Garden of love
"Interesting History"
"A 1970 press ad for a perfume named after Lahore’s historic Shalimar Garden"
Our story begins in India , some 300 years ago , it belongs , however to no place and no time.
His name was Shah Jahan, ruler of India . Her name was Mumtaz Mahal , the loveliest of his wives.
And although he had many wives, it was only for her that his soul thirsted.
Some say that he loved her unto madness , that she was not his wife, but his fever. But in his eyes she was the balm that made the world bearable.'
Victories , new empires and riches were as dust compared to her.
His name was Shah Jahan, ruler of India . Her name was Mumtaz Mahal , the loveliest of his wives.
And although he had many wives, it was only for her that his soul thirsted.
Some say that he loved her unto madness , that she was not his wife, but his fever. But in his eyes she was the balm that made the world bearable.'
Victories , new empires and riches were as dust compared to her.
So great was his love for her that when she died, he would not let her die. He had built in her memory a place you may still see and wonder.
THE TAJ MAHAL
But long before there could be a TAJ MAHAL , there had to be yet another place which the Shah also built. The Garden of Shalimar in Lahore ,All that the Taj Mahal keep alive for the ages flowered in Shalimar. Here it was that their love grew and became a legend.
Its very name , Shalimar , means abode of love in Sanskrit .
And truly it was.
The Shah allowed into this garden only those things which would nourish their love, Joyful fountains. Deep limpid pools, marble terraces, rare song birds, Fragrant blossoms from every corner of the Earth. Lanterns to rival the stars.
Only in "Shalimar" were they truly alone. Thus, even tough they are manly miles apart, if you wish to see the foundations of The Taj Mahal , you must look for them in "Shalimar".
All this , dear reader , was also told to Pierre and Jacques Guerlain by a "Mahraja". It was in Paris , in 1926 .
Naturally, being a human , being French , and being , above all "Guerlain" , they were deeply moved.They decided to pay homage to this man and woman by creating a perfume of intoxicating, yes subtle sensuousness. A perfume not for children.
They decided also , that this perfume should not be called "Taj Mahal" but "Shalimar".
You see the Taj Mahal marks the end of story. And this perfume has nothing to do with endings .
You see the Taj Mahal marks the end of story. And this perfume has nothing to do with endings .
Shalimar by Guerlain
