Taj Mahal, Agra: A World Heritage Site

A Travel Guide to Taj Mahal

It is said that with Taj Mahal, Mughal Architecture reached its zenith. A UNESCO inscribed World Heritage Site, Taj Mahal in Agra is a symmetrically flawless charbagh mausoleum constructed entirely using white marble. Taj Mahal was recently voted as one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World.

The Taj Mahal is probably the most famous building in the world. Its picture has covered many magazines and travel brochures

The Taj Mahal is an elegant historical monument, located in the city of Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in India, which holds a capturing distinction from architecture of pre-Islamic India and Indo-Islamic style of architecture.

The dense marble walls, heavy lintels and corbelled arches sum up the Islamic culture’s formal themes. With elements from Persian, Indian and Islamic culture, The Taj Mahal is one of the finest works of Mughal architectures.

Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Built by: Shah Jahan

Built in: 1632–1653

Highlights: Interior decorations, Exterior Decorations, Night viewing of Taj Mahal under moonlight, Beautiful Gardens, Grand outlying buildings, Tour of Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort.

How to Reach: Agra is well connected by roads to all the major cities in the country. It is connected to Jaipur by NH-11, to Delhi and Varanasi by NH-2 and to Gwalior by NH-3. Besides, the local airport at Agra, Kheria Airport is connected to Delhi International Airport. The distance from Kheria airport to Taj Mahal is 9 km. The city is well connected to almost whole of India through railway. The distance from Agra Cantt Railway Station to Taj Mahal is 7 km.

Best time to visit: Visiting Agra during summer takes a huge toll on tourists due to almost unbearable heat. Hence, the best time to visit Taj Mahal is between the months of October to March when the weather is comparatively cooler.

Entry Fee: 750 INR for Foreign tourist, 510 INR for Citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC Countries and 20 INR for Domestic/Indian tourists.

Timings: Sunrise to Sunset (Friday Closed)

Introduction to Taj Mahal

Located in the city of Agra, in Uttar Pradesh, The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful mausoleums, constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, in the memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal has been made purely out of white marble and the view of the structure, in the black night, under the shimmering moonlight is an unforgettable spectacle.

The construction of the gigantic structure started around 1632, under the supervision of imperial rulers such as Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, Makramat Khan and Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan. By 1653, the Taj Mahal was built completely with the help of thousands of craftsmen and artisans. The Taj Mahal is a complex structure, though the most popular aspect of the monument is white domed marble mausoleum.

In 1983, Taj Mahal was recognized as a world Heritage Site by UNESCO and regarded as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." It is regarded as one of the finest examples of the magnificence of Mughal architecture, and hence, every year, tourists from all over the world visit The Taj Mahal to witness the historical monument.

History of Taj Mahal

Under the leadership of Shah Jahan, The Mughal Empire was in her greatest period of prosperity. But in 1631, the Emperor, Shah Jahan suffered a major setback when his third wife Mumtaz Mahal died during a child birth. Shah Jahan announced the Construction of the Taj Mahal in memory of her beloved wife and the construction for the same began in 1632.

The traditional love story that inspired the construction of Taj Mahal has been illustrated in the court chronicles of Shah Jahan. The construction of the principal mausoleum took 16 years and was completed by 1648. Five years later, by 1653, the surroundings gardens and buildings were built and the construction was finished.

Aurangzeb overthrew Shah Jahan, immediately after the construction of Taj Mahal, and put him under house arrest. After the death of Shah Jahan, he was buried in the mausoleum next to Mumtaz Mahal, by Aurangzeb.

The 19th century saw the defacing of the magnificent structure, The Taj Mahal, by the British government officials and soldiers who carved out lapis lazuli and valuable stones from the walls.

By the end of the 19th century, a restoration project was initiated by British viceroy Lord Curzon. The project was completed in 1908 with the construction of huge lamp in the interior chambers and the remodeling of gardens into British style lawns.

Today, The Taj Mahal is recognized as one of the seven wonders in the world, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations all over the world.

