The Taj Mahal is the finest example of Indian Islamic architecture, an amalgam of Islamic, Persian and Turkish architecture. It is believed that Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan was so pained on the demise of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal that he commissioned the construction of Taj Mahal as a final resting place for his beloved wife, Mumtaz and ever since its construction, The Taj Mahal which narrates the mystical tale of eternal love still continues to lure visitors with its charismatic architecture and will continue to mesmerize them for centuries to come.

Facts about Taj Mahal
Year of Starting of Construction : 1632 A.D
Commissioner : Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan Alamgir
Year of Completion : 1654 A.D
Architects : Ustad Isa, Isa Mohammad Khan, Qazim Khan, Amanat Khan and Mir Abdul Hakim among others.
Workforce : More than 22,000
Architecture : Indo-Islamic; a blend of Indian and Persian
Estimated Cost : 2 Million Dollars (Inflation Unadjusted)
Height of Dome : 35 Meters
Height of Minarets : 40 Meters
Circumference : 30 Meters
Length of Pedestal : 55 Meters
Breadth of Pedestal : 55 Meters
Replicas : Taj Mahal Bangladesh, the Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad and the Tripoli Shrine Temple in Milwaukee
Visit Time : Weeklong Except during Friday prayers
Tickets : 20 Rs for Indians and 5 Dollars for Foreigners

Quick Facts about Taj Mahal:

• A longstanding myth holds that Shah Jahan planned a mausoleum to be built in black marble across the Yamuna river, but the war with his sons interrupted his plans.
• Some European scholar's claim that Taj Mahal was designed Geronimo Veroneo, an Italian architect.
• There have always been some beliefs, legends and myths related to the Taj Mahal and one myth that rises above all is that the Taj Mahal in Agra is sinking.
• A very popular myth regarding the Taj Mahal is amputation of hands of all the craftsman and skilful artisans following its construction. It is said that Shah Jahan wanted to make sure that no person on this earth will ever be able to recreate the magic of ‘Taj'
• It has been believed that the monument we now call Taj Mahal was once an ancient Hindu temple; palace of Lord Shiva, Known by the name of "Tejo Mahalaya". Shah Jahan had seized an ancient Hindu royal palace and later modified as the Taj Mahal.
• Some think that the changing colors of Taj Mahal tomb depict the various moods of a woman