Taj Mahal to be mapped on Google Street View

Google is working with the Indian ministry of culture to create a virtual view of the Taj Mahal, as part of a wider project to map the world's greatest landmarks

India's jewel: the Taj Mahal (AFP/Getty)

It is commonly referred to as the Jewel of India and is seen as one of the most romantic locations on earth – and soon it will be possible to visit the Taj Mahal without leaving the UK.

If forking out for a flight to India is not an option, aspiring travellers might consider taking a virtual tour instead

Google has teamed up with the Indian ministry of culture to bring the majestic landmark and 99 other heritage sites to Street View, the BBC reported.

The white marble mausoleum, which is set on the banks of the river Yamuna and one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, is being digitally mapped by Google’s backpack Trekker camera

The portable kit allows Google to map places its Street View cars are unable to reach. It has already been used to chart the Grand Canyon and Burj Khalifia, in Dubai, which is the world’s tallest skyscraper.

It is part of an ongoing project to collect footage of some of the world’s most valued landmarks.

Suren Ruhela, geo product manager for Google India, told the BBC: "We are creating a digital record of these monuments and those records will live forever.

"It's not only for this generation but many generations to come. So that's a great way of preserving the culture of the country."

The Trekker camera has 15 lenses pointed in different directions. The resulting footage is assembled by software to give viewers a 360-degree image and the illusion of actually being at the monuments.

The camera will also be granted access to areas of the Taj Mahal that are closed to the public.

“This will benefit the public," Munazzar Ali, a Taj conservationist from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), told the BBC.

"The camera will be allowed inside closed rooms, the entire complex, the tomb in the basement - so people can finally see the Taj like never before."