Some Interesting Facts about Taj Mahal

• Approximately, 22,000 people took participation in building the structure including embroidery artists, laborers, stonecutters, painters and many others.

• Rumors suggest that Shah Jahan planned to construct another Taj Mahal in black marble on the other side. His plans were thwarted by the ongoing battles with Aurangzeb.

• It took approximately 17 years for the complete construction of Taj Mahal.

• Taj Mahal’s complete height is 561 feet (171 meter).

• During the construction of Taj Mahal, approximately 1,000 elephants were used for the purpose of transportation of the construction materials that were being used to build the structure.

• The British government officials and soldiers dug out many precious stones and lapis lazuli from the interior walls of Taj Mahal.

• The Taj Mahal is one amongst the World’s Wonders.

• Taj Mahal is one amongst the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• The Taj Mahal holds a legend of eternal love of an Emperor for his beloved Queen.

• Taj Mahal looks identical from all four sides and hence creates an astounding mirrored image on each side. The symmetry of architectural elements and principle of self-replicating geometry have been used during construction.

• There are numerous gardens and buildings surrounding The Taj Mahal which constitutes 17 hectares of land within the complex walls.

• One of the most popular aspects of The Taj Mahal is her varying in coloring during a day. In the early morning, the Taj Mahal appears pinkish hue and turns to milky white during the evening and in the moonlight, it appears golden in color. According to people, the different colors depict the varying moods of female kind, particularly the Emperor’s Queen, Mumtaz Mahal.

For travel related queries and more images of Taj Mahal you may visit the website TajMahalAgra.Com 

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Beginners Guide to Rajasthan Tours

Think of Rajasthan and the rainbow colors of turbans and sari is inevitably conjured up in the canvas of imagination. Although a harsh land when it comes to weather and geography, its association with numerous maharajas of erstwhile Rajputana has ensured that the allure of Rajasthan is indelibly itched in the popular consciousness and folklore. Countless stories of valor, romance, intrigues and sacrifices have lent a unique stature to the state and various journals and annals of the British Raj era have only added to that appeal.

Snake Charmer of Rajasthan (By Paris75000 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

Owing to its royal legacy, Rajasthan is dotted with multitudes of fortresses, palaces, temples which form the major attractions of Rajasthan. Then there are vast stretches of deserts and diversity of wildlife which have become intrinsic part of Rajasthan tourism. Further, globally renowned Pushkar fair along with Ajmer Sharif attracts millions of devotees and pilgrims alike from around the globe.

With the ‘things to do’ list in Rajasthan as varied and vast as it is, even a month’s time is too short for a fussy traveler to explore and uncover the treasure troves of this desert state. Although conditions are harsh, traveling is quite easy as the destinations are well connected by road, rail and air with railroad being the best option.

Owing to huge tourist influx, hospitality industry in the state has developed in leaps and bounds. Hotels, guest houses, lodges and homestays have come up across destinations to suit every taste and budget of the travelers. Best time to visit this vibrant state is from October till February when sun is not harsh. Mentioned below are some of the most famous destinations which should be included to make for a memorable Rajasthan trip.

Jaipur

Jaipur also known as the Pink City is the capital and the largest city in Rajasthan. A young Bengali architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya designed the city in accordance with the Shilp Shastra - an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. Today's Jaipur is pink, visually described as the city shaded with the autumn colors of the sunset. Major attractions here include Amber Fort, City Palace, ethnic bazaars and Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic resort in the outskirts of the city.

By Artist: W. Purser; Engraver: Percy Heath [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Pushkar

One of the few places with temples dedicated to Hindu creator god Bramha, Pushkar is no more a sleepy little hamlet thronged by domestic and international tourists and pilgrims alike. It is said that when Bramha hit a demon with his weapon – which ironically was lotus flower – it fell to three places and one of them happens to be Pushkar where a lake sprang up. According to the legends a dip in the holy waters of the lake here ensures salvation especially when performed on Karthik Purnima (fteenth lunar day of Kartik month November–December).

