Taj Mahal FAQs

You might have come across tomes and paeans of praise about the one and only one Taj Mahal. You are enthralled and decide to visit the masterpiece with your life mate. However, are you also aware of the logistics? We hereby make an attempt to facilitate your visit to the glorious Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal continues to remain a mind-boggling specimen of architectural wonder, despite the lapse of almost four centuries. It is an off white, marble mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his dear departed wife, Mumtaz Mahal, at Agra, on the banks of River Yamuna. Amidst a wide ranging legacy of Mughal period monuments in India, Taj Mahal retains the crowning glory. People have rightly affirmed it as a “sonnet in stone.” It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO during 1983. During his visit to the monument, the erstwhile American President, Bill Clinton, quipped, “The humanity can be divided into two groups - the ‘haves’ who have had the good fortune of visiting this wonder; the have-nots, who are still deprived of this opportunity.”

Basic Information about Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal was constructed during 1632 - 1653 AD by Shah Jahan, as the burial site of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The cost of its construction is estimated to be 32 million Silver Rupees at that time. Though the main material, white marble was sourced from Makrana mines in Rajasthan, but various other precious and semi-precious materials were sourced from almost all parts of Asia. The labour force comprised of almost 20,000 men, who labored day and night to complete this dream of a mission, while 1,000 elephants were pressed into service to carry the heavy articles required. The expert masons, sculptors, calligraphers, inlayers, stone cutters and other such highly skilled expert craftsmen were recruited from far and wide. Likewise, the surrounding gardens required the services of some highly skilled gardeners and irrigation experts to devise the water channels.

Reaching the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is situated in Agra, which is approx. 210 kms from New Delhi. If you intend to go by road, the spanking, new Yamuna Expressway takes around 2½ hours to reach the Taj Mahal. Otherwise, the fairly comfortable, frequent, and fast train service from Delhi is a reliable option. Incidentally, Agra is one vertex of the Golden Triangle, comprising of New Delhi, Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Agra (Uttar Pradesh). If you wish, you can also add Jaipur, the famous Pink City, in your itinerary.

Timing your visit to Taj Mahal

In case, you are able to choose your own time to make this visit, you may consider visiting the Taj Mahal during February, which provides you an added advantage of the Taj Mahotsav (Taj Festival) during the second fortnight. This shall enable you to participate in the cultural extravaganza, which includes various North Indian Performing Art forms, like the concerts by prominent Kathak Dancers, Hindustani Sangeet classical musicians, handicrafts from all over Uttar Pradesh like the famous carpets from Bhadohi and Agra, Silk Sarees and other dress material from Varanasi etc. besides, other, forms of local entertainment. Additional features are pony, camel and elephant rides, and other games for children.

Moment of your Visit to Taj Mahal

Whenever you get an occasion to visit, please keep in mind the official time schedule for your visit. Normally, Taj Mahal is open from 6.00 AM to 7.00 PM including on Sunday. However, it is closed on Fridays, the day being the weekly Muslim day of prayers.

In case you intend to visit at night, it is open at night during 8.30 PM to 12.30 AM, but only on two days preceding and succeeding the full moon.

It is important to note that the monument assumes various shades, hues, and tinges of its basic colour at various hours of the day or night, sunlight or moonlight, dawn or dusk. As such, you may like to witness it at sunrise or sunset, even if from a distance.

Excursions around the Taj Mahal

If you want to sidestep the hassles associated with the official schedule, or the beggars, you may contemplate crossing the river to have a glimpse of the monument from afar. Or you can visit Mehtab Bagh across the river at a reduced cost to have a glance.

There are not many equally alluring attractions in the town. You may however make a quick visit to Fatehpur Sikri, or the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, or Akbar’s Mausoleum.

Admission Fees at the Taj Mahal

At the moment, the entrance fees for Taj Mahal is Rs.250/- for foreigners, besides a toll tax of Rs.500/-. For the Indians it is Rs.20/- only. Children below 15 get a free entry.

On the other hand, if you are a night time buff, you shall have to shell out Rs.750/- for foreigners and Rs.500/- for Indians. This however gets you an entry for only half-an-hour. Moreover, for night-time viewing, the tickets have to be purchased one day in advance, from the office of the Archeological Survey of India on Mall Road.