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This Colossal Tomb Is an Enduring Monument to Love

According to legend, Shah Jahan's favorite wife bound him with a deathbed promise to build her the most beautiful mausoleum ever known.

The Taj Mahal is widely considered one of the most beautiful buildings ever created. The exquisite marble structure in Agra, India, is a mausoleum, an enduring monument to the love of a husband for his favorite wife. It's also an eternal testament to the artistic and scientific accomplishments of a wealthy empire.

Shah Jahan, “the King of the World,” took control of the Mughal Empire throne in 1628 very much in love with the queen he dubbed Mumtaz Mahal or “Chosen One of the Palace.” The poets at Agra’s Mughal court said her beauty was such that the moon hid its face in shame before her.

The Mughals were at the peak of their power and wealth during Shah Jahan’s reign, and India’s rich lode of precious gems yielded him much wealth and power. But he was powerless to stop Mumtaz Mahal’s death during childbirth in 1631. Legend has it that she bound him with a deathbed promise to build her the most beautiful tomb ever known.

World Heritage Site Pictures: Taj Mahal

Promise or no, Shah Jahan poured his passion and wealth into the creation of just such a monument. It is said that 20,000 stone carvers, masons, and artists from across India and as far as Turkey and Iraq were employed under a team of architects to build the Taj Mahal in the lush gardens on the banks of Agra’s Jamuna River. They completed the epic task between 1631 and 1648.

While the arch-and-dome profile of clean white marble has become iconic, other beauties lie in the Taj Mahal’s painstaking details: inlaid semiprecious stones and carvings and Koranic verse in calligraphy create an enchanting interior space where Shah Jahan came to visit his wife’s remains before he was eventually interred at her side.

The Taj Mahal’s familiar marble domes are framed by four minarets from which Muslims are called to prayer. Each is designed with a slight outward lean, presumably to protect the main mausoleum in case one of them should collapse.

Two red sandstone buildings also flank the main mausoleum on either side. One, to the west, is a mosque. The other is a former guesthouse.

These buildings are set within lush gardens, complete with an enormous reflecting pool that regularly does what no human has ever been able to accomplish—duplicate the beauty of the Taj Mahal.

Shah Jahan himself gazed upon that beautiful image until the end of his days—but as a prisoner, not a ruler. His son Aurangzeb seized the Mughal throne and imprisoned his father in Agra’s Red Fort (itself a World Heritage site and popular tourist attraction). Whether as consolation or torture, Shah Jahan commanded a view of the Taj Mahal from his window.

How to Get There

Agra is a major city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and well accustomed to visitors—some three million people visit the Taj Mahal each year. The city is accessible by bus, train, and (limited) air service and has a wide range of tourist amenities. Access to the Taj Mahal complex is on foot.

When to Visit

The Taj Mahal is a year-round attraction and often busy, though new ticketing systems have thinned crowds at peak times. Visitors in search of more solitude might try coming early or late in the day. One time NOT to visit is on Friday, when the Taj Mahal is closed.

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How to Visit

The mausoleum’s interior is a striking (if smallish) space that begs some leisurely exploration. But a good part of any visit to the Taj Mahal will be spent looking at the building from the outside. The mausoleum’s clean white marble shifts in color and tone to match the mood of the world outside—a transformation so enchanting that it’s worth lingering to gaze at the building in different conditions, such as the rosy glow of dawn or the magical light of a full moon.

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• Visiting Hours

TICKETS ONLY THROUGH ONLINE www.asiagracircle.in

Ticketing & Entry Fee of Monuments in Agra | Historical Places

The city of Agra is mostly visited for the beautiful Taj Mahal, but there are many more grand monuments worth seeing when you travel to this historic city. Agra was ruled by Mughal dynasty for a long period of time and under its reign Agra has been endowed with many fine buildings and monuments. Monuments in Agra will leave you awestruck and mesmerized. Great monuments of Agra include the Agra Fort, which embraces grand halls and palaces and the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, a model for the Taj Mahal. Agra is one of the richest heritage sites in India where many remarkable Mughal monuments can be found. Monuments in Agra India are diversified from the splendid Taj Mahal to sober tombs like Akbar's mausoleum at Sikandra. The monuments in Agra have exceptional architectural features and are the epitome of the best examples of Mughal architecture in India.

