Taj Mahal: Last symbol of love and UNESCO World Heritage Site in India

Taj Mahal is at its best, on any full moon day. It is open five nights a month; two days before the full moon day and two days after the full moon day and the full moon day, except during the holy Islamic month of Ramadan. Opening hours are at 6 am. Closing time is at 7:00 p.m. It is closed on Fridays. However, Muslims can pray at the mosque here on Fridays, between 12 noon and 2 pm.

There is a beautiful Charbagh-style garden (quadrangle garden) right in front of the Taj Mahal. Charbagh Symbolizes the four gardens of Paradise, which is described in the Holy Quran.

Emperor Shah Jahan built this Great Mausoleum. He was dethroned by Emperor Aurangzeb, his third son, who reigned from 1658 to 1707. Shah Jahan was imprisoned in Agra Fort, which is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, overlooking the Taj.

Persian architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori is the main architect of the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan is believed to have cut off the architect’s hands to prevent him from designing another one like this one!

If you want to take photos, there are professional and freelance photographers who will help you for a small fee. Please ask for their rates in advance. If you need to get hard copies of the photos, there are plenty of studios near the Taj.

There is a limit of tourists who can visit this UNESCO historical site. The number is capped at 40,000 Indian tourists per day. Once this number is crossed, Indian tourists must pay Rs 1000 instead of Rs 40. Foreigners are charged a fee of 1,000 Indian rupees. On Deepavali day and some other holidays, Indian tourists flock to this place and if you are planning to visit on those days, be ready to shell out the increased charges.

Agra Cantonment and Agra Fort are the closest major railway stations to this white marble wonder of the world. These two stations are well connected to almost all parts of India.

If you plan to travel by road from New Delhi, the capital of India, take the Delhi-Agra Yamuna expressway. It takes about 2 hours or a little more by road. National Highway No 2 (old number) also connects New Delhi with Agra. This road has higher traffic compared to the first road.

Agra Civil Enclave is the airport of Agra. It is connected to the nearest major international airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IG International Airport) in New Delhi.