Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Taj Mahal was built by the Indian emperor as a promised monument to his beloved wife. Following her death, Shah Jahan went into two years of mourning. When his time of mourning was over, he began construction of the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is a white marble building that not only entombs Shah Jahan's wife but also contains a series of gardens and gateways, an inn and a mosque.
The Taj Mahal features as many as 28 varieties of precious metals and gems. Its architecture is a blend of Asian, Persian and Islamic designs.
The Taj Mahal is located on the bank of the Yamuna River in Agra. It is approximately 157 miles from Delhi, the capital of India.
The monument was constructed from the years 1631 to 1653. A total of 20,000 workers took 22 years to complete it.
The Taj Mahal seems to change colors as it reflects the light of the rising and setting sun. Legend states that the changing colors on the monument depict the different moods of a woman.