If there is one attraction in India that is on every traveller’s bucket list, it has to be the Taj Mahal. Besides that, the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s seven wonders and a UNESCO world heritage site, is captivating, elegant, and interesting. Besides that, it attracts 7 million visitors a year. Likewise, the Taj Mahal is a symbol of love and passion, as well as an icon of Mughal architecture. There is so much history that twists around this construction. So, if you are Visiting the Taj Mahal for the first time, it would be very helpful to know the story behind this wonderful building. That is why we have gathered together some interesting details for you.

What is the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal India was originally built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. Moreover, it’s a tomb that houses the remains of the emperor and his wife. However, the construction began in 1631 and it wasn’t completed until 1648, nearly 20 years later. Furthermore, the emperor wanted the best workmanship to build the structure and utilized over 200,000 labourers as well as artisans. The lead architect who designed it was Ustad Ahmed. After all, believers also think that they used over 1,000 elephants to transport raw materials for the construction.

While visiting the Taj Mahal, you will witness the mosque, a guest pavilion and two well-maintained ponds. But is the Taj Mahal a mosque? No, its purpose is that of a catacomb.

Taj Mahal Building Structure

You will undoubtedly spend a significant amount of time admiring the magnificent beauty of the Taj Mahal. Additionally, the accurate attention to detail and perfect symmetry of the elements decorating this building will leave you in awe. Similarly, the structure comprises Indo Islamic architecture with details from Persian, Turkish and Indian styles.

When visiting the Taj Mahal, you’ll see a white marble facade dome with four equally tall minarets around it. In other words, white marble comprises the tomb, while red sandstone constructs its adjoining structures. Both of these elements are suggestive of the Mughal hierarchical position in society.

Inside the Taj Mahal, you will find multiple different elements. Not to mention, murals, engraved artwork, and abstract notes adorn the walls. However, other stunning features include marbles inserted with valuable gemstones sourced globally, like agate, turquoise, sapphire, jade, cat’s eye, and more. There is also very elegant Islamic calligraphy carved on walls that is delightful to observe. Overall, the Taj Mahal is the paragon of fine craftsmanship.

The Romantic Tale of Taj Mahal

When you step into this world of wonder, you are stepping into one of the most famous love stories. After all, the Taj Mahal was how the emperor chose to celebrate his deep passion and affection for his beloved wife.

During one of his royal bazar visits as a prince, Shah Jahan met Arjumand Banu Begum, later known as Mumtaz Mahal. He was only 16 years old at the time and went by the name Prince Khurram. Additionally, it was an instant connection, but the prince didn’t get to marry her until five years later as his second wife.

Although he had three wives, Mumtaz Mahal was his favourite partner, who followed him everywhere, including his military trips. The couple had 14 children, although only seven survived.

After the death of Mumtaz Mahal, Emperor Shah Jahan was extremely distressed and went into grief for nearly two years. Later on, he planned on constructing the most expensive tomb, as he promised his wife on her deathbed. Today, Taj Mahal is famous as the symbol of love around the globe and is a popular destination among couples and honeymooners. On the other hand, individuals who wish to see the Taj Mahal can also take Direct flights from USA to India.

Visiting The Taj Mahal in 2024

The Taj Mahal is in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, facing the Yamuna River. However, it’s just a 4-5 hour drive from Delhi and accessible by train, bus, or taxi, based on your budget and convenience.

There are three main gates that take you to the Taj Mahal. While the eastern and western gates allow for both entry and exit, the southern gate only allows for amble exits. In contrast, there are tombs dedicated to other wives of the emperor near the western as well as eastern entrances.

For foreign tourists, the entrance tickets to the Taj Mahal are different for SAARC and BIMSTEC countries. Nevertheless, separate tickets are available for travellers planning to visit the Taj Mahal at night on full moon days, with tours lasting 30 minutes.

If you are visiting the Taj Mahal in 2024, the best time to visit is between October and March, when the weather is favourable. Not to mention, the tourist season will also contribute to crowding the site most of the time. Therefore, in other months, it can be either too cold or too warm to explore it with ease. But you might get entrance tickets at a low price. In a nutshell, Taj Mahal is a marvellous beauty with a very romantic atmosphere during sunrise and sunset. Lastly, it’s also the best time to take attractive photos of the tomb.

Tips For Visiting The Taj Mahal

If you are visiting the Taj Mahal, foremost, you need to know what makes your visit as awesome as possible.

Understand The Conditions During Your Visiting Season

The Taj Mahal is always worth exploring but depending on when you’re visiting Agra, it will impact what your visit will be like.

October-March has the most pleasing temperatures but also brings the most crowds. However, it also comes with some of the biggest problems of physically seeing the Taj Mahal. Conversely, November sees a huge amount of pollution due to fuzz burning. And the months of December to February are notoriously foggy, especially in the early mornings.

