Where is the Taj?
The immaculate Taj stands on the banks of river Yamuna in
Agra. Agra is a beautiful city in the
state of Uttar Pradesh in the northern India. The city of Taj, at a distance
of 204 km, lies to the south of Delhi. The historical city is referred to as
Agraban in the great Hindu epic Mahabharata and is the sister city of
Mathura.
How will you gain access?
The Agra Airport lies at a distance of 7 km from the city centre and 3km
from the Idgah Bus stand. Indian Airlines flight operate daily from Agra to
places like Khajuraho and Varanasi. Delhi is just 40 minutes away from Agra.
Buses ply regularly from the Idgah Bus stand connecting Agra to Delhi,
Jaipur, Mathura etc. The city of Agra is also well connected by rail-network
to Delhi, Varanasi and cities of Rajasthan.
What are the timings and the entry charges?
The Taj Mahal remains open from 06-00 hours to 19-00 hours daily except
Fridays. For Indians of 12 years and above the entry fee is Rs. 20 per head.
Rs. 750 is charged per head for the foreigners. During sunset and sunrise a
fee of Rs. 110 is charged per head from the Indians. Fridays provide free
entries from 12-00 hours to 14-00 hours for customary prayers.
What does the past say?
The Majestic Taj, a symbol of architectural perfection, beckons to a
glorious and vibrant past.
The Taj was erected by the 5th Mughal emperor Shahjahan in memory of his
consort Mumtaz Mahal. The real name of Mumtaz Mahal was Arjumand Bano. The
beautiful Arjumand Bano always stood by the emperor, both in good and bad
times. The Mausoleum is an unparalleled tribute of a husband to his beloved.
Since the 17th century travellers have crossed continents to have a glimpse
of this marvellous structure on earth. The splendid structure has been
affecting millions including artists, painters, musicians, writers and poets
for ages.
What goes behind the architecture?
The Taj is a magnificent piece of architectural perfection. Its flawless
beauty is unmatched even today and will remain to be so till the world
exists. The massive complex consists of a main gateway, a beautifully-laid
garden, a mosque and a prayer house enclosed within outer walls.
The construction of the Taj Mahal began in the year 1631 and
continued for about 22 years. 20,000 labourers toiled and moiled to create
this splendid structure. The construction materials were brought in from all
over India and 1000 elephants were employed to take the materials to
the
construction site. The dome is built in white marble. The Taj Mahal appears
most intoxicating on a moonlit night as the semi-precious stones reflect the
rays of the moon. The mausoleum appears to be of different colours at
different hours of the day. It wears a pinkish look in the morning, a milky
white look in the evening and is golden when the moon shines upon it.
What are the nearby attractions?
» Agra Fort
The Agra Fort is an effort of three Mughal emperors. While at Agra, one
should never miss the fort. It attracts huge number of visitors from far and
wide. The gigantic structure houses numerous must-visit attractions.
» Itamad-ud-Daulah's Tomb
The Itamad-ud-Daulah's Tomb was built by Noor Jehan in memory of her father
Mirza Ghyas Beg. The beautiful structure presents some intricate carvings
and exquisite inlay works.
» Sikandara
Sikandara is located at a distance of 10 km from Agra. The tomb of Akbar
symbolises a magic mix of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Jain
themes. It's a not-to-be-missed site.
Which are the nearby hotels?
Hotel Jaypee Palace, Agra is a 5-star deluxe hotel that presents a perfect
blend of Mughal architectural opulence and modern design sensibility. The
state-of-the-art facilities can leave you enthralled. The Taj View Hotel is
less than a kilometre from the Taj Mahal. The hotel provides all the 5-star
facilities catering to the needs of the tourists and visitors. The Oberoi
Amarvilas is another 5-star located at a distance of mere 600 metres from
the Taj. Hotel Mansingh Palace is a 3-star and provides with special
Taj-view rooms. All the basic amenities are provided here.
Where should you shop?
The miniature Taj Mahal can be among the best buys. If you return without a
mini Taj Mahal, your tour is considered to be incomplete. Besides Agra deals
in leather products and there a number of leather industries here. So
leather goods are the other major buys of the tourists and visitors. There
are numerous shops and stalls near and around the Taj Mahal selling
embroidered items, jewellery, brass ware and other fabulous handicrafts.
Agra is also famous for its sweets; Petha and Gazak. The chief shopping
areas of the city are Sadar Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Raja Ki Mandi, Sanjay Place
and the Taj Mahal Complex.
