Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum and it’s found in the country of India. Agra is said to be the home of the magnificent Taj Mahal. In the year 1983, it was pronounced a world heritage site. Taj Mahal is special is because most travelers call this wonder in India the world’s most beautiful building – ever. Some say it’s worth a trip halfway around the world just to see it.
The hue of the marbled Taj Mahal of India varies from hour to hour, season to season. So it will be a great experience if you can see the Taj Mahal at least the in daytime, sunset and full moon.
The experience of seeing the Taj Mahal during a full moon (or on the night or two before or after that lunar event) is mesmerizingly mystical. But this full-moon happening draws high tourist traffic, which partially diminishes the ethereal experience. Your best bet is to arrive late at night when crowds have thinned.
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General Information About Taj Mahal
Location: Agra
State: Uttar Pradesh
Capital: Lucknow
Language: Hindi, English
Temperature: Max 42˚C, Min 27˚C (summer), Max 26˚C, Min 14˚C (winter)
Best Season: October to February
Basically, the Taj Mahal is an incorporated composite of structures. There is this most spectacular feature which is referred to as the Marble doom of a height of 35 meters and the same length base. Taj Mahal feature provides a clear example of a combination of traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements.
Architecture and The Layout of Taj Mahal
The design of the Taj Mahal presents the culmination of a process that started much before its inception. The uniqueness and design of the Taj Mahal are not the results of a single brain, instead, various superb features of its construction can be traced back systematically to the earlier examples during the whole evolutionary process. The riverbank, at a respectable distance from the hullabaloo of the capital, was chosen to give it a beautiful, natural and romantic setting. The bank of river Yamuna was chosen so that the colossal structure could tower magnificently and imposingly over its surroundings. The river takes a sharp turn at this place, almost at the right angle so that a water-shed is made where the thrust of the water is minimum. It was the safest point on the river bank. The square garden has been divided into four large quarters, separated by broad water channels with fountains and double causeways on either side. This garden setting provides an important aesthetics to the Taj. The main gate of the Taj Mahal is on the south side. It was designed to play the part of a monumental entrance to the grand structure. White marble has been used on this gateway to give emphasis and also to diminish the too sober and too classical an appearance of red sandstone. Chhatris with marble cupolas flanked by pinnacles are perhaps the most important feature of the gateway. The genius of the builder and his innovations are also reflected in yet another feature of its planning. In the Taj Mahal, the builder has substituted the false gateways with beautiful water-pavilions on the east and the west sides, each rising at the end of the broad water canal. Though each is an independent structure, it forms an indivisible part of the whole Charbagh plan. It appears as if the water channel was chiefly planned to give a suitable background for the water pavilion.
Attractions in Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal has been the most attractive monument in India, there are also other various buildings which have been built in the same style or manner as the Taj itself. Basically, there are various tourist’s attractions near Taj Mahal like the Agra Fort which is also a World Heritage Site. Akbar tomb is also a near attractive site. This is a unique tomb unlike other tombs in Mughal which have some similarities. It’s built to resemble a pyramid and has the 99 names of Allah written on it. Others include Fatehpur Sikri Completed in the year 1584 which is also a World Heritage Site. Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb built between 1622 and 1628 AD. Mankameshwar Temple built about 2.5km from Taj Mahal. Ram Bagh built in the year 1528 being the oldest Mughal garden in India. Its original name was the Garden of Relaxation. There is also the Swami Bagh Samadhi which still is under construction from like a century gone (1904). According to its construction is often touted the next Taj Mahal. Vrindavan is a Holy city near Agra and is said to be the most valued pilgrimages in India for the Hindus. These are the most visited attractions but there many more not mentioned in the list.
Ways to Visit Taj Mahal
By Air
Agra is the most preferred tourist destination in India, and getting to Taj Mahal becomes easy and simple. There is the fast way to get there and it’s by Air. Many flights are operating on a daily basis from near places to Agra the home of Taj Mahal.
Agra airport is 7 km from the city centre and 3 km from Idgah bus stand and is connected by domestic flights from major Indian cities. There are daily round trip flights from Delhi to Agra, Khajuraho, and Varanasi, with a return to Delhi. It takes only about 40 minutes from Delhi to Agra.
By Rail
Trains are also common which are the most convenient to the city of Agra. Agra is well connected by rail to Delhi, Varanasi and cities of Rajasthan, Taj Express and luxury trains like the Palace on Wheels. The main railway station is the Agra Cantonment station. There are also two train stations which are the Rara ki Mundi and the Agra Fort Railway station all in Agra the home of Taj Mahal.
By Road
Agra is about 205 km from Delhi, the capital of India. There is an excellent national highway connecting Delhi and Agra and it is only a 4 hours drive from Delhi. There are many options of getting there like hiring a luxury taxis, coaches or even a personal car which is estimated to reach Agra in 4hours time. Also, buses that drive to Agra every day. Idgah and Agra Fort are the main bus stands of Agra from where anybody can catch buses to and from or Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura and Fatehpur-Sikri.
Accommodation in Taj Mahal
Agra being the home of Taj Mahal, it’s surrounded by a variety of hotels as it is always a busy and a tourism city. The most common accommodation type here is the hotel which ranges from three-star to six-star. Examples of the hotels include the blue Sydney, the Taj west end, Chennai, Taj Coromandel, Taj Falaknuma Palace, Taj Krishna, Taj Bengal, Taj Palace Hotel and many more Hotels. Most of these Hotels give a quality service and are all kept with high standards of hygiene.
Basically, Taj Mahal is very known and liked attraction so far in the whole of the country –India. It has contributed to the ding of many monuments boosting the countries Tourism. Taj Mahal is among the ancient monuments you will never want to miss when touring India.
