Are you traveling to India and wondering if the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Agra, is worth the time, effort and crowds? In all honesty, avoiding one of the world's most gorgeous structures for whatever reason would be a shame. Despite the endless number of photographs distributed around the internet, nothing compares an in-person encounter with the captivating all-marble beauty. It was a devastated ruler's proper homage to his late queen, and it remains an unrivaled testament to eternal love. The Taj, as it is known locally, is a bucket-list favorite for good reason, so expect a long line to view this great gesture from the 17th century.
Mumtaz Mahal, the third wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, died of complications after childbirth in 1631. He commissioned the renowned structure in 1632. The beautiful marble mausoleum took eight years to create, requiring the labor of over 20,000 workers. The remainder of the complex took another 14 years to complete, with the final phase completed in 1653. Five years later, following a power struggle and deadly fratricide, his son Aurangzeb deposed Shah Jahan and imprisoned him in the Agra Fort for the rest of his life. He died in 1666 and was buried by his beloved.
Through this Ultimate Guide to the Taj Mahal you can visit agra hussle free and enjoy the city as it is.
Agra is well-connected by rail and road to Delhi. The Taj Express departs at 6:55 a.m. and arrives in Agra in three hours. You can pre-book a cab or take an Uber from Delhi (up to ₹3000 Indian Rupee/US$34). The airport solely receives domestic aircraft from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Bengaluru.
One method to avoid the long lines of people is to purchase your tickets online. International visitors pay ₹1100, whereas SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors pay ₹540. Indian travelers pay only ₹50. Visitors are paid an extra ₹200 to enter the mausoleum. If you've made it this far, we recommend you continue. Your ticket also includes a drink bottle and shoe protectors for the Mausoleum.
The online purchase includes a small entry fee reduction for same-day visits to Agra Fort, Sikandra (Akbar's Tomb), and Itimad-ud-Daulah. Ticket counters at the Taj Mahal open one hour before dawn and close 45 minutes before dusk.
Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Friday.
While you will never have the Taj Mahal to yourself, arriving a half hour before sunrise will result in a smaller crowd. Consider visiting between February and April or September and November to escape high temperatures, the infamous North Indian fog, smog, monsoon rains and the vacation season.
The Taj Mahal can be seen at night five days per month: the full moon night, as well as the two nights before and after. Only a restricted number of persons are permitted to enter the main doorway for 30 minutes between 8 p.m. and midnight. Reserve your spot well in advance for a beautiful moonlight-bathed view of the tomb.
Polluting vehicles are not permitted within a 500-meter (1640ft) radius of the Taj Mahal due to severe air pollution in Uttar Pradesh, which is discolouring the monument. Parking is available near Shilpgram (1km/0.6 mile) for the East Gate (where the lines are the longest) and at Amrood Ka Teela for the West Gate.
You can either walk the distance along a paved road lined with hotels, tourist stores, and refreshment stands on the eastern side, or take a battery-powered car (also included in your ticket) for the short ride to and from both gates. The South Gate, which is closest to the bustling Taj Ganj district popular with backpackers and budget travelers, is now only accessible via exit.
Keep your passports handy because guests must pass through ticket and security checks at both gates. There are distinct lines for men and women, however foreign tourists can pass past due to their high-value tickets.
Large bags are not allowed. A free luggage check is provided; however, if you want to get through quickly, bring only the basics (camera/phone, passport, water bottle, and money). Tripods are also prohibited, and practically all other items (including food, tobacco, lipstick, pens and literature) will be confiscated.
The main complex is divided into two different portions. The char bagh, a walled garden arrangement common in Central Asia and also known as a Mughal garden, is visible in the foreground. It is claimed to symbolize paradise as described in the Quran, with fruit-bearing trees and watercourses that split it into orderly fours. The mausoleum at the far end backs up to the Yamuna River beyond. A majestic main gate welcomes you from the forecourt.
