Overview

  • Features: Mughal-style garden tomb made of marble and inset with semi-precious stones
  • Opening Times: Dawn to dusk, daily
  • Best Time to Visit: At sunrise and sunset
  • Duration: 2 to 3 hours
  • Travelled By: Auto rickshaw
  • Cost: Indian/foreigner Rs 20/750, video Rs 25
  • Address: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Type: Monument, Memorial

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Summary

If you’re reading this page, chances are you’re planning a trip to see the Taj Mahal in Agra. Before you go, you should read this post for fun and interesting facts about the Taj Mahal Agra, answers to frequently asked questions, best time to visit, top tips, best places to view the Taj and much, much more.

Fun & Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal Agra

 

If you’re reading this page, chances are you’re planning a trip to see the Taj Mahal in Agra. Before you go, you should read this post for fun and interesting facts about Taj Mahal Agra, answers to frequently asked questions, best time to visit, top tips, best places to view the Taj and much, much more.

 

 

 

Fun & Interesting Taj Mahal Facts

  • The Taj Mahal is one of the ‘New World’ Seven Wonders of the World
  • Taj Mahal means ‘Crown of the Palace’
  • It was designed to represent an earthly replica of one of the houses of paradise
  • Considered the most beautiful building in the world, the Taj is the most visited attraction in India by both local and foreign tourists
  • According to Rabindranath Tagore, India’s Nobel Laureate poet, the Taj is a “tear drop on the face of humanity”
  • For Rudyard Kipling, the Taj is “the embodiment of all things pure”
  • Emperor Shah Jahan said the Taj made “the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes”
  • The Taj Mahal took 22 years to complete, costed nearly 41 million rupees and 500 kilos (1,102 lbs) of gold, and employed a workforce of some 20,000 people from India and Central Asia
  • The two best times to view the Taj is at sunrise and sunset; the Taj is arguably at its most atmospheric at sunrise
  • The minarets on the Taj been designed to lean slightly outwards so that in the event of an earthquake they would fall away from the precious Taj
  • In 2002, having been gradually discoloured by city pollution, the Taj was spruced up with an ancient face-pack recipe known as multani mitti – a blend of soil, cereal, milk and lime once used by Indian women to beautify their skin
  • The real tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are in a locked basement room below the main chamber and cannot be viewed by the public

 

 

Best Time to Visit the Taj Mahal

The two best times to view the Taj during the day is at sunrise and sunset. The Taj is arguably at its most atmospheric at sunrise. This is also the most comfortable time to visit as it is not hot and there are fewer crowds. Sunset is another magical viewing time.

Get to the Taj entrance at dawn, before it opens, then rush, run if you must, straight to the cenotaph chamber (remember to remove your shoes before ascending the marble steps). If you manage to get there first, you will hear what might aptly be described as “the sound of infinity”, the vibration created by air moving through the huge ventilated dome. As soon as the first visitor walks in, jabbering away, it reverberates throughout the room, and the sacred moment is lost until closing time again.

You can also view the Taj for five nights around full moon. If you choose this option, ensure a day visit beforehand to see the details of the Taj under full light. Entry numbers for a full moon visit are limited to about a hundred, and tickets must be bought a day in advance from the Archaeological Survey of India office (2227263; www.asi.nic.in; 22 The Mall; Indian/foreigner Rs 510/750). See its website for details. Note, this office is known as the Taj Mahal Office by some rickshaw riders.

One final word of advice; whatever you do, don’t plan your trip around seeing the Taj on a Friday, as the whole complex is closed to anyone not attending Friday prayers at the mosque inside the Taj grounds.

 

 

Top Tips for Visiting the Taj Mahal

  • Visitors have to remove their shoes and socks before entering the mausoleum so wear slip-on shoes for easy removal. Foreigners get a shoe covering along with their ticket so they don’t have to remove their shoes. Help the environment by entering the mausoleum barefoot instead of using the free disposable shoe covers.
  • Bring a small torch into the mausoleum to fully appreciate the translucency of the white marble and semiprecious stones.
  • Avoid visiting the Taj in December/January when Agra is covered in mist making it hard to view the Taj in all its glory. If you must visit at this time, the best time is in the afternoon when the mist cover is at its least.
  • The Taj changes colour depending on the time of day, and many recommend that you witness this by visiting in the morning and evening; however, your ticket is valid for one entry only. Eat a hearty breakfast before you head out (no food is allowed past security), and stay the day, or come in the early morning.
  • Keep your Taj ticket for a small reduction in the entrance fees at Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s Tomb or the Itimad-ud-Daulah on the same day.