By Nomad Tales from Australia (Hippies at the Ghat  Uploaded by Ekabhishek) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Udaipur

Udaipur is another major tourist destination in the colorful state of Rajasthan. Udaipur is popular around the world for its Lake Palace which is considered one of the best honeymoons hotel in the world and which also featured in the James Bond movie Octopussy. There are many attractions in and around Lake Pichola including Jagdish temple, Puppet Museum, City Palace, Monsoon Palace among others. Apart from this, Udaipur is also famous for its festivals, which include Teej, Mewar festival and Shilpgram festival.

Taj Lake Palace by Indian Luxury Trains, on Flickr

Jodhpur

Jodhpur, also known as “the Sun City” and “the Blue City”, is famous for its historical monuments, palaces, forts and temples. This desert city is one of the favorite destinations of tourists coming from various parts of the country and the world. Some of the well known sites to visit in the city are Mehrangarh Fort, Balsamand Lake, Osiyan temple, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Ganesha temple, etc. The festivals of the city also have a huge impact on tourists, which include Teej, Nag Panchami fair, Gangaur and Mahaveer Jayanti.

By Kroisenbrunner (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore, located in Sawai Madhopur, is one of the most visited national parks in India. Tourists and wildlife lovers from all across the globe are attracted by the fascination of this tiger reserve in Rajasthan. The major attractions of the park are wild animals and numerous species of birds. It includes tigers, panthers, chinkara, sambhar, nilgai, leopards, peafowl, Bonelli’s eagle, jacanas, black storks, etc. Ranthambore National Park is considered to be the best bet in India when it comes to tiger spotting due to its sparse vegetation.

By Rhaessner (taken by myself) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Mount Abu

Highest peak in the Aravali range, Mount Abu is the oasis in the harsh land of Rajasthan. It is the only hill station in North-West India. Besides the salubrious weather throughout the year, major attractions of Mount Abu include Dilwara Jain temples, Nakki Lake, Sunset point, Achalgarh Fort, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Museum and Art Gallery.

The above destinations are the most famous tourist destinations in Rajasthan and if you are planning to visit this erstwhile domain of maharajas, then including some of these destinations in your itinerary is definitely recommended. Other destination which could also work wonders include Bikaner and Jaisalmer.

Author Bio: A post graduate in marketing from University of Mumbai, India, Nikhil Chandra seek out travel inspiration with friends and often through solo wandering, exploring heritage and culture, meeting new people, tasting local cuisine and choosing homestays over hotels . His travel stories and articles have appeared in several travel magazines, online travel guides and travel blogs among others.

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Holidays in Kerala: Backwaters Tours

Kerala evokes many images in the mind of global travelers. But one of the most emblematic images of Kerala is manifested in the palm fringed, water hyacinth proliferated and Ketuvallams promenaded backwaters. Vast stretches of backwaters meander through Kerala with elongated networks of canals, lagoons and lakes drenched along the Malabar Coast.

Kathakali Performers - A cultural dance form in Kerala

Ensconced between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea, Kerala is inherently different from what one expects from a tourist destination in India. Kerala is fondly referred to as ‘god’s own country’ and the fascinating landscape, amazing diversity, spices and flowers and liberal hospitality endorse the ancient ethos of Indian hospitality which proclaims “Atithi Devo Bhava”, literally meaning guests are to be treated as gods. 

Kerala has been voted as 50 Destinations to Visit before You Die by National Geographic Magazine and effusively justify various accolades bestowed upon her.  Blessed with natural beauty, sun kissed beaches, vast stretches of backwaters and fertile land, Kerala not only offers an array of conventional tourism opportunities in state but also happens to be the champion of green tourism in India.

Chinese Fishing Nets - A major attraction in Fort Kochi

Kerala backwaters offer one of the most enchanting ways to explore the mystique and charm of this amazing country. A ride in traditional Ketuvallams lets you discover the bucolic splendor of the countryside as you wade through the frail network of canals connecting verdant stretches of rice paddies and coconut groves. Various boat races offering a cultural slice of the region are also arranged every year at various places. The most famous backwater destinations perhaps are the Alleppey or Alappuzha, Vembanad and Kuttanad region.

