The Indian mosque-mausoleum Taj Mahal is included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Many tourists dream of visiting the magnificent creation of the architecture of the Mughal Empire.
In 2023, the monument was included in the Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Things to Do ranking, ranking alongside other world attractions.
In this article I will tell you why the Taj Mahal attracts tourists, how to get there, where to stay nearby and what rules to follow when visiting the complex.
What is the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a huge white marble mosque-mausoleum built in the style of ancient Mughal architecture. The Mughals were a dynasty of rulers in India during the 16th–18th centuries. The Taj Mahal is located in India in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and near the city of Agra. The 73-meter mosque rises on the banks of the Jamna River. Inside the monument there are two tombs: Shah Jahan, the padishah of the Mughal Empire, and his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
The mosque is recognized as a masterpiece of world art and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Its construction began in 1632; about 20,000 builders worked on it for more than 20 years. Like many mosques in India, traditional architectural elements can be traced here. For example, the building has cut corners, a large dome and four chatris – small gazebos on the roof. Chatris began to be installed on buildings since the Middle Ages to mark the burial places of rich or prominent figures.