Searching a beautiful place to explore in Asia? Taj Mahal in India can be your best stop for first time visit in India? Taj Mahal accompanied with another beautiful north India destinations is splendid heritage tour of India. Get the complete information with visiting attractions, right time, history and highlights of Agra tour from Delhi.
Delhi-a cultural hub in itself gives plenty of reasons to stay and explore the capital from food to bustling shopping markets, corporate culture and many other things. If you are landing in Delhi, tour to Agra and its iconic sight-Taj Mahal- One of those works of genius. You will experience it in actual when you finally reach the destination.
Background and History of Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is a UNESCO protected world heritage site and an important piece of architecture in India. Located in city of Agra, it is a striking testament to love and devotion. Taj Mahal was built in the 1630s by Mughal emperor Shah jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaj mahal. The emperor had 14 children with Mumtaz Mahal, and she sadly died at the age of 39 whilst giving birth to their final child.
Such were Shah Jahan’s acute feelings of loss and deep sadness that he thought for the Taj Mahal to be built in honour of Mumtaz Mahal. Her body was moved from its original burial place to the mausoleum upon its completion. On the other hand, Shah Jahan’s other wives are buried in mausoleums outside of the main walls.
It is made of pure white marble and took about 22 years to complete. More than 20,000 workers were employed to construct the Taj and it is said that their thumbs were chopped later so that no such monument could be built again. Combining elements from Mughal and Persian architecture and using materials obtained from all across Asia, ornamentation includes semi-precious gems, carvings, paint, and stone. Taj mahal tour is famous for intricating grand columns, soaring minerals, attractive arches and lovely gateways.
Best Time to visit Taj Mahal, Agra
The best time to visit Agra is October to March and July, September. You can visit in all months but you will face extreme north India weather conditions. The best time for observance is sunrise and sunset view when golden rays of Sun glitter the marble monument the most.
Visiting hours at Taj Mahal: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm for day visits (and 8:30 pm to 12:30 pm for night visits, two days before and after every full moon). Entry to the grounds is very easy.
Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset. It is closed for general viewing to all visitors on Fridays. This year Taj Mahal remains open for four consecutive days on occasion of white moonlight of Sharad Purnima (full moon).
Entry Fee
Entry will begin through the grand gateway which opens up into the garden surroundings. Across the few hundred meters of immaculately maintained gardens, a perspectival haze ghosts over the building, like a mountain range from afar. The ten-minute stroll from the gate to the Taj, through Persian-inspired gardens, lined with trees, fountains, and a reflecting pool running down the center, seemed pleasantly designed to give the viewer more time to take in the gorgeous building from a slowly changing perspective.
There are different entry fees for local and foreign tourists. Foreign tourists have to pay 1100 INR + 200 INR. There is an additional fee for visiting the mausoleum, which is optional. There is a separate fee for those wanting to visit the memorial. Indian tourists have to pay 50 INR + 200 INR (for those wanting to visit the mausoleum).
Things that you are not allowed to carry:
You have to cross through various checkpoints at entrance gates. Food, smoking items, other tobacco products and drinks, mobile phone chargers and tripods are not allowed inside the Taj Mahal. All you’re allowed to carry is your phone, camera and the water bottle. Vehicles are also not permitted within 500 meters of the Taj Mahal. So, if you are executing Delhi to Agra tour by car, then you’ll have to leave it 500 meters away and walk all the way to the entrance.
Taj Mahal at time of Sunrise and sunset
For sunrise, get there early in the morning around 5:30am in summers and 6:15 am in winters so you can comfortably check-in by the time the Taj Mahal opens. Sunset takes place around 6:30pm in summers and 5:30 pm in winters so make sure you reach well in time to see that.
How to book Agra tour from Delhi very easily
We are renowned and specialist in Agra tour packages from Delhi. Our priority in providing tour from Delhi to Agra, Fatehpur, Jaipur and other beautiful places of Rajasthan gives a chance of memorable trip to domestic as well as foreign travellers. Our expert guide will assist to make your friendly to all the heritage places of Jaipur and Agra. You can also indulge in shopping at famous places and markets of Agra as well as jewelley market of Jaipur. Book Agra Taj Mahal 3 days tour for true experience of heritage city.
