LUCKNOW, India, Sept 4 (AFP) - Indian state authorities are planning a huge celebration to mark the 350th anniversary of the Taj Mahal, the world famous monument to love, an official said Saturday.
The September 27 bash was awaiting the go-ahead of the Supreme Court, which controls the 17th century white-marble mausoleum, said Uttar Pradesh state tourism secretary Alok Sinha.
He expected the series of cultural events to attract thousands of foreign and local tourists and international celebrities. A number of heads of state had also been invited, he added.
The Taj was built by heart-broken Moghul emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved second wife who died during childbirth.
More than 10,000 artisans toiled for two decades to construct the mausoleum, before its completion on September 27, 1654.
Sinha said if the Supreme Court rejected the plan, the celebrations would be shifted to nearby Agra Fort.
India's communications ministry would release a special postage stamp commemorating 350 years of the Taj in New Delhi on September 27, he added.
The Uttar Pradesh state authorities last month applied to the Supreme Court to reopen the Taj Mahal for public viewing on full moon nights.
The viewings were stopped around 20 years ago due to threats by militants. The court has yet to rule on the issue.