The Taj Mahal is an Islamic ivory-white marble mausoleum built on the bank of the river Yamuna, in the Indian city of Agra. It is one of the seven wonders of the modern world and was built as a symbol of Love by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
We were fortunate to visit the Taj, during our Honeymoon. In this article, I will provide important information about this landmark, and some do’s and don’ts, when you visit the Taj Mahal. I hope this hindsight helps you planning your trip.
Architecture of Taj Mahal:
The Taj Mahal has a large, white, domed mausoleum, which is surrounded by four tall minarets on each corner. The exterior is made of white marble. The main building contains two cenotaphs memorializing Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. A cenotaph is a Greek word that means “empty tomb.” The couple is actually interred in sarcophagi underneath the cenotaph. On either side of the Taj Mahal are two buildings made of red sandstone: a mosque and an assembly hall. The grounds also include the Charbagh gardens and a long reflecting pool.
Construction of Taj Mahal:
Construction of Taj Mahal began in 1632 and it took 22 years to build. Architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri created the building’s detailed design and oversaw construction for Emperor Shah Jahan. The emperor wanted a monument that would be worthy of his beloved queen, Mumtaz-i-Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child in 1631.
About the Taj Mahal:
The Taj Mahal is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, and has captured the imagination of people for centuries. Built by the Emperor Shah Jahan, this stunning monument stands not just as testament to his rule but also as a testament to LOVE. The name Taj means “Crown”, because it was intended to be Emperor Shah Jahan’s crowning achievement. Mahal basically means “Palace”. So the literal translation
of “Taj Mahal” in Persian or Urdu means “Crown Of Palaces”.
Information about Taj Mahal:
Address:
Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India
Location:
Taj Mahal is located on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra.
Hours of Entry:
Opens 30 Minutes before Sunrise upto 30 Minutes before Sunset. (Closed on Friday’s).
Admission fee:
For Citizens of India – INR 50, For Foreigners – INR 1100. (Prices keep up with Inflation and are subject to change. Please verify the admission fee in the official website as this might change from season to season). Check the official website for buying the tickets online.
Official Website:
How to get to Taj Mahal from Delhi:
By Train:
The best way to get to the Taj Mahal from Delhi is by train and the journey takes minimum of two hours. From the Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi to the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway station is about 45 mins drive by car (ie around 22Km/14miles). You can board Trains from Nizamuddin Railway station (Delhi) and get down at Agra Cantonment railway station (Agra). See below for various train options. From the Agra Cantonment railway station, you can hire a private taxi to the Taj Mahal which is about 15 minutes (6km/3.7mi) away depending on the traffic.
Here are the most popular trains from Delhi to Agra:
- Gatimaan Express – This is the fastest train from Delhi to Agra and it is non-stop. One-way trip is around 1 hour 40 minutes.
- New Delhi Habibganj Shatabdi Express – The departure time for this train is quite early and if you are up for an early morning visit, then this is the best option for you. One-way trip is 1 hour 57 minutes as there is one stop.
- Taj Express Superfast train – The Taj Express started operations in 1964 and serves travelers traveling from Delhi to Agra. This train has a total of 4 stops. It takes around 3 hours to reach Agra. (We took the Gatimaan express from Delhi, for our trip to Agra).
By Road:
Distance from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to the Taj Mahal is 230 km/144 mi via the Rao Yamuna Expressway. This is roughly 3.5 to 4 hours drive by car depending on the traffic.
Things to do at the Taj Mahal:
- Explore the amazing architecture of the Taj Mahal. Duh!!
- Try the sunset cruise near the Taj Mahal.
- View the Taj Mahal at night. This option is only available five days per month i.e. on full moon night and two nights before and two nights after the full moon.
Amazing facts about the Taj Mahal:
- It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a universally admired masterpiece.
- One of 7 wonders of the modern world.
- It is a Jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the best examples of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India’s rich history.
- It took 20 years to complete and nearly 20,000 workers were involved. The rumor is that Shah Jahan cut-off the hands of the artisans involved in building the Taj Mahal, to ensure that this majestic monument will not be replicated. However, there is no actual evidence of this happening.
- The White Marble and Red Sandstone used to build the Taj were exported on 1000 elephants.
- The Taj Mahal changes color based on the time of the day. It has a Yellow hue at sunrise, is white when the sun shines brightest. At dusk it has a Red tinge and at night, it has a blue hue.
- Insects and Pollution are a major problem for the sustainability of the Taj Mahal. One of the guides that we used, actually told us that insects (flies, bugs) and their secretions affect the white marble and this is one of the reasons why the lights are turned off at night at the Taj.
