Taj Mahal Guide- What you should know before visiting

The Taj Mahal in India is one of the 7 wonders of the word – and rightly so! Your trip to India would be incomplete without having seen the Taj Mahal. Below are some of the key facts you should know before visiting the Taj Mahal.

Click here for the top 10 Tips for visiting the Taj Mahal 

Why is the Taj Mahal so famous?

The Taj Mahal is unique because of its outstanding beauty. The UNESCO world heritage was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 as a mausoleum for his one and only love, the queen who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is called the masterpiece of Mughal architecture. It is built in ivory-white marble with gold domes and gemstones from all over the world. I fell in love with the Taj Mahal not only because of its outstanding architecture but also because of how the marble shines in different colors depending on the time of day (watch the sunrise – it’s incredible).

Location

The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra, 230 km away from Delhi. Most people drive to Agra only to see the Taj Mahal. You can drive from Delhi just for the day, or you can stay in Agra one night. We wanted to see the sunrise as well as the sunset – that’s why we decided to stay one night in Agra. Moreover, it can be quite exhausting to visit Agra just for the day because traffic can be crazy in Delhi (one-way drive to Agra can take up to 5 hours with heavy traffic).

Entry Fees and Visiting Hours

The price for non-Indian visitors is INR 1300, including the visit to the mausoleum. If you pay by credit card, the price is INR 100 lower. Do take note that tickets are only available at the Western and Eastern Gate.
The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. The opening time is officially 30 minutes before sunrise (that was 6.00am for us) and the closing time is 30 minutes before sunset.
The night view of the Taj Mahal is only available 5 days a month: the full moon night and 2 days before and after that day (except Friday and on the month of Ramadan).

Best Months to Visit

The best time to travel to Agra is during winter, from October to February.
October – February: The temperature is around 20C allowing for excellent views of the Taj Mahal.
March – June: The temperature will rise up to 40C – I’ve read that some travelers suffered from heatstroke and dehydration during those months.
July – September: The monsoon season with a lot of rainfall – try to avoid this season if possible.

Good to know:

To preserve the Taj Mahal from pollution, you won’t find any industry in Agra or its close surroundings. This will ensure that you’ll get a clear view of the Taj Mahal.

If it’s your first time to India, you might be interesting in reading this: Top tips for your first trip to India