April-May, it can get really hot, reaching 45 degrees Celsius during midday, so if you are planning your visit during this time, make sure to show up early to beat the heat. On the other hand, if you are traveling internationally, cheap flights to India from Canada are also available.

June-September is the monsoon season. Besides that, this can be a great way to score great prices on airfare and accommodation and will be the last busy time of the year. Hence, June and July typically have the happiest rainfall. Taking a risk with potentially rainy weather in August and September could reward you with perfect conditions.

Never Visit On Friday

This one is quite straightforward. Every Friday, the Taj Mahal closes to allow Muslims to worship at its mosque. It is directly west of the main tomb structure, which is very close to Mecca.

Know a Little About the Taj Mahal Before You Visit

Before visiting the Taj Mahal, most people know that it was a tomb for the Mughal emperor’s beloved wife but not much else. And it is difficult to appreciate the structure if you do not understand its historical and cultural context. While there is a small museum on site, the markings around the complex are fairly limited, so come prepared with at least a basic knowledge of history.

To provide some context, Shah Jahan authorized the construction in 1631 as a tomb and memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth while expecting their 14th child. However, it took an incredible 22 years to complete the complex, and its estimated cost is around 850 million USD in today’s currency.
The emperor is widely praised for his religious tolerance among his subjects and his love of beautiful architecture and art. However, no one was happy with his free spending, namely his son, who thought his father had wasted too much of the treasury on thoughtless nonsense.

Shortly after the Taj Mahal gets completed, Shah Jahan got sick and his son slowly detained his father and declared himself emperor. Shah Jahan, after enduring eight years of imprisonment, died in Agra Fort. The fort, which bears a resemblance to the Taj Mahal, was where he breathed his last. In fact, he was buried beside his beloved wife in a secret room directly below the spot where tourists gaze today. Tones sound like something straight out of a TV family drama, right?

Leave Stuff You Can’t Take Inside at Home

At the time of visiting the Taj Mahal, you have to follow some strict rules about what you cannot take on the premises to protect their very precious monument, including backpacks or anything bigger than a small bag, food, or any kind of tobacco products. Additionally, items such as drones, mobile phones, Go Pros, headphones, and tripods is not allow within the premises.

Likewise, before visiting the Taj Mahal, have a game plan for which gate to go to. Not to mention, the Taj Mahal has two gates where you can purchase your tickets and enter, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

The east gate seems to be nearest to most hotels and hostels and is the go to gate for foreign tourists. Moreover, at the east gate, you won’t have to stand in long lines for tickets.

The west gate is the most popular with local and domestic tourists and gets overcrowded during mid-day. Surprisingly, it’s suppose to be less busy in the early morning than the east gate, so if this gate seems more comfortable to you and you do not mind waking up early, it may be ideal for you. In contrast, for international travellers, US to India flight booking are always available at affordable prices with us. All you need to do is connect with travel experts and they will locate the most amazing deals in your favourite destinations.

Get There Early

We have one piece of advice for you: arrive early at the ticket office. You won’t endure long lines; instead, you’ll enjoy the beautiful marble monument in the morning light without any crowds pushing you.

Know What You Get with Your Ticket

The first thing that you should know while purchasing your ticket is that local and international tourists pay different entrance fees. Foreign tourists come with shoe covers in the Taj to protect the marble. They also bring a water bottle and a tourist map of Agra. In addition, there is a bus service to take you to the closest gate, which is 1km away from the ticket office.

Be Mindful of How You Are Dressing

When you are visiting the Taj Mahal, remember not to wear your best booty shorts. As a thumb rule, have your shoulders and everything above your knees covered as a sign of respect.

Be Aware of Which Guide You Hire

Bringing a guide is wonderful; it’s the best way to learn about the history of a place, plus you will be able to support the locals. However, getting a nice and knowledgeable guide at the Taj Mahal can be difficult. So, instead of strangely negotiating with the annoying guides, do some research and book ahead of time.

Prepare to divide into two groups

Before entering the real complex, you will need to go through real security. However, security lines divide both local and international tourists, including men and women. Therefore, make sure you don’t get separate from your group.

Conclusion

That’s all about Taj Mahal and we hope all this information will help make your visit to Taj Mahal more beautiful and convenient. Furthermore, the Taj Mahal’s exquisite beauty, rich in romance and history, etches priceless moments into your memory. In fact, each marble facet tells a captivating story of love and dedication. Last but not least, visiting the Taj Mahal is an unforgettable experience that immerses you in the epitome of architectural grandeur. So, plan your visit to the Taj Mahal and allow its enchanting story to leave you in awe and admiration. Finally, do keep all this information and tips in mind while planning your trip to Agra and have a safe and exciting trip.

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