Taj Mahal is placed on a high plinth that can be approached from a central path within the garden. Height of the plinth is 6.7 m and the total area covered by it is around 95 sq m. There is a double staircase facing the entrance to the tomb and they are only way to reach to the top of the plinth. You are needed to remove your shoes here, though you can have your shocks on, as the white marble gets very hot. You can have the best views of the surroundings from this pedestal including the lush green char bagh in the front and the riverfront at the backside. And the feeling of closeness to towering structure of Taj from this place is unmatched. 

Four minarets each having a height of 41.6 m and capped by a small cupola flank the four corners of the plinth. Minarets do not have the decorative motive here, but they also provide balance to the tomb. Minarets used in this way first appeared in India with Akbar's tomb at Sikandra. Latter they were used at the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah and further refined here. The minarets were placed in such a way that even in the case of a mishap, they do not fall over the main structure. There is another important aspect of the minarets, which signifies its spiritual important. There is a letter written on each of the minaret, which when put together spell the word ar-rahman or all merciful - one of the many names of Allah.