Details of Entry Tickets at Various Monuments in Agra

• No entry fee for children below 15 years (both Indian & Foreigner)
• Taj Mahal is closed on every Friday.
• All the monuments including Taj Mahal are under Archaeological Survey of India and all issues or complaints related to ticketing belong to custodian department i.e. Archaeological Survey of India.Therefore all such complaints may kindly be addressed to Archaeological Survey of India. U.P.Tourism department neither have any concern nor can assist the tourist in ticket issues. However all other tourist information can be obtained from U.P.Tourism department for the same website www.tajmahal.gov.in is run by U.P.Tourism department.
• Ticket windows for Taj Mahal open one hour before Sunrise & close 45 minutes before Sunset. Tickets can also be bought online through www.asiagracircle.in & www.tajmahal.gov.in
• Drone camera is strictly prohibited inside the Taj Mahal.
• Tourists are advised to stay inside the monument as per the directions mentioned on tickets or issued by ASI authorities
• Tourist must carry his/her Identity Proof issued by Govt. Authorities.
• Water bottle is allowed inside the monument. Shoe cover, water bottle, tourist guide map of Agra, battery bus and golf cart services are provided free of cost with the foreigner's entry ticket of the Taj.
• Shoe racks are available just below the main mausoleum free of cost.
• Ticket window and cloak rooms are available at both the Gates of Taj Mahal.
• For visiting main mausoleum of the tajmahal one has to buy additional ticket of Rs.200/- along with regular ticket.

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The Ultimate Guide to the Taj Mahal in India

The Taj Mahal looms fairytale-like from the banks of the Yamuna River. It's India’s most recognized monument and is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The monument dates back to 1632 and is actually a tomb that contains the body of Mumtaz Mahal—the wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He had it built as an ode to his love for her. It's made out of marble and took 22 years and 20 000 workers to complete. Words cannot do the Taj Mahal justice, its incredible detail simply has to be seen to be appreciated.

Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Delhi. It's part of India's popular Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit.

The best time is from November to February, otherwise it can be unbearably hot or rainy. You'll be able to get some excellent off-season discounts though.

The Taj Mahal appears to gradually alter its color in the changing light of the day. It’s well worth the effort to get up early and spend sunrise there, as it majestically reveals itself. Visiting around dawn will also enable you to beat the huge crowds that start arriving later in the morning.

Getting There

The Taj Mahal can be visited on a day trip from Delhi. Agra is well connected by rail. The main railway station is Agra Cantt. High speed Shatabdi Express services operate from Delhi, Varanasi, and cities in Rajasthan.

• Find out the best trains from Delhi to Agra .

The Yamuna Expressway opened in August 2012 and has reduced the travel time by road from Delhi to Agra to under three hours. It starts from Noida and a toll of 415 rupees per car for a one way trip (665 rupees round trip) is payable. Read more about hiring a car and driver.

The bus is a good option if getting a train isn't possible. Comfortable, air-conditioned Volvo buses depart from Anand Vihar terminal in New Delhi every hour during the day. The cost is about 700 rupees per person. The buses go via the Yamuna Expressway and stop at Vaango restaurant for a 30 minute snack and restroom break (the toilets are clean).

Alternatively you can fly from major Indian cities, or take a tour from Delhi.

Taj Mahal Tours

Viator (in conjunction with Tripadvisor) offers a popular and highly rated Private Day Tour to Agra and the Taj Mahal from Delhi, as well as a combined Day Tour to Agra and Fatehpur Sikri and Day Tour to Agra with Culture Walk. It's also possible to see the Taj Mahal at night during the full moon on this 2 Day Private Tour of Agra from Delhi.

Alternatively, see the Taj Mahal on one of these recommended Agra day tours: 11 Hour Agra Day Tour including Sunrise and Sunset at Taj Mahal ,  Private Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Tour including meal with a view and optional professional photographer, or Sunrise or Sunset View of Taj Mahal .

If you're looking for an inexpensive tour option, U.P. Tourism runs daily, full-day sightseeing bus tours (except on Fridays), to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. The cost is 750 rupees for Indians and 3,600 rupees for foreigners. The price includes transport, monument entry tickets, and guide fees.

Opening Hours

The Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset, usually around 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, except Friday (when it's closed for prayer). The Taj Mahal is also open for night viewing every full moon from 8.30 p.m. until 12.30 a.m., plus two days before and two days after the full moon (a total of five days). Night viewing is suspended during the holy month of Ramadan every year.

Entry Fees and Information

For foreigners, the ticket price is 1,100 rupees and for Indians, the price is 50 rupees. Children younger than 15 years can enter free. Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices near the entry gates or online at this website. (Do note, tickets for the Taj Mahal are no longer able to be purchased at Agra Fort or other monuments, and only offer a minimal discount if you wish to visit other monuments on the same day).

The foreigner's ticket includes shoe covers, bottle of water, tourist map of Agra, and bus or golf cart service to the entry gate. It also enables ticket holders to enter the Taj Mahal ahead of any Indian ticket holders already waiting in line.

