Visit the Taj Mahal

image originally uploaded by prince roy on flickr

Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, in December of 1631. The white marble mausoleum stands in a formal garden on the River Yamuna amongst the desert of Agra, India. Taj Mahal means "Crown Palace" and is the most well-preserved tomb in the world.

From Angelfire:

Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The material was brought in from all over India and central Asia and it took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport it to the site. It was designed by the Iranian architect Ustad Isa and it is best appreciated when the architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it. It is a "symbol of eternal love".

In addition to the tomb itself, the Taj Mahal is actually a large complex of buildings. There are several additional mausoleums, a mosque, four towers, and a building constructed simply for architectural balance. Other points of interest on the grounds are the intricate passages of the Qu'ran and the abstract, geometric decorations that cover the walls, ceilings, and domes.

For more info:

Explore the Taj Mahal Online

Getting to the Taj Mahal

Travelling to India

tags: india, taj, mahal, agra, travel, vacation