What's the best time of day to see the Taj Mahal?

Sunrise, when the marble looks its most delicate and the crowds are thinnest. Late afternoon is next best, as the stone warms in colour. If you can, see it again at sunset from Mehtab Bagh, across the river.

Can I go inside the mausoleum?

Yes. The main chamber holds the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan; their actual graves are in a crypt below, which is normally closed. You'll be asked to remove your shoes or wear shoe covers on the marble platform.

Is Taj Mahal a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes — Taj Mahal is part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

What is the Taj Mahal entry fee?

₹1,100 foreign nationals, ₹50 Indian citizens. Tickets for the sites on your route can be included in your trip estimate.

What are the Taj Mahal timings?

6:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last entry ~6:00 PM). Weekly closure: Friday.

Mausoleum

Taj Mahal

AgraUNESCOUNESCO World Heritage

Shah Jahan's marble masterpiece was created as a memorial to Mumtaz Mahal and remains one of the world's most moving expressions of love and architecture.

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Gallery

About Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a tomb. Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, built it for his wife Mumtaz Mahal after she died in 1631, and work on the mausoleum, its gardens, mosque and guest house went on for about twenty years. Shah Jahan was later buried beside her, the one break in the building's otherwise perfect symmetry.

Photographs miss two things. One is how the white Makrana marble changes through the day, from grey-pink at dawn to bright white at noon and warm gold late in the afternoon. The other is how fine the inlay is up close: flowers of carnelian, jade and lapis set flush into the stone. Most visitors enter through the great red sandstone gateway and get their first view of the tomb framed in its arch.

Go as early as you can. Queues are shortest at opening, the light is softest, and the gardens are calm before the tour groups arrive.

Taj Mahal At A Glance

Location: Agra
Type: Mausoleum
Heritage Status: UNESCO World Heritage
UNESCO: World Heritage Site
Entry: ₹1,100 foreign nationals · ₹50 Indian citizens

Know Before You Go

Timings

6:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last entry ~6:00 PM)

Weekly closed: Friday

Online Booking

Yes — tajmahal.gov.in / asiagracircle.in / ASI portal

Restrictions

No food/tobacco/alcohol; no tripods, drones, selfie sticks, headphones, large power banks, chargers or sharp objects; photography banned inside main mausoleum; only clear water bottle allowed

Washrooms

Available near ticket counters & inside complex (well-maintained, paid)

UNESCO World Heritage Site; closed Friday for non-worshippers

Good To Know

Visiting Taj Mahal

What's the best time of day to see the Taj Mahal?: Sunrise, when the marble looks its most delicate and the crowds are thinnest. Late afternoon is next best, as the stone warms in colour. If you can, see it again at sunset from Mehtab Bagh, across the river.
Can I go inside the mausoleum?: Yes. The main chamber holds the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan; their actual graves are in a crypt below, which is normally closed. You'll be asked to remove your shoes or wear shoe covers on the marble platform.
Is Taj Mahal a UNESCO World Heritage Site?: Yes — Taj Mahal is part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing.
What is the Taj Mahal entry fee?: ₹1,100 foreign nationals, ₹50 Indian citizens. Tickets for the sites on your route can be included in your trip estimate.
What are the Taj Mahal timings?: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last entry ~6:00 PM). Weekly closure: Friday.
Can I book Taj Mahal tickets online?: Yes — tajmahal.gov.in / asiagracircle.in / ASI portal.