Film star and former miss world Aishwarya Rai on Wednesday launched a campaign to canvass for votes worldwide to get the Taj Mahal included in a list of the new seven wonders of the world, by releasing a hot-air balloon near the 17th century monument in Agra.

"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.

Rai walked about half a kilometre after releasing the balloon to signal the nomination of the monument for the list, which is an idea of Bernard Weber of the New Seven Wonders Foundation.

• Have you seen the Taj by moonlight?

The foundation will prepare the list based on the result of a global voting to be conducted through the Internet.

The blue balloon, marked 'N 7 W' (new seven wonders), tied to the ground and swaying 100 feet up in the air, will remain aloft for three months as part of efforts to mobilise support for the Taj to be included in the new list.

Rai urged the people to send sms messages and support Taj's nomination. 

Earlier, the Bollywood heartthrob, accompanied by Weber, spent some 30 minutes going round the Taj.