Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal Location
City: Agra, On the Banks of River Yamuna
State: Uttar Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: 204 km (approximately)
The location of the Taj Mahal is such that the monument is easily accessible from almost all parts of India. The Taj is situated in the city of Agra in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. This is the basic answer to the question of "Where is Taj Mahal, India". In order to know about the location of Taj Mahal in Agra, read on the following lines:
In the city of Agra, Taj Mahal is sited inside a formal garden on the embankment of the River Yamuna. The entire Taj Mahal complex consists of a number of buildings comprising of a mosque, a guesthouse and the mausoleum, housing both the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. A long and beautiful walkway leads to the main mausoleum, which is built of pure white marble. Four waterways divide the gardens that stand in front of the Taj into four parts and then, meet in a pool at the center. It is said that half of the beauty of Taj Mahal comes from the strategic location where it stands.
History of Taj Mahal
The history of the Taj Mahal tells us "why was the Taj Mahal built" and many other myths and facts associated with this wonderful structure. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan erected the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan (then Prince Khurram) met Mumtaz Mahal (then Arjumand Banu Begum) at the age of fourteen and fell in love at the first sight. She was a Muslim Persian princess and Shah Jahan was the son of the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir. Five years later, in 1612, they got married. As you read further you will come to know more about the history of the Taj Mahal at Agra
Mumtaz Mahal, an inseparable companion of Shah Jahan, died in 1631, while giving birth to their 14th child. It is believed that during her last moments, Mumtaz Mahal obtained a promise from Shah Jahan that he will build world's most beautiful monument in her memory. But this has not been proven to be true, till date.
However, Shah Jahan did indeed build a magnificent monument as a tribute to her wife, which we today know as the "Taj Mahal". Shah Jahan, himself also, lies entombed in this mausoleum along with his wife.
The construction of Taj Mahal started in the year 1631 and it took approximately 22 years to build it. An epitome of love, it made use of the services of 22,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants. It was built entirely out of white marble, which was brought in from all over India and central Asia. After an expenditure of approximately 32 million rupees (approx US $68000), Taj Mahal was finally completed in the year 1653. However, the history of Taj Mahal of India still has some gaps. For example, there are many theories regarding the architect of this magnificent monument.
Best Time to Visit Taj Mahal
The best time to visit Taj Mahal revolves around the weather of Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal. As per the climate of Agra, the peak season for Taj Mahal visit is the winter season i.e., from October to March. Otherwise,
there is no such thing as "the best time" to visit this magnificent monument. You may see Taj Mahal in any month of the year and it will come forward as breathtaking as it has always been. Infact, different seasons as well as different hours of the day lend a different aura to it.
Visit the Taj in the morning and it will come up with a pinkish glow to it. As the day passes, the pinkish glow turns into milky white by the evening. However, the radiance of the Taj under the moonlight is beyond any explanation. The white marble adorned with semi-precious stones stands sparkling like a jewel. By now, we have answered your question of "when to visit Taj Mahal of Agra". Remaining is, how much time to spend there. We will suggest that spend at least a day at the Taj Mahal to capture its beauty fully.
When visiting India browse through this beautiful list of places to see in India to make your trip a memorable one.

Imphal

Imphal

Location : Manipur

Tourist Attractions : Govindajee Temple, Shaheed Minar

Local Tongue : Manipuri, Hindi, English

STD Code : (91) - 3852

Best time to Visit : February to May & September to November

About Imphal

Those of you who like to get away from the rest and try things off the beaten path should head of to Imphal. Situated in the north-eastern state of Manipur, Imphal is a place of exquisite natural beauty, lush hills, picturesque valleys and some exotic locales, as found nowhere else on the planet. One of the most ancient cities in the country, Imphal still appears to be shrouded in a mist of past with the remains of an old palace, ancient shrines and old houses standing as testimonials to its rich history. The tall pine and deodar trees that crowd the entire Manipur valley lend the place a mystique look and feel.

Climate & Best time to Visit

The capital of Manipur, Imphal experiences pleasant weather all round the year. The temperature during the summers ranges between 17 to 35 degrees celcius while winters can be cold and chilly with temperatures of 0 to 18 degrees. Rainfall is heavy between May and September. The best time for a visit to the city are the months from February to early May and late September to November.

