Beautiful Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal . An important Moghul monument of the 17^th century, it is a powerful fortress, constructed of red sandstone and hence its name its name the ‘Red Fort of Agra’.

Within its enclosure walls of 2.5 kilometres, it encompasses the imperial city of the moghul rulers The Agra Fort, built by Moghul Emperor Shahjahan, is situated next to the gardens of the, which comprises fairy-like palaces, such as the Jahangir palace or the khas-mahal and the reception room where visitor were received.  Within its boundaries the fortress also has two very beautiful mosques. It was declared a world Heritage Site in 1983 on the recommendations of the international Committee of UMESCO at its 7^th session. It has been over three hundred years since Emperor Shah Jahan of Delhi built the Taj Mahal as a tomb for his wife in Agra. Architecturally, it is still one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The building is made of fine white marble with inlays of coloured marble. It has eight sides and many open arches. It rests on a platform or terrace of red sandstone. Four slender white towers rise from the corners of the terrace. There is a large dome above the centre of the building. Around this large dome there are four smaller domes. Just inside the outer walls, there is an open corridor from which visitors can look through carved marble screens into a central room. The bodies of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz lie in two graves below this room.

The Taj Mahal is surrounded by a beautiful garden and there is a long pool that stretches out in front of the building. One can see the beauty of the Taj Mahal in its reflection in the pool water. Visitors come to see this wonderful building at different times of the day since it assumes a different look at different times. Most people like it best on moonlit nights.