The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai

 by Chrisntian Hauge

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is a five-star hotel located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India., front of the Gateway of India. It contains 560 rooms and 44 suites and 1,500 staff including 35 butlers. This palace is the historical and architectural identity of Mumbai, there are two buildings that make up the hotel, the Taj Palace and the Taj Tower are two different buildings, built at different times and in different architectural designs. This hotel was converted into 600 beds hospital during I world war. The Taj mahal palace hotel's building was commissioned by Jamsedhji Tata and It opened its doors for guests on 16 December 1903. In that time, Jamsedji Tata was refused to enter in one of the city's grand hotels, Watson's Hotel, because it was restricted to "whites peoples only". That time he decided to build the hotel and that Hotel is Taj mahal palace hotel. Jamsedji Tata was an Indian industrialist and founder of the Tata Group, India's biggest conglomerate company. Also They are called as "Father of Indian Industry".
         This beautiful palace was build by Indian architects Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza, and also the project was completed by an English engineer, W. A. Chambers. The builder was Khansaheb Ruttonji who also designed and built its famous central floating staircase. The total cost of Taj mahal palace construction was something around £250,000 (£127 million today). The additional wing of the hotel "Taj Mahal Tower" was opened in 1973 and it was designed by Melton Bekker.
         This luxurious five star hotel is one of the famous landmark in mumbai but, On 26 November 2008, this hotel was attacked by 10 terrorist of Lashkar-e-Taiba, not only the Taj hotel but also other one five star hotel Oberoi hotel, kama hospital and CST station was also attacked by group of terrorist. That day was very horrible day for all Mumbaikars. Terrorist used latest AK-47 or AK-56 riffles, hand grained and many other modern equipment for that attack. Many hostages were taken during the attacks, and at least 167 people were killed, including many foreigners in Taj mahal palace Hotel. On 29 November 2008, India's National Security Guards (NSG) conducted 'Black Tornado Operation' to kill the remaining attackers.
        The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is a best place to staying in Mumbai. They provide great service, well trained & friendly staff, delicious food and comfortable deluxe & luxury room. They also provide swimming pool for restful break at the end of the day. This luxurious five star hotel is a very famous hotel in India. Many celebrities visit this hotel. Taj mahal palace hotel is a favorite with celebrities. Many Famous guests have included like, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Russell Brand and Jemima Khan, Tom Cruise, Sharon Stone, Mick Jagger, Sting, Michelle and Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. One interesting thing about this hotel is the Steel which used to made Dome of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Because, the same steel used to build the Eiffel Tower in Paris. After the attack of 26/11, It took 12 months to restore the damage & more than 500 crore rupees (91 Million $), and it was reopened for public on 15th August, 2010.
This hotel is the first hotel of India to avail Electricity.
        The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai is known for many reasons than one. It is the most luxurious five star hotels in Mumbai. But, This five star hotel is placed in the hunted list in india. Some people believe that the architect W. A. Chambers, who designed the hotel, killed himself in the building of Taj mahal palace because, the design did not go according to his plan. Many people and visitor have witnessed that the ghost of the architect W. A. Chamber still wandering in the corridor............