Agra is a city in Uttar Pradesh and is most famous for the popular monument Taj Mahal. An iconic monument which was built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The city is on the banks of river Yamuna and besides being home to 7 wonders of the world, it is home to many more historical monuments. The rare monument Taj Mahal in Agra is the major attraction of the city. It is made up of ivory white marble and a treat for eyes.
The best time to visit Agra is November to March as it gets very hot in summers.
My Memories of visiting Taj Mahal in Agra –
I saw Taj Mahal only 3 years back for the first time. My parents and siblings visited Agra but I couldn’t accompany them as I was in a hostel and busy with exams. So, it was on my wishlist for a long time and was waiting to get an opportunity to visit this beauty.
We were in Delhi when we decided to visit Agra during the kids’ summer break. Although it was a dream come true for me, the heat was unbearable. We went in May when the whole North India experience hot summers with temperatures going as high as 42 to 45 degree C.
Kids saw Taj Mahal for the first time too but their memories of Taj Mahal include the unbearable heat of summer too. More so because in Taj Mahal you have to to take off your shoes and walk around to explore this iconic monument. Walking on marble was not easy. It was so hot that we skipped visiting other monuments nearby like Agra Fort.
Luckily we hired a guide who helped us to reach inside fast and also explore it nicely while sharing interesting stories from the Mughal era.
A visit to Taj Mahal 2016
About Taj Mahal in Agra and the historical city –
Agra is a historical city with many places to see and explore. Apart from Taj Mahal, you can see the following –
- Agra fort – The UNESCO world heritage site which is an important fort of Mughal time.
- Fatehpur Sikri – One hour from Agra and is popular for historical importance.
- Heritage walk in Agra to explore the city
- Sikandra – A place with beautiful art and architecture.
Agra Fort
Apart from these, you can explore the local bazaars and markets for its famous Agra ka petha and Mughlai food.
Taj Mahal is open half an hour before sunrise and closes half an hour after sunset. If you are visiting it in summers, try to be there as early as possible to avoid heat. There are 3 gates but one is only for exit and closed for entry. Actually, it’s a good idea to hire a guide as they would not only help you enter inside easily as there are long queues but also share about the monument and historical stories in an interesting way.
Agra is a true reflection of the Mughal era. Visiting Taj Mahal is a feeling which is hard to describe in words but can only be experienced. Have you seen this beauty yet? Do share with us your experience in comments below and I will be back next week with a new city and a new bag of memories.
I am sharing my memories of different places from my travel list this April.
#AtoZchallenge 2019 previous posts –
A for Amritsar
B for Bangalore
C for Chicago
D for Delhi
E for evergreen Kerala
F for Fun Las Vegas
G for Goa
H for Haridwar
I for Mackinac Island
J for Jammu
K for Kullu Manali
L for Los Angeles
M for Milwaukee
No for Niagara Falls
O for Orlando
P for Phuket
Q for Queen of Hills Mussoorie
April 20, 2019 at 12:46 am
There is a beautiful live musical show based on Tajmahal that happens in Agra and a must for those visiting Agra
April 20, 2019 at 1:01 am
Guess what! I haven’t been to Taj Mahal yet. Oops! Your pics were a delight, Deepa! ?
April 20, 2019 at 7:00 am
I have still not been to Agra and THE TAJ Mahal. Want to go there sooner.
April 20, 2019 at 2:37 pm
Thanks for the warning about the heat and the helpful tip about visiting it as early as possible. Will really help when I visit this wonder of the World!
April 20, 2019 at 3:07 pm
I visited Agra in 2010 as part of a R & R program of the company where I was working then. We stayed at the JP Palace Hotel and were taken around Agra in the two days er spend there. Taj was a beauty that has left a mark in my thoughts. But the Agra Petha and marble mementos have a permanent place in my house.
April 20, 2019 at 4:13 pm
Taj Mahal is an iconic monument. A lot has been written about it. Approach to Taj Mahal has also improved with construction of NOIDA expressway.
April 20, 2019 at 6:17 pm
no doubt Taj is rare, magnificent, wonderful and a great piece of art and architecture. I had been there many times but when my kiddo had to write an essay on it we ensured and made a trip specially to make him aware of this marvel.
April 20, 2019 at 8:24 pm
Our latest memory of visiting Taj Mahal with our toddler was around x-mas 2017. And my first memory of the monument takes me back to my childhood, I was in 1st grade. But our recent experience was not so good even though we visited in winters. It was too crowded, we had hired a guide who charged 3 times the entry fess plus his charges to take us inside through fast lane. By the time we reached inside and saw another crowd aimlessly moving in all the directions, we decided to skip it that day. I think its always better to visit in offseason and definitely not on a holiday.
April 20, 2019 at 11:34 pm
I have been to Agra soooo many times for work, but it was only last year that I squeezed in some time from my work schedule and visited it. Of course, have visited it as a kid with parents but dont remember much of that visit. Taj Mahal is a must must visit for everyone, and as you mentioned, the feelings cannot be described on seeing the beauty and history of this place.
April 21, 2019 at 10:41 am
I have never been here! want to visit soon
April 21, 2019 at 5:50 pm
I’ve seen the Taj Mahal twice and it never ceases to amaze me. If it makes you feel any better, we planned our trip during summers too and came back a shade darker! 🙁
April 21, 2019 at 9:11 pm
The Taj Mahal is truly phenomenal and no words can do it justice! We visit Agra often as it’s such an easy getaway from Delhi.
April 21, 2019 at 11:03 pm
My home town 🙂 I am very happy you featured it on the blog. Wish I had known you 3 yrs ago, would have shRed few more places to visit in Agra including a great gurudwara, Guru Da Taal.
April 21, 2019 at 11:04 pm
My hometown Deepa, so happy you featured Taj on the blog.
Only if we had known each other three yrs ago, I would have shared a few more places to visit in Agra, including one beautiful gurudwara called Guru Da Taal.
April 23, 2019 at 6:52 pm
Reminds me of my visit to the Taj in the scorching summer of June many years back. It was my visit trip with in laws and unfortunately my mom in law feel really sick due to the heat. We had to shorten our trip and learned a lesson for life never to plan again a vacay in summers except for the hills.
April 24, 2019 at 3:28 pm
Nice pics. I am yet to visit Taj
April 25, 2019 at 5:49 pm
The beautiful piece of work cant be described in words but a trip to Agra is incomplete without visiting this one 🙂