The white-marble mausoleum Shah Jahan built for his queen — India's most famous monument.
Taj Mahal is in Agra. Entry is ₹50 (+₹200 for the main mausoleum) for Indian visitors. It opens sunrise to sunset (about 6:00 am–6:30 pm). Closed every Friday. The best time is Come at sunrise for soft light, thin crowds.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1632–1653 |
| Built by | Emperor Shah Jahan, for Mumtaz Mahal |
| Style | Mughal (marble) |
| Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Location | Agra, Uttar Pradesh |
The Taj Mahal is a marble mausoleum on the Yamuna's bank. Emperor Shah Jahan raised it for his beloved wife. Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. Work ran for about two decades and finished around 1653.
Thousands of artisans and inlayers worked the white marble. The symmetry. The reflecting pool. The pietra-dura flowers make it a peak of Mughal art. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a New7Wonder.
Sources: Official ticketing — tajmahal.gov.in · Taj Mahal — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Taj Mahal.
What makes it special, and what to look for.
Key facts and figures — every data point links to its source.
| Detail | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central dome height | 73 m (240 ft) | Wikipedia |
| Complex area | 42 acres (17 ha) | Wikipedia |
| Minarets | Four, about 40 m tall | Wikipedia |
| Built | 1632–1653 (~22 years) | Wikipedia |
| Workers | Over 20,000 | Wikipedia |
| Chief architect | Ustad Ahmad Lahauri | Wikipedia |
| Cost (era) | About ₹32 million | Wikipedia |
| Material | White Makrana marble | Wikipedia |
| UNESCO listing | 1983 | UNESCO |
| Also | A New7Wonder (2007) | Wikipedia |
| Great Gate | Red-sandstone entry arch | Wikipedia |
| Calligrapher | Amanat Khan (signed) | Wikipedia |
| Reflecting pool | Mirrors the tomb | Wikipedia |
| Guest house | Red-sandstone jawab | Wikipedia |
The central dome rises 73 metres. That is about 240 feet high. A gilded finial crowns it.
The complex covers 42 acres. Four minarets frame the tomb. Each stands around 40 metres tall.
Over 20,000 workers built it. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri led the design. Work ran about 22 years.
White marble came from Makrana, Rajasthan. Inlaid stones form flowers and vines. Jade and lapis feature among them.
It cost about 32 million rupees then. UNESCO listed it in 1983. It became a New7Wonder in 2007.
The Great Gate frames the first view. It is built of red sandstone. A Quranic verse edges its arch.
Amanat Khan signed the calligraphy. It is the only signed part. The lettering grows larger with height.
Sources: Official ticketing — tajmahal.gov.in · Taj Mahal — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Taj Mahal.
Room by room, and detail by detail.
Sources: Official ticketing — tajmahal.gov.in · Taj Mahal — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Taj Mahal.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1631 | Mumtaz Mahal dies in childbirth. |
| 1632 | Construction of the Taj begins. |
| 1643 | The main mausoleum is completed. |
| 1653 | The whole complex is finished. |
| 1983 | UNESCO inscribes the Taj Mahal. |
| 2007 | Named a New7Wonder of the World. |
Sources: Official ticketing — tajmahal.gov.in · Taj Mahal — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Taj Mahal.
Fees and timings change from time to time. Confirm on the official site before you go.
| Visitor | Ticket |
|---|---|
| Indian | ₹50 (+₹200 for the main mausoleum) |
| SAARC / BIMSTEC | ₹540 (+₹200) |
| Foreign tourist | ₹1,100 (+₹200) |
| Children under 15 | Free |
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Sunrise to sunset (about 6:00 AM–6:30 PM). Night viewing on five moonlit nights a month. |
| Weekly closing | Closed every Friday. |
| Best time to visit | Come at sunrise for soft light and thin crowds. |
| How long to allow | Allow two to three hours, more at sunrise. |
Sources: Official ticketing — tajmahal.gov.in · Taj Mahal — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Taj Mahal.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Nearest station | Agra Cantt (~6 km) or Agra Fort |
| Last stretch | Battery buses / e-rickshaws to the East and West gates |
| From Delhi | ~233 km; ~2 hours by Gatimaan Express |
| Mode | Best for | Book / source |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air | Reaching Agra from afar | IndiGo |
| 🚆 Rail | Trains across India | IRCTC |
| 🚕 Taxi / app cab | Door-to-door comfort | Uber / Ola |
| 🛺 Auto-rickshaw | Short local hops | meter / app |
Plan around India's seasons. Come at sunrise for soft light and thin crowds.
| Season | Weather | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Oct–Mar | Cool, dry, pleasant | Best time to visit |
| ☀️ Apr–Jun | Hot on the plains | Go early; carry water |
| 🌧️ Jul–Sep | Warm, monsoon showers | Fewer crowds, green views |
Base yourself in Agra to visit with ease. It has stays for every budget. Book ahead in the cool season. Compare hotels on Booking.com. Find homes on Airbnb. See our Agra guide for the best areas.
Midday light is harsh and crowds peak. Sunrise is magical.
No tripods, food or large bags. Buy the mausoleum add-on separately.
Arrive at opening time. You beat crowds, and heat.
A good guide brings the history alive.
Shade can be limited here.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 🎫 Entry (Indian) | ₹50 (+₹200 for the main mausoleum) |
| 🎫 Entry (foreign) | Free |
| 🧑🏫 Local guide | ₹300–800 for a tour |
| 📷 Camera / video | Often a small extra fee |
| 🚕 Transport | ₹100–500 by auto or cab |
Costs are indicative. Confirm official rates on site.
Pair Taj Mahal with sights close by. Together they make a full, rewarding day. Start early to beat the crowds and heat.
Indian visitors pay ₹50. Foreign visitors ₹1,100, plus ₹200 to enter the main mausoleum. Under-15s are free.
It opens from sunrise to sunset. Roughly 6 AM to 6:30 PM. It is closed every Friday.
Fridays are reserved for prayers at the mosque inside the complex.
Sunrise is best for light and small crowds. October to March is the best season.
Two to three hours is enough for the tomb. Gardens and photos.
Nearest station: Agra Cantt (~6 km) or Agra Fort;. Last stretch: Battery buses / e-rickshaws to the East. West gates; From Delhi: ~233 km; ~2 hours by Gatimaan Express.
Yes. The white-marble mausoleum Shah Jahan built for his queen — India's most famous monument.
You can also visit Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra guide.
Stay in Agra. See our Agra guide.
Keep exploring around Agra.
