14. TAJ MAHAL,INDIA...

For the next interesting destination is Taj Mahal. It has its own history....As the story goes, the emperor,Shah Jahan was grief-stricken when he lost his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal in India is one of the wonders of the world and is one of the most beautiful mausoleums constructed by the Mughal emperor, It took thousands of craftsmen and artisans, and about twenty years to construct it.

The masons, stone cutters, carvers, in layers  calligraphers, painters, and others were brought from throughout the entire empire as well as from Iran and Central Asia. Semi-precious stones were used for inlay ornamentation. It later became the mausoleum of Shah Jahan too.

By the information that I get,The Taj will remain open from 6 am-7 pm everyday except Fridays.There's no time limit on visits to the Taj, and some people spend most of the day here, sitting, reading, dozing or picnicking in the beautifully kept gardens. Hawkers and salesmen are not allowed in, and official guides are not available on site, but can usually be provided by hotels, and always accompany organized tours.

The Taj is at its most alluring in the relative quiet of early morning, shrouded in mists and bathed with a soft red glow. As its vast marble surfaces fall into shadow or reflect the sun, its colour changes, from soft grey and yellow to pearly cream and dazzling white; it's well worth visiting at different times. This play of light is an important decorative device, symbolically implying the presence of Allah, who is never represented in anthropomorphic form

The Taj Mahal shows a different aspect of beauty at different times of the day. The sight of the Taj awash with the subtle pinks of dawn is an unforgettable sight. Sunsets stain the Taj an exotic shade of orange. But nothing beats the poignant beauty of the Taj seen when the cool white marble is bathed in the soft silver light of the moon. Even in the bright light of the day, this wonder of the world shines with an awe-inspiring loveliness.

There are also the interesting place near the Taj Mahal like Agra Fort,Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra ,Fatehpur Sikri,Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb and other atrractions.