Night Viewing tickets cost 750 rupees for foreigners and 510 rupees for Indians, for half an hour’s admittance. Children aged three to 15 years must pay 500 rupees. These tickets must be purchased between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., one day in advance from the Archaeological Survey of India office on Mall Road. See more details here, including night viewing dates.

Vehicles aren't allowed within 500 meters of the Taj Mahal because of pollution. There are three entry gates—South, East, and West.

• The West gate is the main gate that the majority of local Indian visitors enter through, and it generally has the longest lines throughout the day. However, it's the preferred option at sunrise to avoid the crowds at the East gate.
• The East gate is popularly used by foreign tourists, as it's closest to a number of well-known hotels. It usually has shorter queues except for at sunrise, when large groups tend to arrive there. If you buy your ticket in advance the day before, it's still the best entry point. Do note that the ticket office (in Shilpgram) is inconveniently located about 10 minutes walk from the gate. Buses, golf carts and cycle rickshaws are available for those that can't, or don't want to, walk.
• The South gate is the least-used gate. It's close to a congested market area where many of the cheap hotels are situated, making it favored by budget and independent travelers. However, it doesn't open until 8 a.m. A huge sandstone gateway provides access to the inner compound there.

There are exclusive ticket counters for foreigners at both the East and West gates.

Security at the Taj Mahal

Strict security is in place at the Taj Mahal, and there are checkpoints at the entrances. Your bag will be scanned and searched. Large bags and day packs aren't allowed to be taken inside. Only small bags containing essential items are permitted. This includes one cell phone, a camera, and a water bottle per person. You can't bring edibles, tobacco products or lighters, electrical items (including phone chargers, headphones, iPads, torches), knives, or camera tripods inside. Cell phones are also banned during night viewing sessions, although cameras are still allowed. Luggage storage facilities are provided at the entry gates.

Guides and Audio Guides

If you want to marvel over the Taj Mahal without the distraction of having a tour guide with you, government-approved AudioCompass provides an inexpensive official Taj Mahal audio guide on its cell phone app. It's available in many foreign and Indian languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese.

See the Taj Mahal Without Going Inside

If you don’t want to pay the costly admission fee or battle the crowds, you can get a great view of the Taj from across the river bank. This is ideal for sunset. One such place there is Mehtab Bagh—a 25 acre Mughal garden complex directly opposite the monument. The entry cost is 250 rupees for foreigners and 20 rupees for Indians, and it's open until sunset. Unfortunately, an unsightly barbed wire fence has been erected beside the river to stop tourists from wandering along it.

It's possible to take a row boat out on the river. Head down the path along the eastern wall of the Taj Mahal to the riverside temple, where you will find boatmen.

There's also a little-known abandoned watchtower across a sandy field on the eastern side of the Taj Mahal. It's an ideal place for a splendid sunset view of the monument. Reach it by heading east from the East Gate and taking a right at the fork in the road. Pay the official 50 rupees to enter.

Uttar Pradesh Tourism's Taj Khema hotel offers notable vistas of the Taj Mahal from its gardens too. A new marble bench was installed on a mound there in early 2015, especially for visitors. Sip tea and watch the sunset! The hotel is located about 200 meters from the monument, on the eastern side. It's a government-run establish, so don't expect great service though.

Another option is the rooftop of the Saniya Palace hotel, on the southern side of the Taj Mahal.

Cleaning of the Taj Mahal's Exterior

The first thorough cleaning of the Taj Mahal to remove the yellow discoloration from pollution and restore the marble to its original brilliant white color occurred in 2018. To achieve this, a natural clay paste was applied to the monument's exterior. The clay packing of the main dome remains and is planned to be undertaken in stages, starting from the front of the monument.

Taj Mahotsav takes place at Shilpgram in Agra, right near the Taj Mahal, from February 18-27 each year. The focus of this festival is on arts, crafts, Indian culture, and recreating the Mughal Era. It gets underway with a spectacular procession that includes elephants, camels, and drummers. Camel rides are on offer, and there are also games for the kids and a food festival. The venue has special significance, as it's apparently located on the site where the artisans who built the Taj Mahal once lived.

Where to Stay

Unfortunately, many of the hotels in Agra are as uninspiring as the city itself. However, these top Agra hotels should help make your stay a memorable one. There are accommodations to suit all budgets and many have Taj views.

Dangers and Annoyances

Visiting the Taj Mahal can be overwhelming for all the wrong reasons. Be prepared to encounter plenty of beggars and touts there. According to this news report , it has become an increasingly troublesome problem, and many visitors go back home feeling cheated, threatened and abused. Touts operate in sophisticated gangs that have counterparts in other cities who identify potential targets at railway stations. Once the tourists reach Agra, the touts start pestering them by claiming that they are guides or taxi drivers. They commonly use ploys such as free taxi rides or the promise of heavy discounts.

