White Marble Marvel: A Second Taj Mahal Near Agra?

Agra: The Taj Mahal will never lose its significance and charm.

Not without reason is the majestic ivory-white marble mausoleum, which stands on the bank Yamuna river in UP’s Agra, considered to be one of the world’s seven wonders and attracts millions of visitors every year.

In recent times, however, thousands of tourists are thronging to the newly-built mausoleum of the founder of Radhasoami sect in Soami Bagh, around 12 km from Agra.

Many are comparing the two architectural marvels.

While Taj Mahal, which was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his wife Mumtaz, took 22 years to be completed in its entirety under a medieval authoritarian regime, the construction of Soami Bagh mausoleum spanned over a century (104 years) in an open society, reported IANS.

The Soami Bagh mausoleum, according to devoted follower of the faith Pramod Kumar, is a testament to the unwavering faith, fervour and dedication of its creators, who were driven by their religious beliefs.

Dedicated to the founder of Radha Soami faith Param Purush Pooran Dhani Swamiji Maharaj, the the 193-foot tall structure rests on a foundation of 52 wells. It’s all in white marble, transported from Makrana in Rajasthan.

Entrance to Saomi Bagh mausoleum is free (unlike Taj Mahal), but photography is not allowed just like at the Taj.

Even hundreds and thousands of tourists express their admiration and awe at the exquisite craftsmanship on display, some minor work is still continuing.

“It is a form of worship that has been going on and will go on relentlessly,” say officials who supervised the construction.

The Radha Soami faith has millions of followers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka, as well as foreign countries.

However, the sponsors of Soami Bagh – called the ‘garden of the Lord’ — firmly deny any plans of rivalling the Taj.