Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, it was constructed between 1632 and 1653. Renowned for its symmetrical Mughal architecture, large dome, four minarets and pietra dura inlay work, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India's most visited monuments.

Visitors enter through the Great Gate (Darwaza-i Rauza) into a Charbagh garden with a central reflecting pool leading to the main white marble mausoleum on a raised platform. Inside the complex are the symmetrical red sandstone mosque and guest house, minarets, decorative inlay and calligraphy, and views of the Yamuna River. Areas include the gardens, museum, and the exterior of the mausoleum; the inner crypt can be visited with an additional ticket.

Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. Construction of the main mausoleum was completed around 1643 with the overall complex finished by 1653, employing artisans and materials from across India and Central Asia. It represents the zenith of Mughal architecture and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Considered a masterpiece of Mughal architecture combining Persian, Islamic and Indian styles, and widely regarded as a symbol of love. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major cultural icon of India, attracting millions of visitors and featuring in art, literature and cultural representations.