OtterKnow Kids EncyclopediaThe Taj Mahal is a beautiful white building in the city of Agra, India. An emperor named Shah Jahan built it for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after she died. It took about 22 years and 20,000 workers to finish. It was completed around the year 1653.
The Taj Mahal is made of white marble that was brought from over 200 miles away. The marble is decorated with flowers and patterns made from colorful gemstones like jade, turquoise, and sapphire. The main dome is 115 feet tall, about as tall as an 11-story building.
- The building sits in a large garden with a long reflecting pool in front.
- When the water is still, you can see the whole Taj Mahal reflected upside down in the pool!
- About seven to eight million people visit it every year.
- The Taj Mahal changes color depending on the time of day – it looks pink at sunrise and golden at sunset.