A Kettuvallam plying backwaters near Alapuzza

Add to the aforementioned attributes of Kerala backwater holidays, the vibrant traditions and mouth watering cuisines. It’s really one of those places whose fond memories stay with you long after your visit. A truly unique experience of Indian holidays in this endearing paradise will leave you spellbound. With its amazing diversity, rich heritage, vibrant culture and remarkable geography, Kerala tours ensure that you get to spend the time of your life when you plan for your vacation in this “god’s own country”.

For more information regarding tours and package holidays in Kerala send your enquiries HERE

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Taj Mahal: Things to do in India

“The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory”

Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor on Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is also voted one of the Modern Wonders of the World

Built to commemorate Mumtaj Mahal by his husband Shah Jehan, the emperor of India, Taj Mahal is one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World. It took 21 years and 20,000 artisans from around the world to create this magnum opus of Mughal architecture and one of the greatest symbols of love. Taj Mahal is built entirely from white marble. This magnificent piece of art stands tall amidst verdant Mughal Gardens (Char Bagh) and cascading waterholes.

Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is acknowledged for its immaculate symmetry. Taj Mahal was built on a marble platform that stands upon a sandstone platform in turn. Taj Mahal is known for its carvings, fine inlay work incorporating semi-precious stone, calligraphy and lapidary work which appear almost alive especially the work done inside the structure.

Many a dignitaries including late Princess Diana have paid visit to this monument immortalizing love and Taj Mahal has moved writers and poets alike. A visit to Agra is unarguably incomplete without paying a visit to this “teardrop on the cheek of time”.

• Taj Mahal is inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

• Taj Mahal was built as a mausoleum of Mumtaj Mahal, wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Mausoleum is a building that contains burial chambers (tombs) for the deceased

• Both Mumtaj Mahal and Shah Jahan are buries inside Taj Mahal

• Taj Mahal translates to Crown of the Palaces

• It took 20 years to build Taj Mahal

• Construction of Taj Mahal started in 1632 and it was finished around 1653

• The construction of Taj Mahal involved 22,000 laboureres and architects

• More than a thousand elebhants carried the construction material required for building Taj Mahal

• 50 wells were dug and filled with material as base to construct Taj Mahal to keep it from harm ways from water of river Yamuna

• Taj Mahal is custructed entirely of white marble

• The full height of the Taj Mahal is 171 metres (561 feet)

• Taj Mahal takes on different coloring at different times of the day, from a pinkish hue in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden at night when lit by the moon

• The complex is set around a large 300-metre (980 ft) square charbagh or Mughal garden

• Charbagh symbolizes the four flowing rivers of Jannat (an Urdu word meaning Paradise) and reflects the Paradise garden

• The Architect of Taj Mahal was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri

• Nearly 4 million tourist visit Taj Mahal every year

• Verses from Quran have been inscribed as decorative elements throughout the complex

• The calligraphy on Taj Mahal was created by a calligrapher named Abd ul-Haq

• Inlay work in the interiors of Taj Mahal is lapidary of precious and semiprecious gemstones

• Many precious stones and Lapis Lazuli (a semi-precious stone) were chiseled out from its walls by the British during the Indian rebellion of 1857

Open From: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays except for Friday when the complex is open for prayers at the mosque between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. The complex is open for night viewing on the day of the full moon and two days before and after excluding Fridays and the month of Ramadan.

Entry Fee:
Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - Rs. 20 per head.

Fee for Foreign Travelers:
Rs. 250/- per head (ASI);
Rs. 500/- per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority)
Rs. 500/- ticket of ADA is valid for the monuments of Agra Fort, Itimadi-ud-daula, Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandara and Fatehpur Sikri (Children up to 15 years free)

For more information about Taj Mahal Tours.

Updated by Nikhil Chandra

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