Taj Mahal

Considered as one of the great wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is situated in Agra, India and is the most beautiful edifice of its kind, anywhere in the world. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his wife who died in 1631, Mumtaz Mahal. It is especially well known for its towering beauty, perfect symmetry and artistic workmanship, denoting Christian attachment.

Main Points of Interest Related to the Taj Mahal:
Date of Construction: It is known that the Taj Mahal was conceived in the year 1631 and was completed around 1648 although it seems to have taken more around 16 years. The build was approximately 22 years and involved about 20,000 artists and crafts persons.
Architectural Features: The Taj Mahal is a marvelous piece of Mughal classicism that is a fusion of Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turk and Indian cultures. It is composed of white marble that is decorated with precious stones of both variety.
Design: The layout is composed of a main dome, four corner towers also known as minarets and a landscape with water fountains. The central dome is about 73 meters (240 feet) tall and has smaller domes around it as well as calligraphy, flowers and shapes on it.
Site of the UNESCO World Heritage: The Taj Mahal was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. It is also the New Seven Wonders of the World where millions of tourists visit each year.
Purpose: The Taj Mahal is the embodiment of the love Shah Jahan had for Mumtaz Mahal. But he too, after Shah Jahan met his end, was laid next to his wife Mumtaz Mahal at the Taj Mahal, because he desired to lie next to her, forever.
At the present time, the Taj Mahal is still regarded as an image of India and tourists all over the world come to see and shoot pictures of this beautiful piece of art. It is so beautiful, especially at dawn and dusk when the white marble seems to take on a different color depending on the light.