Considered one of the architectural wonders of the world it took about 50000 artisans about 18 years to build. It occupies an area of about two football fields and is surrounded by an immaculate water garden designed in persian style. It was completed in the year 1648. Later Shah Jahan was put under house arrest when his son Aurangzeb executed all his brothers and usurped the throne, Shah Jahan spent his last days looking at Taj Mahal from his quarters in the Red fort.

Prince Kurram (later called Shah Jahan who became the fifth Mughal emperor) married Arjumand Banu Begam (later called Mumtaz Mahal) in 1612. Even though he had many wives, she was his close confidante and accompanied him on all his militray campaigns. She bore him fourteen children and died during child birth in 1630 only three years after his succession to the throne. A grief stricken Shah Jahan was determined to perpetuate her memory and started the construction of Taj Mahal on the banks of Jamuna river in Agra. It was his vision of a perfect heaven.

It is constructed of pure white marble stone and has intricate and elaborate carvings done by special artisans inlaid with precious stones like Jade, and gold. The tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz are placed on the lower level of the building in a elaborately carved hall.

Historians now believe that Shah Jahan was planning to construct an identical Taj Mahal in black marble on the other side of Jamuna river before he was overthrown by his son.

The beauty of Taj Mahal can best be appreciated on a full moon night when it is lit by moonlight. It is perhaps the most visited tourist site in India. It is located in the city of Agra which is near New Delhi. You can reach Agra either by flight, train or tourist buses. Lot of arranged one day tours arranged tours are available.

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The wheel denotes life in continuous motion. Saffron color denotes courage, sacrifice and renunciation, the white denotes purity, and green denotes faith and prosperity. The flag was adopted on 22nd July 1947 by India constituent assembly as the flag of freedom. On January 28, 2002 (after 54 years) an amendement to the constitution enabled any citizen to to hoist the flag. Before this amendment, the citizens could hoist the flag only on certain days.

In 1971, the Indian flag went into space on board Apollo-15. Indian cosmonaut Rakesh Sharna, wore it on his space suit during the Indo-soviet joint space flight in April 1984.

Inspite of huge following Hinduism has no unique philosophy. It is very diversified in theoretical foundation and practical expressions. There are a multitude of subsects following different practices and different philosophies. Hinduism cannot be traced to a specific founder unlike other religions. Majority of the scholars agree that the sacred texts of Hindu religion are: the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Atharva, and Sama Veda), Upanishads, Ramayan,, MahaBharat, and Bhagwad Gita.

In addition, different sub sects of the religion follow different sacred texts.

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The world population is expected to reach 9.1 billion by the year 2050. India’s population, which is currently 1.103 billion, is expected to grow to 1.593 billion by 2030.

China which has currently a population of 1.316 billion is expected to grow to 1.392 billion during the same time largely to the family planning measures adopted.

This system has been criticized because in many cases, parents tend to seek relations on the basis of superior social and financial status. Also because some parents would demand wealth in exchange to their children. Nowadays, young people should consider the arranged marriage as a point to start right and use their parents’ recommendations as recommendations. The final decision should be made by the young couple. It is important to realize that marriage is a life long process of discovery and compromise.

• Sunday – RaviVara
• Monday – SomaVara
• Tuesday – MangalVara
• Wednesday – Budhavara
• Thursday – Guruvara
• Friday – Shukravara
• Saturday – Shanivara

Black Pepper (Piper Nigrium) originated in the Malabar Coast of Southwest India. It bears pea-sized fruits (peppercorn) which when green are used as green peppercorns. Black pepper is the dried fruit. White pepper is made by removing the dark outer hull and has a milder flavor. Pepper is valued in herbal medicine as a heart and kidney stimulant.