There are few sights in the world as iconic as the Taj Mahal. The grandeur of this magnificent monument is equaled only by the tragedy of its backstory – the tomb of a royal bride, created by a mourning emperor who ended his days robbed of his empire, imprisoned in a gilded cell with a view of this beautiful, tragic mausoleum.
As the single most famous sight in the subcontinent, the Taj is a must-see on most India itineraries, particularly for travelers on the famous Golden Triangle circuit, linking Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. However, the Taj is mobbed daily by sightseers from across India and around the world, so get used to the idea of sharing the experience.
Where is the Taj Mahal?
The Taj Mahal stands in gorgeous Mughal gardens in the Taj Ganj district of Agra, a historic but noisy city of four million people on the hot, dusty plains of Uttar Pradesh in northern India.
Agra has a reputation as a hectic spot, but its historic wonders – not just the Taj, but nearby Agra Fort and a string of other Mughal monuments – make it worth braving the touts, pollution, and persistent rickshaw drivers.
Moreover, Agra is well connected by road, rail, and air. The easiest route from Delhi is the 6:55am Taj Express train, which reaches Agra in just three hours.
What is the Taj Mahal?
The Taj Mahal is often described as the greatest monument built for love, but it is actually a memorial to tragedy. When Mumtaz Mahal, the chief consort of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, died in childbirth in 1631, the heartbroken emperor devoted years and a considerable fortune to constructing a tomb worthy of his great love.
The mausoleum was finally completed in 1648 after years of painstaking chiseling and carving by the most skilled craftspeople in the Mughal empire. The queen consort was interred inside in a private chamber at the heart of the monument, and Shah Jahan was later buried alongside his wife when he died in 1666.
The Taj Mahal has many special features
The riverside location reveals a lot
The Taj is tucked into a curve of the Yamuna River, about 1.5km (1 mile) east of Agra Fort. The rediscovery of the “moonlight garden” – built across the river from the tomb but later buried by silt – hints at religious connotations to the Taj’s riverfront location.
The Taj is built with perfect symmetry
From its gleaming domes and filigree marble screens to its towering minarets, the Taj shows perfect bilateral symmetry. The only break in symmetry is found in the burial chamber, where the grave of Shah Jahan sits just to one side of the grave of Mumtaz Mahal, set at the geometric center of the monument.
The dome is remarkable
The elegant onion-dome atop the Taj Mahal illustrates the complex geometry used in Islamic architecture. The base of the dome, almost as tall as the building below, is supported by eight angled ogive arches, allowing the transition from a square plan to a circular structure.
The stonemasonry is a masterpiece
While it looks like it was carved from gleaming white marble, the Taj is actually a masterpiece of stone facing. Entombed behind intricately carved marble panels and perforated screens is a brick-and-lime mortar skeleton, adding to its grandeur.
The Taj is covered in magnificent ornamentation
The Taj isn’t the only Mughal monument to feature pietra dura – intricate inlay work made from semi-precious stones – but it is unquestionably the finest. Up close, the Taj is adorned with an elegant tracery of filigree scrollwork, leaves, flowers, and Islamic motifs.
Cultured calligraphy covers the four pishtaqs
The four pishtaqs on the four sides of the Taj are framed by passages from the Quran in intricate calligraphy made from strips of jasper inlaid into marble panels.
The gardens are heavenly
Both the main gardens and the moonlight garden near the Yamuna River are designed to mirror the charbagh, the four gardens of heaven, emphasizing the influence of Islamic geometry.
Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal’s graves are elsewhere
While the inlaid marble cenotaphs of the royal couple stand beneath the main dome, their actual graves are hidden in an underground vault that has been closed to the public since the tomb was constructed.
The minarets are deliberately angled
The four towers marking the corners of the tomb serve as minarets, with stairways and balconies. They are angled slightly outwards to ensure safety in the event of an earthquake.
The Taj is flanked by a mosque and its mirror image
To the west of the main mausoleum is a red sandstone mosque that is still in use today. The identical building on the east side was constructed purely for symmetry.
The building’s exterior is discolored due to pollution
Up close, you may notice a yellow, green, and brown sheen on the Taj, caused by pollution from heavy industry and vehicle emissions in Agra.
The Taj has often been copied, but never equalled
Copies of the Taj Mahal have been built around the world, including the Bibi-qa-Maqbara in Aurangabad, although much less refined than the original.
The story of the Taj Mahal
The Taj didn’t spring into existence fully formed; it resulted from a generations-long process of architectural evolution throughout the Mughal period.
There are many legends of the Taj…
Many myths have grown up around the Taj, including that the craftspeople were mutilated so they could never build anything so beautiful again.
…as well as some controversies
Some Hindu nationalists claim that the Taj was built over the ruins of a Hindu temple, although such claims have been publicly debunked.
Everything you need to know to plan your trip to the Taj Mahal
What is the best time to visit the Taj?
The best time to explore the Taj Mahal is during the dry winter months, from October to March.
How long do you need at the Taj?
Allow at least three hours to explore the mausoleum and gardens.
What are the opening hours of the Taj?
The Taj is open from dawn to dusk, from Saturday to Thursday.
When do night tours take place?
For five nights around the full moon, the Taj is open during the nighttime for special tours.
How much does it cost to visit the Taj?
International visitors pay Rs 1100 entry, while Indian visitors pay just Rs 50.
Where are the best places to stay nearby?
Accommodation close to the monument in Taj Ganj may be more expensive, but offers stunning views of the mausoleum.
What’s the best way to travel around in Agra?
Haggle firmly for fair prices with rickshaw and taxi drivers in Agra, or consider using ride-share apps.
What is the dress code and etiquette at the Taj Mahal?
Dress respectfully, covering upper arms and legs, and be mindful of photography restrictions.
