Ashok Kochhar – 
There are many legends around the world about love, stories about sacrificing life for the other, and tales of never ending wait by a lover to meet his or her heartthrob for one last time before leaving forever.
But the story of ‘Taj Mahal’ is unique. It narrates how a bereaving King builds the most beautiful piece of architecture in memory of his beloved.
Mesmerising sight
The very sight of Taj Mahal is mesmerising; you may see it from any angle, but its beauty only grows. The magic and magnificence makes you a part of a bygone era and takes you on a journey of marvel.
It is so beautiful that it leaves an ultimate eternal impression in you.
They say, a journey to the site to the site of Taj Mahal in Agra near Delhi is like a journey in time itself. And anyone who has been there will agree.
It is a place where time comes to a standstill, where the grand passages seem to welcome you, and all the chaos fade away to the first majestic look of the edifice.
Many international travellers have felt at home as the Taj presents a peaceful view.
Varying moods
As an artist, I have captured Taj Mahal in various seasons and various times of the day.
I love this piece of beauty. I have been to this great location on numerous occasions, and every time it unveils a different sight to me.
I have photographed the Taj from all the possible angles and every time I see it, the same question comes to my mind, “What is it that attracts the world to this place?”
Divine bond
To me, it is not just the beauty of the architectural marvel that attracts but also the soulful bonding between King Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. They must have been made for each other and must have carried one soul and two bodies. For, it is the power of love that is symbolic in every look of the Taj.
It is that divine bond between the two souls that draws everyone to it.
I believe that we often look for outlets, for our own thoughts and feelings.
I think this monument has been a love affair for many people for so many years, as it provides just that. It transforms itself, and becomes a manifestation of the person and his thoughts.
I have seen many artists shoot, paint and write prose about the Taj, and in every expression, this monument has changed from a work of art, to a call of the divine, from a love affair personified to a dream setting on Earth.
Lonely heart
Some have presented it as an expression of a lonely heart, while others have called it a map of the divine abode, casted by a mystic saint.
The Taj tells a different story to all, and changes with every season, but its soul still remains a mystery. And one can unlock this mystery, and become one with the magic, if only it is witnessed in total stillness within.
Then, one can get transported to those times when it was built and all the times it has stood witness of time itself.
Power of Attraction
There are very few locations on Earth, where the Aura of the place binds you and gives out a vibe, which is very rare.
That is the reason why travellers are drawn to these destinations.
While some places give you peace, others make you marvel the sheer excellence of human craftsmanship.
There are places that tell you about the fortunes of great kingdoms and about mysteries of the ancient world.
Taj Mahal is about all these and more. Simply put, it is about a story. It is about love and a simple, yet deep emotion.
Spiritual route
One gets the feeling as if the souls of these great lovers are still living in this divine space.
You also listen to very quite whispering sounds of these lovers. Their essence is all around, and you cannot help but fall in love; every time.
As a photographer I love to take a Spiritual route for my pictures, touching every mystical shade in the visual.
I also love to create visuals, which are soulful, and leave a deep impression on the viewer. Ashok Kochhar is one of the greatest photographers of our times and we are happy to announce that our readers will have the benefit of seeing his pictures in our exclusive columns.
The pictures appearing here are among the rarest to get through the lens of a camera. Each of them narrate not just the story of Taj Mahal but also of the photographer and the fact that he is a creative genius.
About Ashok Kochhar
Ashok Kochhar is an artist, a visual expert and an esoteric personified. While his images leave the spectators gasping, his thought and expression stir the deepest emotions and cast a spell of magnificence hard to explain in words.
It is often said that only a painter in a photographer can create wondrous and exotic visuals. In about two decades (he started only in the late 1980s), Kochhar has worked for almost all major corporates in India. His engineering qualifications and background in Engineering brings into focus accuracy and sharp vision, both important attributes to photography.
Throughout his career, Kochhar has worked on high quality equipment, matching international standards. He is stated to be among a handful of photographers who use the best technology and techniques available globally.
