Known throughout the world, the Taj Mahal is India’s most famous monument. Listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site, the sublime white marble mausoleum is also one of the 7 wonders of the new world. It is located in Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, one of the most populous states in India with a population of over 200 million.
History of the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal, meaning “the palace of the crown”, is located in the north of the country, in Agra. And it is the result of perhaps one of the most beautiful Indian love stories.
When his beloved wife died in childbirth, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan decided to build her a mausoleum in memory of her beauty and love. Inconsolable, he started construction in 1631, with more than 20,000 workers. The white marble used for the construction of the mausoleum was quarried 200 km from the city and transported by a thousand elephants.
Under the dome, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz rest, finally reunited for eternity, thus representing a true symbol of love.
Visiting the Taj Mahal, tip 1: get up very early!
I advise you to arrive at the site as soon as it opens, that is to say at sunrise. There are 3 access points to visit Taj Mahal: the eastern, western and southern gates. The first two are open from sunrise to sunset, the last only opens at 8 a.m. Be in front of one of the west or east entrances around 5:30 a.m., to be among the first visitors to the site. This way, you will avoid the tourist buses which generally arrive around 8am.
It is also much more pleasant to appreciate the first rays of the sun on the white marble monument, encrusted with precious stones, in the peace and quiet. At sunrise or sunset, the Taj Mahal changes color from pink to golden yellow. Take advantage of this to take as many photos as possible.
Visit the Taj Mahal, tip 2: Allow between 2 and 3 hours on site
To tour the site and appreciate it as much as possible, I advise you to stay between 2 and 3 hours there. The usual route consists of passing through the doors, first discovering the mausoleums in the inner courtyard, admiring the South door and passing through the very pretty gardens. Next comes the large marble terrace. Here you have to wear slippers to preserve the large white stone slabs as much as possible.
It is here that you will fall under the spell of the Taj Mahal, discovering the main mausoleum. This place is magical and the atmosphere is very special, almost mystical. The architecture of great finesse, decorated with inlaid stones, is simply sublime. It’s incredible to imagine the history of the site, the disproportionate and colossal works that they represented.
Visit the Taj Mahal in India, my advice
Visiting the Taj Mahal, tip 3: Take only the bare essentials to the site
The rules for accessing the Taj Mahal site are very strict, and you will have to go through an airport-style security check. Do not bring a pack of cigarettes (even electronic ones) or a lighter, no scissors or a pocketknife. I advise you to be careful with your photo equipment; take a classic device and don’t take any risks with a Go Pro or a Dji Mimo… For fear of seeing them confiscated. Limit yourself to the bare minimum: your camera, your cell phone, and a travel guide, if it is not too bulky since otherwise it may not be accepted.
A site to protect
To protect this exceptional site, the Indian government has decided to limit the number of visitors authorized each day.
On average, between 10,000 and 15,000 people visit the Taj Mahal every day. But this figure could reach 70,000 visitors on weekends. Since 2018, authorities have limited the number of tourists to 40,000 people allowed each day. The restriction will not concern foreign tourists, who pay 1,000 rupees (13 euros), but only Indians, who pay an entry ticket of 40 rupees.
You should know that the white marble mausoleum set with precious stones must also undergo regular restorations to prevent it from yellowing due to air pollution.