India’s Taj Mahal
Completed in 1653, there is no greater architectural rose than the Taj Mahal. The beloved favourite wife of a Mughal emperor died at childbirth, and such was his grief that he commissioned 20,000 craftsmen to construct this timeless mausoleum, a feat accomplished in 22 years. My fellow travellers in India were debating whether a visit to the country would be complete without seeing it, so I decided to visit Agra on my last day and see for myself. The 18-hour odyssey it took me to get there and back, battling rip-offs and crowds, was intense, but the beauty of seeing the Taj glow in the sunset was unforgettable. In the end, the heartache and the beauty of my visit came to symbolize my month in India, and the Taj Mahal itself.
Length of Trip : Half day if staying in Agra, full day if visiting from Delhi.
Cost :
Click here for the latest entry fees.
Best time to go : Sunrise and sunsets are particularly magical.
Wheelchair friendly : Yes
Family friendly : Yes
Where to eat :
There are dozens of restaurants close to the South and East gates. For a drink with the Taj in the background, try the Terrace Grill in the Howard Plaza Hotel. Another highly-rated dining option in Agra is Peshawri, located in the ITC Mughal
Official Site :
The Taj Mahal
Where to Stay :
If you're spending the night in Agra, the Howard Plaza is located less than one kilometre from the West Gate.
If you want to keep the theme, try the luxury Taj Mahal in Delhi
Getting There :
You can either fly to Agra from Delhi, or take the train (which certainly adds to the adventure).
There are about 20 daily departures between the two cities. It's doable if a little challenging on the nerves to visit Agra in one day from Delhi.
Note from Robin :
Best piece of advice: If crowds are insane, head to the South Gate (about 250m walk from the East Gate). Men and women are separated and searched, and they confiscate a weird assortment of things: calculators, tripods, food, charging wires, essentially everything but your camera. It doesn't make much sense, but rest assured it won't be the first time you'll be scratching your head in India. You can pick everything up on your way out. Be aware of locals who offer to take your picture. They're doing it for money, even if they don't volunteer that information at first. Be sure to bargain with your auto-rickshaw/taxi drivers. A rule of thumb: things cost about 40% of whatever you're quoted. Also watch out for fake train ticket scams at the Delhi station. Use your common sense, and you'll be fine! When you see the Taj sparkle in the sunset, it will all be worth it!
