Taj Mahal

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal is a symbol of the great Mughal Heritage of India. The beautiful monument is situated in Agra, which is one of the three cities of the most popular tourist route in India The Golden Triangle.

The Golden Triangle Circuit is bestowed with various monuments and buildings that stand as a perfect example of India’s rich historical legacy. The circuit also welcomes the globetrotters with the colorful culture of the place. Comprising of three cities, Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, the Golden Triangle captures your imagination and takes you into the fascinating, decadent and passionate world of the Mughals and Maharajas. What can be a better reflection of Mughal architectural marvel than the Taj Mahal Constructed on the banks of River Yamuna amidst the lush gardens, Taj Mahal blows you away with its splendour.

Main Gate The Taj Mahal has three entrances, East, West and South gates. The West Gate is the main entrance and is also highly populated. One can observe long queues and crowd over here. The South Gate is the most popular among the travellers as it is closer to many budget friendly hotels in Agra. The East Gate is less populated and has short queues. However, the distance from the ticket counter and east gate is too long. But, in case you book online, just make an entry through east gate.

History The history of Taj Mahal dates back to 1630 AD, and signifies Emperor Shah Jahan’s love for his beloved wife. Shah Jahan poured enormous wealth in addition to his passion and life to create this monument. Masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome-builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from Central Asia and Iran, and it took approximately 22 years to build what we see today. This beautiful monument made use of the services of 22,000 labourers and 1,000 elephants. It was built entirely out of white marble, which was brought in from all over India and central Asia. After an expenditure of approximately 32 million rupees, Taj Mahal was finally completed in the year 1653.

Architecture Taj Mahal is a beautiful architectural wonder that attracts a lot of visitors from all over the world. The arch and dome of this monument carved with semi-precious stones exhibit the intricate detailed work of craftsmen! The four pillars of Taj Mahal made of white marbles slightly lean outwards to protect the mausoleum.

The main mausoleum also has two grand buildings constructed with red sandstone, where one is a guesthouse and other is a mosque. The interiors of the monument are influenced by Persian architecture, while exterior reflects the finest architecture of Mughals.

Popular among Honeymooners Famed as a symbol of love, Taj Mahal is popular among the newlyweds. The monument captures your senses with its beauty. Thus, attracts a lot of couples. Taj Mahal might be a popular travel attraction and looks breathtakingly beautiful; it is royal colossal and classy, and an Iconic manifestation of Mughal architecture. Beyond all these, it is one of the most romantic places on the planet!

Other Attractions around Taj MahalAgra Fort With the beauty of Taj Mahal, one can easily forget that Agra has one of the finest Mughal forts in India. The stunning courtyards of this palatial red-sandstone and marble fortress, amazes you with every step.

Mehtab Bagh The Park was originally built by Emperor Babur, long before Taj Mahal was conceived. The view of the Taj from the fountain directly in front of the entrance gate is a special one.

Kinari Bazaar - You’ll find clothing, shoes, fabrics, jewellery, spices, marble work, snack stalls etc in this Bazaar. There are a number of different bazaars here, each specialising in different wares, but the area is generally known as Kinari Bazaar.

Timings and Price Entry Timing - 6 :00 am 6:00 PM
Closed on Fridays

Entry Fee - INR 20 / per person for Indians and INR 750/- per person for foreigners INR 510 /for citizens from SAARC. (No entry fee for children under 15 years of age for both national and international visitors.)