I still remember my reaction the first time I saw it in real life, with my own eyes “ Woooooow! the story behind this monument, which is a of the seven wonders of the world! Want to visit the Taj Mahal? Read the article! You definitely need to add this tour to your world travel list !
taj mahal
HISTORY OF THE TAJ MAHAL
Why does the Taj Mahal exist? In what honor was it built? Mughal emperor Shah Jahan loved his (favorite) wife Arjumand Banu Begam desperately, so much so that they had 13 children together. However, his wife died after the birth of the 14th child. Shortly before her death, she asked her husband to build a monument as big as their love. So the emperor set out to build the Taj Mahal, which means crown of the palace, in honor of his wife.
taj mahal
I had seen lots of photos with the fountain in front of the Taj Mahal, and the reflection in the water. When I passed by, there was no water in the fountain 🙁
The problem is that the emperor was overthrown by his own son before the construction of the Taj Mahal was completed, and ended up in prison. The poor man therefore saw with his own eyes the end of the construction of the Taj Mahal from his cell, at Agra Fort. When he died, his body was transferred to the Taj Mahal, and he now lies next to his wife. For your information, the emperor planned to build two Taj Mahals, one for his wife, and one for himself! His wife’s is the one that exists today, and the second, his, must have been a black Taj Mahal! It would have been so stylish! Two Taj Mahals, one white, and right next to it a black one, connected by a bridge! In short, after being overturned, the Taj Mahal started was finished, but the construction of the second was never started!
Arriving a day before my visit from New Delhi , I was still able to see the Taj Mahal before going there. How come? There are several rooftops (open-air bar on the roof of a building), from where you can see the wonder of the world. You are spoiled for choice, everyone claims to have the “ best view of the Taj Mahal ”. Being in backpack mode, I do not recommend the Oberoi hotel , where you will pay even more for your drinks than in Paris ! I would say either the rooftop of the Kamal hotel , or the Saniya hotel .
The Kamal hotel is where I stayed, 5 minutes walk from the Taj Mahal, and they don’t market their rooftop too much (or rather I think it’s not in the guides). As a result, few people know that it exists, and having been there five or six times (easy, I was staying there!), I was almost always alone. Rooftop just for me, decent service, in an inexpensive location, with a view of the Taj Mahal I’ll point out one thing: you read rooftop but don’t expect anything bling bling. It’s a rustic place, and on site, plastic tables and chairs await you.
Otherwise, there is the rooftop of the Saniya hotel , a 5-minute walk from the Kamal hotel. This one is more famous, so unless you go early in the morning, there will always be people (and the best seats will be taken). The standard is a little higher, the prices too but the service is not necessarily better… My vote goes to the Kamal hotel, but don’t go there if you prefer classy places, with a certain standard… What about either on the rooftop of the Kamal hotel or the Saniya hotel, keep your eyes peeled! Monkeys are roaming around and can steal your belongings!
View from the Saniya Hotel. I was alone, I went there early in the morning
WHAT TIME TO VISIT THE TAJ MAHAL
I give the practical information below, but as you can imagine, such a popular wonder of the world is constantly invaded by tourists! To fully enjoy the Taj Mahal without feeling oppressed by the crowds, I strongly advise you, as I did, to go there when it opens at 6 a.m. There will already be people there, but it will be nothing compared to the world there is from 8 a.m., then all day! And then, by arriving early, you will be able to take photos almost alone in front of this wonder of the world!