The Taj Mahal, Agra

The quintessential gesture of love. Completed in 1653, 'the Taj' was commissioned by the Emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his second wife Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to her 14th child. It took 22 years and 22,000 men to build what is the universal symbol of India, and in 1983 was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site for being 'the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage'.

Any visit to India, especially on Australian Cricket Tour To India, should include this dynamic building, no matter how often you have seen it.

It is breathtaking.

From the moment you see the large bulbous 'onion dome' from afar you are filled with excitement at seeing and even touching (yes, you can touch) one of the world's most recognisable buildings. Rightly so, the Taj was declared a winner in one of the 'new 7 wonders of the world' in 2007.

When you do see the Taj, whether bathed in morning sunlight, high noon heat or evening dusk, you will be cast in the spell of this white marble masterpiece. The Taj grabs everyone. People stop still at the red stone arched entrance taking photographs or gazing into the distance at the mesmerising symbol of love.

Though with many examples in India, many regard the Taj Mahal as a perfect example of Mughal architecture. There is so much more that can be said in one postcard, but no words can do the justice that simply staring in awe will, as I am sure most of the 8million visitors each year could attest.