Taj Mahal has been the symbol of love and one of the seven wonders of the world. Its pictures don’t do justice to the true beauty which can be appreciated only with your own eyes.
While it is a romantic idea but you are not the only one planning to visit Taj, it is one of the most visited sites in India. Here are some tips that you can keep in mind to make your Taj Mahal experience wonderful
1. Stay in Oberoi Amarvilas Agra Hotel
If you have enough to splurge and want to admire the beauty of Taj Mahal in royal style then book a stay in Oberoi Amarvilas Agra Hotel. The View throughout the day from here is splendid. You can see the play of light with Taj Mahal an absolute treat to photographers and the romantic in you.
2. Visit early
The opening and closing hours depend upon sunrise and sunset. However, it will be a good idea to reach there early morning around 5:30. The ticket window opens around 6 am but the queue starts much before that. Besides if you are a photographer you will get good light for the shoot.
3. Be prepared to be pushed around
There will be a lot of crowd inside no matter what time of the day you go. So don’t mind if some people will push you a bit, be polite to them they will understand.
4. Best photo angle
To get the best photo shot you need to make your way to the edge of the pond and place your camera on the ground. This will ensure you get the water and a great shot of the whole building and it will also be straight and without any people in the way
5. Things you’re not allowed to carry
Due to security reasons, there are some things which are prohibited inside the Taj Mahal complex. When you enter, you’ll see checkpoints at every entrance gate. Day packs or large bags are not allowed; you can only carry small bags containing essential things. Food, smoking items, other tobacco products and drinks, mobile phone chargers and tripods are not allowed inside the Taj Mahal. So make sure you don’t carry these things. However, there are locker rooms at the entrance where you can keep such things, in case you get them by mistake. All you’re allowed to carry is your phone, camera and the water bottle that comes with your ticket.
Vehicles are also not permitted within 500 meters of the Taj Mahal.
6. Don’t miss Mehtab Bagh
Mehtab Bagh is a garden that was built across the river from the Taj Mahal and provides a stunning view of the back of the palace (which, thanks to its symmetrical shape is the same as the front). Visit at sunset for the full effect – the peace makes the view all the better.
7. Do you need a Guide
You will need a guide if you want to know all the history and related stories about the monument. Besides, they can help you get great pictures as they would know the perfect spots to capture a beautiful shot. The licensed guides here also have good knowledge about all the nearby places like the jewellery and handicraft studios and carpet showrooms, where you can shop for some exclusive souvenirs. But be careful there are a lot of people who pose as a guide without a license. I suggest if you get a licensed guide then only hire their services.
8. Taj Mahal at Full Moon
The mesmerising beauty of Taj Mahal is seen when the light of the moon falls on the white marble. You can experience this during the full moon – Taj Mahal is open at night, two days before and after the full moon. However, during these days, only 50 visitors are allowed inside the Taj Mahal at a time, and that too for a half-hour. So you will have to purchase your ticket a day in advance when you will also be given a time slot for the night visit.