In 2014 I was lucky enough to visit Nepal and Northern India. They are both fantastic countries to visit, with rich culture, fantastic food and interesting architecture.

One of the buildings we visited was the Taj Mahal, in Agra, India. It is one of the wonders of the world (depending on which list you’re reading) and once you arrive at the main entrance it is easy to see why.

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum where Shah Jahan the 5^th Mogul Emperor of India and his beloved second wife Mumtaz Mahal lay. It is said that while Mumtaz Mahal was on her death bed, the Emperor promised to build a grand building to honour her and prove the endless love that he had for her. Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14^th child. Yes I did say 14!

It took more than 20 years and an estimated 20,000 workers to build the Taj Mahal. The tomb was finished in 1643 while the remaining building within the complex was not completed until 1653.

The mausoleum itself only makes up a small part of the complex, with a museum, forecourt, gardens and the great gate. For more information see www.tajmahal.com

Main Materials: Red sandstone, brick and white marble

Date of Completion: 1653

Location: Agra, India

Fun Fact: Conventional Cars, trucks and buses are not permitted within 1.5km of the Taj Mahal to limit the effect of air pollution on the white marble finishes.

The view from outside the Great Gate Darwaza

View of the Taj Mahal mausoleum from the Great Gate Darwaza

View of the Great Gate Darwaza from inside the Taj Mahal Complex

The four minarets on either corner of the mausoleum represent ‘stairs to the sky’

White marble walls

Islamic calligraphy written on the walls of the mausoleum