 

 

Best Places to View the Taj Mahal

Inside the Taj Grounds – This is the best place to view the Taj as you can really get up close and personal with India’s most beautiful building.

On a Boat Trip along the Yamuna River – Another great viewing spot of the Taj is from the Yamuna River that runs along its northern border. A boat trip at sunset provides a stunning view of the Taj illuminated by the golden rays of the dying sun.

From the South Bank of the River – If you can’t take a boat ride along the Yamuna River, another alternative to viewing the Taj is from the south bank of the river. This is a great place to be for sunset. Take the path that hugs the outside of the Taj’s eastern wall and walk all the way down to the small temple beside the river.

From Mehtab Bagh – Another point to view the Taj is from the 16th century Mughal park, Mehtab Bagh located on opposite side of the Yamuna River. A path leading down to the river beside the park offers the same view for free, albeit from a more restricted angle.

From a Rooftop Cafe in Taj Ganj – There are numerous rooftop cafes in Taj Ganj that offer spectacular views of the Taj. Sunrise views are best had from here and all offer the bonus of being able to view the Taj with the added comfort of an early morning cup of coffee and a lovely breakfast.

From Agra Fort – With a decent zoom lens you can capture some fabulous images of the Taj from Agra Fort, especially if you’re willing to get up at the crack of dawn to see the sun rising up from behind it. The best places to picture it from are probably Musamman Burj and Khas Mahal, the octagonal tower and palace where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for eight years until his death.

 

 

Taj Mahal History

Shah Jahan, the fifth of the Great Mughals, was so devoted to his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace) that he could not bear to be parted from her and insisted that she always travel with him, in all states of health. While accompanying him on a military campaign, she died at the age of 39 giving birth to their 14th child. On her deathbed, it is said, she asked the emperor to show the world how much they loved one another.

The grief-stricken emperor went into mourning for two years. He turned away from the business of running the empire and dedicated himself to architecture, resolving to build his wife the most magnificent memorial on earth. On the right bank of the River Yamuna in full view of his fortress palace, it was to be known as the Taj-i-Mahal (Crown of the Palace).

According to the French traveller Tavnier, work on the Taj commenced in 1632 and took 22 years to complete, costing nearly 41 million rupees and 500 kilos (1,102 lbs) of gold and employing a workforce of some 20,000 people from India and Central Asia. Specialists were brought in from as far away as Europe to produce the exquisite marble screens and pietra dura (marble inlay work) made with thousands of semiprecious stones. The red sandstone was available locally but the white marble was quarried at Makrana in Rajasthan and transported 300 km by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Semi-precious stones for the inlay came from far and wide: red carnelian from Baghdad; red, yellow and brown jasper from the Punjab; green jade and crystal from China; blue lapis lazuli from Ceylon and Afghanistan; turquoise from Tibet; chrysolite from Egypt; amethyst from Persia; agates from the Yemen; dark green malachite from Russia; diamonds from Central India and mother-of-pearl from the Indian Ocean. A 3-km ramp was used to lift material up to the dome and, because of the sheer weight of the building; boreholes were filled with metal coins and fragments to provide suitable foundations. The resemblance of the exquisite double dome to a huge pearl is not coincidental; a saying of the Prophet describes the throne of God as a dome of white pearl supported by white pillars.

Myths and controversy surround the Taj Mahal. On its completion it is said that the emperor ordered the chief mason’s right hand to be cut off to prevent him from repeating his masterpiece. Another legend suggests that Shah Jahan intended to build a replica for himself in black marble on the other side of the river, connected to the Taj Mahal by a bridge built with alternate blocks of black and white marble. Some have asserted that architects responsible for designing this mausoleum must have come from Turkey, Persia or even Europe (because of the pietra dura work on the tomb). In fact, no one knows who drew the plans. What is certain is that in the Taj Mahal, the traditions of Indian Hindu and Persian Muslim architecture were fused together into a completely distinct and perfect art form.

The Taj was designated a World Heritage Site in 1983 and looks as immaculate today as when it was first constructed – though it underwent a huge restoration project in the early 20th century. In 2002, having been gradually discoloured by city pollution, it was spruced up with an ancient face-pack recipe known as multani mitti – a blend of soil, cereal, milk and lime once used by Indian women to beautify their skin. Now only non-polluting vehicles are allowed within 2 km of the monument. People are increasingly using horse-drawn carriages or walking.

