Taj Mahal Travel Guide - History, Architecture & Visitor Information

The Taj Mahal, situated beautifully on the serene banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, is an absolute global masterpiece of Mughal architecture and unequivocally one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Commissioned expressly in 1632 by the grieving Emperor Shah Jahan to house the precious tomb of his favorite, beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this stunningly flawless ivory-white marble mausoleum took over 20,000 artisans nearly two agonizing decades to successfully complete. Its awe-inspiring, totally symmetrical design prominently features four massive grand minarets, perfectly manicured lush charbagh gardens, incredibly elaborate semi-precious stone inlay work (pietra dura), and beautifully engraved sweeping Quranic calligraphy. Universally recognized heavily as the ultimate eternal symbol of true undying love, the Taj Mahal continually mesmerizes over eight million eager tourists annually. The highly magical changing colors of the marble magically reflecting the golden sunrise or silver moonlight is an absolutely unforgettable bucket-list experience.