TajMahal -A beauty in our Midst

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Taj Mahal A beauty in our midst

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TajMahal

• Undoubtedly, the Taj Mahal in Agra can be rightly
  described as the monument which defines India in
  many ways, particularly in the Western
  hemisphere.
• For me, an additional dose of Hindi songs
  glorifying the Taj Mahal have booked a special
  place in my heart.
• One only needs to visit it to realise as to why
  it has earned a place as one of the Seven Wonders
  of the World.

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• The Taj Mahal was ordered to be built by the
  fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his
  second wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
• Those who consider Emperor Shah Jahan to be a
  filmy Romeo must think twice. May be he found his
  true love the second time.
• She mothered fourteen children, including the
  next Emperor, Aurangazeb.

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• Taj Mahal is an example of a wonderful blend of
  Ottoman, Persian and Indian styles.
• One will have to pass through two gates and
  medieval quarters before getting into the actual
  compound.
• Surrounded by gardens and mosques with the Yamuna
  river in the background, the white marble
  structure is the main site housing the tomb of
  Mumtaz Mahal, Emperor Shah Jahans beloved. 

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• Shah Jahan himself is buried here. The actual
  tomb is located at the basement of the structure.
  What the public and visitors see are mere
  replicas of the actual tomb.

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• After being awe-struck for a couple of minutes,
  it was time for all of us to relax on the
  railings overlooking the Yamuna, click snaps,
  pose for innumerable pictures and then chat over
  in the adjoining gardens. It is said that the
  actual Taj Mahal manifests itself on a clear
  moonlit night with its aura of dominant white.

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How to go

• You will have to embark from New Delhi, which
  lies at a distance of 208 km north-west via Noida
  if you by pass Mathura.
• With the city never running short of hotels and
  Delhi just two hours and forty minutes away, you
  can arrive here at any time.
• The best option to suggest is by road as you will
  be able to see the countryside that medieval
  folks lived in.

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• You can opt for a short one-day tour with private
  bus operators.The travel operators are SVR
  Travels,SRS Travels,National Travels and VRL
  Travels It is worth noting that much of the
  surrounding countryside has not changed for
  centuries.
• Once in Agra, you can visit the Taj Mahal anytime
  till sunset. Yes, there is something called as an
  entry fee, which differs for Indians and
  foreigners.

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• If you want a free visit, worry not, as there is
  scope for that too. Show up on a Friday and no
  one will stop you. In fact, a Friday visit is
  much more interesting as you can see a wide
  variety of people from around the world that day.