Agra Taj Mahal- Symbol of Love

Early morning is the best time to visit the Taj Mahal not only because you can beat the crowds, but also because you can see it at its most stunning. As the morning glow increases, the rising red sun accompanied by the morning mist of the Yamuna River sprinkles the pure white semi-circular dome with golden-orange light, as if to awaken the Taj Mahal from a sound sleep.

Try to arrive at the site at around 5:15 am when there are fewer visitors, then find a quiet place to sit down and admire this remarkable monument majestically revealing itself. You can imagine the heart-touching love story of Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

The Taj Mahal has two kinds of entry tickets for foreign tourists. One is 1,100 rupees (about 16 US dollars), which only allows you to reach the platform where the left and right mosques of the Taj Mahal are located to see the Taj Mahal from a distance. The other ticket costs 1,300 rupees (about 19 US dollars), and enables you to enter the main mausoleum. The latter is more recommended!

At the entrance of the main mausoleum, you can marvel at the beautiful Quranic inscriptions and the gemstones engraved on the wall and appreciate their detail. After entering the mausoleum, you can see two stone sarcophagi: the large one is for Shah Jahan, and the smaller one, is for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. They were actually buried under the sarcophagus. Given a tip, the staff in the mausoleum will use a flashlight to light up the charming pattern on the marble which is just stunning!

Find a Licensed Tour Guide for a Better Experience

As a magnificent, centuries-old monument, the Taj Mahal carries deep architectural, historical and cultural connotations that are hard to understand by searching on the internet. That's why you need a professional, knowledgeable guide who can not only help you buy the best ticket, go through the security check, etc., but also tell you the stories behind this fascinating site.

Note: Some people inside the Taj Mahal claim to be tour guides, but they may not have the qualifications. It is best to find a licensed one through a travel agency in advance.