Note: There are 24 hour official prepaid auto rickshaw and taxi booths just outside Agra railway station. Use these to avoid the hassle, and if you book a tour there check the quality of your vehicle to make sure it's satisfactory.

Do be sure to tell auto rickshaw drivers which Taj Mahal entry gate you wish to be taken to, otherwise it's likely that you'll find yourself dropped off in the area where expensive horse and cart or camel rides wait to take tour groups to the west gate.

Apparently, there are only 50-60 approved guides at the Taj Mahal. However, more than 3,000 touts posing as photographers, guides or middleman, openly solicit customers at the monument's three gates (especially at the western gate, which receives around 60-70% of visitors). Hundreds of hawkers (who pay bribes to the police) are also a problem at the Taj Mahal, despite being officially banned.

In addition, foreigners, particularly women and parents with young children, are frequently asked to pose for photographs (or even being photographed without permission) by other people including groups of guys. This can be intrusive and uncomfortable. This news article warns about selfie seekers at the Taj Mahal.

Lastly, do be aware of the notorious gem scam , which is alarming prevalent in Agra.

Other Attractions Around Agra

Agra is a rather dirty and characterless city, so don’t spend too much time there. In case you're wondering what else to do in and around the city, take a look at these Top Places to Visit in Agra and Around.

Nature lovers will appreciate a trip to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary at Keoladeo Ghana National Park, 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Agra.

Related Articles

More related articles.

Essential Guide to Visiting the Taj Mahal

Taj mahal location, how to get to agra and the taj mahal.

• Best Time to Visit
• Entrance Cost and Rules
• What to Bring with You
• What to Wear at the Taj
• Why Book a Guided Tour
• How to See Without Going Inside

Where to Stay in Agra

What else is there to do in agra.

The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and on the top of everyone's list when visiting India. This incredible white marble structure is not only beautiful but is also a testament to the love that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Built in the mid-1600s over a period of 22 years using 20,000 workers, the Taj is truly a testament to otherworldly beauty and architecture.

On this page, you'll find everything you need to know when visiting the Taj Mahal including where it is, how to get there, what to wear, entrance fees, the best time to visit, and other things to do nearby. 

The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, India. Agra is a small city in North India a few hours drive or 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the capital of New Delhi. Agra is often visited on the Golden Triangle travel route which includes the most popular stops in India: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. 

Agra was a very important city during the Mughal rule of North India, but since then has a decrease in political importance and today only has 1.7 million people. The Taj Mahal is located to the east of the city near the banks of the holy Yamuna River. 

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Agra is normally visited by travelers on the Golden Triangle circuit because it is around 200 kilometers from both Delhi and Jaipur. You can also make a day trip from Delhi to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and then return to Delhi. We recommend staying in Agra for 1 or 2 days to see some of the other World Heritage Sites there such as the Agra Fort and Baby Taj. 

You can reach Agra from Delhi by train. The high-speed Shatabdi Express has trains that run between Agra, Delhi, and other cities in Rajasthan. A train from Delhi to Agra will likely take around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

You can also travel to Agra from Delhi by private car on the Yamuna Expressway. If you book a Golden Triangle tour, traveling between the three cities by private car will be included in the price. The car journey from Delhi to Agra takes around 3 hours and is often more comfortable and convenient than traveling by train. 

Once you reach Agra, the Taj Mahal will be easy to reach from your hotel by either private car or rickshaw. We recommend taking a private car with a guide in order to avoid scams at the entrance. 

Best Time to Visit the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal can be visited all year round, but the best time to visit is from November to February . This period is during the winter months in India when the weather is cool and dry and the skies are clear. 

This time of year is the high season for visiting the Taj, so you can expect there to be larger crowds visiting this world wonder. During December and January, the Taj Mahal is often shrouded by fog in the morning so if you want the perfect sunrise shot, its best to go in November or February.

You can also visit the Taj Mahal from March to May and June to October. March, April, and May are the hot season in Agra with temperatures reaching up to 40°C (104°F). During the hot season, we recommend visiting in the early morning to catch the beautiful sunrise and avoid the heat.

March is the best hot season month to visit because the temperatures are still manageable and the crowds are much smaller.

June to October is the rainy season in Agra. This season is slightly cooler than the hot season but is still warm and humid. Agra doesn't get as much rain as other parts of India. The wettest month in Agra is August with an average of 272mm (10.7 inches) of rain. 

