Merry Christmas, friends!
We started our day by watching the sun rise over the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. It was so surreal, and this will truly be a Christmas we'll never forget.
Here are some fun facts that I found on Trip Savvy. All facts are taken directly from their website.
Fact #1: Sick with grief, Shah Jahan was first inspired to build the Taj Mahal after his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died while giving birth to their 14th child. His wife was in labor for 30 hours before she died at age 40.
Fact #2: The four minarets (towers) surrounding the Taj Mahal were constructed farther away from the main structure than usual. The minarets also lean slightly outward rather than stand straight. This was done as a safety measure so that if any of them fell, they would fall away from the tomb rather than crash into the central structure.
Fact #3: With construction beginning around 1632 and finishing in 1653, the Taj Mahal took an estimated 22 years to build. Small refinements continued thereafter.
Fact #4: Construction of the Taj Mahal cost an estimated 32 million Indian rupees (the equivalent of over US $1 billion at the time).
Fact #5: Over 1,000 elephants were used to transport heavy materials and supplies for construction.
Fact #6: An estimated 20,000 laborers were recruited from all over Asia to contribute to the massive project. Remnants of their massive encampment, bazaar, and living quarters are now a nearby neighborhood.
Fact #7: The Taj Mahal was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, receiving more than 100 million votes. Voting for the Taj Mahal actually helped push the controversial internet-and-phone-based poll into the world spotlight.
... and that's just the tip of the iceberg!
Whatever you're doing today, I hope your day is filled with love and cheer! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! xoxo
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