 

 

Taj Mahal Entry & Ticket Information

The Taj is closed every Friday to anyone not attending prayers at the mosque.

There are three entrance gates into the Taj complex – west, south and east gates. Tour groups tend to enter through the east and west gates. Independent travellers tend to use the south gate, which is nearest to Taj Ganj, the main area for budget accommodation and generally has shorter queues than the west gate. The west gate is usually used by those arriving from the fort and is an easy 10-minute walk along a pleasant garden road. The east gate has the shortest queues of the lot, but this is because the ticket office is inconveniently located a 1km walk away at Shilpgram. Here, rickshaws and camel drivers offer to take visitors to the east gate for up to Rs 100 each; however, an official battery bus ferries visitors from the car park to the gate for Rs 2 each.There are separate queues for men and women at all three gates.

From the south gate, entry to the inner compound is through a very impressive, 30m red sandstone gateway on the south side of the forecourt, which is inscribed with verses from the Quran.

Cameras and videos are permitted but you cannot take photographs inside the mausoleum itself, and the areas in which you can take videos are quite limited. Only water, camera, film, batteries, medicines, and other similar essentials are allowed. No food, sharp objects, tripods, or electronics, if you have any of these items, you can leave them at reception. Mobile phone use is a criminal offense.

If you keep your Taj ticket you get small entry-fee reductions when visiting Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s Tomb or the Itimad-ud-Daulah on the same day. Show your Taj ticket at the counter when booking your tickets for the other attractions.

 

 

Information About Taj Mahal Agra

Below is detailed information about each section of the Taj Mahal complex.

 

Taj Mahal Map

 

Once inside the Taj Mahal complex, the ornamental gardens are set out along classical Mughal charbagh (formal Persian garden) lines – a square quartered by watercourses, with an ornamental marble plinth at its centre. When the fountains are not flowing, the Taj is beautifully reflected in the water. The Taj Mahal itself stands on a raised marble platform at the northern end of the ornamental gardens, with its back to the Yamuna River. Its raised position means that the backdrop is only sky – a masterstroke of design. Purely decorative 40m-high white minarets grace each corner of the platform.

After more than three centuries they are not quite perpendicular, but they may have been designed to lean slightly outwards so that in the event of an earthquake they would fall away from the precious Taj. The red sandstone mosque to the west is an important gathering place for Agra’s Muslims. The identical building to the east, the jawab, was built for symmetry.

 

The Entrance to the Taj

 

In the unique beauty of the Taj, subtlety is blended with grandeur and a massive overall design is matched with immaculately intricate execution. You will already have seen the dome of the tomb in the distance, looking almost like a miniature, but as you go into the open square, the Taj itself is so well hidden that you almost wonder where it can be. The glorious surprise is kept until the last moment, for wholly concealing it is the massive red sandstone gateway of the entrance, symbolizing the divide between the secular world and paradise.

The gateway was completed in 1648, though the huge brass door is recent. The original doors (plundered by the Jats) were solid silver and decorated with 1100 nails whose heads were contemporary silver coins. Although the gateway is remarkable in itself, one of its functions is to prevent you getting any glimpse of the tomb inside until you are right in the doorway itself. From here only the tomb is visible, stunning in its nearness, but as you move forward the minarets come into view.

 

Taj Mahal Garden

 

The Taj garden, well kept though it is nowadays, is nothing compared to its former glory. The guiding principle is one of symmetry. Based on the Mughal char bagh (four pieces) architecture, the garden is divided into four squares which are separated by the watercourses (rivers of heaven) originating from the central, raised pool. These four sections are further divided into 16 flower beds, making a total of 64. The trees, all carefully planted to maintain the symmetry, were either cypress (signifying death) or fruit trees (life). The channels were stocked with colourful fish and the gardens with beautiful birds. It is well worth wandering along the side avenues for not only is it much more peaceful but also good for framing photos of the tomb with foliage.

Named after its lotus-shaped fountain spouts, the Lotus Pool located in the middle of the garden reflects the tomb. Almost every visitor is photographed sitting on the marble bench here.

 

Taj Mosque and the Jawab

 

On the east and west sides of the tomb are identical red sandstone buildings. On the west (left-hand side) is a mosque. It is common in Islam to build one next to a tomb. It sanctifies the area and provides a place for worship. The replica on the other side is known as the Jawab (answer). This can’t be used for prayer as it faces away from Mecca.

