Marble monument in Agra’s Soami Bagh gains tourists’ attention
The architecture is inspired by various styles, including Gothic & Muslim-era monuments
Soami Bagh is fast becoming a popular tourist site. The colossal marble structure, which is being built in memory of religious guru Param Purush Pooran Dhani Soamiji Maharaj, is not only the pride of the disciples but also a delight for visitors exploring Agra beyond the historical monuments.
Located about 9 km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station, the Soami Bagh Samadh is a serene space amid the busy locality. The marble mausoleum enshrines the Holy Samadh of Soamiji Maharaj, who founded the Radha Soami faith. The structure is strikingly similar to the Taj Mahal, which is located 12 km from the Samadh.
BG Chandnani, the 83-year-old engineer who is steering the mammoth construction project, told Meghalaya Monitor that it was the wish of Lala Totaram, who designed the mausoleum, to make the structure as grand as the Taj Mahal. Totaram altered the original design drawn by Shri Firzoni in 1903. Though the construction started, it had to be stopped owing to the First World War.
Changes in design
The new construction, incorporating the changes suggested by Totaram, started in 1928, but the work was stalled several times for various reasons, like World War II and the financial crisis of the Radha Soami trust.
Chandnani, the 83-year-old dome specialist, took over the project in 1996. He made some vital changes in the dome structure. He proposed a double dome that would keep the inside of the mausoleum cool and add finesse to the curvature.
The outer dome has a trellis design on marble that will be gold-plated.
The 193-foot-tall structure stands on 52 wells, each as deep as 50 feet. The wells are filled with stones and lime. “This is to make the base super-strong. The base that we have now can support double the weight that is there now,” said Chandnani.
The marbles for the mausoleum are sourced from Makrana in Rajasthan as well as from Pakistan. It took 45 years just to build the first floor. The structure’s 31.4-foot gold-plated pinnacle adds to the dome’s grandeur. In fact, it is taller than that of the Taj Mahal.
The architecture is an amalgamation of various styles. For instance, the Eastern Front above the main entrance arches has a Rajasthani jharookha or a viewing gallery. The 121-foot minarets represent the Mughal-era architecture and have four balconies supported by brackets.
The arches on the first floor are Gothic in style, and Muslim, Jain and Buddhist art forms inspire the marble trellis. The pillars have intricate carvings that aesthetically hide the joints.
Religious focus
Satyasaran Bhattacharya, the 73-year-old secretary of the Radha Soami management body, said the mausoleum will be one of its kind. “We already see an impressive tourist footfall that will increase after the completion. There is no intention to compete with the Taj Mahal. We aim to dedicate a grand shrine to our guru and the structure is the result of our prayers,” said Bhattacharya.
The Radha Soami sect does not have any social work branches and focuses on spirituality. There are many followers from Pakistan, and harmony among various communities is “what we want”, said the secretary.
While the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO heritage monument built in the 17th century, remains the most precious gem in Agra’s crown, the Holy Samadh mausoleum will only add more sparkle to it.
~ Team Meghalaya Monitor