This is where you'll first see the dazzling building, framed starkly against the sky and mirrored in a reflecting pool. The vision is as bit as spectacular as the hype promises, and you'll need a minute to really appreciate the legendary sight. Along with a sea of other enthralled photographers and selfie-takers! Foggy days, which are prevalent between mid-December and mid-January, may occasionally impair this experience in the early hours. While you're here, take at the magnificent spandrels, inlay work, and calligraphy on the grand gateway. You may not have a chance to return because the exit is through a side door.
Expect to be solicited by eager guides, many of whom are imposters. Check their credentials (government-issued licenses) before hiring them. Alternatively, you can pre-book with a travel firm or join up for expert-led guided tours. The majority of them are skilled in English. French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean-speaking guides can be booked through your travel agency with advance notice.
If you want to start with the cenotaphs, walk straight down the row of fountains flanked by trees. Be prepared to see animated posers waiting their turn on an elevated platform in the middle. This is a common photo opportunity, made famous by wisely smiling world leaders and celebrities. You can join them or continue on to the tomb ahead.
Your optional tickets will be examined before ascending the stairs to the plinth (inaccessible by wheelchair). Look for the High-Value Ticket Holder sign on the right. Once you've climbed the tight flight of steps, take a moment to examine the arched facades. Look closely at the gemstone-encrusted pietra dura scrollwork and the jasper inlay script surrounding the arched recesses. Note how the text size grows with height to give a consistent appearance.
Mumtaz Mahal's cenotaph is marked with an ornate artificial tomb encircled by a latticed marble screen set with semiprecious stones. It is located below the central dome. The larger, less ornamented cenotaph of Shah Jahan stands beside it, disrupting the Taj's symmetry. The actual burials are in a sealed vault beneath the main chamber and cannot be seen. After that, proceed to the sandstone structure known as Jawab (answer) to the east of the Taj. It was constructed in a symmetrical reaction to the mosque on the opposite side and is also known as the mehman khana (guesthouse).
If you want to explore the gardens first, head around the western border to the small but superb Taj Museum (free, 10am-5pm, Saturday through Thursday). Look for ivory portraits of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, as well as architectural designs and coinage from the Mughal Empire. The celadon plates in the gallery to the right of the entrance were rumored to change color or shatter when exposed to poisoned food. Outside, near the corner to your left, is a frequently overlooked photo opportunity that offers a beautiful vista of the Taj Mahal rising over a canopy of green trees. Continue along this edge to the mosque (access limited) and cenotaphs.
There's a good chance you'll want to see more of the Taj Mahal before leaving Agra, and there are several great vantage points for seeing the majestic structure. This is also another chance for individuals who were completely dissatisfied with their first visit, as strange as it sounds. A different perspective, especially away from the masses, may inspire a change of heart!
Mehtab Bagh, a Mughal garden on the north bank, offers the most direct view from across the Yamuna. Visit around sunset to witness the play of flaming colors on the glistening marble.
The rooftop cafés of Joey's and the Saniya Palace Inn in Taj Ganj provide excellent views of the Taj.
Experience Shah Jahan's later-in-life view of his love monument from the Agra Fort. The imprisoned emperor spent his final years here, staring out upon his masterwork (2 kilometers/1.2 miles away). Plan to see the sunrise from the Khas Mahal and the Musamman Burj.
Take a bike tour or an auto rickshaw ride through Agra's rural landscape to view the Taj Mahal silhouetted against verdant farmlands.
Book a high-tea session with Ekaa Agra and enjoy views of the Taj Mahal while sipping and savoring.
Agra has a wide choice of lodgings to suit all budgets. The opulent Oberoi Amarvilas and the budget-friendly Hostel in Agra are both located in lively Taj Ganj and have breathtaking views of the mausoleum. The bright Coral House, a nice homestay in the same neighborhood, is another inexpensive choice.
If you want some peace and quiet, Ekaa Villa and A Dog's Story on Fatehabad Road are excellent options. The Mela Kothi-Chambal Safari Lodge, a family-run rewilded eco-lodge about an hour from Agra, is much quieter.
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