You can still see the Taj during the rainy season, but you will need to spend a few more days in Agra to make sure that you have time to see everything and avoid the showers. 

September is a good month to go for affordable hotel rates and travel. The last two weeks of September are often dry. October is the beginning of the high season and hotel prices normally rise on the 1st of the month. 

Get more information on the best time to visit the Taj Mahal in a day.

Taj Mahal Entrance Cost and Rules

The Taj Mahal is open from 6 am to 7 pm every day except for Fridays when it is closed for prayer. The Taj also reopens every day from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am for 4 nights around the full moon.

The price of entrance tickets into the Taj is 1,100 rupees ($15) for non-Indians. You can get a 50 rupee discount if you pay with a card. Children younger than 15 can enter for free whether they are foreigners or Indians. Your ticket comes with a water bottle, shoe covers, and a map of Agra. Shoe covers must be worn inside the main building of the Taj Mahal.

The full moon night viewing tickets cost a little less than day tickets. For foreigners, night entrance is 750 rupees ($10) .

Taj Mahal tickets can be purchased at the entrance gates or online. 

There are three entrance gates into the Taj Mahal complex: South, East, and West. The West Gate is the main date and normally has the longest lines throughout the day. The South Gate is the least used as it is in the heart of a congested market and a little difficult to access. The East Gate is most used by foreign visitors because it is close to many nice hotels and often has shorter lines. 

The Taj Mahal is India's most important monument and has high levels of security at the entrance. When entering the Taj, your bags will be searched and no large bags are allowed inside. 

Other items that are not allowed inside the Taj include food, cigarettes and lighters, tripods, and lighting equipment. Cameras are also not allowed inside the mausoleum as taking photos of the inside is prohibited. 

If you bring a big bag or backpack, you may want to store it in a locker outside the monument so as to decrease your time at the security check. 

What to Bring with You to the Taj

Because security is so high at the Taj Mahal and many things are not allowed, it's a good idea to only bring a small bag with a few belongings. Some items you may want to bring when visiting the Taj include:

• The Taj Mahal was constructed to be immensely beautiful. It is completely symmetrical and surrounded by gardens. The white walls of the Taj reflect the colors of the sky from orange in the early morning to dark blue at night.
• The Taj Mahal is a tomb containing the bodies of emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal and is decorated to depict an image of heaven. The marble of the Taj is carved into beautiful floral designs and inlaid with semiprecious stones from Persia, Russia, Afghanistan, China, and the Indian Ocean. 
• The story of its creator, Shah Jahan, is a sad one with his son betraying him after the death of Mumtaz Mahal and locking him away in the tower of the Agra Fort where he could still see the Taj from a distance.

Sunblock is especially important during the hot season, but you should consider wearing it no matter what time of year you visit the Taj. The sun reflects off of the white marble walls and garden pools causing your skin to be more exposed to the sun's rays than normal.

Bug spray is also important, especially during the rainy season, as the Taj is located next to the Yamuna River and sometimes has many mosquitos. 

What to Wear to the Taj Mahal

There is no dress code for entering the Taj Mahal, but even so, it is important to be respectful of the local culture. It's a good idea to wear loose and long clothing. For women, a loose long-sleeved shirt and loose pants or a skirt are perfect. This way, you will be respectful and still stay cool in Agra's hot climate.

The general rule for how to dress appropriately in India is to cover everything above the knee and your shoulders. 

To enter the mosque that is located on the grounds of the Taj Mahal, women will need to cover their heads, shoulders, and knees. 

Why You Should Book A Guided Tour

Visiting the Taj on a guided tour is the best way to see this world wonder. Guides will take you to the Taj in a private car and help you get your tickets and through security. They will also show you around the Taj Mahal and give you all the information you could want to know.

Guides can also protect you from the many notorious scammers and hawkers who hang out near the Taj Mahal trying to catch unaware tourists.

If you visit the Taj with a guide, it is best to book through your hotel or through a tour company on a Golden Triangle tour. Outside the Taj, many people pose as guides who are not actually qualified to do so. To avoid this scam, make sure to book beforehand.

If you choose not to use a guide at the Taj, just make sure to keep your wits about you and turn down anyone who asks for photos or to be your guide. You can purchase an audio guide at the entrance of the Taj for around 105 rupees. Audio guides are available in many languages including English, German, Spanish, and French.

How to See the Taj Mahal Without Going Inside

Besides entering the official Taj Mahal grounds, there are a few other ways in Agra to see the Taj Mahal.

One of the most popular Taj viewing points is from Mehtab Bagh which is a large Mughal garden located just across the Yamuna river. Entrance to Mehtab Bagh costs around 300 rupees ($4) and the garden provides incredible views of the world wonder. This is an especially great place to view the Taj during sunrise.

