One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal the symbol of love is regarded as the finest example of Mughal architecture among all the monuments present in India.

Taj Mahal, Located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh is just few hours away from the national capital, Delhi. Along with the two other monuments in Agra, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, these three have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This artistic jewel of India was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the loving memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. In fact, Taj Mahal is a mausoleum both for Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan and many tourists from the world over visit their graves in order to pay tribute to the famous couple.

The construction of this magnificent marvel began in 1623 and was completed after 20 long years. A masterpiece in itself, Taj Mahal is a perfect example of Indo-Islamic architecture. It could very well be termed as a perfect unison of Islamic, Ottoman, Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles. The monument is known for its symmetrical design worldwide and sits on a raised platform surrounded by four minarets.

It is believed that Taj Mahal has one of the finest exterior decorations and finest among all the Mughal monuments. The decorations are refined to the finest extent and complement the architecture of this Mughal marvel completely. The construction of Taj Mahal involved use of paint, stucco, stone inlays and carvings.

The famous monument could be termed as a perfect blend of Persian architectural acumen and Hindu decorative elements. Taj Mahal is famous for night viewing, on days when the moon is full. The finial of the structure when topped by moon, gives it a trident shape that emerges from the backdrop giving an enchanting look to structure.