The Taj Mahal in India has survived the test of the times, outlived the drastic weather conditions, and retained its position as the symbol of love! This gorgeous wonder of the world is a well-preserved monument and is also listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
This scintillating white marble monument was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Considered as the symbol of love, this astounding structure is on the bucket list of every Indian and almost every traveler!
When to Enjoy
Taj can be spectacular during the sunrise & every day the monument opens its gates 30 minutes prior to the sunrise. The gates are closed 30 minutes prior to sunset. Now one very special viewing experience which most people are unaware of is that the Taj also opens up its gates at night for only 5 days, every single month. This happens on the full moon night, 2 nights before the full moon, and 2 nights after the full moon. Although the inner mausoleum is closed at night, the view of the Taj Mahal under the full moon night is absolutely worth the effort and extra cost charged. This great monument is also closed every Friday. Travel Agent Tip: Remember not to book Agra / Delhi stay for clients around Friday, as the main purpose of the visit for most travelers is to witness the beauty of the Taj Mahal. To know the full moon night viewing charges and timings, please get in touch with our T3 Agent.
What to Enjoy
Visitors can enter the Taj Mahal complex either via The Western Gate or The Eastern Gate
The Western Gate – Features
The Western Gate is the most popular entrance, as it opens up to an amazing garden, spread across a long 300 meters pathway. As the garden trails ahead, there is a reflective pool constructed facing the main mausoleum. This pool is placed in such a way that it spectacularly mirrors the image of the Taj Mahal along with its 4 minarets and one can never get over this sight, as it creates an everlasting effect.
The Eastern Gate – Features
For those of your clients who prefer to avoid crowds, suggest taking the Eastern Gate entrance. Travel Agent Tip: Pre-purchase the Taj Mahal entrance tickets for those clients who do not wish to wait in queues. For pre-purchasing, our T3 agents will offer you support. Most of the time this entrance is less crowded and hence provides a lot of opportunities for great photography. You can also suggest this particular gate to early rises, as the view of the Taj Mahal’s main structure during sunrise is spellbinding through this eastern gate entrance.
Specialties of the Wonder
The fabulous structure was first commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan (5th Mughal Emperor in India) in the year 1631, as a tomb for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, and his tomb is also placed right next to hers. By 1643 the main tomb construction was completed, but it took until 1653 to complete the rest of the side walls, garden, reflective pool, and the fabulous 22 entranceways.
The total area is spread across 42 acres and the main construction occupies close to 3 acres. It is told by historians that at least 1000 elephants and 22,000 laborers, artisans, stone cutters, and painters were employed to build this massive piece of art.
The Taj Mahal is made with over 28 varieties of precision stones and semiprecious stones. Some of the precious materials are inlaid into the white marble and the precision of each carving is accurate to the core. Jade, sapphire, carnelian, crystal and are some of the precious stones used. Most of the materials utilized for construction were from India, while some were brought from neighboring countries like Tibet, Afghanistan, Srilanka, etc.
Alternate Location to Get a Glimpse of the Taj
Mehtab Bagh is a garden which is located right next to the Taj Mahal and the local people visit this place to get some stunning pictures of the Taj. The doors of the Taj are closed 30 minutes before sunset and also during all Fridays. So for those clients who wish to take a look at the Taj Mahal even after sunset and for those guests who happen to reach Agra or Delhi on Fridays, you can give them this great suggestion of visiting the Mehtab Bagh. This is most definitely the best location to get astounding views and great photographs of this timeless piece of art.