You can also see the Taj Mahal from many hotel rooftop restaurants in Agra. You can see the beautiful mausoleum for free from the roof of the Taj Ganj hotel. You can also get great views of the Taj from the dining room of the Oberoi Amarvilas luxury hotel. 

Lastly, you can see the Taj Mahal at a distance from the windows of the Agra Fort . The Agra Fort was also partially built by Emperor Shah Jahan and is the building where he was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. 

Because Agra is such a large tourist area in India, the city is full of hotels for all budgets many of which are located near the Taj Mahal and offer rooftop views. Luxury hotels are particularly popular in the city and are great places for fine dining and spa experiences. 

The Oberoi Amarvilas is the best hotel in Agra for luxury experiences. It is located around 600 meters from the Taj Mahal and its architecture was inspired by the monument. The hotel has fountains pavilions, gardens, and pools. It also has an incredible dining room where you can sip champagne while watching the sunset behind the Taj. 

Another great luxury hotel in the city is Jaypee Palace. This hotel sits on 25 acres of and that is full of pools, gardens, and palm trees. Jaypee Palace is located in the center of Agra and close to all major attractions. They also have an outdoor dining location that features nightly performances.

If you are looking to stay in a resort, our favorites are the Trident and ITC Mughal. If you are looking for more affordable options then the DoubleTree by Hilton is a great one that also offers views of the Taj Mahal. 

While the Taj Mahal is without a doubt the main attraction in Agra, there are plenty of other things to see in this ancient Mughal capital.

The Agra Fort is also a stunning location and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built in the 16th-century. Inside the fort, you see a number of palaces that were built by different Mughal kings and also the place where Shah Jahan was imprisoned. 

If you are interested in beautiful architecture, you can also go and see the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah . This tomb is only about a 25-minute drive from the Taj Mahal and is often called the "Baby Taj" because it was one of the architectural inspirations for the world wonder. This tomb contains the grandfather of Shah Jahan and was the first Mughal structure to be made of white marble. 

Another UNESCO World Heritage site near Agra is Fatehpur Sikri which is the ruins of an ancient city that was originally built by the Mughal emperor Akbar as a place for his family to live. The city is made of red sandstone and contains the beautiful ruins of palaces, mosques, and homes.

If you are looking for some socially responsible activities, you can check out the Elephant Conservation Centre which is run by Wildlife SOS and works on the rehabilitation and care of rescue elephants. The city is also home to Sheroes Hangout which is a small cafe that is run by victims of acid attacks. Here you can grab a coffee and listen to the women's stories.

Some great restaurants in Agra include the fine dining Esphahan, the more relaxed Mama Chicken, and the delicious Pinch of Spice.

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Visiting the Taj Mahal: plan the perfect trip to India's iconic monument

Mar 2, 2022 • 11 min read

From why it was built to where you can stay nearby, here's everything you need to know about visiting the Taj Mahal © SasinTipchai / Shutterstock

There are few sights in the world as iconic as the Taj Mahal . The grandeur of this magnificent monument is equaled only by the tragedy of its backstory – the tomb of a royal bride, created by a mourning emperor, who ended his days robbed of his empire, imprisoned in a gilded cell with a view of this beautiful, tragic mausoleum.

As the single most famous sight in the subcontinent, the Taj is a must-see on most India itineraries, particularly for travelers on the famous Golden Triangle circuit, linking Delhi , Agra , and Jaipur . However, the Taj is mobbed daily by sightseers from across India and around the world, so get used to the idea of sharing the experience.

Here is an introduction to the history and legends surrounding India’s most famous building, and tips for making the trip of a lifetime.

Where is the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal stands in gorgeous Mughal gardens in the Taj Ganj district of Agra, a historic but noisy city of four million people on the hot, dusty plains of Uttar Pradesh in northern India .

Agra has a reputation as a hectic spot, but its historic wonders – not just the Taj, but nearby Agra Fort , and a string of other Mughal monuments – make it worth braving the touts, pollution, and persistent rickshaw drivers.

Agra is well connected by road, rail, and air. The easiest route from Delhi is the 6:55am 12280 Taj Express train, which reaches Agra in just three hours.

What is the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal is often described as the greatest monument built for love, but the Taj Mahal is actually a memorial to tragedy. When Mumtaz Mahal, the chief consort of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, died in childbirth in 1631, the heartbroken emperor devoted years and a considerable fortune to constructing a tomb worthy of his great love.

The mausoleum was finally completed in 1648 after years of painstaking chiseling and carving by the most skilled craftspeople in the Mughal empire. The queen consort was interred inside in a private chamber at the heart of the monument and Shah Jahan was later buried alongside his wife when he died in 1666.

