Taj Mahal – India
Crown of Magnificient Monuments
Taj symbolizes India. Designed like a palace and finished like a jewel. Pure, gloriously perfect and superbly lovely and set amidst landscaped gardens and backed by a turquoise sky. It is the finest attraction and the most popular tourist spot of India. India is the land of culture and heritage.
Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and listed in the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Taj Mahal is a marble wonder, with exquisite ornamentation, and considered to be the Crown of Magnificient Monuments. The peerless monument portrays the beauty of eternal love! It is the commemoration of the memory of king Shah Jehan’s beloved wife Mumtaz. Taj Mahal is indeed India's rich tribute to womanhood. The Taj has been a visual delight for viewers over the ages. The serene beauty and pristine purity of this famed splendor leaves abiding impression on the beholder's mind. The Taj is a joy forever and for any imaginative visitor a rare experience.
The monument looks its best on clear full moon nights. It looks its spectacular best in the full moon nights of October, when the skies are clear and the Taj is bathed in the off-white moonlight. However, it is a delight even in the radiance of dawn and the orange glow of sunset. Make a trip to India and be prepared to get mesmerized by the magnificient white marble wonder Taj..!
Quick Facts:
· Highlights One of the Seven Wonders of the World
A UNESCO World Heritage site
· Year of Construction 1631
· Time taken to complete 22 years
· Built By Shah Jahan – Fifth Moghul Emperor
· Dedicated to Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Shah Jahan
Estimated money spent 35 million rupees
· Number of Artisans involved 20000
· Chief Architect Ustad Isa Khan
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Location:
The Taj is situated in the city of Agra in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is built on the banks of River Yamuna. The magnificient monument is easily accessible from all parts of India. It is 204 km from Delhi.
Best time to Visit: October to March
Timings: 6am to 7pm (closed on Fridays and public holidays)
Route Map:
View Larger Map
How to reach:
By Air There are daily flights of Indian Airlines that operate between Delhi and Agra. Kheria Airport in Agra is just about 6 km away from the center of then Agra city. You can hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the Taj Mahal.
By Road Agra is well connected to the rest of India by a wide network of roads. It can be easily reached by hiring cabs. Many private as well as government tour operators provide tourist buses from nearby cities on a daily basis. National highway numbers 2,3 and 11 pass through the city.
By Train
Agra is well connected by excellent train services to Delhi such as The Shatabdi Express (2 hrs), Taj Express (2.5 hrs), Intercity Express (3 hrs). The Railway stations are Agra Canti Rly Stn, Raja-ki-Mundi Rly Stn, Agra Fort Rly Stn
Local Transport
You can easily get taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw and cycle rickshaw in the city that will take you to your destination. Prepaid taxis are also available if you want to visit the various places near the city. Since, diesel and petrol vehicle are not permitted in the Taj Mahal area, you can find battery-operated buses, horse-driven tongas, rickshaws and other pollution-free vehicles there.
Places of Interest:
Taj Mahal:
This is the most extravagant monument ever built for love, this stunning white marbled mausoleum has become the de facto tourist emblem of India. It stands as the epitome of a man’s love for a woman. Shah Jahan invited master crafsmen from as far as Italy and Persia to help design his ambitious tribute to love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This perfectly symmetrical monument was built on a marble platform that stands above a sandstone one.The main central dome is a huge one and there are four more domes enclosing the main one. There are four tall minarets on the four sides. The entire building has delicate designs made on it, which are stuffed with precious stones and gems.
Agra Fort:
Situated near Taj Mahal, it was constructed by the Emperor Akbar in the year 1565. A beautiful example of Mughal architecture, Agra Fort is made up entirely of red sandstone and a number of magnificent buildings inside its complex.
Fatehpur Sikri:
This magnificent fortified city was the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1571 and 1585. Today, it remains a perfectly preserved example of a Mughal city at the height of the Empire's splendour.
Sikandar Fort:
Sikandara Fort is 4 km from Agra. This is the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Here you can see the sandstone and marble tomb. Akbar started its construction himself, blending Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Christian motifs and styles.
Dayal Bagh Temple:
This is the samadhi of the founder of Radha Swami faith, 'Swamiji Maharaj'. The main structure is a majestic building, 110 feet in height, built of pure white marble. The most impressive features of the samadhi are the detailed and exquisite carvings on the walls, arches and pillar capitals.
