“A teardrop in the face of eternity.”
“No wonder millions of people chose it to be amongst the World’s top wonders.”

From the Yamuna River’s banks, the Taj Mahal rises like something out of a fantasy. It is the most well-known structure in India and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The monument, which was built in 1632, is a tomb that houses the remains of Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan’s wife and the Mughal ruler. As a tribute to his love for her, he had it constructed. It took 22 years and 20,000 employees to finish, and it is composed of marble. The Taj Mahal’s extraordinary detail just must be seen to be appreciated; words cannot do it justice.

Location

Agra is located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, around 125 miles (200 km) from Delhi. It is a part of the well-known Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit in India.

The best time to witness this captivating place

When to Leave

The best time to visit is between November and February because other months may be too hot or too rainy. However, you’ll be able to take advantage of some fantastic off-season savings.

The Taj Mahal seems to progressively change colour as the day progresses and the light changes. Getting up early and spending the day there is certainly worth the effort, as it gloriously presents itself. You can avoid the large throngs that start to arrive later in the morning by visiting before dawn.

 

How to get there

One can go from Delhi to the Taj Mahal in a single day. Rail connections to Agra are good. The primary rail hub is Agra Cantt. Shatabdi Express high-speed services are available from Delhi, Varanasi, and Rajasthani cities.

Find the most reliable trains between Delhi and Agra.

Since the Yamuna Motorway’s opening in August 2012, it has taken less than three hours to drive from Delhi to Agra. A toll of 415 rupees per automobile for a one-way drive (665 rupees round trip) is required, and it begins in Noida. See additional information on getting a car and a driver.

If using a train is not an option, taking the bus is a viable substitute. Every hour during the day, comfortable Volvo buses with air conditioning leave from the Anand Vihar terminal in New Delhi. Each person will pay roughly 700 rupees. The buses travel down the Yamuna Motorway before stopping for a 30-minute snack and bathroom break at the Vaango restaurant (the restrooms are clean).

You can also fly from significant Indian cities or join a vacation starting in Delhi.

 

The Taj Mahal Tour

A popular and well-reviewed private tour to Agra and The Taj Mahal from Delhi is offered by Viator, along with a day tour to Agra and Fatehpur Sikri with cultural walks. On this 2-day private tour from Delhi to Agra, you can also see the Taj Mahal at night during a full moon.

Alternatively, take one of these suggested Agra day excursions to view the Taj Mahal: the Taj Mahal Sunrise and Sunset Tour, Private Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Tour with Meal and Optional Professional Photographer, or the Sunrise or Sunset View of the Taj Mahal, all of which are included in the 11-hour Agra Day Tour.

1. Tourism offers daily, full-day sightseeing bus trips to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri (except on Fridays) if you’re looking for an affordable tour alternative. For Indians, the price is 750 rupees, while it costs 3,600 rupees for visitors. Transport, admissions to the monuments, and guide costs are all included in the price.

 

Opening Hours

The Taj Mahal is open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on Fridays when it is closed for prayer. It opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset. Every full moon, the Taj Mahal is also accessible at night from 8.30 p.m. to 12.30 a.m., as well as two days before and two days after the full moon (for a total of five days). Every year, during the holy month of Ramadan, night watching is prohibited.

 

Information and Entry Fees

The cost of a ticket is 50 rupees for Indians and 1,100 rupees for visitors. Younger than 15-year-olds are admitted free for You can buy tickets at ticket counters close to the entrance gates or online at this website. (Do note that tickets for the Taj Mahal are no longer able to be purchased at Agra Fort or other monuments, and they only give a modest discount if you intend to visit other monuments on the same day.)

The foreign visitor’s ticket includes transportation to the entry gate via bus or golf cart, shoe covers, a bottle of water, and an Agra tourist map. Additionally, it allows holders of tickets to enter the Taj Mahal before any Indian ticket holders who are currently in line.

For one hour of admission, Night Viewing tickets cost 510 rupees for Indians and 750 rupees for foreigners. Three- to fifteen-year-olds must pay 500 rupees. These tickets must be acquired from the Archaeological Survey of India office on Mall Road between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. one day in advance.

Since the Taj Mahal is so close to other vehicles, it is prohibited within 500 metres. South, East, and West are the three entrances.

The majority of local Indian visitors enter through the West gate, which typically has the longest lineups throughout the day. To avoid the crowds at the East entrance, it is nonetheless the recommended option during sunrise.

Foreign visitors frequently enter through the East gate because it is nearest to several renowned hotels. Except for when large groups like to arrive at sunrise, when lines are typically shorter, The best entry point is still if you buy your ticket the day before. Please be aware that the Shilpgram ticket office is an awkward 10 minutes walk from the gate. For those who are unable or unwilling to walk, there are buses, golf carts, and bike rickshaws available.

The South gate receives the least traffic. It is preferred by independent and budget travellers because it is close to a busy market area where many cheap hotels are located. It doesn’t open until 8 a.m., though. enormous sandstone. The entrance to the inner compound is a massive sandstone gate.

Both the East and West entrances have special foreigner ticket desks.

 

Security at the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal has tight security in place, and there are checkpoints at the gates. We’ll scan and search your bag. No large luggage or day packs are permitted inside. Only tiny bags carrying necessities are allowed. Each individual is allowed to bring one water bottle, one camera, and one cell phone. Food, lighters, tobacco, electrical devices (such as iPads, headphones, and torches), knives, and tripods for cameras are prohibited inside. During night viewing sessions, cell phones are also prohibited, while cameras are still permitted. At the entrance gates, there are places to store luggage.

 

About Audio Guides

Government-approved AudioCompass offers a cheap official Taj Mahal audio guide on its mobile phone app if you wish to admire the Taj Mahal without being distracted by a tour guide. English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese are just a few of the foreign and Indian languages that are available.

 

Night Viewing of the Taj Mahal

An experience unlike any other in the world is visiting the Taj Mahal on full moon nights.

“Only let this one teardrop, this Taj Mahal, glisten spotlessly bright on the cheek of time, forever and ever.” Tagore, Rabindranath

Evening Viewing Time: From 20:30 to 03:30 in 8 batches of no more than 50 people each. There is a 30-minute time limit for each batch. For security checks, visitors must arrive at Shilpgram a half-hour before the viewing time listed on their ticket. Please be aware that everyone visiting must have a valid photo ID.

Every Friday and during the month of Ramadan, night viewing of the Taj Mahal is prohibited.

The words of Noble Laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, “The Taj Mahal, for which even the course of the river Yamuna is said to have been diverted,” are the best way to sum up the monument.