On December 1st, the Taj Mahal was added to the list of nominated Wonders of the World. Bollywood actress, Aishwarya Rai was in India to promote the Taj nomination.

Rai is also the former (1994) Miss India and Miss World.

Rai tethered a hot-air balloon at the Taj Mahal to help it get onto a list of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Here, she waves to her fans in the northern Indian city of Agra.

The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum based in Agra. This architectural masterpiece was built during the Mughal rule of India. It is considered the 17th century symbol of love. The monument, which just celebrated its 350th anniversary, was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a shrine for his wife.

"Taj is a beautiful piece of architecture, more beautiful than me. I've always regarded it with admiration as it embodies love," said Rai, who has studied architecture.

Mr. Bernard Weber, the Swiss adventurer who is behind the hunt for modern counterparts to the ancient list, said: "The Taj is more special because of the symbol for which it stands and that is love. And that is why most people worldwide relate to it."

Rai urged those interested in supporting the Taj Mahal to send sms messages to the New Seven Wonders Foundation and support Taj's nomination.

77 sites will be whittled to 21.

Millions of people have already voted.

The sites or monuments with the most votes by the end of February 2005 will be reviewed by the N7W panel of experts for inclusion in a shortlist of 21 candidates.

Meanwhile, a state-of-the-art television series will portray each of the chosen 21 sites for viewers worldwide.

The N7W panel of seven international experts will vote next year to determine the final seven wonders.

Final results would be announced on January 1st, 2006.

Other "wonders" considered in the list of the new 'Seven Wonders of the World' include:

Aachen Cathedral

Acropolis

Alhambra

Angkor Wat

Pyramids Of Chichen Itza, Mexico

City of Sana'a

Colosseum

Doges Palace

Statues Of Easter Island, Chile

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Empire State Building, New York

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Hagia Sophia

Kremlin

Kyoto Palace

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Machu Picchu

Panathinaiko Stadium

Petra

Potala Palace

Sagrada Familia

Statue of Liberty, New York

Sydney Opera House, Australia

The Great Wall Of China

The Colosseum, Rome

Timbuktu

Versailles Palace, France

Historically, the number seven has been considered lucky or magical. Seven appears repeatedly throughout various cultures: ancient Egyptians believed there were seven sacred planets and Muslims believe in seven heavens.

For 2nd Century BC Greeks, the number was used to identify the greatest, legendary monuments and buildings of the time: the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The only surviving monument from the original list is the Great Pyramid of Khufu, located in Giza, Egypt. It was built as a tomb for the pharaoh Khufu.

The other ancient wonders included: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, The Colossus of Rhodes, The Lighthouse of Alexandria.

Aishwarya Rai in front of India's 'Wonder' The Taj Mahal

For further information on The New 7 Wonders, go to:

The Former Miss World

The Miss World competition is touted as "beauty with a purpose."

It is the only international Contest to have adopted such a theme. Twenty-four years ago, the theme got its start and has since raised over $480 million for Children's Charities throughout the world.

To review her last journal entry when she reigned as "Miss World" go to:

Rai's motto:

"Do not pretend - Be"
"Do not promise - Act"
"Do not just dream - Realise it!"

To vote for your nomination, go to:

Inspire & Be Inspired(R).

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful "being, acting and realizing your dreams" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King

Photo credit of Ms. Rai: Reuters' photographer, Brijesh Singh