Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in the city of Agra, India. It was built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his wife Mumtaz who had passed away during childbirth. The mausoleum is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive architectural achievements in the world and is known for its stunning domed structure, intricate carvings, and beautiful gardens. The Taj Mahal attracts millions of visitors every year and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a symbol of love and is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world.
How to reach Taj Mahal?
Location: Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Timings: 6am to 6 pm. Night view is allowed 5 days in a month. 2 days prior to full moon day and 2 days after and on the full moon day.
Entry Ticket: 50 INR (for Indian Citizens) and 200 INR extra to get on the pedestal. Online tickets can be purchased at the spot by scanning the QR code near the ticket counter. (Foreigners have tickets of different price)
One day Round Trip from Delhi: The best option to visit Taj Mahal is to take a one-day round trip from Delhi. Delhi being the capital of India has a good connectivity of all sorts of transports. There are so many tour operators who arrange for a day trip to Agra from Delhi. The trip also includes other famous places like Agra Fort, Mathura, Vridavan etc. Volvo buses with AC coaches are available and costs around 800 INR to 1500 INR per person. Also, Delhi and Agra are connected by Yamuna Express Highway and is just 3-hour drive if you choose to go by private vehicle.
You can check this Portal for one-day tour from Delhi to Agra.
Also, Agra has both Airport and Railway stations. After reaching them you can easily take an auto rickshaw to the destination.
Things to remember while visiting Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal being a world-famous monument, Indians as well as foreigners come to visit here every day throughout the year. Here are few things to remember.
- Many items are prohibited to carry inside the campus. There is a strict security checking at the entrance. Look at the list of things prohibited given in the image above. However, one can carry camera and mobile phones and take photographs. But any type of monopods, tripods, camera stands or microphones are not allowed. Photo shoots and videography are allowed up to a certain point, after which they too are prohibited.
- Guides: So many local guides stop you by the road to hire them. They initially quote a very fancy price. Look for government appointed guides if required who charge a nominal fee.
- Photographers: Since photography and videography are not allowed after a certain point, so many photographers contact you inside campus to take pictures. They say that they are licensed photographers and take high quality photos for you. They click so many photos than you ask and then charge you a hefty fee. Beware of such people.
- Carry a bottle of water as you need to walk so much inside the campus. However drinking water points are available inside the campus.
- Purchase the extra ticket (going over the pedestal) at the spot after going inside the campus only if required.
A 22 yearlong construction marvel
There are 4 gates to enter Taj Mahal from each direction. The elegant one is the northern gate which is also called as the “Shahi Darwaja”. It is 105 feet tall and has 22 small domes (11 from the front and 11 at the back) over it. This number represents the number of years taken to build this monument.
There are Quran inscriptions written on the gate. The font size of these inscriptions is smaller at the base and bigger at the top. It looks even while reading it standing on the ground. Also, there is “Pietra Dura” or “Parchin Kari” art on the gantry. It is the art of making depression on a big surface and then inlaying cut and fitted color stone or gems.
Taj Mahal is built on the banks of river Yamuna. On one side of Taj Mahal there is river and on the other side a beautiful Mughal Garden named Charbhag. The garden is well maintained, and Green-Blue-White combination looks very pleasing to eyes. Between the tomb and gateway in the Centre of the garden is a raised marble water tank. The tank is called “Hawd al-Kawthar” which means “Tank of Abundance“. The reflection of Taj Mahal looks so pretty in this pond.
The central tomb is a primary attraction of the entire campus. It is constructed on a square base and 4 minarets are present at each corner. The entire tomb has beautiful Indo-Islamic origin arts and architecture. There are false coffins of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan made up of stone at the main chamber. The original graves are at the ground level.
The symbol of love
Taj Mahal is often referred as the “Symbol of Love” and is considered one among the 7 wonders of the world. It was built in 16th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his wife Mumtaz. Shah Jahan had 3 wives and the other two wives had no children. On the other hand, Mumtaz had 14 children and she died while giving birth to the 14th child. To commemorate her contribution Shah Jahan decided to build this mausoleum. It took 22 years to complete the construction.
It is said that Mumtaz wasn’t as beautiful as she is described in texts. Shah Jahan loved her only because she had 14 children. Given the present scenario, having huge numbers of children does not fit the title Symbol of Love. There is a huge controversy going on saying that the agenda of building Taj Mahal doesn’t suit our traditions and culture. Some rumors say that Taj Mahal was built by demolishing an existing temple named “Tejo Mahalaya”. None of these rumors or facts are officially proved yet.
On that note, our take on Taj Mahal is very straight and simple. The construction of the monument is indeed beautiful, and we cannot deny the fact that it is one of the wonders of the world. Nor Shah Jahan or the people who built it are alive today. What is left is the white marble monument and it’s our duty to preserve it. Let’s leave the task of “What to name it?” to the officials and bureaucrats. Once they get the facts right, we shall think over it again. Till then enjoy the beauty of it.
PS: Do not forget to taste the traditional “Agra Petha”
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