The Taj Mahal - On the banks of river Yamuna in Agra - Uttar Pradesh - India

The Taj Mahal is the epitome of Mughal art and one of the most famous buildings in the world. 

City: Agra, on the banks of river Yamuna

State: Uttar Pradesh

Distance from Delhi: 204 Km (approx)

Location: On the banks of river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Year of Construction: 1631 - 1653

Built By: Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan

Number of workers: 20,000

Highlights: One of the Seven Wonders of the World; A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Spread Over: 42 acres

Significance: One of the Seven Wonders of the World

Time Taken: 22 years

Dedicated to: Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Bano Begum), the wife of Shah Jahan

Building Type: Islamic tomb

Architecture: Mughal (Combination of Persian, Islamic and Indian architecture style)

Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri

Cost of Construction: 32 crore rupees

Timings: Sunrise to Sunset (Friday closed)

Fee: Rs 750 (Foreign Tourists)

Rs 510 (Citizens of SAARC & BIMSTEC Countries)

Rs 20 (Domestic Indian Tourists)

No Entry Fee for children below 15 years of age (Domestic or Foreigner)

Taj Mahal was built in 22 years (1631-1653) with the orders of Shah Jahan and it was dedicated to Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Bano Begum), the wife of Shah.Standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is synonymous to love and romance. The name "Taj Mahal" was derived from the name of Shah Jahan's wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and means "Crown Palace". 20.000 workers labored and 32 crore rupees were spent during the construction of the monument and it was built according to Islamic architecture. It is one of the Unesco world heritage site.The location for Taj Mahal was clearly a well thought out decision by Shah Jahan who chose a peaceful site about one and a half miles away from Agra at the southern edge of the city at the banks of river Yamuna. This location also had a strategic importance for the emperor, as it could be seen from his palace in the Agra Fort. 

The paradise-like garden is the very impressing part of the complex. The square garden is divided into four parts with two main walkways. Each of these four parts is also divided into four with narrower walkways, therefore, creating sixteen squares.Like in other northern India cities, Agra weather is extreme and tropical. Summers are very hot ( over 40 degrees Celsius) and winters are cold. And the Monsoon season heavy rains are occupying the city.The most proper time for a comfortable visit to Agra is probably from November to April. 

Tourist Places Near Taj Mahal

There are many tourist places near by The Taj Mahal Like Agra Fort, Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra, Fatehpur Sikri,Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb, Mankameshwar Temple,Ram Bagh,Swami Bagh Samadhi,Vrindavan and Other popular nearby attractions include Jama Masjid, built for Shah Jahan's daughter; Guru ka Tal, a holy place of worship for Sikhs; Chini Ka Rauza, dedicated to Prime Minister of Shah Jahan; Mariam's Tomb, wife of Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great; Mehtab Bagh, a moonlit garden; and Keetham Lake.

Shopping Near The Taj Mahal Agra

Your Taj Mahal tour is incomplete if you return without taking a replica of the Taj Mahal. It is a mini Taj Mahal that you can take back home. Leather goods are the other major buying products. All leather items like bags, shoes, belts, leather jackets etc are available in various designs. There are any number of vendors of reproduction Mughal style miniature paintings to be bought in Agra. Many sizes, many designs, all with the characteristic detailed depiction of courtly life in Mughal times. Some of shopping markets near thae taj mahal agra are listed bellow.

Government handloom and handicrafts shops are situated near the western gate of the Taj.
U.P. Handicraft & Handloom Centre
1/16,Eastern Gate,Taj Mahal,Taj Ganj,Agra .

TDI Shopping Mall
Plot No. 3D, Fatehabad Road, Tajnagri,Agra.

Marble Shoppy
Taj East Gate Rd,Agra .

Restaurants Near The Taj Mahal Agra

For the sweet tooth, agra petha is a must try. Also famous is the salty snack. There are many restaurant near the taj mahal agra which serves some delightfull food. Some of them listed bellow.

Joney's Place
0.6 km from Taj Mahal

CAFE COFFEE DAY
0.5 km from Taj Mahal

Shankara Vegis Restaurant
0.7 km from Taj Mahal

Peshawri
0.7 km from Taj Mahal

Esphahan
1.1 km from Taj Mahal

Pinch of Spice
1.7 km from Taj Mahal

Tea'se Me
1.1 km from Taj Mahal

Hotels Near Tajmahal

Shanti Lodge 1.0 Star Hotel

Chowk Kagjiyan South Gate | South Gate, Taj Mahal, Agra 282001, India

0.5 km from Taj Mahal

Hotel Sidhartha 1.5 Star Hotel

Western Gate, Agra 282001, India

0.6 km from Taj Mahal

Saniya Palace Inn 1.0 Star Hotel

Chowk Kagziyan,South Gate, | Taj Ganj, Agra 282001, India

0.6 km from Taj Mahal

Hotel Host

West Gate of Taj | 70 Meters Far From Taj, Agra 0562, India

0.6 km from Taj Mahal

Hotel Taj Resorts 3.5 Star Hotel

Near Shilp Gram, Taj Mahal (Estern Gate), Agra 282001, India

1.2 km from Taj Mahal

Hotel Atulyaa Taj 3.5 Star Hotel

538, near Shilip Gram | Taj Mahal (eastern gate), Agra 282001, India

1.1 km from Taj Mahal

Sheela Inn

opp. Jalma (Near Shipgram Parking), Eastern Gate, Tal Mahal, Agra 282001, India

1.0 km from Taj Mahal

Hotel Sheela 1.0 Star Hotel

East Gate, Taj Ganj, Agra, India

0.7 km from Taj Mahal

Hotel Kamal 1.0 Star Hotel

South Gate Of Taj Mahal | TajGanj, Agra 282001, India

0.7 km from Taj Mahal

Hotel Rashmi 1.0 Star Hotel

Near Hotel Amar Vilas, Rajiv Nagar | Rajiv Nagar, TajGanj, Agra 282001, India

1.2 km from Taj Mahal

The Oberoi Amarvilas 5.0 Star Hotel

Taj East Gate, Agra 282001, India

1.0 km from Taj Mahal

How to Reach Taj Mahal

By Air

The fastest way of reaching Taj Mahal, Agra is by air. The city of Taj, Agra, has its own airport that is around 7 km from the city center. Indian Airlines operates flights to Agra on a daily basis.

By Rail

There is a good network of trains connecting Agra with the rest of the country.The main trains connecting Agra with Delhi are Palace on Wheels, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Taj Express.Agra is located in between the main train lines from Delhi to Mumbai and from Delhi to Chennai. From Delhi, you can reach Agra by train in about 2-3 hours by Bhopal Shatabdi, Bhopal Express, Malwa Express, Gondwana Express, Jabalpur – Jammutawi Express, etc.

By Road

Agra is 204 km away from the capital Delhi and is on the crossroads of national highways 2, 3 and 11. Ground transportation from Delhi to Agra takes approximately 3.5 - 4 hours.Driving to Agra is also easy and comfortable with new modern highways.

From Delhi you can take the NH2 highway (200 km) , from Jaipur you can take number 11 ( 255km), from Gwailor the National highway which is 120 km and from Lucknow NH2 which is 285 km.

Local Transportation

You can easily get taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw and cycle rickshaw in the city that will take you to your destination. Prepaid taxis and tempo, auto-rickshaw and cycle rickshaw are also available if you want to visit the various places near the city. Since diesel and petrol vehicle are not permitted in the area of Taj Mahal , you can find battery-operated buses, horse-driven tongas, rickshaws and other pollution-free vehicles there.

Google Map For The Taj Mahal Agra