TAJ MAHAL

The architect of the Taj Mahal, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, once remarked that the structure was so beautiful that “the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.” Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore has also referred to it as a “teardrop on the cheek of eternity.” Thousands of visitors from all over the world go to this incredibly ethereal marble monument each year; it is widely regarded as the most exquisite structure ever built by human hands. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan erected the monument as a tribute to his late wife Mumtaz Mahal. As one of the world’s seven wonders, it serves as a source of pride for both India and Agra.

One of the most enduring representations of India, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that appears in nearly all works of literature on the nation. Its name, which translates to “the palace of the crown,” is thought to have come from the Persian language. Taj means crown, and mahal means palace. It’s interesting to note that Mumtaz Mahal, which translates to “the crown of the palace,” was the name of the queen for whom it was initially constructed, Arjumand Begum. The Taj Mahal is most famously associated with love, as a bereaved emperor’s tribute to his departed queen. However, there is another narrative that regards it as Shah Jahan’s concept of royalty. According to legend, he aspired to erect a monument that would serve as a symbol of earthly paradise, elevating the monarch to the status of the Almighty in terms of power and beauty.

Additionally, it’s often accepted that Shah Jahan hired workers from Persia and Italy to complete this marble monument. It is reported that Ustad Isa Afandi created the site plan and Ustad Ahmad Lahori oversaw the project. Amanat Ali Khan Shirazi is credited with the calligraphic work.

This construction is interesting because, with the exception of the side facing the River Yamuna, all four sides have the same appearance. It is reported that this side was carefully decorated to act as the emperor’s main entrance. When the current tourist gate to the Taj Mahal was being utilized as a point of entry for soldiers and commoners, Shah Jahan would approach the structure from the river on a barge. All four doors have elaborate inscriptions, and the walls are decorated with pietra dura mosaics and marble carvings. Several valuable jewels and stones, including emerald, mother of pearl, lapis lazuli, and cornelian, were formerly incorporated into its design. It is reported that construction on it started around 1631.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Unquestionably, the sunrise is the ideal time to visit the Taj Mahal because it is at its most majestic. Because there are less people there, this is also the most comfortable time to visit. The Taj Mahal is especially beautiful at sunset. Additionally, you are welcome to visit it five nights during a full moon. There are only a certain number of entry tickets available for this period, thus they must be purchased online or one day in advance from the Archaeological Survey of India office.

ATTRACTIONS

Mehtab Bagh

Red Fort

Sheroes Cafe

Key Details

Timings: 30 minutes prior to dawn and 30 minutes following sunset
Friday closed
Each Friday Only Muslims who follow their faith are able to enter the Taj Mahal and attend the afternoon prayers.

Two hours are needed.

Entry Fee: INR 50 for SAARC nationals and Indian citizens
Individuals from BIMSTEC and SAARC nations: INR 540
Foreign Visitors: INR 1100 (plus an extra 200 INR for each visitor who wants to go inside the mausoleum)
Children under the age of fifteen enter free of charge.

HOW TO REACH

By Flight

The Taj Mahal to Kheria Airport travel time is 12 minutes. The Kheria Airport and the Taj Mahal are just ten kilometers apart.

By Train

Agra’s connections to the rest of the nation are made possible by a robust rail network. In addition to the Agra Cantonment main railway station, there are two smaller stations: Raja-ki-Mandi and Agra Fort. The Shatabdi, Rajdhani, Palace on Wheels, and Taj Express are the principal trains that run between Agra and Delhi.

By Road

From Agra, there are frequent bus routes to several significant cities. Numerous buses departing for Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, and other locations run out of the main bus stations at Idgah and ISBT. if you’re traveling to Agra from Delhi. You can hire a taxi from Delhi to Agra with special savings.