And how to have a picture without people behind you!
The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous monuments in India, and for many (at least in South America ) is almost all they know about the country.
Visiting the Taj Mahal was one of my dreams for many years and although I had no great expectations, I was very impressed when I was finally able to stand in front of it and walking around the gardens.
A bit of the story behind the Taj Mahal
The main construction is having a majestic and imposing architecture and does not leave indifferent to any visitors. The Taj Mahal complex was created by Emperor Shah Jahan (meaning ‘ King of the World ‘ ) in honor of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Something I didn’t know was that she was also his traveling companion and they toured together the Mughal empire.
The Taj Mahal is not only the white and spectacular mausoleum that everyone knows ( yes, it’s a mausoleum where the tomb of the two are located ) is quite a complex that includes other structures.
Built between years 1631-1648 in the city of Agra on the banks of Yamuna River. It has elements of Hindu culture and Persian and Turks motifs.
It has 3 doors and on both sides, there are two buildings: a mosque and another building exactly the same that was used as a meeting place for big ceremonies.
So … how I managed to get me that picture with no one behind me?
Simple:
- You get to the gate of Taj Mahal at 5 am. You wait and be among the first to enter.
- As soon as you pass the security point you have to walk very fast to the complex entrance.
- If you are with someone you give him/her your camera and hurry before all tourists get there.
*** In my case I was alone there, then the guard at the door, yells at me kindly and said…run! Then the second guard at the entrance of the complex was grabbing my camera and telling me to pose in this silly way.
While I was there I could see hundreds of people arriving and I could have the first picture of the day before the arrival of all the tourists!
I thought I was going to be charged a tip or something but it seems he did it just to make this tourist happy 😉
The tickets values are:
1000 INR for foreigners
530 INR to nationals of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries
40 INR for Indian citizens
- You can buy a ticket that includes admission to other sites in Agra at a better price
- Children under 15 are free.
- Official Website https://www.tajmahal.gov.in
TO CONSIDER WHEN VISITING THE TAJ MAHAL
- Taj Mahal is a World Heritage site by UNESCO
- The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
- There are lockers to store your stuff.
- Free on the south entrance and 750 meters east gate at Shilpgram, and charged on the West entrance.
- There is filtered water available in the doors east and west.
- You must use shoe covers inside the monument.
- It is allowed to carry water bottle pint.
- It is forbidden to smoke and eat on the site.
- Cell phones must be turned off in the area.
- It’s not allowed to enter: Chargers of any electronic equipment, knives, books, big bags/backpacks, headphones.
- PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKE A NOTE:Â it’s not allowed to bring tripods to the complex and is forbidden to take pictures inside the mausoleum.
Agra is just an amazing travel destination, I have been there twice.
I would love to go back again and again. I love the Taj a lot.
Thanks for your amazing travel guide and your photos are mind-blowing.
Beautiful pics! Do you buy the tickets before you arrive or at the entrance at 5:00 AM?
Than you very much! Yeah, the ticket place opens early too, it was a few meters from the entry then, I guess it’s the same still
so how did you take your pictures without a tripod?
It was the guard offering me to take my pictures! hahaahaha
Nice information about Taj Mahal . Kindly change the prices for entrance ticket.
Great pics! Im travelling to India in August to do the golden triangle. Can you please tell me what the weather was like when you visited. I know its monsoon season but does it rain constantly.
Hi Rahima,
Thank you so much for your comment! I was there right before the Monsoon season so it was really really hot. Raining a bit, but nothing to stop going out and explore.
ahhhhhhh that would have been so perfect and simple if it wasn’t for the fog! We just visited the Taj Mahal, and even at 8pm was nearly impossible to see it due to all the dense fog. Obviously by 8am there was already about a “million” people there! haha
Still a beautiful site though 🙂
Northern India in January is a big NO.
You really got the perfect shots 🙂
Hi, Telma! I’m glad you still had a great journey there instead of the fog. I have to tell you….I was there in May/August during their summer…then is a real NO! lol
Everyday 45º or 50ºC was crazy!!
Great idea and a great post too. I’ve always wanted to go to India. One of my top places to visit but now living and focusing on Europe as my husband and two young children have relocated from Australia. I’m from El Salvador so lots of living and travelling abroad has happened in my life 🙂 Great photos by the way.
Hi Maria! Many thanks for your kind words and I’m very happy for your travels too. India it’s a great destination but maybe start with Europe while your kids grow up it’s good idea too 😉
Early bird gets the worm! Beautiful photos!
Thank you very much!
That third photo is my favorite! Excellent shot!
Thank you very much Joseph! Appreciate it!
Well, getting up early and running into the Taj Mahal was sure worth it! Your pictures look amazing. Good job!
Thank you Brenda! Totally worth it! Actually my whole travel in India was very early as I was there in summer and just mornings and nights were a bit more fresh to go out and explore, lol
Great tips – Taj Mahal is on my bucket list.
Thank you Dana, hope you can get there soon! It’s so beautiful!
Great tips! I’ll be there in two weeks and see if I’m able to do the same!
Cool Eric! Hope you enjoy your trip!!! Watch out the monkeys are evil in Agra! 😛
Good tips! My friend did the same thing (run in when it opens) and I plan to do the same when I visit!
Good idea! Best wishes for your trip Tamara!!!