Hyderabad, July 9 -- Since time immemorial, the Taj Mahal has been defined as the ultimate symbol of love. The tragic, sweeping story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz continues to set an example for couples worldwide. But what if the Taj is not just about human romance, but also a monument of faith, carefully designed to guide you on a spiritual journey?

This was the premise of "Reading the Taj Mahal Beyond Marble", a lecture hosted by Hyderabad's Salar Jung Museum in collaboration with Delhi Art Gallery on July 8. The talk delivered by author and scholar Fr Dr Michael D Calabria accompanied "The Mute Eloquence of the Taj Mahal: Ba-zaban-e Be-zabani," an exhibition curated by renowned historian Rana Safvi.

Drawing from years of research for his...