Taj Mahal, Agra
Any time of the year, you can plan a trip to Agra, but we recommend it during the winter months, specifically from October to March. During this time, the weather is generally pleasant with cool temperatures, making it more comfortable for outdoor activities and exploring the monument. It was built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife MUMTAZ Mahal in 1631 which was completed in 1643, which is great example of classic Mughal architecture. This monument is a memorial of love full of myth and unparalleled beauty, which has a special place in India’s complex history.
Taj Mahal opening time:
The Taj Mahal get opened from sunrise to sunset every day except Friday (6am to 630pm). Each Friday it is accessible in the afternoon, only for Muslims to attend the prayers. During sunrise visit Taj Mahal, is absolutely the best time. Due to sunlight it changes colour as the jewels used to decorate its exterior sparks. You won’t like to miss it!
To watch this amazing view of Taj, you will have to be sure to reach in the complex early morning by 5:30am at the East gate. The ticket counter gets opened at 6:00am, with two ticket lines, one is for locals and one is for foreigners. The foreigners’ tickets come with a water bottle and shoe coverings, which must will be required while you get close up to Taj.
Note:
If you have plans to visit Taj Mahal at night, the tickets must be purchased 24 hours beforehand at the booking centre of Archaeological Survey of India. Only 400 visitors are allowed for night viewing of Taj with a duration of 30 minutes at maximum.
Taj Mahal remains open during Holi festival, the festival of colours.
Best Period of the Day to Visit Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is a dynamic image offering different beautiful views during different hours of the day, during sunrise you find it looking different, daytime with another look and during sunset, again you love to watch it, so technically you can pay a visit at any time of the day.
During sunrise the monument provides its spectacular view, also there are other two advantages of visiting Taj Mahal in the early morning; you can not only avoid the heat but also the crowds. Getting up early can be rewarding for those who want some perfect shots and avoid waiting too long on queue.
You can visit Taj during sunset; it is also a nice choice. The temperature gets down and the monument is surrounded by soft silver light. Patience is necessary to capture some good pictures as number of visitors is higher at sunset than sunrise.
Visit Taj Mahal on full moon day or two days before or after, is again glamorous. Unlike what you see in daytime, the shadow of the structure against the dark sky and moonlight is full of peace and hypnotic.
Tips:
There are three gates to enter Taj Mahal, namely Western Gate, Eastern Gate and Southern Gate. Southern Gate is opened from 08:00am, so remember to use other two gates if you want to visit the monument at dawn.
If you enter from Western Gate, you will have to go through a large stretch of woods to reach the building, you may encounter here many monkeys in the morning, so don’t show them any snack or food.
Book the tickets online, will avail you a discount. INR 5 discount per tickets for Indian tourists and INR 50 per ticket for foreign tourists.
You can visit the Taj Museum inside the complex with the same ticket.
The ticket for foreign visitors is inclusive of a free water bottle (500ml), shoe covers, Tourist Guide Map of Agra and Golf Cart Service.
Bring as little as possible with you into the Taj Mahal, you cannot bring any food or drinks inside the structure. It is advisable to leave any kind of purse and bags, however there is a separate line, you will have to get in, you need to get bag checked there and then enter the monument.
Weather in Agra and Best Period of Visit:
Agra is dry and extremely hot as influenced by subtropical climate. The temperature is generally above 40℃ in April to June. Some travellers may suffer heatstroke and dehydration due to the extreme heat. July to September is monsoon season, when a lot of rain is expected however September may not be expected with heavy rain, by early September, monsoon travels to other parts of the country.
Winter season is the best time to travel in and around Agra, namely from October to March. The moderate temperature and clear weather during this season offer the most comfortable condition to travel around Agra.
The months of October and November have pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). December and January are the coolest months, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 22°C (41°F to 72°F). February and March start to see a gradual increase in temperature, ranging from 10°C to 30°C (50°F to 86°F). The skies are usually clear, providing excellent visibility for enjoying the Taj Mahal and capturing photographs.
To summarize, the best time to plan Agra tour is during the winter months from October to March when the weather is pleasant and the temperatures are cooler.
