The Taj Mahal, literally "Crown Palace," was completed in Agra in 1648. An architectural tomb in white marble, it was built with a combination of Islamic, Central Asian, and Persian architectural elements. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Built 1,500 years ago in the Indo-Islamic style, India's tallest tower, the Qutub Minar in Delhi, is 73 meters (240 feet) high. It includes a circular staircase that visitors can climb to look out on the nation's capital city. This monument, which literally means "axis minaret," is made mostly of red sandstone. Also in the Qutub Minar complex is an equally ancient 7-meter (22-foot) tall iron pillar that has remained rust-free over the years, often cited as evidence for India's expertise in metallurgy.
Built in 1250, the Sun Temple in Konark is considered as a fine representation of Orissan art with exquisite carvings both inside and out. It was primarily built to enshrine Surya, the sun god and patron deity. The entire complex was designed to appear like seven high-spirited horses drawing a chariot with six pairs of intricately carved wheels.
Built in the seventeenth century and dedicated to Lord Shiva, Madurai's Meenakshi Temple is one of India's biggest temple complexes. Madurai is considered as the "Athens of the East" where myths abound of divine promises, gods who fell in love, and legends of princesses and warriors. The Meenakshi Temple is a significant site for Hindu pilgrims who make it among the most visited temples in India.