Taj Mahal, Agra — Guide, History & Visiting Tips
The Taj Mahal is a white-marble mausoleum on the Yamuna in Agra, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Taj Mahal at a glance
- Built between about 1632 and 1653.
- The main mausoleum stands on a raised platform with four minarets, in a charbagh garden.
- The complex also has a red sandstone mosque and a matching building called the jawab.
- It is decorated with marble inlay (pietra dura) and Quranic calligraphy.
- The nearest railway station is Agra Cantt (Agra Cantonment); the nearest airport is Agra Airport (Kheria).
- The Taj Mahal was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
- The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays.
- A typical visit takes about 2 to 3 hours.
What a local guide shows you at Taj Mahal
Book a guide by the hour or for a day. See tour guides for Taj Mahal.
- The story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal
- The Great Gate and the charbagh garden
- The marble inlay work and the calligraphy
- The minarets and how the light changes across the day
- The mosque and the jawab
- The view of the Taj from Mehtab Bagh across the river
Photography at Taj Mahal
Rules on tripods, professional equipment, commercial shoots and drones apply at the Taj Mahal and can change. Check them with the official source and get permission where needed. Drone flying near the monument is restricted.
- Sunrise light across the garden
- The reflection in the long water channel
- Details of the inlay and calligraphy
- The view from Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna
Visiting tips for Taj Mahal
- Check current opening hours, ticketing and bag or tripod rules with the official source.
- It is closed on Fridays.
- Go early to avoid the crowds; winter mornings can be foggy.
- Timings, ticket prices and entry rules change, so check the official source before you go.
Nearby: places to combine with Taj Mahal
- Agra Fort (Agra) — Agra Fort is a red-sandstone Mughal fort on the west bank of the Yamuna, about 2.5 km from the Taj Mahal.
- Mehtab Bagh (Agra) — Mehtab Bagh is a garden complex on the opposite bank of the Yamuna from the Taj Mahal, known for its view of the monument across the river.
- Itimad-ud-Daulah (Agra) — Itimad-ud-Daulah, often called the Baby Taj, is a marble tomb on the east bank of the Yamuna in Agra, known for its fine inlay work.
More about Taj Mahal
Become a tour guide or photographer at Taj Mahal
If you know Taj Mahal and Agra well, you can post your tour on Myna24; if you shoot, you can post your photography service. Set your own hourly and per-day price and get booked. Guests pay a 10% booking fee online and the remaining 90% directly to you.
These buttons open the Tours or Photography section of the Myna24 home page, where you can post your service. More: tour guide jobs in Agra · photography jobs in Agra · part-time jobs in Agra.
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Taj Mahal — frequently asked questions
Where is Taj Mahal?
Taj Mahal is in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
What type of place is Taj Mahal?
Taj Mahal is a mausoleum in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
Is Taj Mahal a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
The Taj Mahal was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
When is Taj Mahal closed?
The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays.
How long does a visit to Taj Mahal take?
A typical visit takes about 2 to 3 hours, depending on how much you want to see. Timings, ticket prices and entry rules change, so check the official source before you go.
What are some quick facts about Taj Mahal?
Built between about 1632 and 1653. The main mausoleum stands on a raised platform with four minarets, in a charbagh garden. The complex also has a red sandstone mosque and a matching building called the jawab. It is decorated with marble inlay (pietra dura) and Quranic calligraphy. The nearest railway station is Agra Cantt (Agra Cantonment); the nearest airport is Agra Airport (Kheria).
Can I combine Taj Mahal with other nearby places?
Yes. Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh and Itimad-ud-Daulah, in Agra, are close enough to visit on the same day as Taj Mahal.
Is the Taj Mahal open on Fridays?
No. The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays.
Who built the Taj Mahal and why?
The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had it built in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction ran from about 1632 to 1653.
How far is the Taj Mahal from Delhi?
Agra is about 200 to 230 km from Delhi: roughly three to four hours by road on the Yamuna Expressway, or under two hours on the fast Gatimaan Express.
Can I book a local tour guide for Taj Mahal?
Yes. On Myna24 you can book a local guide by the hour or for a full day. Guides set their own prices, you pick a free date, and you pay a 10% booking fee online when you book, and the remaining 90% directly to the provider.
Can I book a photographer for Taj Mahal?
Yes. On Myna24 you can book a photographer by the hour or for a full day, see their portfolio first, and pay a 10% booking fee online. Check the rules for this place before a shoot.
Questions? Chat with Myna24 support on WhatsApp +91 81888 33003.