There is no need for introducing Taj Mahal. It is a marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The term ‘Taj Mahal’ is called as Crown of Palace. This 17th century monument is one of the World Wonders and a delicate icon of Mughal architecture.
Taj Mahal is an iconic attraction that receives millions of visitors every year. The monument is an important destination in numerous tour packages and itineraries of luxury trains like Maharajas’ Express and others.
History of Taj Mahal
Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal died during the childbirth of their 14th child. His grief over the death of his beloved was the inspiration for his monument. In 1632, he commissioned the building of the monument, a year after the death of Mumtaz Mahal. The main monument was built in 1643 and the surrounding buildings were built five years later. The cenotaph of the emperor and the queen inside the monument is just a decoy. The original corpse of the royals are maintained at an underground chamber, right below the decoy. The entry to the underground chamber is restricted. There is a myth stating that Shah Jahan cut off the hands of thousands of people who worked on Taj Mahal. The myth is not yet proved. At the same times, there are claims that the monument was built by a Hindu king in 12th century, which is still unproved.
Best Time To Visit Taj Mahal
The monument is at prime beauty throughout the year. The monument is best visited during winter season. During winter, the climate will be cool and pleasing. This makes sightseeing, more beautiful. If desired, you can visit the monument during five nights in a month, two nights before full moon, on full moon night and two nights after full moon. The exact date of the full moon changes from time to time, based on the lunar calendar.
How To Reach Taj Mahal?
Once you reach Agra, getting to Taj Mahal is very easier. You can find cabs, autos and rickshaws to reach Taj Mahal from any part of Agra. Usually you can find cabs that would take you to Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and a few other monuments, as a package. If you are looking for a luxurious style of vacation, choose luxury trains like Maharajas’ Express. The luxury train will allocate luxury road vehicle to reach numerous destinations in and around Agra.
Suggested Itineraries :
- 4 Days – Gems of India
- 4 Days – Treasures of India
- 8 Days – The Indian Splendor
- 8 Days – The Indian Panorama
- 8 Days – The Heritage of India
Entry Fee and Visiting Time of Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is open from Saturday to Thursday. On Friday, the monument is open for those who enter it to visit the mosque in it for prayer, during the prayer hours only. The monument is open from 30 minutes before sunrise up to 30 minutes before sunset. The exact time changes with season. The night visit starts at 8:30 pm and ends by 12:30 am.
Tickets are available at the southern gate from 8 in the morning up to 5 in the evening. Tickets are available in eastern and western gate, throughout the day. Only 400 people are allowed inside the monument during the night visit in batches of 50. The tickets for night visit has to be booked 24 hours in advance. A tourist is allowed only for 30 minutes to stay inside the monument during night visit.
Entree Fee of Day Visit
Entry cost per head for foreigner – INR 1000
Entry cost per head for citizens of SAARC – INR 530
Entry cost per head for locals – INR 40
Entry for children below 14 years is free.
Entree Fee of Night Visit
Entry cost per head for foreigner – INR 750
Entry cost per head for locals – INR 510
Entry cost for children below 14 years – INR 500
Note : Entry for children below 3 years is free
During daytime, a tourist can stay inside the monument only for three hours. During entry, the ticket will be printed with the time of entry. Tourists are welcome to stay inside the monument for three hours to enjoy the architecture, stroll through the garden and visit other structures inside the complex. Those who exceed this time limit would be requested to pay additional charges while exiting. This rule has been implied to reduce the crowd inside the monument.
Things To Do And Attractions In Taj Mahal
This monument is a mixture of Persian and Mughal architecture. The main attraction here is the architectural beauty. Top elements to spot in the monument are
- Stone inlays and carvings
- Decorative calligraphy, vegetative motifs and inscription of Quran on the walls.
- Domes, minarets, gateways, incised painting and others
- Bas relief, marble dados sculptures, pietra dura inlays and others.
- Marble jalli work, carved marbles, pierce work and finial floor tiling
Other main activities to enjoy in the monument are
- Sunset and sunrise view of the monument
- Visit to the museum inside the monument
- Shopping in the shops near the entrance
- Visit the smaller buildings around the monument
- Full moon night visit
- Stroll through the garden (garden will be lush during winter)
The museum inside the complex is worth a visit. The museum was inaugurated in 1906 and houses numerous antiques like ancient photographs of the monument, blueprints, old coins, sample stones, utensils, weapons, paintings and much more. The best exhibit is the royal utensils, which turns colors when poison is served.
The shops near the monument is famous for marble showcase pieces, carpets, miniature Taj Mahal and much more.
Where To Stay in Agra?
Agra has numerous styles of accommodations based on your budget. You can choose luxury Taj Hotels that provide a great view of the monument from your balcony. You can also find cheap hotels and lodges for stay, close to Taj Mahal and other tourist spots. Some prefer to stay in Delhi and take up a day trip to Agra. You can find many cabs and buses from Delhi to Agra, every day. If you were choosing luxury train like Maharajas’ Express, you would be taken on a road trip to Agra for sightseeing and taken back to the train for overnight stay.
Find More About Maharaja Express :
- About the Cabins of Maharaja Express
- Facilities of Maharaja Express
- Train Fare of Maharaja Express
- Maharajas’ Express Departure Dates 2018- 2019
- Maharajas’ Express Itinerary 2019-2020
- Maharajas’ Express Promo Offer 2018
Also Read :
- Top Places to Visit in Fatehpur Sikri with Maharaja Express
- Exceptional Activities For Honeymoon In Agra
- See Top 5 World Heritage Sites with Maharaja Express
- Know the Types of Maharaja Express Journeys
- Specialties of Each Itinerary of Maharajas’ Express
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