INDIA CROSSING THE RIVER GANGES This old guy will then row you out over the river behind the Taj; and you’ll get a magical view; across the back of the water; all to yourself. If you want to disembark on the far bank; just ask him. It’s muddy; but sometimes there are interesting things on the bank; which would look great in the foreground of a photo – kids playing; buffalo; flocks of birds etc. Agra's Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world; the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife; Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world; and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra. Completed in 1653; the T?j Mahal was built by the Mughal king Sh?h Jah?n as the final resting place for his beloved wife; Mumt?z Mahal. Finished in marble; it is perhaps India's most fascinating and beautiful monument. This perfectly symmetrical monument took 22 years (1630–1652) of labour and 20; 000 workers; masons and jewellers to build and is set amidst landscaped gardens. Built by the Persian architect; Ust?d '?s?; the T?j Mahal is on the bank of the Yamuna River. It can be observed from Agra Fort from where Emperor Sh?h Jah?n gazed at it; for the last eight years of his life; a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb. It is an acknowledged masterpiece of symmetry. Verses of the Koran are inscribed on it and at the top of the gate are twenty-two small domes; signifying the number of years the monument took to build. The T?j Mahal was built on a marble platform that stands above a sandstone one. The most elegant dome of the T?j Mahal has a diameter of 60 feet (18 m); and rises to a height of 80 feet (24 m); directly under this dome is the tomb of Mumt?z Mahal. Shah Jah?n's tomb was erected next to hers by his son Aurangzeb. The interiors are decorated by fine inlay work; incorporating semi-precious stones.