book fair. A recent boom of restaurants and clubs, though, makes the case for permanent placement. Leading the city’s transformation is its fast-evolving red light district, where spots like Maxie Eisen, a deli-style cafe by day and a speakeasy-inspired bar by night, offer a sexiness that isn’t unseemly.

In the city center, a buzzy pan-Asian restaurant called Moriki was just opened by the Berlin-based chef Duc Ngo with a menu that includes envelope-pushing courses like sushi pizza; and the new sleek Lamoraga, a modern Spanish restaurant, is pulling in the shopping crowds for lunch. By the end of next year, the developer Ardi Goldman plans to reinvent and reopen the famed King Kamehameha Club, which had its original heyday in the 1990s and 2000s. And growth extends to the art world: The 32,000-square-foot underground extension at the Städel Museum earned accolades from around the globe when it opened last year.

Taj Mahal in Agra by Mzondi Lungu

Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. It is located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Its architectural style is a combine of Persian, Turkish and Indian architecture

Niagara Falls in Ontario and New York by Mzondi Lungu

A nature beauty. Niagara Falls are massive waterfalls on the Niagara River, straddling the international border separating the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The Falls make a tremendous sound as the water goes over and lands at the bottom.

Mzondi Lungu favorite Place Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul

World’s most amazing Mosque.An architecture miracle! The Blue Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I as a rival to Hagia Sophia and designed by architect Mehmet Aga. Construction on the Blue Mosque began in 1609 and took 7 years. If you visit Istanbul one day, you should definitely see Sultan Ahmed Mosque Too.

Big Ben in London by Mzondi Lungu

One of the most famous clock tower on earth is Big Ben in London. The clock tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. Today Big Ben is the icon for London.

Pyramids of Giza in Cairo by Mzondi Lungu

The Great Pyramid (Pyramids of Giza) was the tallest historical man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. It is 146.5 metres long. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu and was constructed over a 20 year period. Definitely you shouldn’t die before visiting Pyramids of Giza.

Favorite Lake in Malawi of Mzondi Lungu

The Malawi Lake is the 9th largest lake on Earth and has the biggest diversity of exotic fish species of all freshwater lakes. Discovered by Livingston in one of his expeditions in the 19th century, it was first called Nyasa, which means the lake of stars, because of the way its water surface sparkles. The basin covers approximately one fifth of Malawi's territory and stands between three countries. With a length of 365 miles and a width of 52 miles, and the fact that it is fed by 12 rivers, it is often referred to as the Calendar Lake. An intriguing fact is that there are no settlements on the shores, yet there are always crowds of people. With its rich flora and fauna, this park is part of the World Heritage List and is extremely important for studying the evolution of the species on our planet. Lastly, since the soils of the region are exceptionally barren, the only occupation that the locals can pursuit is fishing, thus the lake is the only source of food and living.

Marrakech in Morocco favorite place of Mzondi Lungu

Once upon a time, Marrakech was a glorious capital of Morocco and an emblem of luxury, especially the magnificent El Badi Palace with 360 rooms, lavishly decorated in marble, gold, onyx, ivory and precious stones - brilliant constructions, surrounded by fountains and green gardens. After the death of the ruler and founder, Sultan Ahmed el Mansour and the loss of the capital status, the city sparkle begins to wither and today, only the ruins show traces of the long lost splendour. Tourists can enjoy the remaining 12th century marquetry minbar, encrusted in silver and gold, diligently restored by the National Museum of Art, or the fortress' dungeon with cages, where the sultan kept prisoners. Besides the palace in the Old Town, Marrakech presents its guests with the opportunity to enjoy some traditional Moroccan cuisine and listen to lively music on the Djemma el Fnaa square or escape the hassle and bustle in the Botanic garden - a green retreat away from the abundance of exotic sounds, colours and aromas.

Victoria Falls place in Zimbabwe by Mzondi Lungu

The Smoke that Thunders, as the indigenous call it, is featured among the most beautiful waterfalls in the world and with its continues 108 meters high and nearly two kilometres wide flow, it is considered the largest water curtain on the planet. The falls were discovered in the mid-19th century by the famous David Livingston and were named after the Queen of England. They are part of a couple of national parks and are the most visited tourist attraction in South Africa. More than 500 million cubic meters/ min of water plummet the basalt cliff to culminate in a cloud of vapour and to create a spectacular display of Nature's might.  The best way to enjoy this beauty is either from the specially constructed for the purpose bridge or from the air. The phenomenal grandiosity is such, that even Livingston himself wrote in his journal after he first beheld Victoria that the falls are "so lovely [that they] must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight".

Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is a Favorite Place of Mzondi Lungu

If you seek the place where you can see the big five rulers of the animal kingdom on the Black continent - the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros, Masai Mara is certainly the right choice! During the dry season between the months of July and October, the area turns in one of the most astonishing natural spectacles on earth, as there is no other location where you can observe the massive annual migration of the antelope Gnu, rising a dusty cloud to the skies. Masai Mara stretches 1.5 hundred square kilometres over beautiful plains and forests, and presents an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Whether from a hot-air balloon flight or on board of a safari jeep, the reserve is a favourite destination to all who want to enjoy a view of the wild unstained Africa, as Masai Mara offers a true sense of the African spirit.

The Pyramids in Egypt is a Favorite Place of Mzondi Lungu

Certainly amongst the most easily recognizable of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Egyptian pyramids have captured the imagination and admiration over the centuries. The incessant interest in the grandiose constructions and mystic rituals of the ancient culture attract millions of enthusiasts every year, eager to catch a glimpse of the massive pyramid shaped buildings and gran monuments. The enigma of how the structures were built have long been a focal point of numerous scientists and explorers who still debate over the way ancient Egyptians managed to rise the ton-weight blocks in such accurate design.