There’s a lot that has been said about the Taj Mahal, known around the world as the symbol of love Shah Jahan had for his wife Mumtaz. It’s not only the pride of the country, but it’s also India’s most iconic site. What’s interesting is how the front gate doesn’t give you a very clear picture of what you’re in for. That’s until you reach the actual entryway at the arch gate and start witnessing the lush green garden courts. But there are a few things you should know before you enter the premises. So let’s back up a little.
What Are The Ticket Prices?
The price of a ticket here would depend on your nationality. Here’s the updated price for the year 2021.
Indian: INR 50 + INR 200 for the main mausoleum
SAARC and BIMSTEC: INR 540 + INR 200 for the main mausoleum
Foreigners: INR 1100 + INR 200 for the main mausoleum
How Do You Get Inside The Taj Mausoleum?
To get inside the mausoleum, there are three gates, which are the East Gate, West Gate, and South Gate. They’re all situated in different areas, and you can choose the one which is closer to where you’re staying or coming from. Do note that the South Gate only opens up at 8 am. One important thing that you should keep in mind is that there’s a distance of 1 km separating the main entrance and the ticket booth. So you’ll have to either walk the distance, or you even have the option of getting a rickshaw.
Visiting The Taj Mahal For Sunrise
Now, even though the marvelous site gets countless visitors daily, most people miss out on experiencing one of the most beautiful sights and feelings there can be. And that is experiencing the sunrise from the Taj Mahal. Doesn’t matter if you’ve already visited the place; you should do it again, if only for this unique experience.
Why Is The Sunrise At The Taj Mahal Special?
You get to witness the sunrise from behind the palace shine on the entire mausoleum. The sight of the sun’s rays reflecting against the ivory-white marbles is magical. At this time of the day, the crowd at the site is relatively smaller, so you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings with a bright, gleaming sun slowly lighting up the entire sky.
Visiting the Taj Mahal during sunrise means that the queue won’t be too long either. So, in about 15 minutes, give or take, you should be in. It’s also the best time to get great pictures with no tourists (or fewer) in your frame. Even if you’re not a morning person, we strongly recommend this experience. Witnessing the Taj Mahal turn gold is worth it.
Experiencing Sunset From Mehtab Bagh
Mehtab Bagh is another beautiful place that warrants a visit. You’ll love the lovely view of the Yamuna River and the Taj Mahal from the garden. Mehtab Bagh has the reputation of being a famous sunset spot, and rightly so. For some reason, it’s really underrated and yet the best spot to experience a sunset with the Taj Mahal in the backdrop.
You can spot the sun setting on the beautiful Taj Mahal. The garden gives you a great view of the Taj Mahal from the backside, but makes sure you don’t have to face the same amount of crowd. You can feel the difference in the crowd once you visit the mausoleum during the day, and come here for sunset or simply lie back and relax peacefully.
Unstumbled Tip: Even though there will be relatively fewer people early in the morning, it’ll still be crowded. It’s the Taj Mahal after all. Even reaching the ticket booth at 6 am might not be enough because you’ll definitely see a queue of people already waiting to get in. So we would suggest you reach there at 5:30 am, at the latest. Sooner will be better.
If you’re visiting in December and January, sunrise might not be the best time to visit the Taj Mahal. Purely because during those months, Agra gets extremely foggy. So you won’t be able to enjoy the spectacular sight of the Taj Mahal during sunrise. In that case, we would suggest that you visit around 10 am. Or maybe just plan your trip taking these factors into account.
FAQs
Is It Allowed To Go Inside Taj Mahal?
Yes, you can go inside the Taj Mahal, but you’ll be screened and shouldn’t be carrying stuff like drones, tripods, electronics, tobacco products, hazardous substances, and eatables.
Is Phone Allowed In Taj Mahal?
Yes, you’re allowed to carry your phones inside the Taj Mahal. But they must be either switched off or in silent mode. Keep in mind that you can’t carry phone chargers inside the Taj Mahal.
Is There A Dress Code For Taj Mahal?
There’s no dress code for visiting the Taj Mahal; you could wear something that suits the hot summers and cool winters, depending on when you’re visiting.
Are Shoes Allowed In Taj Mahal?
Shoes aren’t allowed within the main mausoleum, i.e. the main building. But everywhere else within the Taj Mahal complex, shoes are allowed.
What Is The Best Time To See Taj Mahal?
If you’re visiting during the summer months, try reaching the Taj Mahal early in the morning as it’ll be less crowded and you can explore the place before it gets too hot. In the winter months, you could visit after 10 am.
Can You Take Pictures Inside The Taj Mahal?
Photography is allowed in the Taj Mahal, but keep in mind that it’s banned inside the main mausoleum.
How Do I Get Tickets To The Taj Mahal?
You can get tickets to the Taj Mahal from either the East Gate or the West Gate. But if you want to book your tickets online, you can visit the official website of the Taj Mahal.
Which Agra Station Is Near To Taj Mahal?
Agra Fort Railway Station is closest to the Taj Mahal, about 3 km away from the monument.
Is DSLR Camera Allowed In Taj Mahal?
You can bring your DSLR cameras to the Taj Mahal, but photography is prohibited within the main mausoleum.
Is Uber Available In Agra?
Yes, you can avail yourself of cab services like Uber and Ola in Agra.
