It has once again been voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
The 20 Finalists were (Monument & Location, Construction Date, Symbol Of):
- Acropolis, Athens, Greece (450 - 330 B.C.), Civilization and Democracy
- Alhambra, Granada, Spain (12th century), Dignity and Dialog
- Angkor, Cambodia (12th century), Beauty and Sanctity
- The Pyramids of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico (before 800 A.D.), Worship and Knowledge - In Top 7
- Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1931), Welcoming and Openness - In Top 7
- Colosseum, Rome, Italy (70 - 82 A.D.), Joy and Suffering - In Top 7
- Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (1887 - 89), Challenge and Progress
- Great Wall, China (220 BC and 1368-1644 AD), Perseverance&Persistence - In Top 7
- Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey (532 - 537 A.D.), Faith and Respect
- Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan (749 - 1855), Clarity and Serenity
- Kremlin/St.Basil's, Moscow, Russia (1156 - 1850), Fortitude and Symbolism
- Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Peru (1460-1470), Community and Dedication - In Top 7
- Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, Germany (1869 -1884), Fantasy and Imagination),
- Petra, Jordan (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Engineering and Protection - In Top 7
- Pyramids of Giza, Egypt (2600 - 2500 B.C), Immortality and Eternity),
- Statue of Liberty, New York, USA (1886), Generosity and Hope
- Statues of Easter Island, Chile (10th - 16th Century), Mystery and Awe
- Stonehenge, Amesbury, UK(3000 BC - 1600 BC), Intrigue and Endurance
- Sydney Opera House, Australia (1954 - 73), Abstraction and Creativity
- The Taj Mahal, Agra, India (1630 A.D.), Love and Passion - In Top 7
- Timbuktu, Mali (12th century), Intellect and Mysticism
The voting, which continued for months, ended yesterday (6th July, 2007). The results were declared on the 7th July, 2007 (GMT) @ Lisbon. It was 0230am, 8th July in India. And I just managed to watch the live concert online. I was overjoyed to hear the list of new wonders, it included my pick.
Though it doesn't really matter if The Taj is 'officially' in the list of wonders or not b'coz it's always going to be the most wonderful monument ever made. But still at some part of my heart it really feels proud to see its worldwide recognition. It's the one and only entry from India and is amongst the World's Top 7.
And if you are one of those unlucky people who are yet to see this glory in reality, you can take a small virtual tour of the Taj Mahal here: http://www.taj-mahal.net/augEng/main_screen.htm
(Use your mouse to walk through. Watch out for Yellow arrows to move to another section OR use the Orange dots on the map-view placed on the right side of the page.)
Long live the greatest monument of love......The Taj Mahal.
