The Taj Mahal attracts above three million visitors a year, all deeply moved by its romance and beauty and the amazing skills of 17th century Mughal craftsmen.
Located on the bank of the Yamuna river, three km south of Agra, the Taj Mahal took 22 years to complete at a cost of trillions of dollars by today’s currency. Twenty thousand men and over 1000 elephants were working on the project, using material from India and Asia, as far as China and Afghanistan.
The Taj Mahal was declared a World Heritage site in 1983 and measures are in place to protect it from pollution. Tourist coaches and cars are kept well away from the gate and access is on foot or by electric vehicle.
Taj Mahal, Agra Monument to Love
India’s top World Heritage site was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz begum, who died aged 38, giving birth to their 14th child. She had never left her husband’s side, even during his military campaigns, and the inconsolable Emperor promised he would build the most beautiful mausoleum ever seen.
True to his word, Emperor Shah Jahan set to work with his first architect to design the world’s most celebrated monument to love. Later, deposed and imprisoned by his son in Agra’s red fort, the Emperor gazed from afar at the marble dome mirrored in the river, grieving until the day he died. He now rests with Mumtaz in the Taj Mahal.
Beautiful Taj MahalCovered in white marble, inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones, a stunning display of floral and geometrical patterns, Arabic calligraphy. Raised on a plinth, it is topped by a white onion dome and framed by four minarets, detached from the mausoleum to minimize damage in an earthquake.
A day is barely enough to appreciate the fine Mughal craftsmanship, from latticed marble screens to decorated archways, from pietra dura to gilded finials. Inside, visitors gaze in silence at the imperial cenotaphs placed above the actual tombs The magnificent entrance gate faces the mausoleum, some 275 meters away, while to ensure symmetry, the red sandstone mosque on the west side of the gardens is mirrored by a replica rest house to the east.
Taj Mahal Garden
Like all Mughal Emperors, Shah Jahan was fond of gardens. Laid out in classical style, the Taj Mahal Persian Gardens are said to symbolise the four rivers and garden of Paradise. Leading to the mausoleum at the far end, they are divided into four sections, a holy number in Islam, each one subdivided into 16 beds. English lawns have replaced many of the original fruit trees and shrubs but the symmetry and feeling of space remain breathtaking.
Water channels and fountains enhance this peaceful oasis, regardless of crowds, while the central pool reflects the mausoleum in all its splendour. The gardens are enclosed by red sandstone walls on three sides but open towards the river.
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In Tour we should make a good plane and we should aware from that palace where we are planing .

some briefcase also be ready for a good tour like:

1)first AID box

2)cloths

3)shoes&slipper

4)dry food

5)rain or plastic cloth and umbrella

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/travel-in-india-979554.html

Rajasthan is the place where you will experience the real historical beauty of India. You will just love the place and cherish the trip forever. It is India’s one of the very famous tourist destinations inviting people from all over the world. This beautiful place is famous for its historical tombs, magnificent palaces, unforgettable monuments and out-of-this-world deserts. Touring a place like Rajasthan would definitely give you a taste of travel which would be like no other – even among Indian travelers list, it finds itself among the toppers. What else do we want for the worth of our investment? The most famous place in Rajasthan is the capital city of Jaipur, also known as the Pink City. The other popular places of the state are Jodhpur, Jaiselmer, Udaipur, Mount Abu and Bikaner.

One of the major attractions of the state is the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the year 1799. The beauty of seeing it during the sunrise is very commendable. The architecture gives a feeling of “million windows”. The other major attractions are Mount Abu a beautiful hill station, Ajmer Sharif, Pushkar Fair, Jantar Mantar, Chittaurgarh, Jaiselmer fort, the Thar Desert and many more. Jaipur has come to the limelight for being the largest gem cutting centre in the world – ladies think jewelry. It is the best place to get precious stones such as diamonds, emeralds, and ruby etc. Tourists who visit Jaiselmer can’t afford to miss the camel safari which is situated in the heart of the Thar Desert. It is also famous for various temples, forts and ancient palaces. The architectural beauty of Rajasthan is grand and spectacular. The beauty of its monuments, palaces and forts is something which can never be forgotten. Another historical city Ajmer is well-known for the Ajmer Sharif and museums.

The adventurous journey in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries such as Ranthambore National Park which is a part of Project Tiger, Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuaries and Sariska Wildlife sanctuaries are really enjoyable by the tourists. Parks such as Amrita Devi Park and Machia Safari Park are very popular. The colorful markets are also very attractive for the tourist where you can find handicraft items, gold jewelry and a special type of footwear called “Jootis” which will definitely draw your attention. It’s a land known for folk dance, music, and colors. The women dress up in colorful costumes embroidered with mirror, zari, and gota. They wear silver jewelry along with this costume. The men wear traditional achkan, pajama and colorful turban which look very beautiful. Without knowing the costumes and ornaments of Rajasthan one’s trip to Rajasthan is incomplete.

Rajasthan is the state of Rajputs or, translated literally means sons of kings, the descendants of warrior clans. Rajasthan, literally known as the land of Kings, was ruled by several kings for years and years. All the monuments, ‘havelis’ or huge residences, palaces, and temples etc were built during the reign of different kings and reflect the status of their affluence. Some of the majestic palaces have been converted into hotels for the tourists to experience what royals used to enjoy. In addition, there are other hotels bearing Rajasthan’s heritage like Taj Lake Palace, the Oberoi’s Rajvilas hotel, the Rambagh hotel, etc. How can we talk about Rajasthan and not mention its cuisine! Taste buds will miss the cuisines as you would leave the place. The king’s palace has dishes that imbibe the royal taste. It’s basically vegetarian food made up of pure ghee as Rajasthani’s are pure vegetarian. But this doesn’t bring a limitation to finding equally delicious non-vegetarian food in the land.

Natural beauty is plenty. Rajasthan is a desert treat for eyes, it’s blessed with several natural lakes. While talking about flora it has Northern Desert Thorn Forest, and fauna such as deer, tiger, blackbuck, Bengal fox, eagles, wolf etc. Although expensive, the Palace on Wheels train journey is designed to flaunt the sheer elegance of Rajasthan as you lose yourself in a cross-desert land ride to witness where heritage is of utmost honor. Book early a ticket on Palace on Wheels, if you are planning a trip because the rush hour is 24X7 for booking on Palace on Wheels.

The climate over there is extreme that is hotter days and colder nights but still people love to visit the place no matter what because at last the thing which matters is having an unforgettable experience at such a nice place. When are you planning your visit to the most beautiful historical place to rejuvenate yourself and take away the good memories with you? You better plan it with at least a month’s window at hand as the place has so much to offer and it won’t be surprising if you meet your couple of old family friends there.