Take In The Taj Mahal
Ticked off in October 2022
A white marble tomb that turns pink at dawn and gold at dusk, built by an emperor for the wife he lost.
The adventure
You come through the dark red sandstone of the Great Gate, and there it is, framed perfectly in the arch: the dome floating at the end of the long water channel, so symmetrical it barely looks real. At sunrise the marble glows a soft pink; by midday it's dazzling white, and in the evening it turns honey-gold.
Up close, the detail is astonishing. Flowers and vines are inlaid into the marble with semi-precious stones cut to fit, and verses from the Quran wrap the arches in black lettering that grows larger the higher it goes, so it all looks the same size from the ground. Inside the hushed octagonal chamber, Shah Jahan lies beside Mumtaz Mahal, his cenotaph the only thing in the whole complex that breaks the symmetry.
Why it’s epic
- Around 20,000 craftsmen worked on it, starting in 1632, and the complex was finished around 1653.
- The white marble came from Makrana in Rajasthan, hundreds of kilometres away.
- Its four minarets lean very slightly outwards, so they would fall away from the tomb in an earthquake.
- It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
What it is
The Taj Mahal is a marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
How to do it
Take the train from Delhi to Agra (about two hours), and arrive for sunrise. It's closed on Fridays.
Top tip
View it from Mehtab Bagh across the river at sunset.
Need to know
- It's closed on Fridays, and only small bags are allowed in; food, tripods and many other items are banned.
- UK visitors need a visa for India; apply for the e-Visa online before you travel.
- The Gatimaan Express from Delhi takes under two hours, but book early as it sells out.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £2,000 to £5,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Best time to go
- October to March
- Fly into
- DEL airport
The long-haul flight to India is the main cost; the train, entry ticket and a guide are inexpensive.
Do it yourself
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My experience
I first saw the Taj Mahal in October 1994, aged 10, on a family trip to India. I went back in October 2022 and spent my birthday there, 28 years later. It was every bit as impressive the second time.
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