THERE'S the Taj Mahal. And there's the Taj Mahal. Both are full of splendour.

Just like the world's wonder in Agra, the Taj Hotels are awesome, giving foreigners a feel of how the Maharajas lived. Out of a dozen Taj hotels in India, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel in Mumbai, which came under terrorist attack, is the flagship of the hotel chain owned by the Tata Group because of its rich cultural and architectural history.

The luxurious structure is the playground for Bollywood celebrities like Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan, and India's top industrialists, and home to visiting foreign dignitaries.

It's so famous that the locals hang out outside it's doors just to catch a glimpse of VIPs who are certain to show up.The hotel, which opened in 1903, has a brilliant decor and gold trimmings and the five-star hotel is the pulse of the financial city. All important events and decision makings take place there.

The Taj is also THE place for visiting businessmen to do their networking as India's elite business group are sure to be seen there.

The rooms offer a refreshing mix of European style and Indian elegance and the food, already among the best in India, is served on gold-trimmed plates and cups. Security at the hotel is often tight and it's strange that the militants could get in so easily.

The magnificent tower was designed by American architect Melton Bekker with its arched balconies topped by a jagged diadem.

Now, the terrorists have left the hotel damaged but the Tata Group has vowed to rebuild Mumbai's landmark to its full glory.

The Taj will probably shine again and despite what the terrorists did, people are likely to flock back to the Taj Mahal Hotel. The touch of class is unmistakable.