Taj Mahal

ताज महल

A white marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, the peak of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India. Seeing the main tomb framed by the main gate at sunrise is the classic moment.

The Taj Mahal stands on the south bank of the Yamuna River, east of Agra. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built it in memory of his queen, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. Construction began in 1632 and was largely completed around 1653, employing some 20,000 workers. The white marble came from Makrana in Rajasthan, and the inlaid gemstones came from Central Asia and Persia. It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1983. The complex is laid out along a north-south axis: a red sandstone gateway, a quadripartite garden with a long reflecting pool, and a raised platform centred on the main tomb. Four minarets stand at the corners, leaning slightly outward so they would fall away from the tomb if they collapsed. On either side are a mosque and a matching building called the 'Answering Halls'. Inside the main tomb are cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal; the actual graves are in the basement and are not open to visitors. Tickets: 1,100 rupees for foreigners, plus 200 rupees to enter the main tomb (about 110 yuan). It is open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset, and closed on Fridays. On the full moon and the nights before and after, night viewing runs from 20:30 to 00:30; limited tickets must be bought one day in advance. Visiting tips: enter from the east or west gate, as the south gate is closed. Expect a queue of about 30 minutes at sunrise, so arrive 30 minutes before opening. Shoe covers are required to enter the main tomb (included in the foreigner ticket). Large backpacks, tripods, food and tobacco are not allowed; only small bags, phones and cameras are permitted. Plan to spend 2-3 hours inside. Classic viewpoints: framing the main tomb through the arch of the gateway, the 'Diana Bench' by the pool, and the main tomb seen from the side of the mosque. Across the river, Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden, 300 rupees) offers sunset views of the Taj Mahal. Notes: decline guides and photographers at the entrance who claim to be official, as official guides with posted rates are available at the ticket office. Air pollution in the area is heavy, and on winter mornings the fog may be too thick to see the main tomb, so consider returning in the afternoon.

Taj Mahal

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