Visit The Taj Mahal: Tips And Tricks To Discover Agra In India

True emblem of India, the Taj Mahal is a monument not to be missed during a visit of Agra. We give you all our advice to visit!

Located on the right bank of the Yamuna River, right in the middle of a gigantic Mughal garden of almost 17 hectares, close to the city of Agra in India , the Taj Mahal is today an emblematic monument, made of marble finely chiseled white. It is considered the most beautiful architectural jewel of Indo-Islamic art. So much reason to finally visit this famous monument! Here we explain how to get to Agra from New Delhi , and how to visit the Taj Mahal once there.

A complex and fascinating monument

It is before for its incredible architecture that the Taj Mahal attracts up to 4 million visitors each year, making it the most visited monument of India. The Taj Mahal for Indians is a real symbol, like the Eiffel Tower for France, the Statue of Liberty in the United States or Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.

The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and was completed in 1648. It was the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who decided to erect a monument in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died at the age of 40 years that she gave birth to their 14th child after 30 hours of work.

Multiple Architecture

If the mausoleum is the most famous place of the Taj Mahal, it should not reduce this building to this single room. Indeed, the Taj Mahal is a set of buildings, gardens, fountains and other bodies of water whose symmetry has been elaborately elaborated, all on a plot of 305 by 580 meters. The mosque, the main entrance and the guest pavilion and the outer courtyard were added in 1653. There are also two mosques.

It is behind the entrance patio, surrounded by arcades that the Taj Mahal truly offers a magical vision of all its splendor: when you look to the South, you will see a garden divided into 4 equal parts with marble terraces and a fountain in its center.

If you look to the North, the mausoleum and the annexes are available to you across the width of the garden. Finally, on the west side stands another mosque and to the east you will find a meeting hall.

How to visit the Taj Mahal from New Delhi?

It is recalled that the Taj Mahal is closed on Friday. To visit the Taj Mahal, you have to go to the city of Agra, which is just over 200 kilometers south of New Delhi.

To do so, several options are available to you:

The plane: international flights to New Delhi and you will have to find another way to get to Agra (then about 15-20 minutes drive to reach the Taj Mahal).

The train: Be careful, however, it is necessary to undertake this reservation a few days in advance because the trains – means of locomotion very popular – are quickly crowded. You have to go to New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) and the train will arrive at Agra Cantt Station (AGC). Travel time is 3 hours from New Delhi.

There are famous luxury trains available to Agra from Delhi. You can travel through Maharajas’ Express and Deccan Odyssey with their different itineraries.

Journey through Maharajas Express

Also Check

Journey through Deccan Odyssey

Also Check : Deccan Odyssey Route Map

To book a train tickets online, read in details how to book online maharajas express train ticket.

The car: you can rent one in New Delhi or get there by taxi, which will surely be the most practical solution in a country where traffic and driving are quite anarchic. Journey time: 5 hours.

The bus : it is also an option that will make you go from New Delhi to Agra in 5 hours (about 7 to 8 buses a day). It is recommended to take your ticket well in advance.

Enjoy being in Agra to visit the other monuments of the city.