Chilika Lake Orissa

Chilika , the largest brackish water lake in Asia covering an area of over 1000 sq km. is a great attraction to tourists all over the world for fishing, bird watching and boating. In winter Chilika affluters with thousands of indigeneous and migratory birds of many varieties from far and near - even from distant Siberia. One can have a glimpse of the lake even from moving trains or vehicles. The serene atmosphere with the vast expanse of water on one side and green vegetation, hills on the other side is a treat to the eyes. A cruise in Chilika will be a life long memory to cherish.

Taj Mahal,India

Location: On the banks of river Yamuna in Agra
Year of Construction: 1631-1653
Built By: Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
Spread Over: 42 acres
Significance: One of the Seven Wonders of the World .

Taj Mahal History
One of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles is The Taj Mahal.  The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India and was constructed under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered as the main designer of Taj Mahal. In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire’s period of greatest prosperity, was griefstricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal died. The construction of Taj Mahal begun shortly after Mumtaz’s death with the main mausoleum completed in 1648. The buildings around the garden were finished five years later. The Taj Mahal complex was completed in the year 1653.In 1983, Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2008, it named one of the new sevenwonders of the world.

Taj Mahal Visitor Information

The Taj Mahal is open from 6:00 am to 7:30 pm. It is closed on Fridays, where it is open for Muslim prayer services. The complex is open for night viewing on the day of the full moon and two days before and after. For security reasons only five items – water in transparent bottles, small video cameras, still cameras, mobile phones and small ladies’ purses – are allowed inside the Taj Mahal.
The entry fee is Rs. 970 (Foreigners), Rs. 20 (Indians, during daytime), Rs. 110 (Indians, during sunrise and sunset)
You will find many, many, many people who try to offer their services as a guide there. Most of them are trying to cheat you and are scammers. While some have good knowledge of the structure, if you are looking for a guide, it is better to hire one before you get there as you will get a better rate and legitimate operator.

Tajmahal Photo Gallery