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Taj
Mahal Agra - Uttar Pradesh |
Next |
| Taj Mahal | Red Fort | Jama Masjid | Himalayas | Hawa Mahal | City Palace |
Built
on a raised platform measuring 315 sq ft, the Taj Mahal was erected by
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his ever-faithful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This
brilliant piece of architecture stands on the banks of River Yamuna in Agra.
The construction of the Taj Mahal continued from 1632 to 1653. Two small red
stone buildings flank this magnificent building the mosque and the
resthouse. The beauty and the look of the Taj seems to acquire different
meanings at different hours of the day. So, remember to view it in the
morning, at noon, at sunset and on full moon nights.
It
took 9 years and a huge sum of 10 million rupees to create such a
magnificent structure. The construction of the fort began in 1639, when Shah
Jahan shifted his capital to the new city of Shahjahanabad (comprising the
areas of present Old Delhi). The glory of the Red Fort has not faded with
the passage of time. And even today, on the occasion of the Independence
Day, the prime minister of India addresses the whole nation from here as the
Indian flag is hoisted on the top. Entering the fort from the Lahore Gate,
you come across structures like Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Pearl Mosque,
Shahi Hammam etc.
Also
referred to as the Masjid-e-Jahannuma, the Jama Masjid of Delhi was built by
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1656 AD. The mosque has three massive gateways
and is flanked by four towers and two minarets. Designed as the main mosque
of Shah Jahan, the Jama Masjid was built on a high platform so as to provide
a stunning view of the length and breadth of the erstwhile city of
Shahjahanabad. The main prayer hall is to the west of the mosque and its 15
marble domes have been supported by 260 pillars. The mosque has the capacity
to accommodate as many as 25,000 worshippers at a time. 
From
reconnecting you to nature to extreme mountain adventures, the Himalayas has
a great deal to offer to travellers. Adventureres can choose from a range of
activities including skiing, snowboarding, rappelling, mountain climbing,
trekking, river rafting etc. Besides, the Himalayan foothills are home to a
number of significant Hindu pilgrimage sites like Haridwar, Rishikesh,
Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, Gangotri and Joshimath. Snow covered
mountains, lush vegetation and different kinds of forests add much to the
joy of vacationing in the Himalayas.
If
you are in Rajasthan and looking for one of the most unusual structures, you
should head towards Jaipur and visit the Hawa Mahal. Less of a palace and
more of a cascading screen! The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, built in
1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, is in fact a part of the City Palace.
The palatial building has five storeys and is built in red and pink
sandstone. The front of the palace has been provided with 953 tiny windows.
The windows were not meant to let the cool air in. But, it was for the royal
ladies who wished to watch the activities in the streets below without being
observed themselves. 
One
of the biggest attractions for visitors to Jaipur, the City Palace was built
by Maharaja Jai Singh II. However, the construction of the palace could not
be finished in his time and his successors made subsequent additions to the
palace. The palatial architecture typifies a wonderful blend of the
Rajasthani and the Mughal styles of architecture. As you enter the palace
complex and start exploring, youll come across with a number of
courtyards, gardens, buildings and museum. Attractions inside the City
Palace include Chandra Mahal, Badal Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Shri Govindji
Temple and the interesting City Palace Museum.