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Marble mausoleum in Agra, India
Photo: Yann (talk), CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Taj Mahal (Hindi: ताज महल Tāj Mahal, Urdu: تاج محل Tāj Mahal) is the incomparable marble tomb at Agra in northern India. It is a and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. No trip to India is complete without at least one visit to the Taj.
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Grand Gate
The large gate that leads to the entrance of the Taj Mahal complex. The three entrances come together to enter the complex. Videography is allowed up to the red sandstone platform of the gate.
A tomb dedicated to Fatehpuri Begum, a consort of Shah Jahan. She was a patron of the arts who had built the Fatehpuri Mosque just outside the West Gate. Built in the 1650s, it is one of the less visited monuments in the Taj Mahal complex, overshadowed by the main mausoleum. It contains a single white dome and twenty-four arches, standing on an elevated platform. It is surrounded by the intricate jali walls of its adjacent mosque.
A tomb dedicated to Sirhindi Begum, also known as Akbarabadi Mahal, the third wife of Shah Jahan. She gained significant favour during the later years of the emperor, becoming his most beloved consort after Mumtaz Mahal.
The raised marble water tank (hauz) at the centre of the garden, literally meaning and named after the "Tank of Abundance" promised to Muhammad in paradise where the faithful may quench their thirst upon arrival.
A two-storey drum house at the east, built of sandstone, and is capped with a white marble chhatris supported from 8 columns.
A museum hosted in a structure identical to the eastern Naubat Khana.
The focus of the Taj Mahal complex is the main mausoleum; a white cubic building with chamfered corners. It is topped by a large dome and several pillared, roofed chhatris. It comprises 4 floors; the lower chamber containing the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, the main chamber containing identical cenotaphs of the tombs below in a much more elaborate chamber, an ambulatory storey and a roof terrace.
Two identical buildings on either side of the platform. The Jawab, meaning "answer", was originally used as a place for entertaining and accommodation for important visitors, and is also known as "Mehman Khana", literally "Guest House".
One of the holy rivers of India, considered as a goddess in Hindu culture. A tributary of the Ganges which flows from Himalayas and further downstream, while passing through Delhi.
A hidden dargah inside the Taj Forest.
Art exhibits and Bollywood-style shows about the Taj Mahal.
A tomb dedicated to Kandhari Begum, also known as Qandahari Begum, the first wife of Shah Jahan.
A less-explored garden just west of the Taj Mahal complex.
Contains the tomb of Satti-un-Nisa.
A forest area of 11 hectares, this park has many landscaped mounds and watchtowers that provide a nice view of the Taj Mahal. There's a lake with many species of fish, birds and aquatic plants.
Perfect for early breakfast, when you want to wake up early to visit the Taj at 6AM. Offered are for example toast, coffee and cornflakes.
Good Indian food
Chinese cuisine.
Beer for ₹200 and cocktails for ₹450. The terrace of Amar Vilas Bar provides a view of the Taj.
High quality of beverages and pleasant ambience. Downing Street Bar offers dishes such as pizza and tandoori chicken from the same kitchen.
It's in the compound of Hotel Clarks Shiraz’s, Mughal Bar is an open-aired roof bar. It offers some continental delicacies along with Indian ones.
Almost a fancy hotel and restaurant, with a café and a rooftop with great views of the Taj Mahal. Wi-Fi only downstairs in the reception. The staff are very helpful. Five minutes' walk from the Taj.
friendsguesthouse786@gmail.com
Family-run guest house 15-min walk east from the Taj. Food, decent Wi-Fi, TV in rooms. Cushion-furnished balcony common area for eating, drinking and lazing about.
Directly in front of the central entry of the Taj Mahal, simple but clean.
Commission-free transport bookings, free incoming phone calls, 24 hour hot water. 22 rooms. Laundry facility.
Comfortable enough.
Rhine YOGA Hostel
6 rooms, 10 minute walking distance from Taj Mahal, rooftop, free stay in exchange of work available. Food, Wi-Fi, common area for eating, drinking and lazing about.
Good budget hotel with some air-con rooms. 24-hr room service. Friendly staff & fantastic views of the Taj Mahal from the roof top restaurant. ₹700
South Taj gate. From ₹400 economic room, non air-con. Hot water, TV. Restaurant on the roof top. Be careful with the bed sheets, not very clean. Cloak room available.
harshitguesthouse00004@gmail.com
Five clean rooms, running hot water in the bathroom, fully air conditioned, LCD TV, Internet, home cooked food.
Offers air-conditioned rooms each with cable TV with 100 channels, broadband Internet connection, private bathroom. You might get a little bit warmer than cold water by requesting it from the reception a few times. It is not possible to sleep without earplugs in the first floor because of the noise coming from corridor and reception all night. Get a room on the higher floors.
Offers air-con rooms each with cable TV with 100 channels, Internet connection, private bathroom. One of the best in this range.
Built in 2010, restaurant with rooftop seating and a beautiful pool, great view of the Taj (if not blocked by terrible pollution).
A family owned, operated guest house in a peaceful and quite colony away from the city traffic and pollution. Free parking, 24-hr free Wi-Fi, cable TV, all day water supply and accessible roof top.
9 km from Agra Airport. You will also get a nice view of Taj Mahal, which is 3 km away.
An IHCL SeleQtions hotel.
Formerly the Sheraton Mughal, this is one of Agra's top hotels, with views of the Taj from the roof viewing pavilion. Large pool. The hotel's age is starting to show, but the rooms are in fine shape. Popular with tour groups.
The best (and most expensive) hotel in Agra. It is consistently rated among the top 10 hotels in Asia.
Formerly the Trident Hilton, it's further away from the Taj than others, but is near the TDI Mall.
ताजगंज Tājganj
A chaotic bazaar in front of the Taj Mahal complex, a stark contrast from the complex's elegant, formal geometric layout. Originally known as "Mumtazabad", the bazaar was built as an integral part of the complex, initially to provide the construction workers with accommodation and facilities for their wellbeing. It eventually became a bustling town and the centre of Agra's economic activity where "different kinds of merchandise from every land, varieties of goods from every country, all sorts of luxuries of the time, and various kinds of necessities of civilisation and comfortable living brought from all parts of the world" were sold.
Handicrafts from different parts of Uttar Pradesh sold here.
By metro
The Agra Metro has two main stops in the Taj Mahal district.
By car
Motor vehicles are allowed upto 600-700 m from West Gate, upto 1.1 km from East Gate, and upto 1.2 km from South Gate. Once you reach the limit, you have to park your vehicle at a designated lot.
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