The Taj Mahal has many special features

The riverside location reveals a lot.

The Taj is tucked into a curve of the Yamuna River, a tributary of the sacred River Ganges, about 1.5km (1 mile) east of Agra Fort. The rediscovery of the "moonlight garden" – built across the river from the tomb but later buried by silt – hints at religious connotations to the Taj’s riverfront location, with the tomb’s eight rooms representing the hasht bihisht (eight paradises) and the Yamuna representing the rivers of milk and honey that wait for the virtuous in the afterlife.

The Taj is built with perfect symmetry

From its gleaming domes and filigree marble screens to its towering minarets, the Taj shows perfect bilateral symmetry along an axis running through the center of the main dome and the surrounding gardens. The only break in symmetry is found in the burial chamber, where the grave of Shah Jahan sits just to one side of the grave of Mumtaz Mahal set at the geometric center of the monument.

The dome is remarkable

The elegant onion-dome atop the Taj Mahal is a perfect illustration of the complex geometry used in Islamic architecture. The base of the dome – which is almost as tall as the building below, and flanked by four smaller domes – is supported by eight angled ogive arches, allowing the transition from a square plan to a circular structure.

The stonemasonry is a masterpiece

While it looks like it was carved from gleaming white marble, the Taj is a masterpiece of stone facing. Entombed behind intricately carved marble panels and perforated screens is a brick-and-lime mortar skeleton, but it cannot be glimpsed from any of the open areas of the monument. For insights into this style of Mughal architecture, check out Khan-i-Khanan’s Tomb in Delhi, which was stripped of its sandstone and marble veneer to build a tomb for a higher ranking Mughal dignitary.

The Taj is covered in magnificent ornamentation

The Taj isn’t the only Mughal monument to feature pietra dura – intricate inlay work, made from semi-precious stones – but it is unquestionably the finest. While it shines brilliant white from a distance, up close the Taj is adorned with an elegant tracery of filigree scrollwork, leaves, flowers and Islamic motifs, executed in marble, jasper, lapis lazuli, carnelian, malachite, and other colored stones.

Cultured calligraphy covers the four pishtaqs

The four pishtaqs (arched recesses) on the four sides of the Taj are framed by passages from the Quran in intricate calligraphy made from strips of jasper inlaid into marble panels. The script increases in size as it climbs the walls of the monument, but appears to be a uniform size when viewed from the ground – a testament to the complex architectural understanding of the craftspeople who built it.

The gardens are heavenly

Everyone has seen the photos of world leaders posed at the end of the ornamental ponds in front of the Taj. Both the main gardens inside the complex and the so-called moonlight garden on the north bank of the Yamuna River are built to mirror the charbagh , the four gardens of heaven. Note the influence of Islamic geometry – flowerbeds are shaped like the rub el hizb (Islamic star) and water features split each quarter of the gardens into four equal parts.

Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal's graves are elsewhere

While the inlaid marble cenotaphs of the royal couple stand in an elegant space beneath the main dome, shielded by an octagonal perforated screen, these do not contain the bodies of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz. The actual graves of the emperor and his wife are hidden in an underground vault that has been closed to the public since the tomb was constructed.

The minarets are deliberately angled

Although they were never used for this purpose, the four towers marking the corners of the tomb were built as working minarets, with stairways and balconies allowing a muezzin to call the faithful to prayer. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the minarets are angled slightly outwards, allowing the towers to collapse away from the mausoleum in the event of an earthquake.

The Taj is flanked by a mosque and its mirror image

To the west of the main mausoleum is an elegant red sandstone mosque that is still in use today, with two low minarets that sit almost flush with its roofline, so as not to distract from the grandeur of the Taj. The identical building on the east side of the tomb was constructed purely for symmetry; it was not suitable for prayer as it faces away from Mecca.

The building's exterior is discolored due to pollution

The Taj still shimmers like it did in 1648, but up close, you may notice a yellow, green, and brown sheen, caused by toxic pollution from heavy industry and vehicle emissions in Agra. Despite government schemes to close factories and reduce traffic in the area around the Taj, and several attempts to clean the marble with "face packs" made from a fine clay that absorbs stains and other pollutants, the problem persists. In 2018, the Supreme Court issued an ultimatum to the Indian government to properly restore the Taj, or demolish it! In response, the Archaeological Survey of India announced a six-month program of mud-pack facials for the main dome in October 2021.

