Taj Mahal, India: Location, how to get there, history

The Taj Mahal needs no introduction — everyone has definitely heard of it. And why not, missing a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece would take some effort. The mausoleum has rightfully earned tourists’ love. However, few are interested in its true history and the idea behind its creation. And believe me, love plays a far from minor role there.

For your convenience, we have gathered all the important information about the Taj Mahal in one article and are sharing it with you.

What is the Taj Mahal

In a nutshell: the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built over twenty years and is currently a UNESCO World Heritage site. By the way, it is made of white marble, and its walls are inlaid with semi-precious and precious stones, such as turquoise, lapis lazuli, and sapphires. In short, it’s all luxury and beauty.

Inside are two tombs: that of Shah Jahan, the patron and simultaneously the emperor, and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The name of the person who built the Taj Mahal is not reliably known. Therefore, it is believed that a whole group of specialists worked on the project.

Reflection of the Taj Mahal in the river

History of Creation

Love holds an important place in the history of the Taj Mahal. According to legend, Emperor Shah Jahan was captivated by the beauty of a girl he met in the market and wished to marry her. She turned out to be his future beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, with whom Shah lived for almost twenty happy years. There is even a version that the emperor’s wife had access to the country’s main seal (which the ruler used to sign documents) — that’s how much he trusted her.

Unfortunately, this story has a sad ending. Mumtaz Mahal died during the birth of her fourteenth child. Her husband Jahan was so saddened by this event that he decided to erect the most beautiful palace in honor of his wife. More than 20,000 people were invited for the construction, and the best specialists were involved in the planning. And then you know the rest: 20 years of fruitful work, about 353 years of existence, and finally, its inclusion in the list of wonders of the world in 2007.

The name of the mausoleum translates as ‘Crown of the Palace’. This is how, according to legend, the Shah addressed his beloved. But some researchers believe that the palace was built due to Jahan’s immense vanity and that there is no romantic subtext here.

Whether this is true or not, we, alas, will never know. Just choose the version you like best.

Where it is located, how to get there

We’re sharing a top life hack on how to get to this man-made wonder of the world and take cool photos. First, without unnecessary questions like ‘Where is the Taj Mahal?’ or ‘Is the Taj Mahal in India?’ just buy tickets to Delhi.

The next step is to get to Agra. The best way to go there is from New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin station. The price depends on the train class and varies within 800 rupees. The journey will take about four hours, so stock up on books or read our article on what to see in India. It’s unlikely you’ll be there for just one day.

And then, you can get to the Taj Mahal by tuk-tuk (something like a local taxi, but with an open cabin) for 100 rupees.

Opening hours and admission cost

The Taj Mahal is open daily (Friday is an exception, as it’s a day of prayer at the mosque) from morning until sunset. So, whenever you arrive, rest assured you’ll be expected. Moreover, entry rules for India allow this almost anytime. The main thing is to get a visa (an e-visa is possible).

From 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, the mausoleum is definitely open to visitors. It’s best to arrive in the morning to have time to stroll through the park. In general, we recommend checking the schedule on the official website. You can also see ticket prices there. One ticket costs about 1,100 rupees, and entry to the mosque is an additional 200 rupees.

It is best to visit the Taj Mahal from February to April, because it gets unbearably hot here in summer. In winter, on the contrary, fog creeps everywhere.

What is allowed and forbidden in the Taj Mahal

Agree, it would be very unpleasant if you wanted to visit the Taj Mahal and were turned away right at the entrance. To ensure this doesn’t happen, we’ve gathered the most important information:

You are allowed to bring one bottle of drinking water and photo/video equipment, but without a tripod, as well as money and documents. Everything else will have to be left in the locker;
It is forbidden to use drones and laptops throughout the complex;
You are allowed to bring a small handbag. And it’s simply more convenient: security guards at the entrance will check you quite quickly;
It is forbidden to make noise in the mausoleum;
It is forbidden to take photos inside the premises;
It is forbidden to touch the walls with your hands (and especially to scratch them);
Smoking is forbidden throughout the entire complex.

Park, architecture, interiors

In general, the Taj Mahal and its architecture are much more interesting and unique than they seem at first glance. The park and the mausoleum are symmetrical to each other, and there isn’t a single element on the complex’s territory that stands out from the overall ambiance. Even the trees are trimmed identically.

Interesting fact: the white marble from which the palace walls are made changes color depending on the weather and time of day. Closer to evening, the moonlight beautifully reflects off the surface, and in the morning, sunbeams paint the building in a delicate pink hue. In short, it looks very impressive and unusual.

Can you imagine how this will look in photos? By the way, tourists often take pictures of the mausoleum in front of the pool. The angle is great, and the reflection of the building in the water looks amazing.

What every traveler should do when they are near the Taj Mahal is to walk through the giant garden and look at the small fountains. There are many of them here, and in the center, there is even a lotus-shaped pond. The garden design has a bit of an English vibe: neatly trimmed trees adorn the entire territory.

And you can be impressed by all possible architectural solutions right at the entrance. There you will be greeted by the main gates, built of red sandstone and adorned with floral ornaments.

Inside the Taj Mahal, you will find equally interesting patterns and walls inlaid with precious stones. By the way, don’t forget that photography is not allowed here, so remember everything you see — from the patterns on the floor and windows to the cenotaphs of the ruler and his wife. In fact, an interesting illusion is created: the openwork fence strongly resembles lace. Most likely, you will often feel that what you see is not solid stone at all, but something airy.

Where to stay nearby

Any trip without rest is not a trip. Moreover, if you want to explore India and cities near Agra, you will definitely need hotel recommendations.

Among luxury options, definitely DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Agra and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Agra. Both have a 5-star rating, and their price is accordingly. However, the hotels are located almost in the very center, so you will definitely have the opportunity to get acquainted with the local culture;
Mansion Grand Agra and Grand Nikko Awaji are modern hotels located near the Taj Mahal;
If you want something budget-friendly, we recommend Hotel The Golden Globe or The Grand Imperial with spacious rooms and beautiful views.

Tips for tourists

It’s better to buy tickets to the Taj Mahal in advance (or arrive early in the morning). Queues at the entrance are quite long, and this can significantly reduce your time at the complex.
Vehicles cannot approach the monument closer than 500 meters. Therefore, you will have to walk to the mausoleum anyway. Just be prepared.
Buying train tickets online in India is quite difficult: you will need a local SIM card (a confirmation code is sent to it). Therefore, to avoid difficulties, it is better to buy a ticket at the railway station ticket office.

Now you definitely know a little more about one of India’s greatest attractions. We wish you cool trips and unforgettable experiences!