A visit to the Taj Mahal is the most important part of your India tour. The memories created at the Taj Mahal are the most cherished ones, the beauty and the charisma of the Taj Mahal is such you wil never ever forget but before finalizing the plan to the trip to the Taj Mahal do read this very important frequently asked questionnaire. We have tried to incorporate the most important and relevant questions regarding the Taj Mahal.
Questions 1 – Are guides and photographer available at the Taj Mahal?
Ans – yes, the guides and photographers are available at the Taj Mahal, the professional tour guides approved by government of India are available near both the entry gates to the Taj Mahal. but if you require language guides for languages other than Hindi/Indian languages/English, then contact your tour operator as he will sure provide you a better option. In Agra guides are available for langues such as Italian,german,French,Spanish,chinese Japanese, etc. The guides speaking the foregn languages are less in comparison to the guide speaking English so it’s better to hire them in advance before your tour.
The professional photographers are available inside the Taj Mahal. Their rate list is also displayed inside. You can easily hire them for best professional photographs.
Ques. 02 – what are the visiting hour for the Taj Mahal visit?
Ans – The Taj Mahal and other archaeological monuments in Agra are open from sunrise to sunset, remember the sunrise and sunset timings differ with the season. The sunrise in summer usually happens at 05:30 am the ticket window opens half an hour before the same. In winter the sunrise happens at 07:00 am. The ticket window opens half an hour before the same. Similarly, the sunset at 07:00 pm in summers while in winters the sunset happens at 05:15 pm.
Quest 03 – What are the ticket prices for the Taj Mahal?
Ans – The price of the Taj Mahal ticket depends on your nationality.
Indian nationals – They have to buy ticket for 250 INR for a complete visit to the monument if they are not desirous of visiting the marble mausoleum (the marble edifice) then they can also buy @ 50 INR entry ticket to the Taj mahal.
Foreign nationals – All foreign nationals except SAARC/BIMSTEC national have to buy ticket costing 1300 INR for a visit to the TAJ Mahal. If they are not desirous of visiting the marble mausoleum (the marble edifice) then they can also buy @ 1100 INR entry ticket to the Taj mahal.
SAARC/BIMSTEC – all nationals from these two groups of nations are charged @ 740 INR for a complete visit to the Taj Mahal. If they are not desirous of visiting the marble mausoleum (the marble edifice) then they can also buy @ 540 INR entry ticket to the Taj mahal.
Question 04 – Best timing and season for the Taj Mahal visit?
Answer – The best season- To visit the Taj mahal is winter season from October to March, the winters aren’t very harsh in this area, and usually light woollens are good enough. Few days in late December and January can be chilly and foggy. The summers are very harsh with temperature in day time usually rising up to 45 degrees centigrade. The monsoon can see a spell of rains continuing for days.
The best timing- Usually everyone says the best time to visit taj mahal is the sunrise, this is very true as you get to beat the crowds and morning sun offer you a charismatic view to the Taj Mahal but in winters this area experiences fog and the visit during sunrise may be hampered by foggy condition so consult the metrological predictions for fog during the winter season. In summers the sunrise is sure the best time as the morning offers conducive climate/temperature combined lesser crowd making the best view possible.
Question 04 – The gates for entry to the Taj Mahal?
Answer – There are two gates facilitating the entry to the Taj Mahal.
The east gate – This gate is lesser crowded with proximity to the famous hotels like Oberoi Amarvillas/Taj Hotel & Convention centre/Hotel JP palace etc. The parking to the east gate is around 1.2 KM from the gate, you will have to leave your car at the parking and avail the services of battery-operated vehicles provided by the government of India.
The West gate – this gate is mostly frequented by the Indian tourist and usually in the day has long queues at the security gate. This gate is very near to the Agra fort and Taj Mahal metro station. The parking to the west gate is also around 01 KM away and you can avail the service of battery-operated vehicles.
Question 05 – what are the things allowed inside the Taj Mahal?
Answer – The security inside the Taj Mahl is very strict and you will have to go through manual frisking at the security counter. You have to strictly adhere to the decorum and maintain discipline during your visit to the Taj. Please refrain from picking/plucking leaves/flowers from gardens. Trespassing the gardens, wading through the water canals, scribbling/defacing on the monument walls is strictly prohibited. Making yoga poses, commercial advertisement of any kind are also not allowed.
Things not allowed the Taj Mahal – food items of any kind, chewing gums, chocolates, tobacco, cigarettes, cigar, panmasala, confectionary items, cosmetics, toiletries, flags, banners, camera tripods, electronic devices, religious items.
Thins allowed the Taj Mahal – Mobile phones, wallet, money, camera, water bottle, medicine for personal use, umbrella.
Question 06 – Night viewing of the Taj Mahal?
Answer – The night view of the Taj Mahal is now possible but night viewing is under strict security ambit. The night viewing is done two days before the full moon night and two days after the full moon night if a Friday falls the Taj Mahal closed even for moon light (the night view remains closed during the month of Ramazan). The tourist is taken in a batch of 50 tourist with half an hour given to view the Taj Mahal from the royal gate platform, only 08 batches in total are permitted with maximum number of 400 tourist allowed in a particular night. The tickets for night viewing can be purchased online from the government of India official website/Tajmahal.gov.in. The tickets for the night view can be purchased 07 days before the proposed visit.
The best night viewing is experienced during the summer season; the monsoon season has thick clouds cover obstructing the moon while in winters fog usually obstructs the night view.
Question 07 – How to book Taj Mahal tickets?
Answer – Both offline and online modes are available for booking the Taj Mahal tickets. Both east and west gates have manual ticket counters. Online tickets can be purchased from the government of India sites (Tajmahal.gov.in/asiagracircle.in). Your tour guide/tour operator can also help you in purchasing offline tickets beating the crowds of the ticket counter.
Question 08 – Discounts for entry ticket to the Taj Mahal?
Answer – The children under the age of 15 are allowed free entry to the Taj Mahal apart from this no other discounts are available for entering the Taj Mahal. All visitors have to buy proper ticket to the Taj Mahal.
Question 09 – What is the duration of Taj Mahal visit?
Answer – when you buy a ticket for the Taj Mahal it authorises you for a visit lasting 03 hours. The entry timing is noted when you enter the Taj mahal and upon your entry by default is valid for 03 hours. If you exceed your stay then the authorities might penalise you for the same.
Question 10 – Is online booking mandatory at the Taj Mahal?
Answer – Both offline and online modes are available for booking the Taj Mahal tickets. You can buy your Taj Mahal ticket from the offline ticket counters at both the entry gates. While the online tickets are available from the respective sites (Tajmahal.gov.in/asiagracircle.in).
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