 

Taj Mahal

 

The central Taj structure is made of semitranslucent white marble, carved with flowers and inlaid with thousands of semiprecious stones in beautiful patterns. A perfect exercise in symmetry, the four identical faces of the Taj feature impressive vaulted arches embellished with pietra dura scrollwork and quotations from the Quran in a style of calligraphy using inlaid jasper.

The tomb is square with bevelled corners. At each corner smaller domes rise while in the centre is the famous 44-m (144-ft) bulbous central dome topped by a brass finial. The dome is actually a double dome and this device, Central Asian in origin, was used to gain height. The resemblance of the dome to a huge pearl is not coincidental. Four minarets, each 40 m (131 ft) high and crowned by an open octagonal pavilion or chhatri, frame the tomb, also highlighting the perfect symmetry of the complex. The exterior ornamentation is calligraphy (verses of the Koran), beautifully carved panels in bas relief and superb inlay work. Pishtaq or recessed arches provide depth while their inlaid panels reflect the changing light to give the tomb a mystical aura. Inspired by the paradise garden, pietra dura (intricately carved floral designs inlaid with precious stones) embellish the austere white marble surface to give it the look of a bejewelled casket.

 

The Tomb

The interior of the mausoleum comprises a lofty central chamber, a maqbara (crypt) immediately below this, and four octagonal corner rooms. The central chamber directly below the main dome is the Cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal, an elaborate false tomb surrounded by an exquisite perforated marble screen daintily carved from a single block of marble and inlaid with dozens of different types of semiprecious stones. The marble screen was meant to veil the area around the royal tombs.

Beside it, off setting the symmetry of the Taj, is the Cenotaph of Shah Jahan, who was interred here with little ceremony by his usurping son Aurangzeb in 1666. Light is admitted into the central chamber by finely cut marble jali screens. The real tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are in a locked basement room below the main chamber and cannot be viewed by the public.

The public tomb was originally surrounded by a jewel-encrusted silver screen. Aurangzeb removed this, fearing it might be stolen, and replaced it with an octagonal screen of marble carved from one block of marble and inlaid with precious stones. It is an incredible piece of workmanship.

Above the tombs is a Cairene lamp whose flame is supposed to burn forever. This one was given by Lord Curzon, Governor General of India (1899-1905), to replace the original which was stolen by the Jats. The tomb of Mumtaz with the ‘female’ slate, rests immediately beneath the dome. If you look from behind it, you can see how it lines up centrally with the main entrance. Shah Jahan’s tomb is larger and to the side, marked by a ‘male’ pen-box, the sign of a cultured or noble person. Not originally intended to be placed there but squeezed in by Aurangzeb, this flaws the otherwise perfect symmetry of the whole complex. Finally, the acoustics of the building are superb, the domed ceiling being designed to echo chants from the Koran and musicians’ melodies.

 

Taj Museum

Within the Taj complex, on the western side of the gardens, is the small but excellent Taj Museum (admission Rs 5; 10am-5pm Sat-Thu), housing a number of original Mughal miniature paintings, including a pair of 17th-century ivory portraits of Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. You can also find here some very well preserved gold and silver coins dating from the same period, plus architectural drawings of the Taj and some nifty celadon plates, said to split into pieces or change colour if the food served on them contains poison.

 

 

Taj Mahal Architecture

It is widely believed that the Taj Mahal was designed to represent an earthly replica of one of the houses of paradise. Its impeccable marble facing, embellished by a remarkable use of exquisite surface design, is a showcase for the refined aesthetic that reached its height during Shah Jahan’s reign. Described as “one of the most elegant and harmonious buildings in the world”, the Taj indeed manifests the wealth and luxury of Mughal art as seen in architecture and garden design, painting, jewellery, calligraphy, textiles, carpet-weaving and furniture.

 

Pietra Dura

 

The Mughals were great naturalists and believed that flowers were the “symbols of the divine realm”. In the Taj, pietra dura has been extensively used to translate naturalistic forms into decorative patterns that complement the majesty of its architecture.

Flowers such as tulip, lily, iris, poppy and narcissus were depicted as sprays or in arabesque patterns. Stones of varying degrees of colour were used to create the shaded effects.

