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A replica of the Indian landmark Taj
Mahal is seen under construction at Narayanganj district, some 30
kilometers northeast of Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, Dec. 9, 2008. A
Bangladeshi film-maker built a replica of the Taj Mahal inspired by
neighbouring India's famous monument. (Xinhua/Qamruzzaman)
Photo Gallery>>> |
by Huang Yanan
NARAYANGANJ, Bangladesh, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A replica
of Taj Mahal which is still under construction opened to the public Tuesday in
Bangladesh's Narayanganj district, about 30 km southeast of capital Dhaka.
Ahsan Ulla Moni, owner of the replica, said he was
inspired by Taj Mahal in India when he first visited there in 1980 and had the
idea to build one in Bangladesh.
"This is the second Taj Mahal in the world. I am
really proud of that," he said.
The designer of the replica is Manik Mia. He is a
Bangladeshi architect.
Moni said almost all the materials used in building
the replica were imported.
He said the project started in March 2003, and was
supposed to finish in March 2009. "We will officially inaugurate the Taj Mahal
replica in the Liberation Day on March 26, 2009."
Moni is a businessman, which business covers film
producing, cinema and hotel.
Moni invested 4 billion taka (about 57 million U.S.
dollars) to build a film city in his hometown in Narayanganj, covering an area
of 50 acres (about 20 hectares). Replica of Taj Mahal, which covers an area of 4
acres (about 1.6 hectares), is part of it.
"I plan to shoot a film about the story of Taj Mahal.
So I build the replica of Taj Mahal," he said.
"I also hope the landmark construction can attract
more tourists from home and abroad," he added.
Taj Mahal replica attracted a lot of people on the
first day of opening. Though it is still under construction, people visited it
with great interest.
Moni said people can buy ticket with 50 taka (about
71 cents) to visit the place.
The replica of Taj Mahal is the same size with the
original one in India. "It will look wonderful after it completes," Moni
said.