The Taj has often been copied, but never equalled

Copies of the Taj Mahal have been built around the world. Constructed by Aurangzeb’s son Azam Shah in 1679, the Bibi-qa-Maqbara in Aurangabad , is an obvious tribute to the Taj, though much less refined. There are also modern reproductions of the Taj Mahal in Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the US, Brazil, Colombia, and several Gulf States.

The story of the Taj Mahal

The Taj didn’t spring into the world fully formed from the imaginations of its architects. Instead, it was the product of a generations-long process of architectural evolution, running throughout the Mughal period, with a string of earlier tombs marking the progress towards the Taj's funereal perfection.

Agra’s Itimad-ud-Daulah , built for Mumtaz Mahal’s grandfather in 1622, features many of the same design elements as the Taj Mahal, but lacks its finesse and perfect proportions. The nearby tomb of the emperor Akbar , built in 1605, was another imperfect Taj prototype, making similar use of ornamental minarets and white marble inlays. However, both monuments were merely refinements of architectural ideas first established by the tomb of Humayun , constructed in Delhi in 1569.

There are many legends of the Taj...

Many myths have grown up around the Taj. It’s claimed, for example, that the craftspeople who built it were mutilated so they could never build anything so beautiful again – though there’s no historical evidence for this. The same applies to the tale that Shah Jahan planned to build a mirror-image "Black Taj Mahal" on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River.

One story that is definitely true is that Shah Jahan was imprisoned in Agra Fort by his son, Aurangzeb, in a chamber with a view of the Taj Mahal– a torturous incarceration for the deposed emperor. It’s also true that the Taj is tilting ever so slightly, as the changing flow of the Yamuna River has dried the soil beneath its foundations. We’re some centuries away from a Leaning Taj of Agra, however!

...as well as some controversies

Some stories about the Taj are more controversial than others. Although no physical evidence has been discovered, some Hindu nationalists claim that the Taj was built over the desecrated ruins of a Hindu temple called Tejo Mahalya. There are even conspiracy theories about hidden doors protecting secret rooms full of looted Hindu treasures.

There is some historical precedent for Mughal monuments being built over temples – Delhi’s Qutab Minar complex was built using stones from 27 destroyed Hindu and Jain temples – but claims about the Taj were publicly debunked in court in 2017 by the Archaeological Survey of India .

Everything you need to know to plan your trip to the Taj Mahal

What is the best time to visit the taj.

It is possible to visit the Taj Mahal year-round, but it’s much more pleasant to explore the monument during the dry winter months, from October to March. From April to May, temperatures soar, and the skies open up for the monsoon from May to September.

How long do you need at the Taj?

Allow at least three hours to explore the mausoleum, gardens, and outlying buildings. Add in nearby Agra Fort and you’ll easily fill a day. Staying nearby in Taj Ganj will help you get to the gates ahead of the crowds.

What are the opening hours of the Taj?

The Taj is open from dawn to dusk, from Saturday to Thursday (the complex is reserved for worshippers on Fridays). Technically, the Taj opens 30 minutes before sunrise, so arrive before this time to be first through the doors. For the latest information on opening, visit the Taj’s official website .

When do night tours take place?

For five nights around the full moon the Taj is open between 8:30pm and 12:30am for special Night View tours. You only get to view the mausoleum from the edge of the compound, but it’s certainly a memorable way to see the Taj. Book tickets in advance through Agra’s Archaeological Survey of India office.

How much does it cost to visit the Taj?

International visitors pay Rs 1100 entry, while Indian visitors pay just Rs 50, and visitors from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries pay Rs 540. For all visitors, there’s an optional Rs 200 to enter the mausoleum. Tickets are available online via the Archaeological Survey of India payment portal . There’s no charge for using a still camera, but for video cameras, there’s a Rs 25 fee.

Where are the best places to stay nearby?

Accommodation close to the monument in the Taj Ganj district comes at a premium, but you might sneak a view of the Taj. At opposite ends of the price spectrum, the grand Oberoi Amarvilas and economical Saniya Palace Hotel both have stunning vistas of the mausoleum. However, you may have a cheaper and quieter stay if you pick a hotel near Sadar Bazaar or Fatehabad Road.

What's the best way to travel around in Agra?

Rickshaw, autorickshaw and taxi drivers in Agra are notorious for charging elevated rates; haggle firmly for a fair price before you set off. For a fair fixed fare, try booking a ride-share through the Ola app, or use the prepaid desks at Agra Cantonment Train Station.

What is the dress code and etiquette at the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal is an active place of worship, so dress respectfully. Wear clothing that covers the upper arms and legs, and try not to be intrusive with your camera. Photos are prohibited inside the mausoleum, and tripods are banned completely. There are separate lines for men and women; food and tobacco are banned from the complex, and bags must be left in the free lockers at the west gate.

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