Bargarh (Orissa), Feb 23: An artist in Orissa unleashed his creativity to make a wooden replica of the Taj Mahal, one of the ''Seven Wonders of the World''.

Arun Kumar Meher, an artist adept in wooden art in Bargarh district took three months to create the five feet high and ten feet wide wooden replica.

"Not everyone can go to Agra to see the actual Taj Mahal made by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz. So, for those who have not witnessed the monument, my work will give them an idea of how it actually looks like," Meher said.

Different shades of Sal wood were used for making the replica. No external colours were added to it.

Locals in the area have expressed appreciation, but believe it deserves greater recognition.

"The art piece made by Arun Kumar is something unique and should be displayed at an exhibition," said Gajendra Singh, a local.

The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1625-1666), the grandson of Akbar, in the memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.

The construction of the monument began in 1631 and was completed in 1653. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The material was brought in from all over India and Central Asia. It is said that 1000 elephants were used to transport the material to the main site.

Taj Mahal is one of the most popular tourist places in the world, attracting around 20,000 visitors daily. (ANI)