The iconic Taj hotel in India's Mumbai City received guests for the first time on Sunday... since the 2008 militant attacks.

The hotel suffered extensive damage from a siege by four heavily armed militants, in an attack that lasted 60 hours, killing more than 160 people.

Locals gathered in huge numbers to witness the reopening of 107-year-old heritage wing of the hotel.

[Jalaj Gupta, Local]:
"The 26/11 incident perhaps is one of the black days in the history of country and its reopening on 15th August is a kind of slap for those people who want to see India the way they want to see it. I think it is a great symbolic gesture and it is a great architecture in itself, and its opening up on 15th August marks a new beginning in the era of Mumbai."

The founders of the hotel vowed to rebuild every inch of the iconic hotel, founded in 1903, which played host to maharajas, heads of state, chief executives, movie stars and entertainers alike.

[Pankaj Soni, Visitor]:
"First of all, I am very happy that Taj has reopened. It is a slap in the face to terrorism. I must congratulate the people of Mumbai who are in very high spirits today. This testifies that terrorism can never defeat Mumbai."

Architects, designers and restoration experts from India and around the world spent more than 21 months assessing the damage. According to media reports, nearly $40 million was spent on repairing, restoring and upgrading the heritage wing.

While the Taj has retained its priceless Belgian chandeliers, antique chests and sacred icons, it has completely refurbished its luxurious suites.