THE MEMORIAL OF LOVE

If there is any place which could change the way a person can love a spouse...it’s the TAJ MAHAL.

This huge architectural marvel is situated at the bank of Yamuna river and is filled with an aura which can only leave you awestruck. Famous for being one of the Seven Wonders of the World was built by the then Mughal emperor Shahjahan in the memory of his loving wife Mumtaz in the year 1631 and was completed in the year 1653.

It’s advisable to take a tour of the place with the help of tour guides who are authorized by the government and should not charge more than Rs 150 for an hour. They explain the history of the place with an interesting sense of narration and storyline however beware to not get too influenced with their choices of place to shop around!!!

The carvings and stones used from different parts of world have formed this beautiful monument and it is a classic example of bisymmetrical figure and gives an even view from all 4 directions.

Right inside are the replicas of the mausoleum of both Shahjahan and his wife Mumtaz. The original ones are structured at the basement and due to the limitation of space and the ever increasing number of visitors, the entrance to the place is closed and can only be peeked through.

FACT SHEET:

It’s located in the city of Agra which falls under the state of Uttar Pradesh.

How to get there:

By air: Delhi domestic airport is the closet one to Agra. The distance between Delhi and Agra is approximately 253 Km which can be covered by cab. There are also direct flights from Mumbai to Agra by few airlines.

By rail: There are various trains from Delhi like Intercity Express, Shatabadi etc and from Mumbai, trains like Mumbai Agra Superfast special (train number 0131).

MakeMyTrip is one of the good online option for details on timings, availability and making reservations.

Places to stay:  

Luxury: The Taj Mahal Hotel of Agra is a classic choice to stay. They are called as The Gateway Hotel, Fatehabad Road. The main attractions are the rooms with the view of the Taj Mahal.

Budget Hotels: Hotel marina and hotel Grand too offer as good choices.

Places to shop: Shopping in Agra can be a wonderful experience if you appreciate handicrafts and precious jewels. Sadar Bazaar and Kinari Bazaar are the well known markets. Everyone loves to pick up these miniatures Taj Mahals as souvenirs.

 When to visit:  The best season to visit is between October to March . The monument is closed on Fridays for the tourists.

Attractions: Agra Fort is a must see when you around the place & is located closer to the Taj. A total of 400 tourists are permitted to see the Taj Mahal, on or around moonlit nights, on five specific nights in a month. These nights are the full moon night itself and the two nights before and after the full moon night. There is an increased price to the entry ticket as compared to normal rates. Under the light of the full moon however, the Taj Mahal is said to appear at its best - shimmering like a fairytale castle built for a legendary princess.