The Florentine technique of pietra dura is said to have been imported by Emperor Jehangir and developed in Agra as pachikari. Minute slivers of precious and semi-precious stones, such as carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise and malachite, were arranged in complex stylized floral designs set into a marble base. Even today, artisans in the old city maintain pattern books with the fine motifs used on the Taj to recreate 17th century designs in contemporary pieces.

 

Carved Relief Work

 

Decorative panels of flowering plants, foliage and vases are realistically carved on the lower portions of the walls. While the pietra dura adds colour to the pristine white marble, the carved relief work highlights the texture of the polished marble and sandstone surface.

Floral sprays, carved in relief on the marble and sandstone dado levels, are framed with pietra dura and stone inlay borders. The profusion of floral motifs in the Taj symbolises the central paradise theme.

Jali patterns on the octagonal perforated screens surrounding the tombs are a complex combination of the geometric and floral. The filtered light captures the intricate designs and casts mosaic-like shadows on the tombs.

 

Calligraphy

 

Inlaid calligraphy in black marble was used as a form of ornamentation on undecorated surfaces. The exquisitely detailed panels of inscribed Koranic passages, that line the recessed arches like banners, were designed by the Persian calligrapher, Amanat Khan.

 

 

FAQ’s About Taj Mahal

Below are answers to some popular questions about the Taj Mahal.

 

Where is Taj Mahal located?

The Taj Mahal is located in the North Indian city of Agra. In terms of distance, it is situated  215km south of New Delhi and 249km northeast of Jaipur.

 

Who built the Taj Mahal?

The Taj was built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan.

 

Why was the Taj Mahal built?

Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a memorial for his third and favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child in 1631. The death of Mumtaz left the emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned grey virtually overnight.

 

When was the Taj Mahal built?

Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and, although the main building is thought to have been built in eight years, the whole complex was not completed until 1653.

 

What country is the Taj Mahal in?

The Taj Mahal is located in India.

 

What is the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal is primarily a tomb and memorial for Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died prematurely. Following his death in 1666, Shah Jahan was buried here alongside his wife, Mumtaz.

The Taj Mahal is also one of the most visited attractions in the world. It is classified as one of the ‘New World’ Seven Wonders of the World.

 

Is the Taj Mahal a mosque?

No, the Taj Mahal is not a mosque, but a memorial (tomb) for Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal. However, there is a mosque in the Taj Mahal complex located on the right side of the Taj Mahal.

 

How big is the Taj Mahal?

The overall complex of the Taj Mahal is 896m in length.

 

Taj Mahal Height

The height of the marble dome that surmounts the tomb is about the same size as the base building, about 35 m. Its height is accentuated because it sits on a cylindrical “drum” about 7 metres high.

 

 

Taj Mahal Timings

Taj Mahal Opening Days:

Saturday to Thursday (closed Friday)

Taj Mahal Opening Hours:

6am to 6pm

 

 

Taj Mahal Entry Fee

Indian – Rs 20

Foreigner – Rs 750

Video – Rs 25

 

 

How to get to Taj Mahal?

The nearest airport to the Taj Mahal is located in New Delhi. The only transport options to get to the Taj Mahal is by train or private bus.

 

Delhi to Taj Mahal

By Bus – Many tour operators provide regular bus services from Delhi to Agra, visiting the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort during the day and returning to Delhi in the evening.

By Train – There are regular trains that ply every hour from New Delhi railway station to Agra. The Taj Mahal nearest railway station is Agra Cantt.

 

Distance from Delhi to Taj Mahal

The distance from Delhi to Taj Mahal is 215km.

 

Mumbai to Taj Mahal

By Train – There is a daily train service that runs from Mumbai to Agra and several train services to New Delhi.

 

Agra Cantt to Taj Mahal

The best way to get from Agra Cantt to Taj Mahal is by auto rickshaw; however, your transport will stop 2 km away from the Taj. In an attempt to cut down on the air pollution that threatens the Taj, motorized transport is not allowed in the Taj Sanctuary area (2km/11⁄4-mile radius); from here walk or hire a cycle-rickshaw the rest of the way.

 

Agra Cantt to Taj Mahal Distance

The distance from Agra Cantt to Taj Mahal is 9km.

 

 

Taj Mahal Address

Dharmapuri
Forest Colony
Tajganj
Agra
Uttar Pradesh 282001
India

 

 

Tell us what you think. Are you planning to visit the Taj Mahal? What time do you plan to visit? If you’ve visited the Taj before, please share any useful information, tips and ideas.

We love to hear from you so please leave your comments below.

 

 

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