The epic Taj Mahal. One of the most recognizable structures in the world. This fairytale building was constructed as a mausoleum by emperor Shah Jahan in 1648 in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died during childbirth. Truly magnificent the Taj Mahal felt like a beautiful apparition that emerges out of nowhere in the city of Agra.

This historic monument was built in 1648 AD.

Tourists from all over India visit the Taj Mahal Some even come prepared to take stunning pictures in their colorful saris against the backdrop of this pristine white structure.

The compound that surrounds the Taj Mahal is massive and covers almost 42 acres of gardens and green space.

The outer entrance and ticket office is over two miles away from the Taj Mahal. It’s a long walk to the main gate and the best way to get there is by shuttle bus. Buy the shuttle bus ticket when you buy the ticket to the Taj Mahal. Once you go past the first point of entry it’s too late to get the shuttle bus ticket. The shuttle ride drops you off at the main gate to the Taj Mahal.

Almost like a small village that surrounds the Taj Mahal, the road leading to the Taj Mahal has all sorts of local shops, cafes and office buildings .

I must admit as we were driving on this dusty inconspicious road I did wonder if we were going in the right direction, and if the Taj Mahal was actually going to be as grand as the pictures? The road to the Taj Mahal is as an assuming as you can imagine.

We finally arrive at the main gate to the Taj Mahal.

As our guide announced that we had arrived I did wonder again if we were in the right place? Where’s the Taj Mahal?

As it turns out the architect of the Taj Mahal intentionally created a fort around the structure so that guests had to walk through the main gate at which point they could get first sight of the Taj Mahal perfectly framed in the arch of the main gate.

Absolutely breathtaking! I could hear many of us take gasps of “Wow” as we walked through the main gate.

The Taj Mahal emerges like a mirage. You kind of have to blink to make sure it’s real.

It really is as beautiful as it is in the postcards.

The building really is as white and majestic as you see in the postcards.

The carvings on the marble are so ornate that they are works of art.

Waiting in line to see the interior of the Taj Mahal

Because this is not a palace but a mausoleum, there are no rooms or chambers inside the building, just the tombs of the queen and king, and no pictures are allowed. It’s austere inside with nothing but two beautifully carved ornate marble tombs.

In addition to the mausoleum the compound has a mosque, a guest house, a large gateway that surrounds the building, and a vast garden.

Our guide informed us that once a year the mosque is open for worship to muslims living in the town of Agra. To prevent imposters and tourists from entering, the attendees have to show proof of residency and their religious association before they are allowed inside. Only muslims are allowed to enter the mosque.

The Majestic Taj Mahal

It took twenty two years to build the Taj Mahal and there are many myths and folklores surrounding this majestic structure. One of them being that Emperor Shah Jahan had the hands of all the workers who worked on the Taj Mahal cut off so that they could not replicate the structure. But historians have debunked this myth and have recorded that this was not the case.

That’s a brief look at our visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal. I didn’t want to share too much here as part of the awe of this world famous building is to be surprised and delighted by the unexpected 🥰.