Tourist Attractions in Imphal

Govindajee Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the holy Hindu shrine is situated near the Manipur Palace. Besides the presiding deity, the temple houses idols of Lord Krishna and Balrama. The unique architecture of the temple is adorned with two huge domes, a massive courtyard, giant walls and an assembly hall used to hold prayer and other ceremonies.

Shaheed Minar

Shaheed Minar is a towering structure, built to pay homage to the war martyrs who gave up their lives defending their land against the intruding British in 1891. The war cemetry located nearby houses the graves of brave soldiers, both from the British and Indian armies.

Manipur Zoological Gardens

Situated in Iroisemba enroute Kangchup, the Manipur Zoological gardens is home to a number of rare and exotic species of birds and animals, making it one of the major tourist attractions in the region. The brow antelered deer is one of the rarest animal species in the world and a major attraction at the park.

Ima Market

Ima, which means mother in local tongue, is a one of its kind place with all the shops (nearly 3000) in the market run by women. The place is a favourite for tourists with all the items ranging from vegetables to handicrafts available for sale.

Kangchup

Deer in Keibul Lamjao National ParkKangchup is a beautiful hill station located just 16 km from Imphal at an altitude of 921 mts above sea level. Overlooking the lush Manipur valley, the place houses a health resort which offers a number of facilities for the tourists. Kangchup is also the gateway to Tamenglong.

Moirang

Moirang, situated 45 km from Imphal, is a historically significant city, being the place which served as the headquarters of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army during the second world war. Lord Thangiing Temple is the scene of the lai horaoba dance festival, celebrated every year during the month of May.

Keibul Lamjao National Park

The only 'floating national park' in the world is located just 53 km from Imphal on the banks of the Loktak lake. The park is especially known as the last known natural habitat for the brow antelered deer or the dancing deer, known so for its ability to balance on the drifting grounds.

Kohima

FACTS & FIGURES
Population    78,584
Language    Nagamese, Hindi, English, Angami, local dialects
Best time to visit    October to April
LOCATION
Situated in the southwest part of the northeastern state of Nagaland, Kohima is a hill station perched at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. This capital town is at a distance of 339 km from Guwahati, 145 km from Imphal and 74 km from Dimapur. The National Highway 39 connects it to both Dimapur and Imphal. It experiences around 250 cm of annual rainfall. While summers are tropical, winters are dry and bitterly cold.
HISTORY
Kohima was founded alongside the large Angami village known as Kohima Village. It has earned its name in history as the place where the Japanese tide during World War II was halted.

 Tour to Kohima
Kohima comprises of exotic green valleys, looming mountains and ethnic tribes. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life it is a cocoon of natural wealth. The breathtaking beauty of the pristine land may at times leave you exhausted for it gauds you to drink in all the vibrancy of nature all at once. Nagaland is not just about the exotic tribes, their habitat, and culture but also about its natural flora and fauna, its fairs and festivals and its well-known cities.
Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland with the magnificent view of the rugged Naga Hills offers interesting things to do. It derives its name
fromthe mountain plant “Kew Hi” that grows along the slopes. While traveling by road to Kohima you will enjoy the panoramic view. The pineapples that grow by the roadside can be picked up and tasted. The local cuisines provided at the roadside Naga shop are sumptuous. At an altitude of 4900 ft., Kohima has the right weather and exotic flowers to make it an excellent tourist destination. It was a witness to the fierce fight during the Second World War and the war cemetery; a serene stretch land of manicured greens carries an engraved epitaph, which says, “When you go home/ Tell them of us and say/ For your tomorrow/ We gave our today”. Interesting is the next most important place in Kohima, Barra Basti, the second largest village in Asia. Typical of a Naga village it has the gateway decorated elaborately with warriors and weapons and the mithun skull, a symbol of prosperity. In the middle of the village is a house built in the typical Naga style with crossed horns, carved mithun heads, a huge grain basket and a manger containing rice beer. The State Museum and the Catholic Cathedral are the other important tourist attractions in Kohima.
This beautiful land of abundant natural beauty has immense tourist attraction. The ethnic tribes, their habitat, arts and handicrafts and the locales attract many. Log on to northeastindia.com to know about Kohima.
    * Itanagar
    * Bomdila
    * Bhalukpong

Mark out the places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh and discover Arunachal Pradesh, the land of ethnic tribes, its unique culture, its flora and fauna. Log on to northeastindiatravel.com to know about the enchanting Places to Visit in Arunachal Pradesh