Over 300 years ago in the city of Agra, there was a man known as Shah Jahan. He was the fifth Mughal emperor who was an excellent military commander and known for his architectural achievements. It is said that he was very much in love with one of his wives, Mumtaz Mahal. She was a beautiful woman and it is said that they had a loving life together. Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal had thirteen children and were expecting their fourteenth. Then tragedy struck … Mumtaz died during childbirth. Shah Jahan was devastated. He lost the love of his life. Taken by grief he went into mourning for a year. Shah Jahan eventually decided to create a monument of his undying love for Mumtaz – a large mausoleum where her body was laid to rest. It took Shah Jahan 22 years but once complete, it was a magnificent beauty – this monument is known today as the Taj Mahal.

At least, that’s the story we are told about the inspiration for this spectacular building. The Taj Mahal stands on the south bank of the Yamuna river in Agra, India. It is made of white marble and decorated with intricate detail. It incorporates elements of both Mughal and Persian architecture. The Taj Mahal features an inner chamber decorated with precious stones. The structure also features a large marble dome situated above the tomb. Outside the Taj Mahal is a large, beautiful garden with a pool that reflects the image of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is one of the new seven wonders of the world and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Taj Mahal is open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. However, many people suggest going early to see the sunrise. You will have to go early enough (5:30/5:45 a.m.) to get a spot in the line (yes, the line can start that early but at least you will have a shorter wait time to get inside). I will most likely stay in a hotel in Agra the night before. That will make it much easier to get to the Taj Mahal early. The Taj Mahal is also open during full moon nights, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. two days before and after the full moon (except on Fridays and during the month of Ramzan/Ramadan).

Another benefit of going early is that you will avoid the crowd that usually gets crazy later on in the day. You should take your photographs right away while there are not as many people. Otherwise, if you wait too long, you will have a crowd of people in your photographs. You definitely want to get a photograph in front of the Taj Mahal with the reflecting pool. Once you get a few shots of the front, take photographs from the back and also the sides, so you can get different angles of this wondrous structure.

A few things to keep in mind: make sure you travel light because you will have to go through security at the gate and if they say an item is not allowed, you will have to leave it behind (or stay outside). There are different gate entries, but you will be charged the same at all sides (I have heard that the East gate is the quickest way to get in though). If you are a foreigner, you will be charged a higher entrance fee than locals; this fee includes a bottle of water and shoe covers (to wear inside). Visitors are separated into four groups for entry – local women; local men; foreign women; and foreign men. You cannot bring food inside with you.  Finally, you are not allowed to take photographs inside, especially of the tomb. After all, this is mausoleum and respect for the dead is extremely important in this culture.

You can visit the Taj Mahal on your own (totally doable) or hire a tour guide. This entirely depends on you and your preference. If you are visiting the Taj Mahal on your own, you can get more information from the Taj Mahal site.  Keep in mind though, a tour guide may be able to assist with transportation to the Taj Mahal, especially if you are not familiar with getting around in India.

It’s recommended to stay Aggra the night before you visit the Taj Mahal. This will make your trip a lot easier, especially if you are visiting the Taj Mahal early in the morning. There are quite a few hotel options in Agra.

Whether you take a tour or explore the Taj Mahal on your own, one thing is for sure, you will find this magnificent beauty breathtaking. Make sure you see the reflecting pool and explore the gardens.   I can’t wait to see this stunning piece of architecture and art and cross it off my bucket list.

Oh … and what exactly happened to Shah Jahan you may wonder? Well, he died (while on house arrest after being deposed by one of his sons). Nevertheless, he was buried beside Mumtaz in the tomb of the Taj Mahal.

Travel tip: You may want to hold off on your trip to see the Taj Mahal until next year. The Taj Mahal is in the process of being cleaned with a restorative mud pack. Since this involves scaffolding andmclay/mud etc. you may want to wait to visit the Taj Mahal after the cleaning is complete. Otherwise, you will likely have photos of the beautiful white-marble building flanked by scaffolding and partly covered in mud. It would be a pity to travel all the way to see the Taj Mahal and not get the photographs you want.