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Last Updated: Monday, 27 September, 2004, 19:01 GMT 20:01 UK
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In pictures: Taj Mahal celebrations
View of the Taj Mahal from an archway
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Celebrations have begun to mark the 350th anniversary of the world's most famous monument to love, India's Taj Mahal.
Chief Minister of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav (L) with State Governor T.S.Rajeshwar (R) light the inauguration lamp of the Taj International Tourism year.
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The Uttar Pradesh chief minister (L) and the governor (R) lit the inauguration lamp of the Taj International Tourism year.
Government officials release balloons to kick off the events.
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Government officials released balloons to kick off the events.
Indian children carry the balloons released during the inauguration ceremony to mark the 350th Anniversary of the Taj Mahal on the banks of Yamuna river in Agra.
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Children joined the celebrations in their own way - vying to take away as many balloons as possible.
Children play with kites in front of the Taj Mahal
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The opening festivities included a kite-flying contest and the release of white pigeons.
Evening view of the Taj Mahal
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The mausoleum was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Actors dressed as the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal stand in front of the Taj Mahal
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Actors played the parts of the emperor and his beloved wife, who died in childbirth.
Indians and tourists visit the Taj Mahal on 26 September
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Taj Mahal is India's favourite tourist destination - visited by some two million Indians and 800,000 foreigners last year.
General view of Taj Mahal
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The 17th-Century building, now a world heritage site, took some 20,000 people decades to build.


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SEE ALSO:
Taj birthday under a cloud
27 Sep 04  |  South Asia


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