Hi travelers! After dreaming about it since we were kids in social studies class, we finally made it! Our long journey across India led us to Agra, and today was the day we visited the one and only Taj Mahal. We specifically planned our trip to be here on February 14th because what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than at a world-renowned monument of eternal love?
Even though we arrived late at 3 a.m. due to a train delay, we made sure to get up early. There was no way we were going to miss this moment. We wanted to show our little one the importance of this place, and she was just as excited as we were to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World!
Witnessing the Monument of Eternal Love
We arrived right at sunrise, which is definitely the best time to see the Taj Mahal. This famous mausoleum, which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a dedication to his wife, Mumtaz, who died in childbirth. It took 21 years, from 1632 to 1653, to finish this breathtaking embodiment of love.
Seeing the Taj Mahal built in pure white marble with our own eyes was unbelievable. When the morning sunlight hits the marble surface, the entire building glows! We truly believe that everyone should witness this beautiful palace at least once in their lifetime. We recommend visiting between October and December, or February and March, for the best weather.
💡 Tip:
Try to be at the gates by 5:30 a.m. to get in right when the complex opens at 6:00 a.m. If you are one of the first visitors, you can enjoy the beautiful views and take photos before the area gets packed with people!
Smart Traveler Secrets for Taj Mahal Tickets
To make our visit easy, we booked our tickets online beforehand, which saved us a lot of hassle. Here is the trick we learned:
When booking on the official website, people from SAARC countries (like Sri Lanka) can get a massive discount! You pay 540 Indian Rupees instead of the full 1,100 Rupees charged to other foreigners. Remember to click “SAARC” instead of “Foreigner” when you purchase your ticket. You also need a separate ticket (about 200 Rupees extra) to enter the main mausoleum inside the monument itself. And don’t forget to bring your passport, as they check the details from your online ticket!
💡 Tip:
Leave your camera gear behind! Tripods, gimbals, mics, and big traveling bags are not allowed inside the Taj Mahal complex. You can only bring your handheld camera, and photography is strictly forbidden inside the main mausoleum building.
Agra Fort: The Chief Army Base
Later that day, we visited the Agra Red Fort, which was also high on our bucket list. It’s conveniently located about two kilometers from the Taj Mahal, so you can easily walk or take a quick taxi ride. This massive fort was used by Emperor Akbar and many other Mughal rulers as their chief army base and home. The entire structure is gorgeous, and to truly understand its beauty, you have to read up on the history of how Emperor Shahjahan expanded and renovated many of the exquisite buildings inside.
After a busy morning, we headed back to our hostel. We chose to stay at Joey’s Hostel because we wanted a nice view of the Taj Mahal without spending too much money. We got a good view, and the entire area was quiet, giving us a good old Agra experience.
Our Next Stop is Delhi!
We’ve left the city of love and are ready for the next part of our incredible Indian adventure. Join us in the next video as we head off to the capital city of Delhi and continue our journey!