Chini Ka Roza:
This is the tomb of Afzal Khan, the persian poet and minister at Shah Jehan's court. This gets its name from the brightly coloured glazed tiles that decorate it.
Itmad – Ud – Daulah:
Itmad-ud-Daulah is the tomb of Mirza Ghyas Beg, a persian who had obtained service in Akbar Court. The Marvel tomb was made by Emperor Jehangir's Queen, Noorjahan, for his father Mirza Ghyas Beg during 1622-1628 A.D.
Taj Mahotsav:
Taj Mahotsav is celebrated at springtime February. Agra bursts into colourful celebrations of joy all around and gets transformed into one non-stop carnival. It is is indeed a fitting tribute to the legendary skills of mastercraftsman and other exponents of art, music and cuisine. The festivities commence with a spectacular procession inspired by mughal splendour. Bedecked elephanbts and camels, drum beaters, folk artistes and mastercraftsmen... all help recreate a visual delight reminiscent of the golden era of the Mughal Darbars.
Taj at Night:
The beauty of the Taj comes up as outstanding whenever you visit, whether its early morning or afternoon or evening. But, its splendor during nighttime, especially at moonlit nights, is beyond the scope of words. The rays of the moon, on a full moon night, light up the entire monument and lend it a faint silvery glow. It is believed to be one of the most romantic sights in the world.
Jehangiri Mahal:
Akbar built this as a private palace for his son, Jehangir. Jehangiri Mahal located north of the Amar Singh Gate is a mix of Central Asian and Hindu architecture. The Jehangiri Mahal is considered one of the important buildings constructed by Akbar. Nearby is the palace of Jodha Bhai, the Hindu wife of Akbar.
Bharathpur Bird Sanctuary:
Also called Keoladeo Ghana National Park, it is one of the finest water bird sanctuaries in the world. Spread over 40 sqkm area of swampy, lightly wooded terrain, the sanctuary attracts a great variety of species of birds especially the Siberian Cranes in the winter months. Hence it is considered as the ornithologist's paradise. It lies 57 km from Agra on Delhi-Jaipur highway. Season: October to February.
Where to Stay:
The excellent luxury hotels in Agra offer you the best ambience to relax and enjoy your tour to this historic city. Enjoy sightseeing during the day and evening and return to the lap of luxury and comfort of luxury hotels at night. Some of the best hotels are
· Hotel Howard Park Plaza, Agra
Where to Eat:
The Mughlai cuisine is a specialty of Agra and is served in a majority of the restaurants in Agra. The taste buds get stimulated, tongue comes out trickling droplets of saliva and stomach pledges for a bite once the aroma of popular food of Agra travels through the thin air into the mouth of the travellers. The scrumptious food of Agra is hard to resist. The baked meat, bread, chicken, kababs, Tandoori chicken, Tandoori fish are the most delicious dishes. Dalmoth and Petha are popular sweets of the region. Some of the best restaurants are
· Gulab Flower Decorators Old Shop
Shopping at Agra:
Regarding Shopping, Agra = Marble work. Yes, there are a plenty of fine shops, selling incredibly beautiful marble items, precious stones, jewelry boxes, quality jewelry, handicrafts, carpets and marble tabletops. You’ll have a lot to choose from and the prices are reasonable well.
Travel Tips:
· Do carry your cameras handycams with you with enough flash cards/memory stick/negative rolls, because agra is full of picturesque beauty.
· Switch off your cellphone and keep it separated from your backpack since the security guards will not allow you cellphone to take in at Taj Mahal.
· You can visit the world's most beautiful building Taj Mahal from sunrise to sunset.... but NOT on Friday. The other major attactions in Agra (Agra Fort, Akbar's Tomb and Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb) are open seven days of the week.
· Remember to pack rechargeable batteries(digicam), tissue paper, your personal medicine, sun cream ( March to Oct ), comfortable walking shoes, caps, water bottle, guide book, wet ones, woolens, raincoats ( Dec to Feb)
· Travel light and have a relaxed, unforgettable vacation…!
Thank You…!
Wishing You a happy and safe journey..!
