By IANS
Agra : Agra mayor Anjula Singh has left for Lisbon to the attend the ceremony where the new list of seven wonders of the world will be unveiled Saturday. The city's historical masterpiece Taj Mahal is also one of the contenders.
Singh prayed at the famous Bankey Bihari temple in Vridavan for the love monument's inclusion in the list, before leaving for Lisbon Thursday night.
The mayor said she "had been invited by the promoters of the contest" to represent the city of the Taj Mahal in Lisbon.
Before her departure, Singh was given a warm send off by corporators and officials at the Mehtab Bagh opposite the Taj Mahal on the bank of river Yamuna.
Scores of local organisations Thursday tried to mobilise support to garner more votes for the Taj, "though competition could come from China," said an Archaeological Survey of India official.
"Although the UNESCO has criticised the contest, the world wide media hype will help the tourism industry in Agra," said Rakesh Chauhan, president of the Hotels and Restaurant Association here.
A foundation created by a Swiss millionaire will announce the seven sites elected a global Internet vote. A gala event will be held at a huge Lisbon stadium on the occasion.