- To build the Taj Mahal, it cost around 32 million INR in 1653. This is close to 1 Billion USD (inflation adjusted) today!
Best season to visit the Taj Mahal:
- October through March is the best time to visit the Taj, as the temperature is moderate during these months.
- November has heavy smog and even December through February is foggy, especially in the early mornings which makes it difficult to see the Taj Mahal. Towards noon, the fog fades away, but this is when the Taj is at its busiest.
- April through June will be hot during midday. We visited in the month of June and had a hard time with the blistering heat.
- July through September is the monsoon season, so expect rain showers.
What we liked the most!
- Obviously, the amazing beauty of the Taj Mahal and its magnificent architecture.
- The View of the Taj Mahal, beautifully reflected in the pool.
- Loved the Charbagh garden, which is the iconic garden right in front of the Taj Mahal.
- We were able to take many photographs and there are also professional photographers who take photos for a fee.
Things we wish we could have done differently:
- We visited the Taj in the month of June, and it was literally 40C/104F on that day and we couldn’t enjoy the beauty of the Taj because of the heat. We wished we could have visited between October – March, as the weather is cooler.
- We visited Agra through a travel agency. While the travel agent helped us get the tickets and avoid the long lines, we ended up going to the places recommended by the Travel agent. In hindsight, I would suggest that you book a travel agent, but do your own research and politely decline their recommendations, as these recommendations might not be in line with your taste.
- We went to the Taj Mahal during mid-day, and there was huge crowd. Wish we could have gone early in the morning to catch the sunrise and avoid crowds.
- The inside of the Taj Mahal is bare. Figures, it is a Tomb after all! 🙂 We were disappointed, but if you have the right expectations, you can avoid the disappointment.
Travel Tips:
- There is a security check, so be prepared. Large bags and day packs aren’t allowed to be taken inside. Only small bags containing essentials are permitted. This includes one cell phone, a camera, and one water bottle per person. They have storage facilities where you can leave the bags.
- Shoes should be taken off to walk in and around the Taj. You can buy shoe covers at an additional price along with your ticket.
- Pictures cannot be taken inside the Taj Mahal’s main building.
- Arrive early before sunrise, in order to avoid the crowds.
- Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, so don’t plan your trip on a Friday.
- Avoid visiting on weekends as this the busiest time of the week.
- Wear comfortable footwear for the long walks in the Taj premises and also inside the Taj.
- In case you are traveling in summer, always carry hats/scarves/umbrellas and sunscreen to protect yourself from the scorching sun and be hydrated.
- Food, drinks (except one water bottle), gum, tobacco products, headphones, chargers, tripods, flags, books, and drones are not allowed in the Taj Mahal.
- Hire a Taj Mahal photographer. They know the Tips/Tricks/best spots to take photos. These memories will enhance your experience.
- Avoid shopping based on the recommendations from Tour guides or Travel agents/drivers as they tend to get hefty commissions. This adds to your cost. So, you would be better off doing your own research instead. But if you are pressed for time and don’t mind the cost, by all means go with recommendations.
- Haggling for bargains is pretty common, while shopping in local markets. Prices are always inflated for tourists.
Nearby Attractions:
- Agra Fort & Baby Taj (this is the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah) – These two places are UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Agra.
- Fatehpur Sikri – This is an hour from the city limits of Agra and is the ruins of a Mughal city that was originally founded by Emperor Akbar in 1571.
- Visit Mehtab Bagh which is known as the Moonlight Garden. This is a Mughal creation that is located just across the river from the Taj Mahal.
- Visit one of the city’s finest restaurant called the Esphahan which is located inside the luxury Oberoi Amarvilas hotel, this restaurant offers exquisite North Indian specialties. Also, try the local cuisine if you are interested in north Indian food.
- Visit the Kachhpura Village which is located right next to Mehtab Bagh, across the river from the Taj Mahal. This is a small rural area that is full of typically unseen Mughal monuments.
- Get a rooftop view of the Taj. On the Southern side of the Taj Mahal is Taj Ganj which is full of many hotels and rooftop restaurants. This is where you get the best views.
- Shop at the local bazaars in the main markets in Agra which are located in the Old City behind the Jama Masjid. The famous bazaars in Agra are Sadar bazaar, sub hash bazaar, Kinari bazaar, Shah market (wholesale and retail markets for shopping in Agra), Shahganj bazaar, shoe market (famous for shoes).
Conclusion:
So was it worth it? The answer is a resounding YES!!
I would recommend the Taj Mahal to anyone who is going to India. It was a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and now that I have seen it, I’m ready for the next journey.
Leave a Reply