Incredible India

27-Mar-2008

Tags: Asia , India , Agra , Travel , Travelling Asia , India , Agra , Travel , Travelling , Taj , Taj Mahal , Mahal , Delhi , New Delhi , King , Shah Jahan , Mumtaz Mahal more less

I have decided to do our first travel review on India. Incredible India. The movies do not do this country justice. It is so much more than curry, hot food, cricket and turbans.  It is a country full of rich culture, religion, beliefs, mystical places and fantastic food.

Here are a few interesting facts:

• India's population of approximately 1.169 billion people (estimate for September 1, 2007 based on interpolating on estimates by Census Bureau of India for March 1 of 2007 and 2008) comprises approximately one-sixth of the world's population.
• India is expected to overtake China by 2030 and will then be the most populated country in the world. Although India occupies only 2.4% of the world's land area, it supports over 17.5% of the world's population.
• Although 80.5% of the people are Hindus, India, with 13.4% of its population Muslim, is also home to the third-largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia and Pakistan.

Here is a map of Indias location:

 

When you travel to India, I would strongly suggest you go and visit the Taj Mahal, it is a magical experience, which you will remember forever. Taj Mahal stands in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River.

Taj Mahal is one of the eight wonders of the world, and some say that its architectural beauty has never been exceeded. (Have a look at te detail in the photos shown below). The Taj is the most beautiful monument I have seen and it was built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble, it is a spectacular sight, that words cannot explain, or pictures cannot give it justice.

Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later.

The Taj Mahal was named after the queen meaning  "Crown of Mahal, or the queen's crown".

 

Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems (that are now missing).

It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees and when you look at the architecture it is incredible to think that no machines where used only manual labour to move and construct everything! When you walk around make sure you take your time to experience all the Taj Mahal has to offer.

Here are some pictures of the spectacular Taj Mahl for you to enjoy!

Some other interesting places India has to visit are the Red Fort (Lal quila), Gateway of India, Goa, Qutb Minar, Lotus Temple, Mumbai, and the list goes on and on...................

 

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