Beyond the postcard-perfect facade that has graced countless travel magazines lies a world of architectural magnificence and artistic detail that few truly take the time to discover. While millions photograph its iconic silhouette, only a premium experience inside Taj Mahal Agra can help you appreciate the unnoticed details of the monument. Read on to know how to make your Taj Mahal visit the most phenomenal.
What is the Taj Mahal?
It is beyond the pale to limit a monument so exquisite to a few sentences, but here is our attempt to justify its beauty. The Taj Mahal is certainly the world’s most celebrated embodiment of love. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631. Struck by grief, he wanted to build a mausoleum so majestic that no one could rival it. Safe to say, his wish came true– no monument can truly rival the magnificence of the Taj. Owing to its captivating beauty & heritage, the Taj Mahal was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
What to see inside Taj Mahal, Agra?
What took 22 long years & 22,000 to build, diffidently deserves hours worth of exploration. A premium experience inside the Taj Mahal will reveal to you the unseen perspectives. The guide ahead captures the essence of what you could experience at the marvel.
Darwaza-i-Rauza– the Great Gate
As you approach the wonder through the Great Gate (Darwaza-i-Rauza), you’ll naturally pause in your steps to appreciate your first glance at the Taj Mahal. Once you’ve taken in the first view, you’ll realize how the gate isn’t merely an entrance. Majorly built in red sandstone, the gate’s intricate arabesque designs and calligraphy in black marble are captivating to observe. The verses inlaid here, in sophisticated thuluth script, invite the pure of heart inside, what is symbolically considered a paradise.
The Charbagh: Paradise Gardens
Inspired by the Persian Timurid gardens, the Taj Garden which unfolds before you, follows sacred Islamic geometrical principles. Each of the four sections contains 16 flowerbeds, divided by raised pathways. The reflecting pools along the central walkway show you perhaps the most privileged perspectives of the Taj – here, on a still morning, you’ll find the mausoleum perfectly mirrored in the water, creating an ethereal double image that reminds you of the earthly and heavenly realms.
Lady Diana Bench
At the edge of these serene gardens sits a seemingly normal marble bench. It was here, in 1992, that Princess Diana was photographed sitting alone, with the magnificent Taj mausoleum in the background. This picture has become one of the most poignant royal images of the century. The “Diana Bench” as it’s affectionately known, draws visitors who seek to recreate this famous moment.
The Main Mausoleum
As you move closer to the main dome, you’ll witness details on the marble facade, which were otherwise unnoticeable. The marble itself, sourced from Makrana, Rajasthan, is so finely worked that it appears almost translucent at the edges. The bulbous dome, the crown of the Taj, is a masterpiece in itself of geometric precision. Its height is exactly equal to the length of the base. The four minarets that surround it are deliberately leaning slightly outwards, so as to fall away from the mausoleum in the unfortunate case of a calamity.
Pietra Dura: The Detail in Every Corner
The pietra dura (Parchin Kari) inlay work that adorns the mausoleum exterior deserves unhurried appreciation. Each flower, vine, and geometric pattern is made out of semi-precious stones – lapis lazuli, jade, crystal, turquoise, and coral, among others. Some of the inlay work even appears almost three-dimensional. The artists were so precise with the inlay that you’ll find it impossible to slip even a needle between the joints.
Once you’re inside the mausoleum, take time to admire the interior dome, which rises 35 meters high. Those who visit during the quiet hours at dawn are privileged to listen to the wind’s low whistles & echoes by the dome. The central chamber houses the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, enclosed by an exquisite marble screen. Few realize that those are actually replicas – the real tombs lie in a quiet crypt right below.
The Flanking Gates
The red sandstone gates that flank the main mausoleum are often overlooked but are nonetheless a significant part of the symmetry that the Taj is famed for. The western mosque, still active for the locals’ Friday prayers, is matched by its jawab (answer) on the eastern side, which served as a guesthouse.
Taj Mahal Agra Visiting Hours
The Taj Mahal’s gates open at dawn, 30 minutes before sunrise & close 30 minutes after sunset. True luxury lies not in haste– we recommend reaching early for a premium sunrise tour of the Taj. To admire the monument at sunset, one can visit the Mehtab Bagh, overlooked by the Taj itself.
FAQs
Luxury hotels in Agra are as exquisite as the Taj. The Oberoi Amarvilas tops the list. Other great options include the Taj Hotel & Convention Center, ITC Mughal & Radisson.
Agra and Taj Mahal are synonymous to most travelers at this point. However, this charming old city has more sites to reveal its long history & heritage to you. As time allows, visit the Agra Fort, Baby Taj (Itimad-ud-Daulah) & Mehtab Bagh. An off-beat site to discover is the Fatehpur Sikri, a destination flocked by most tourists on their way from Agra to Jaipur.
Pietra Dura is the colorful marble inlay work that adorns the white marble facade of the Taj Mahal. This phenomenal artwork has been passed down generations & still practiced by the descendant families. Booking a tour in Agra with TRAVELOSEI allows you to experience & discover this fascinating craft closely with insightful interactions at these workshops.
The best time to witness the Taj Mahal is unquestionably at sunrise. The sight of the first sunrays of the day hitting its pure white marble dome is surreal. Do note that early morning hours are foggy during winters, especially during December & January. Plan your sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal accordingly.
