A world heritage site, the Taj Mahal is a 17th centuray Indo-Persian mausoleum built in honour of the wife of the Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan. Earlier this week Shri Jagmohan ministry of tourism put the shopping mall on hold following an unprecedented public outcry when the plan was divulged to the media. India is widely acknowledged as having one of the richest concentrations of cultural heritage in the world. The problem says Mala Singh, co-founder of the Indian National Trust for Arts, Heritage and Culture, is deeply rooted. "The most sacred site is the seven mile stretch along the River Ganges (in Varanasi) where the dead are cremated', siad Ms Singh.